- only through larger cities, better coverage and infrastructure in western Slovenia.

https://potniski.sz.si/en/

Mountain destination accessible by train:

• Bled (stop Lesce-Bled or Bled Jezero)

• Bohinj (stop Bohinjska Bistrica)

• Soča Valley (stop Most na Soči)

• Kamnik Savinja Alps (stop Kamnik)

• Pohorje (stop Maribor)

You can take your bike on the train for 3€/trip.

- multiple providers, the main ones are Arriva and Nomago

- many places offer free (or very cheap) summer buses for tourists (info to check on tourist destination websites)

Ljubljana bus station website:

https://www.ap-ljubljana.si/en/

2 largest bus companies that operate almost all regional and local buses:

https://arriva.si/en/ (main one, goes to Bled / Bohinj / Kranjska Gora, the coast, ...) - ticket can be bought on board of the bus and at some station like Ljubljana bus station

https://www.nomago.eu/ (goes to Soča Valley and covers the east of the country)

• simo.si

• https://julian-alps.com/en/p/mobility-in-the-julian-alps/36128892/

• https://www.tnp.si/en/visit/about-the-park/traffic-and-public-transport/

By destinations:

• Bled: https://www.bled.si/en/information/getting-around-bled/2023053015294502/bled-bus/

• Bohinj: https://promet.bohinj.si/en/organised-transport/

• Kranjska Gora: https://kranjska-gora.si/en/news/bus-services-to-the-valley-gate-and-tourist-bus-kranjska-gora

• Soca Valley: https://www.soca-valley.com/en/soca-valley/sustainable-mobility/

Many official campgrounds even in TNP - Bohinj, Kranjska Gora... Call in advance during peak season if you want to stay for a few days, but generally they always have space for someone with just a tent and no car. Some campsites have discounts for people without cars!

Note: it is considered camping only if one pitches a tent. Sleeping in a bivouac hut (emergency shelter), or just a sleeping bag, is allowed but are considered to be only allowed in case of emergency!

Map of camps

Use a city bike (1€/week!!) to experience the city like a local!

Download the app: https://www.bicikelj.si/

Or just walk... Everything is within a 2-3km radius.

https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/travel-information/getting-around/

City buses cost 1.5€/90min:

Possibility of paying on board with a credit card, but you will have to pay for each bus, if you plan on taking more than 1 in a 90-min timeframe.

Otherwise, you need a physical Urbana card (2€) or a virtual one.

Virtual Urbana card:

• Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.margento.urbanaplus

• IOS: https://apps.apple.com/si/app/urbana-ljubljana/id1472324298
  

https://www.tnp.si/en/

https://julian-alps.com/

Find inspiration: Visitor guide summer 2024

https://www.tnp.si/assets/Publikacije/Discover/Casopis-TNP-Poletje-2023.pdf 

How to get around? Check the public transport section!

Must visit spots in the city include: old town, castle, Tivoli park... In 1 day in Ljubljana, you will have seen most of it.

To experience the city as a local; travel by bike, enjoy a good glass of wine on the riverbank in the evening, take advantage of many free concerts happening downtown throughout the summer.

Going to Open kitchen market/food stalls (sl. Odprta kuhna) is a must on sunny Fridays. 

https://www.odprtakuhna.si/en/

To have a good view of the whole downtown at affordable prices, visit "Nebotičnik" cafe.

Useful map of the city with good recommendations, you can also find it for free all around the city: https://enjoylocal.eu/listing/enjoy-ljubljana-free-map-summer-14th-edition/

To reach Bohinj:

• train to Bohinjska Bistrica (direct from Jesenice and from Ljubljana during the weekend) + buses

• direct buses from Ljubljana / Skofja Loka (around 2h)

Many summer buses: https://promet.bohinj.si/

2€ for unlimited rides during 24h, only on marked buses (not the Arriva ones)

In Bohinj, chill by the lake, swim in the refreshing water, hike or bike to discover the surroundings, conquer the peaks of the Triglav national park, and don't forget along the way to pay attention to the traditional heritage 

Activity ideas: 

• Hike by the north shore of the lake and come back with the panoramic boat (8 or 9€) or bus.

• Rent a bike and bike along Bohinj bike path (it's not possible to bike around the lake)

• Take a cable car to Vogel and hike around (€€)

• Rent a SUP and paddle on the lake

• Stop with the bus or train in Nomenj and take a short hike along Sava river to Grmečica waterfall (30 min)

• Visit the traditional village of Stara Fužina by the lake and combine it with a hike to the Voje valley and Mostnica gorges (2/3€) or a visit to the Alpine dairy museum.

• Attend one of the many summer events, free concerts, film screenings, etc...

Good local and affordable food at Divja Jaga (sandwich, salad, bowl) or Foksner (Burgers)!

