Espresso Boarding: Slovenia
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Slovenia:
Dragons, Castles, and Underground Trains
Slovenia represents the true spirit of the European Union; a place where East Europe meets West Europe, and where ancient civilizations blend in harmony with modern life. This is a ‘must visit’ destination.
Slovenia is a different experience in Spring vs. Autumn and again between Summer Soltice and Winter Soltice. Planning an itinerary for four days is a challenge - we share the most unique ways to experience local life and invite you to return for more.
- Cris
Ljubljana Old Town
Prešeren Square
Slovenia a blend of Old World and New World, of East and West. The combination and contradictions create a sense of timelessness and beauty.
Get oriented with a walking tour of Ljubljana Old Town to admire its vibrant Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Rekindle an old romance in Prešeren Square at the Prešeren Monument, a tribute to the Slovenian poet France Prešeren. The monument includes a sculpture of Prešeren, a sculpture of a Muse above him, and a small statue on the building that Prešeren faces. The statue of Julija is made to appear as if she's looking out her bedroom window.
Dragon Bridge
Cross the Dragon Bridge, adorned with famous dragon statues, which appears in the most recognizable images of Ljubljana. If you haven't been photographed next to a Dragon Bridge dragon, you can hardly claim that you have visited Ljubljana. The four dragon statues, which look slightly terrifying and almost real (if, of course, you believe that dragons might be real).
Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle, perched atop Castle Hill, has guarded the city for over 900 years. Originally a medieval fortress, it evolved into a Renaissance residence, later serving as a military garrison and a prison. Over centuries, its walls bore witness to Slovenian history, from royal pageantry to wartime resilience. Today, it's a vibrant cultural hub, offering panoramic views, exhibitions, and a deep dive into the region's past. Legends whisper of hidden treasures and dragons—fitting for a castle at the heart of Slovenia’s capital.
Lake Bled
Mala Osojnica
Drive to Lake Bled and hike roughly 45 minutes to Mala Osojnica for stunning views of the lake and Bled Island. You can borrow bikes from most hotels and bike all the way around the lake itself. Bring a bike chain so you can secure it prior to hiking up Mala Osojnica.
Lake Bled and Bled Castle
Take a boat across the lake to Bled, an Alpine resort town with an emerald-green lake, a fairytale-like island, and an imposing castle on a rocky cliff. Explore the castle and take a “pletna” boat to the charming island.
Bled Castle (Blejski Grad), Slovenia’s oldest, dates back to 1011, when it was first mentioned in a donation deed by Emperor Henry II. Initially a Romanesque fortress, it expanded over centuries into a medieval stronghold with Gothic and Renaissance influences. Strategically perched atop a 130-meter cliff, it was a center of feudal power, housing bishops, knights, and noble families. The castle is fascinating for its breathtaking views of Lake Bled and its role as a guardian of the region’s history.
Today, it hosts a museum showcasing medieval artifacts, a chapel with frescoes, a printing press, and a wine cellar where visitors can bottle their own wine. Its blend of history, architecture, and stunning natural surroundings makes it an iconic Slovenian landmark.
As you walk around, it’s easy to imagine hosting a wedding here (they do that), negotiating a treaty while surrounded by knights, or wandering the corridors in the evening trying to remember where you put that bottle of wine. Let you imagination go wild.
Among the many charms of Bled Castle is the printing works which contains a replica Gutenberg wooden press. Watch a printer demonstrate printing on hand-made paper using blocks with historical images and loose lead letters. If you wish to have a souvenir certificate, turn into a castle master printer for several minutes and after some hard work you will learn to appreciate the "black art".
Caves
Škocjan Caves
Underground waterfalls! The UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves Regional Park contains one of the world's largest known underground river canyons, cut into the limestone bedrock by the Reka River. Along its course, the river suddenly disappears into the karst underground, before passing through a vast and picturesque channel of up to 150 meters in height and more than 120 meters in width, often in the form of dramatically roaring rapids and waterfalls!
The canyon's most spectacular area is the enormous Martel Chamber, which exceeds two million cubic meters in volume. Like the canyon, the vast underground halls and chambers of the cave system expose stunning variations of limestone bedrock and secondary cave formations.
Interestingly, archaeological studies have found details of a very long history of human occupation since prehistoric times. There is strong evidence that our ancestors appreciated the area as a safe place to live and to bury their ancestors.
Postojna Cave
Want to see something cool? Head to the Postojna Cave and take the underground train. The world's first railway in an underground cave was opened in Postojna Cave in 1872. After World War II, Postojna Cave became part of the Free Territory of Trieste and later Yugoslavia. Over time, the gasoline-powered locomotives became outdated as visitors were becoming annoyed by their noise and exhaust fumes. Finally in 1956, the cave management purchased two battery-powered electric locomotives. They were soon proven to be reliable, so the management kept purchasing new ones until they owned a total of twelve. The last two were purchased in 1988. In 2013, an asynchronous motor was installed into locomotive No. 3 - this type of motor charges batteries during braking as well
Look for the olm, also called the "human fish," a rare, blind amphibian found only in the karst caves of the Dinaric Alps, including Postojna. This fascinating creature, which resembles a miniature dragon, lives entirely in darkness and can survive without food for years. It’s revered not only because it is cute but because it is tied to clean drinking water. The belief is that if the Olm die, then the water is no longer safe to drink. This baby dragon is such a big deal that when a female olm laid 60 eggs, people flocked from around the world to see them. Imagine baby “baby dragons.” Awwww.
