After seeing all the “must see” amazing places in Slovenia, get prepared to explore even more. There are many more or less hidden places that are worth seeing.
But before we start, one more advice. To explore Slovenia, it is the best to rent a car. Small villages, remote churches and castles are often not very easy to reach with public transport.
1. Julian Alps region
– 30 km from Bled, you will find a magnificant lake Bohinj. You can walk up to the Savica waterfall, visit the church of John the Baptist or an alpine museum in Studor village, walk around the lake and have a swim.
– Radovljica is a small town, a few kilometers from Bled. Take a short walk around the town known for its apiculture museum and a ginger bread workshop.
2. Cerkljansko hills
– Skofja Loka is a lovely small medieval town with a castle and a museum.
– Cerkno is known mostly for its alpine skiing resort and a partisan hospital Franja, hidden in the gorges.
– Idrija has become Unesco World Heritage Site in 2012, a year earlier it was as the European Destination of Excellence. A visit of its mercury mine is a “must” in this area. Short walk through the town will take you to the town museum that holds also a collection of well known Idrija lace that is still being made by the local women in this area. Do not forget to taste some “zlikrofi”, typical dish of this region.
3. Soca valley
– Kobarid with its 1st WW musem. I also liked its cheese trade museum at Planika Dairy.
– Tolmin Gorges offer a breathtaking experience and it is never too crowded.
– “Walk of Peace” in the Soca valley is dedicated to the numerous victims of the 1st WW. About 100 km long walk takes you pass several outdoor museums, remains and memorials of the wellknown Soca front. Many of them are accessible also by car.
– Goriska Brda is a wine region. Visit one of the numerous wine cellers for tasting and have a stroll around Smartno, a small typical town of the region.
4. Karst region
– Stanjel, a small anceint village, also called a jewel of the Karst region.
– Karst region is known for the production of “prsut”, dried ham and dark red wine called Teran. Stop in any local farm for some tasting.
– Village of Goce is a typical Karst village, not yet known to the tourists. You will enjoy an easy walk along the narrow streets with stone houses.
– Skocjan caves, a Unesco World Heritage Site for many years, is a more natural version of Postojna cave. If you like walking and you enjoy nature, you will enjoy the Skocjan caves. And they are less crowded as well.
5. Adriatic Coast
– Village of Hrastovlje with the church of the Holly Trinity, that dates back to the 13th century. The interior of the church is covered in frescoes including late medieval Dance Macabre fresco.
– Secovlje Salt pans and natural parc by the Croatian border. The Secovlje Salt pans, situated at the mouth of Dragonja river in Secovlje on about 650 ha, are one of the rare saltpans, where the salt is still produced in the traditional way based on a 700-year-old method that harmonizes man and nature.
Check for more places to visit in the East of Slovenia soon. 🙂