To reach Bled:

• Train to Bled Lake (from Jesenice or direct from Ljubljana during the weekend),

• Train to Lesce-Bled + bus (10min),

• Direct buses from Ljubljana (1h20) - Arriva

To get around: summer buses (5€ / day) https://www.bled.si/en/information/getting-around-bled/2023053015294502/bled-bus/

Tip: go early to avoid the crowds or stay late!

1 day in Bled is enough to see most:

• Visit Vintgar Gorges first thing in the morning (free buses from Bled)

• Come back to Bled and walk around the lake

• Hike to one of the viewpoints

• Take a swim

• Eat a great burger at Mega Burger, a vegan one at Public&Vegan Kitchen, typical Slovenian food at Gostilna Pri Planincu, a Bled Cake at the Pastry Zima or Šmon.

• If you stay the evening, go to one of the many free concerts or DJ Set, also open-air cinema once a week.

• If it rains, visit the Triglav National Park infocenter, they have a great free exhibition about the National Park! They also have a cute coffee shop - away from the crowd.

Tip: rent a bike and combine all those activities, the villages around Bled are really cute and peaceful!

If you stay longer, take a bus to Pokljuka and hike to Zajamniki or Viševnik, or go to Bohinj lake!

Don't:

• Go to the island - it's quite expensive and not that worth it (you need to pay for the boat, and also if you want to visit the church on the island > 30€ total)

• If you still want to go to the island and there are at least 2 people, it's cheaper to rent a rowboat to reach it.

• Go to the castle, also quite expensive, the view is not that impressive from it, the museum is interesting but not a must-see (11,5€ for students / 19€ for adults)

Slovenia's 2nd largest city. Good place to visit if you're heading from Ljubljana towards Vienna/Graz.

Pohorje mountain range at the edge of the city accessible by bus.

For a 3/4 days trek, can do the first stages of the Slovenian Mountain trail from Maribor to Slovenj Gradec.

https://kranjska-gora.si/en/

http://www.mojstrana.com/en/

https://www.nc-planica.si/en/

To reach Kranjska Gora: train to Jesenice + buses or direct buses from Ljubljana

Free summer buses: https://kranjska-gora.si/en/news/bus-services-to-the-valley-gate-and-tourist-bus-kranjska-gora  

Trip ideas: 

- rent bikes in Kranjska Gora and do a day trip to Planica Nordic Centre (Olympic ski jumps), Zelenci reserve and Tamar valley

- visit Vrata valley & Peričnik waterfall (or head even further into the TNP) from Mojstrana (shuttle buses available).

- Slemenova špica from Vršič pass (easy 1h hike with great views), free buses to Vršič.

- Martuljek waterfalls

- Three borders hike from Rateče

- Hike from Vrata valley to Zadnjica in Trenta valley (via "Luknja") from where you can take a bus to Bovec (this hike would take around 5h, once you get over "Luknja" and get to Trenta valley side it's easy, not very steep hike, while steep ascent to Luknja from Vrata shouldn't be underestimated). More info: https://www.hike.uno/mountain/luknja/1/197

https://www.soca-valley.com/en/

To reach Soča valley: train to Most na Soči (from Bohinj, Bled, Jesenice and Ljubljana during the weekend) and then buses, or bus from Kranjska Gora over Vrsič pass (only during summer) or through Tarvisio (one per day)

Summer buses: https://www.soca-valley.com/en/soca-valley/sustainable-mobility/

Trip/hike ideas:

- Mt. Krn & Krn lakes (from Lepena valley),

- Fort Kluže & Fort Hermann (WW1 Austro-Hungarian forts),

- Kanin/Sella Nevea,

- Virje waterfall,

- Boka waterfall,

- Svinjak peak (aka. "Bovec Matterhorn").

- Tolmin gorges

- Javorca Church

- Kolovrat outdoor museum

- Lake Most na Soči

- Trenta valley (spring of soča, Dom Trenta, Alpinum Juliana, the Great Soča Gorge, Sunik water grove)

For rafting / canyoning, recommend: Abyss Adventures

https://en.pzs.si/koce.php

To book online!

Membership in an alpine club (foreign or local) gets you 50% discount on shared accommodations in huts.

Try to book in advance! Language is rarely a problem as most caretakers speak both English and German.

Booking can be cancelled free of charge one to two days prior to your arrival (depending on the mountain hut).

Ps. Don't expect showers and other comforts... the Slovenian Alps are generally scarce with water, so huts often times rely only on air-lifted supplies or rainwater. Finding drinkable water can be challenging, and buying water in a hut can be expensive (6€/1L), so make sure to carry enough water with you.

Don't miss out on Štruklji, a rolled dough usually filled with Skuta (cottage cheese), often served in mountain huts. It can be served savory or sweet.