Lake Cerknica
Lake Cerknica
Can a lake just disappear? And then appear again? If it’s Lake Cerknica, then yes it can and it does. Lake Cerknica periodically disappears and reappears due to the unique way that it moves through underground caves made of limestone. During wet seasons, it transforms into a vast lake perfect for kayaking, birdwatching, and fishing. In dry months, the water drains into underground channels, leaving behind meadows and fields ideal for hiking and exploring sinkholes and caves. During the dry season, people repel down into the sinkholes to look at the underground limestone formations. Please don’t do this after it rains because…it’s a sinkhole…and you risk being buried in mud.
$$$: Fine Dining
The JB Restaurant is ranked in the top 100 restaurants in the world. All ingredients are chosen daily from the farmer’s market and great emphasis is placed on taste from quality ingredients rather than a fancy sauce that masks poor ingredients. Even the interior has clean simple lines for a calming environment.
Order: 'Tasting menu featuring seasonal specialties.
Pro: Creative dishes using local ingredients.
Con: Premium pricing reflects its fine dining status.
$$: Food To Feed The Family
The Druga Violina is known for traditional Slovenian dishes and its social enterprise model, employing individuals with disabilities.
Order: Štruklji (rolled dumplings) with various fillings.
Pro: Affordable prices with hearty portions.
Con: Limited menu options but this can be great when you are tired. Fewer options means it’s easier to choose something.
$: Inexpensive And Safe
You will smell the delicious Burek Olimpija before you arrive - already making you happy. Burek, is a Balkan pastry filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, popular among locals and visitors. I admit to mistaking it for pizza the first time I saw it - until I looked more closely and realized it is so much tastier than pizza.
Order: The 'Deep Fried Chicken with Garlic Rice.’
Pro: Open 24 hours, perfect for late-night cravings.
Con: Primarily a takeaway spot with minimal seating but they offer delivery.
$$$: Luxury
The Antiq Palace, a boutique property with rooms and apartments, is a member of Historic Hotels of Europe, it's a protected cultural monument, which offers all the services typical for small boutique accommodations. It's located in an impressive 16th century palatial noble city residence in the very heart of the centre of Ljubljana, boasting one of the most prestigious addresses in the city on Gosposka 10 Street.
Location: Nestled in the old town, close to the National and University Library and the Ljubljanica River.
Pro: The Residential apartment contains a kitchen and apartments with one or two bedrooms are available.
Con: Some areas may feel dated due to its historic nature.
$$: Comfort For Families
The City Hotel Ljubljana provides comfortable rooms, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant, catering to both business and leisure travelers.
Location: Located near the Dragon Bridge and Ljubljana Central Market.
Pro: Close to major attractions with modern facilities.
Con: Hotel books quickly and so it’s best to make reservations when you secure your plane or train ticket.
$: Clean and Safe
The Hotel Florjančkov Hram is a family-run hotel offering air-conditioned rooms and a restaurant serving locally sourced produce.
Location: Situated in a quiet area, approximately 5 km from Ljubljana's main attractions..
Pro: Exceptional service and comfortable accommodations.
Con: Located slightly outside the city center.
Rent An Apartment
This 2-bedroom apartment is centrally-located and fully redecorated on the 1st floor. A spacious fully equipped four rooms apartment is suitable for a business visit, romantic getaway or a family vacation. Ljubljana Railway, Bus Station and Tivoli Park are less than 10 minutes walk away and various bars, shops and great restaurants are located within very short walking distance.
Location: Centrally located with a 10-minute walk to most destinations.
Pro: Your own kitchen, washer, and dryer means saving luggage space for souvenirs and not waiting for a table at each meal.
Con: You have no excuse as to why you need to eat ice cream for every meal. You can…you just don’t have an excuse.
Central Market (Ljubljana)
The Central Market consists of an open-air market, located in the Vodnikov trg and Pogačarnev trg squares, a covered market situated in between the two squares, and a series of small food shops along the river Ljubljanica, which are referred to as 'Plečnik's Covered Market' as they are located in a colonnade designed by Ljubljana's famous architect Jože Plečnik. The Central Market offer is supplemented by catering establishments and street food kiosks.
Buy: Fresh local produce, artisanal cheeses, honey, and traditional Slovenian crafts.
Idrija Lace Shops
These are not your Grandmother’s lace shops! While you can certainly find tablecloths and doilies, you will also find jewelry, clothing, and hair decorations. You will find all price points as students from local lace schools display their creations beside master artists.
Buy: Jewelry, hair accessories, art and more.
Radovljica Old Town
The old town of Radovljica is one of the best preserved town structures in Slovenia with houses dating from 15th and 16th century. There is the Live Gingerbread Workshop living museum where you see staff producing the red traditional gingerbread hearts (a guided tour and explanation in English and other languages is available).
Buy: Gingerbread hearts, traditional Slovenian honey products, and handcrafted souvenirs.
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