The optimal itinerary for one week in Slovenia

Ready for a week of waterfalls, wild rivers and coastal views? This itinerary to one week in Slovenia is made for travellers who love nature, scenic drives and active days. From Lake Bled to the Soca Valley, Piran and Ljubljana, it mixes iconic sights with outdoor experiences.

Whether you’re into hiking in the Julian Alps, exploring underground caves, or indulging in fresh seafood, this route helps you make the most of 7 days without feeling rushed.

Looking at the size of the country, one week may seem like plenty of time to explore Slovenia. At least that’s what I thought before planning my 11-day trip there. The reality is, that the small Balkan country boasts such a huge variety of places to see and do that one week is just enough time to understand that you must return. Anyway, sometimes a week is all you got and not to worry – given the short distances, 7 days will let you see many of the country’s highlights. Just follow this itinerary for your 1 week in Slovenia!

I finally got around to visiting Slovenia with my boyfriend in May 2024. I say finally because we had been discussing it for a decade. While I had only been there on a day trip from Italy (way back when), he has been coming here almost annually since 2009. It’s about time I got to explore it too, right?

The perfect 1 week in Slovenia itinerary

Let’s get straight to the point because this is what you came here for right? As mentioned, we spent 11 days in Slovenia in total. 6 of those nights were spent in Bovec and the Soca Valley. Why? Because that is where my boyfriend has been going every year and knows a lot of people. But while I urge you to stop by Bovec and explore the valley, you don’t need close to a week there.

This is the itinerary I recommend if you only have one week in Slovenia:

• 1 night: Bled
• 2 nights: Bovec and the Soca Valley
• 2 nights: Piran
• 2 nights: Ljubljana

This will show you the diversity of Slovenia and give you enough time in each place not to feel rushed. In addition to the places listed above, this itinerary also includes visits to the UNESCO-listed Skocjan Caves and the famous Predjama Castle.

My itinerary is based on you starting and ending your trip in Ljubljana. I also highly recommend renting a car to get the most out of your time here. However, there are other ways to travel to and around Slovenia, read more on that further down.

Day 1 – 2: Explore famous Bled

Arriving at Ljubljana airport is a breeze. It’s a fairly small airport and you are through it on a whim. The same goes for picking up your rental car. Although, we actually spent some time trying to locate our rental company. It’s a bit confusing, but some rental companies have offices by the exit in the terminal building and some across the street.

As soon as you are settled in your rented car, you will see why Bled is the optimal first destination. It’s such an easy drive to get there: a few roundabouts and you are on the motorway heading north and approx. 35 minutes later you are parked in front of the scenic lake.

Since Bled is a popular destination, I recommend booking your accommodation before arrival. We stayed at Vila Preseren which is nestled between the lake and the castle hill, and it suited our needs perfectly.

Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to start exploring this cute little town already on your first day. We arrived after dark and in the middle of a torrential downburst and decided to leave sightseeing for the following day.

Things to do in Bled

Bled is packed with fun things to do, so with only one day to spare you should pick your activities with care.

I recommend starting with a visit to Bled Castle. This way you get to see the area from a bird’s perspective and learn about the history. Next, I suggest getting active by cycling around the lake. It’s an easy ride and shouldn’t take much more than 1 hour including numerous photo stops.

There are several nice places to sit down for lunch and a refreshing drink, before continuing your explorations. For the afternoon, I would choose to either take a boat ride over to the church on the island or visit Vintgar Gorge. Remember, you are driving to your next destination afterwards.

If you choose the second option, you can do so upon leaving Bled. Just make sure you book your spot in advance.

Day 2-3: Bovec and the Soca Valley

There are several routes you can take driving from Bled to Bovec. One even takes you through parts of both Austria and Italy. But if you are travelling in the summer half of the year, I strongly advise you to take the route through Triglav National Park via Kranjska Gora and Trenta. The road sure is winding, but the scenery is worth every hard turn! Even in rainy and foggy weather like we had.

Bovec is a rather small town in the Soca Valley and the perfect hub to explore the beautiful surroundings. There are several guesthouses and hotels here, and every other family rents out apartments in their homes. We stayed in a small 1-bedroom apartment at Mrakic apartments, and I can highly recommend booking here. My boyfriend has been coming back here every year since 2010 and I can understand why. They are excellent hosts, have apartments in different sizes and a cosy garden for everyone to use.

Explore the Soca Valley

By following this one week in Slovenia itinerary, you only have one full day in Bovec – so make sure to spend it wisely.