• City museum (https://mgml.si/en/city-museum/),
• National museum (https://www.nms.si/en/),
• National museum of contemporary history (https://www.muzej-nz.si/en/),
• Ethnographic museum (http://www.etno-muzej.si/en).

• Slovenian alpine museum (https://www.planinskimuzej.si/en/).

• Municipal museum (https://mro.si/en/municipal-museum/),
• Beekeeping museum (https://mro.si/en/musem-of-apiculture/).

• WW1/Battles of the Isonzo museum (https://www.kobariski-muzej.si/en/).

• Alpine dairy farming museum (https://www.bohinj.si/en/museums/alpine-dairy-museum/)
• Free exhibition about the lake at the Triglav national park infocenter in Stara Fuzina (https://www.tnp.si/en/visit/about-the-park/information-points/center-tnp-bohinj/)

• Municipal museum (https://www.muzej-idrija-cerkno.si/en/),
• Mercury mine (https://www.cudhg-idrija.si/en).

• Park of Military history (https://www.parkvojaskezgodovine.si/en/).

• Technical museum (https://www.tms.si/en/).

• Salina park and salt-making museum (https://www.kpss.si/en/intro).

Ticket prices for the most common destinations (from LJU):

• Ljubljana - Bled: 7.7€

• Ljubljana - Bohinj lake: 9.4€

• Ljubljana - Koper: 14.4€

• Ljubljana - Kranjska Gora: 10€

• Ljubljana - Maribor: 16.4€

up to 30% discount during the Weekend "Tourist weekend offer"

Note: if the route is served by both trains and buses, prices are usually the same for all modes of transport - however this is not a law (example: route Ljubljana - Maribor), so do your due diligence and pick the optimal one for you.

• Črna Prst from Bohinjska Bistrica - 16km, 7h, 1280 m+

• Prehodavcih hut and 7 lakes Valley from the crossroad Vogar-Blato - 10h, 29km, 1200m+

• Planina Blato- to Triglav lakes hut - Black lake - Komna - Savica (not a round trip) - 06h30, 22km, 1090m+ / 1530m-

• Rodica from Ribčev Laz - 06h30, 18,5km, 1390m+

• Krn Lake from Savica hut - 08h30, 29km, 1630m+

Pokljuka:

• Tosc from Rudno polje - 15,5km, 7h, 1000 m+

• Triglav (see below) - helmet and via ferrata kit mandatory !!

Karavanke:

• Stol - 16km, 8h, 1600m+

• Begunjšcica - 12,5 km, 7h, 1325m+

Kranjska Gora:

• Špik - 20km, 7h40, 1590m+ - helmet recommended

Kamnik Alps:

• Velika planina from Stahovica - 17km, 7h, 1316m+

• Kamnik saddle - 11km, 5h30, 1295m+

• Grintovec - 16km, 7h30, 1930m+ - helmet recommended

Password: on Slack

• Hike around the Lake - 3h, 11km, mostly flat

• Peč viewpoint

• Mostnica gorges (entrance fee) and Voje valley - 4h, 12km, 245m+

• Grmečica Waterfall - 1h, 4km

• From Ukanc to Savica Waterfall (entrance fee) -3h, 7.6km, 230m+

• Bistrica spring - 9km, 3h30, 210m+

• Možic and its bunkers (from Soriška Planina, accessible by shuttle bus from Bohinj or Arriva bus from Škofja Loka) - 2h30, 5,9km, 379m+

  
  

Pokljuka plateau: (accessible by bus from Bled or Bohinj)

• Zajamniki pasture - 3h, 10km, 200m+

• Uskovnica pasture - 2,3h, 8km, 250m+

Bled:

• Walk around the Lake + viewpoints Ojstrica and mala Osonjica - 8.4 km, 2h30, 300m+

• Vintgar gorges (entrance fee) - 6km, 2h, 150m+

• Pokljuka gorges - 1.15h, 3km, 220m+

• Straža hill - 1h30, 4,5km, 217m+

Kranjska Gora:

• Peričnik Waterfall - 10km, 3h, 200m+

• Viewing Balcony - 12km, 3h30, 300m+

• To Krnica valley - 14km, 4h, 300m+

• Rateče - Zelenci springs - 4km, 1h, flat

• Planica valley - 8km, 2h, 150m+

• Martuljek waterfalls - 4,2km, 1h30, 150m+

Soča Valley:

• To Virje Waterfall from Bovec - 10km, 2h, 320m+

• Šunik water groves and great Soča gorge - 9km, 2h30, 150m+

• Visna Trail - 5km, 1h30, 200m+

• Boka waterfall

• Tolmin castle - 4km, 1h, 200m+

• Beri waterfall - 9km, 3h, 300m+

• Tolmin Gorges (entrance fee)

Kamnik Alps:

