The Ultimate Day Trips from Ljubljana
Most people visiting Slovenia will start off in the county’s capital city, Ljubljana. This small city has loads to offer as well as a relaxed vibe and a thriving café culture. However, if you are looking for some time out of the city, there are some really amazing day trips from Ljubljana. In this post, we detail the very best day trips from Ljubljana, as well as some interesting trips a little further afield.
Day Trips from Ljubljana – Lake Bled
One of the most popular locations within Slovenia is the extraordinarily beautiful Lake Bled. With it stunning islands and surrounding mountains, it’s easy to see the appeal.
This spectacular lake is less than 60 km from the city and offers exciting hiking, amazing scenery and good food. If you feel like a day out of the city, Lake Bled is an amazing day trip from Ljubljana.
Lake Bled is a popular region for visitors. As such, there are several different ways to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled by public transport or if you have access to a car, the drive is easy. Check out all the details HERE.
Day Trips from Ljubljana – Maribor
The beautiful city of Maribor makes a fabulous day trip from Ljubljana! Maribor is the second-largest city in Slovenia and is situated along the Drava River, surrounded by green forests and picturesque hills. It has a rich history, dating back to the Roman times, and was part of various empires and states until it became part of independent Slovenia in 1991.
Maribor is also known for its cultural and artistic events, such as the summer arts festival and the Old Vine Festival. It is an ideal day trip for wine lovers as it is home to the oldest vine in the world, which is over 400 years old and still produces grapes!
Explore the City of Kranj
The city of Kranj is the capital of the Slovenian Alps. The panoramic mountain view serves as a spectacular backdrop to this little city. Some of the attractions in Kranj include the old town, the Kokra River Canyon, the Ossuary, and the museums dedicated to the poet France Prešeren and the composer Matija Tomc.
We took the train from Ljubljana to Kranj and really enjoyed exploring this chilled out, relaxed city. Enjoying a coffee and cake in one of the many small plazas was a really nice way to spend some time.
Discover Postojna Cave and Other Underground Gems
There are several caves near Ljubljana, Slovenia. One of the most popular ones is Postojna Cave which is located approximately 50 km southwest of Ljubljana. It is a world-famous attraction and the largest show cave in Europe. The cave system is 24-kilometer-long and features a unique underground train ride.
Another popular cave is Škocjan Caves, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located approximately 90 km southwest of Ljubljana. It is known for its majestic underground canyon and is one of the largest known underground canyons in the world.
Day Trips from Ljubljana – Lake Bohinj
Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia, located in the Triglav National Park and surrounded by the Julian Alps. It offers scenic views, outdoor activities, water sports, and cultural attractions.
Located not far from Lake Bled, there are a lot of similarities. However, Lake Bohinj is substantially bigger and therefore the surrounding trails are more remote and you will see fewer tourists.
Day Trips from Ljubljana – Piran
Piran is a charming medieval town on the coast of Slovenia, with Venetian influences and a bustling harbour. Make sure you don’t miss Tartini Square, St George’s Church and the impressive medieval walls that surround the town.
You can drive to Piran from Ljubljana in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus to this beautiful coastal town. However, it does take a little longer at around 3 hours.
Take the Bus to Zagreb, Croatia
Fancy going international? You can take a bus from Ljubljana to Zagreb in under 2.5 hours making it possible to visit from Ljubljana in a day. Zagreb is Croatia’s capital city that dates back to Roman times and is well worth a day trip from Ljubljana.
Day Trips from Ljubljana – Travel to Trieste, Italy
We jumped on a Flixbus from Ljubljana to Trieste and were there in around an hour! This amazing city has a lot to see, including Miramare Castle and the beautiful Piazza Unita. There is also a great coffee culture in the city. Don’t miss Caffè San Marco as it is over 100 years old.
We really enjoyed the brisk walk up to the castle and the spectacular view from the top.
There is a small airport in Trieste so it is possible to plan your visit around this. We found flights from Scotland to Trieste were cheaper than to Ljubljana. So keep that option in mind if you are still planning your trip.
Day Trips from Ljubljana – Venice
The incredible Italian city of Venice needs no introduction! If you have some extra time in Ljubljana, you’re in luck, Venice is only 2.5 hours away by car. It’s possible to take a day trip to Venice from Ljubljana. However, a city such as Venice, deserves a bit more time if you can.
We actually flew into Venice and spent the night before travelling up to Ljubljana, two amazing cities in one trip!
What to Pack for Your Day Trips from Ljubljana
Some of these go without saying, however, we have put together a helpful list for you so you won’t forget any of the basics you might need for your hike around Lake Bled and the surrounding area.
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Cash (euros)
- Snacks for the hike
- Water bottle (at least a litre in summer).
- Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions if you plan on hiking further
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen, sunhat and/or sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
Good to Know on your Day Trips from Ljubljana
We have heard many variations on the pronunciation of the city of Ljubljana, not very many of them correct! “J”s in Slovenian are pronounced as “Y”s in English, therefore Ljubljana is pronounced as lyoo-BLYAH-nah
When you visit Slovenia, learn a bit of the language. Slovenian is not an easy language to learn. But any attempt is greatly appreciated by locals. Here are a few words to get you started –
| English | Slovenian | Sounds Like |
| Hello | Živjo/Zdravo | ZHEE-vyoh/ZDRAH-voh |
| Goodbye | Nasvidenje | nahs-VEE-deh-nyeh |
| Please | Prosim | PROH-sihm |
| Thank you | Hvala | HVAA-lah |
| Yes | Da | Dah |
| No | Ne | Neh |
More Info
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not take a look at some amazing things to do in Ljubljana.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Slovenia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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