Bovec and its surroundings got something to offer for everyone. Would you like to add a bit of action and adrenaline to your trip, book a rafting trip. The Soca River is world-famous within the river sports community, and once you see it you will understand why. It’s by far the prettiest river I’ve ever seen! There are several companies offering tours on the river in the summer season.

Is peaceful sightseeing with a touch of waterfalls, river views and coffee breaks more your cup of tea, rent bicycles or drive around and stop wherever you like.

Want to go hiking? The Julian Alps is a mecca for hikers and there are lots of marked trails to choose from. Ask your host for recommendations or drive up the Lepena Valley to the Dom Klementa hut and walk up to Krnsko Jezero (Lake Krn) like we did.

Are you into history? Go to Kobarid and visit the excellent World War 2 museum before you stroll up to the memorial site at the Church of St. Anthony. Make sure to walk down to the river and see Napoleon’s bridge before you go.

For really good coffee, perfect GTs and a laidback vibe, I recommend spending an evening in front of the bonfire at Prijon Sport Center.

See my full guide to things to do in Bovec here.

Day 4-5: Coastal serenity in Piran

After a few nights in the mountains, it’s time to move again. Be ready for another scenic drive through changing landscapes, this time towards the coast. I recommend trying to leave early so that you have time to make a few stops along the way. At first you are following the river down the valley, surrounded by mountains and forest. Then it changes to a more Mediterranean scenery as you continue on small, winding roads past vineyards and picturesque hamlets.

On your way to Piran, take a detour to visit the Skocjan Caves. They might not be as famous as the Postojna Caves, but they are on the UNESCO World Heritage List for a reason. A stop here will take approx. 3 hours in total, and there are guided tours every hour from 9 – 16 in summer and every few hours the rest of the year. You need to join a tour to enter the caves, and the fact that photography is prohibited inside makes it even more special.

Arriving in Piran, you need to park outside the old town. We parked in Garage Arze here, and it was just a short and easy walk downhill to the main square. You should book a place to stay close to the old town centre. With only two nights, you don’t want to waste time going back and forth.

We rented a lovely apartment just off the Tartini Square on Airbnb, but next time I want to splurge a bit and stay at the historic Hotel Piran.

What to do in Piran

After active days exploring Bled and Bovec, I bet some downtime sounds great. Luckily, there’s no better place to relax for a bit than Piran. Spend your time strolling around the narrow alleys in the old town centre and kill an hour or two with people watching on the main square. Head up to the old town walls for panoramic views of the city and see if you can spot Italy and Croatia in the horizon.

Being by the Adriatic Sea, a dip in the ocean may seem tempting. It is possible to swim from concrete platforms along the street from Hotel Piran and along up to the lighthouse. But if you want to lounge on a beach, you should hop over to nearby Portoroz instead. Go there by car, bus, foot or bicycle.

And talking of bicycles. If you want to be more active than I have suggested, rent a bike and cycle up the coast to Izola – another cute seaside town.

Enjoy the sunset while sipping on your favourite drink in the evening before you indulge in mouthwatering seafood.

Day 5-7: Urban delights in Ljubljana

After a last morning in Slovenia’s little Italy, Piran, it’s time to get moving again. Next up on the Slovenia itinerary is the capital, Ljubljana. But not before you make one last sightseeing stop.

Driving from Piran to Ljubljana takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and I recommend taking the highway. About halfway, you should take a small detour to see the famous cave castle. Predjama Castle is worth spending a few hours at. You want time to take photos outside and follow the audio-guided tour inside. There are also some cafés outside for lunch and refreshments. Continuing towards Ljubljana, you pass the Postojna Caves. And if you are up for exploring more caves, you can choose to buy a combined ticket for the castle and the caves. I visited Postojna years ago, so this time we chose the Skocjan Caves instead as they are less crowded and touristy.

Ljubljana is one of Europe’s smallest capitals and driving here is quite easy, but parking near the city centre is limited. We stayed at Ibis Styles Ljubljana Centre, and while it’s nothing extra its location is ideal for a couple of nights in the city. A big plus for the parking garage next door (not included).

Now, it’s time to get out on a wander through the art nouveau streets!

What to do in Ljubljana

As mentioned, Ljubljana isn’t a large city. But there is still plenty to do for a couple of days. Like always, I recommend going uphill to get an overview of the place first. And in Ljubljana, that means visiting the castle that sits as a backdrop for the city centre.

Whether you decide to stick around and explore the castle, walk around the premises, or sit down with a drink on the terrace bar outside is up to you.