• Velika Planina with cable car

• Peč and Rudnica - 8km, 4h, 400m+

• Laz pasture - 12,3km, 4h30, 590m+

• Stara Fužina through Voje and Uskovnica - 16km, 6h, 750m+

• Zajamniki from Srednja vas - 14km, 5h, 765m+

• Double lakes in the 7 lakes valley - 16km, 5h30, 830m+

• Komna & Bogatin - 15,5km, 5h30, 860m+

Pokljuka plateau:

• Viševnik - 9km, 4h15, 815m+

• Debela Peč - 17km, 6h, 880m+

• Vodnikov dom

Kranjska Gora:

• Slemenova Špica - 5,5km, 2h30, 407m+

• Mala & Velika Mojstrovka from the Vršič Pass - 6km, 2h50, 690m+

• Tromeja / 3 borders - 13km, 5h, 700m+

Bled:

• Babji Zobb - 10km, 4h, 640m+

• Bled round trail, viewpoints paradise - 14km, 4h30, 685m+

• Galetovec - 15km, 5h30, 850m+

Karavanke:

• Smokuških vrh - 8km, 4h, 500m+

Kranj:

• Sveti Jošt nad Kranjem - 11km, 4h, 460m+

• Jamnik church from Podnart - 15km, 4h40, 545m+

Soča Valley:

• Mangartsko sedlo nature trail - 8km, 3h, 400m+,

• Soča trail (one way) - 28km, 8h30, 460m+

• Krn lake from Lepena - 10km, 5h30, 830m+

Long distance:

• Juliana Trail

• Slovenian mountain trail

• Karavanke trail

• Via Alpina

While Triglav isn’t super technically difficult, it is a rather long hike, typically done over two days with a stay in a mountain hut. It can be done in one, but it’s a serious push. The final ascent follows a via ferrata on a narrow ridge, and in high season, it can feel more like waiting in line at Disneyland than climbing a mountain. Crowds, slow progress, and the pressure of passing others on exposed terrain can make the experience stressful or unpleasant.

And here’s the honest truth: the view from the top isn’t dramatically better than from many other peaks in the Julian Alps. If you’re looking for peace, panoramic views, and fewer people, you might enjoy one of the nearby mountains with a view of Triglav, instead of from it.

That said, if you do choose to summit Triglav:

• Start early and consider staying overnight at a hut like Planika or Kredarica.

• Take a helmet and via ferrata kit, they’re mandatory.

• Choose your route wisely: the most popular starts from Rudno Polje or Krma, but there are also beautiful approaches from Lake Bohinj (via the Valley of the Seven Lakes) or Trenta Valley.

• Pack out any trash you find, even if it’s not yours. The mountain deserves respect from everyone who visits.

Triglav is a special place, just make sure you go for the right reasons, and with the right preparation.

This bivouac is located in a remote and rugged area, surrounded by technical alpine terrain and via ferrata routes. It was built to provide shelter for mountaineers caught out by weather or fatigue, not as a destination in itself.

Unfortunately, due to its rising popularity on Instagram, many people now hike there solely for the photo, unaware that:

• The shelter is extremely small and often full during summer nights.

• The trail is steep, rocky, and in parts unmarked, not particularly scenic or enjoyable for casual hikers.

• There are no nearby mountain huts, making poor planning potentially dangerous.

If you want to see Bivak pod Skuto, consider incorporating it into a proper multi-day alpine trek and plan to stay at a staffed hut nearby rather than relying on the bivouac. This respects both the intent of the structure and the safety of all hikers.

• Burek: a popular (and affordable) pastry filled with meat, cheese, or spinach, usually bought at bakeries.

• Toast: Yes, just toast! A ham and cheese toastie is a classic snack or light meal.

• Radler: A refreshing mix of beer and lemonade or soda.

• Cokta: the Coca-Cola of the Balkans.

• Beers: they are 2 main brands, Union (the red one) and Laško (the green one)

  
  

Over 40 dialects: For such a small country, Slovenia has an astonishing number of dialects, and some can be hard to understand even for other Slovenians.

Zlatorog’s story reflects respect for nature, warning against greed, and the belief that the mountains are sacred and wild.

You’ll see him everywhere:

• On Laško beer labels,

• As statues and symbols around Triglav National Park,

• In literature and art as a national folklore icon.

The official Slovenian multimodal journey planner that integrates most public and private transportation services into one platform (buses, trains, shuttles,...)!

But it doesn't give info on prices, so you still need to check on each provider's website.

• Mojstrana to Kranjska Gora/Rateče (can also start from Bled / Jesenice and go all the way to Tarvisio in Italy)

• Bled to Bohinj

• Bohinj loop bike path

• Kanal to Nova Gorica

Outside of Julian alps

• Parenzana

• Štrekna

In neighboring regions:

• Alpe Adria path (section Tarvisio - Dogna, nice bike path on the former disused railway Pontebbana)

Carniolan sausage

Štruklji

Krapi

Trout & game meat

More info here