Another thing you must do in Ljubljana is admire the UNESCO-listed architecture. Luckily, this isn’t difficult as it’s spread around, and you are likely to walk past it anyway. To get a proper feel for the city, I recommend visiting the market in the morning. The old market hall is one of said UNESCO buildings, but the market is way larger today. It’s also a great place to get some edible souvenirs to bring home!

The streets lining the river are packed with restaurants and bars, and if the weather is nice, you definitely want to find a place here to sit for a while.

Planning your trip to Slovenia

This itinerary is based on arrival and departure to/from Ljubljana Airport and renting a car. But there are several other ways to travel to and within Slovenia, and the itinerary can be amended to fit your way of travelling.

So, let’s look at some practicalities for visiting this small, green, and diverse country:

When to go

Even though Slovenia is an all-year destination, and each season has its charm, I would highly recommend going in spring or autumn. Think May – mid-June and September – mid-October. That time of year, you have temperatures suitable for outdoor adventures and most activities are open.

If you choose to travel in winter, you can for example go skiing in the Julian Alps. But keep in mind that some mountain passes, like the one between Kranjska Gora and Bovec, are closed due to snow. However, I’m certain Bled looks wonderful on a crispy cold day and low season means you will have most places almost to yourself. And lower prices, of course.

We went at the beginning of May, which normally is a great time with little crowds and good weather. Only, this year we got a bit unlucky with the weather the first week, with some chilly and wet days. Early May is also too early for some hikes in the Soca Valley.

Travel to Slovenia

Given its location, smack in the middle of Europe, travel to Slovenia is easy.

Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport is Slovenia’s main airport. It’s rather small and connections cannot be compared with what you find in larger hubs. But when you first find a flight here, both arrival and departure are a breeze. We flew with Lufthansa by the way. The proximity to Italy and Croatia makes Venice and Zagreb other options to fly into.

In addition to Italy, Slovenia also borders Croatia, Hungary and Austria. This makes train travel from many larger cities in Europe easy. Read more about train travel to Slovenia here.

And the same goes for driving. All the border crossings make adding Slovenia to your European road trip super convenient.

Renting a car

Renting a car at Ljubljana airport is super easy. We booked ours through Alamo this time, but all the major rental companies are there. The only confusing thing was that some rental companies were inside the actual terminal building while others were across the street – where all the cars were parked. Luckily the airport is small, and we only spent a few minutes figuring out where to go.

If you are flying into Croatia or Italy, it’s no problem to rent a car there and take it across the border. Just remember to notify the rental company as you must pay extra to cross borders.

Given how close you will be to Austria, Italy and Croatia on this itinerary, it can be tempting to visit one of them as well. If you know this already when picking up the car, just let the staff know and it will all be sorted at once. If you, like us, want to take things spontaneously it’s possible to call the rental company on the same day. Just make sure you have an internet connection, as they will send you an updated contract for digital signage.

I called Alamo literally 15 minutes from the Italian border and by the time we saw the border signs, everything was in order.

Travel by public transport in Slovenia

Travelling around Slovenia by public transport is possible, but planning takes a bit more effort and getting around will certainly take a bit more time. It may be advisable to customise this itinerary a bit. As far as I can see, the most difficult destination to reach is Bovec. An option is to stay longer in Bled and do a tour there instead. You can check bus routes and schedules on Nomago and Arriva. For train routes and tickets, visit Slovenian Railways here.

I also recommend to check out Destination the World’s post on the Bohinj Railway, as they actually travelled around Slovenia by public transport.

Other things to think of on a road trip in Slovenia

Driving in Slovenia is pretty much straightforward. Following this itinerary, you will drive on a mix of highways, normal roads and narrow roads. There will be tons of things you want to see along the way, so make sure you have time to make stops. And remember, the rear mirror isn’t there just for checking if you have something between your teeth. Take a look back every 30 seconds and if someone looks like they want to pass you, let them. Just pull over at the nearest possible place and both of you are good to go again.

Looking for more road trip inspiration? Take a look at this Lofoten 5-day itinerary or this 2-week trip in Central Europe!

All set for your one week in Slovenia

Are you ready to book your flights to Slovenia yet? I hope so! This itinerary only covers a tiny bit of the country, however small it may seem, and there are plenty of other places I’d also like to visit someday. But you will at least get a wonderful introduction to this small and varied country.

Do you have any questions or wish to see more from my Slovenia trip? Visit my Instagram account!