We spent two days in Slovenia on our Balkan road trip; one exploring the country’s capital, Ljubljana and one at the country’s top tourist attraction; the spectacular Lake Bled.
Slovenia 2 Day Road Trip Itinerary
| Day 1 | Drive to Ljubljana Ljubljana Congress Square Park Zvezda (Star Park) Republic Square National and University Library Cathedral of St Nicholas Ljubljana Castle Dragon Bridge Mesarski Most (Butcher’s Bridge) Prešeren Square Triple Bridge Dinner at Druga Violina Accommodation – Penzion Pod Lipo |
| Day 2 | Vintgar Gorge Bled Lake Bled Heart of Bled St Martin’s Parish Church Picnic in Spa Park Olympic Rowing Centre Pletna Ride to Bled Island Bled Island Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Bled Castle Accommodation – Pension TTT |
Slovenia Day 1 – Ljubljana
Today, another country, we are going to Ljubljana in Slovenia. With a population of just 300,000, it’s unlike many capital cities. However, Ljubljana has an pleasant old town which run along the banks of the Ljubljanica River, scattered with parks and squares. All dominated by the medieval castle which sits on a hill overlooking the city.
Drive to Ljubljana
When we reach the Slovenian border, we have to queue for 20 minutes. This is a surprise, as both countries are in the EU. At least I’m not a lorry driver; the lorry queue snakes for miles down the motorway. Approaching the border by car requires zigzagging round the collection of lorry drivers standing in the road chatting and smoking cigarettes.
In Slovenia, you need a to purchase a vignette to drive on the motorway, which we plan to obtain at the first petrol station we reach. This plan causes the old man significant distress, as not having a vignette carries a fine of up to €800 and in his mind, the whole of the Slovenian police force is lying in wait in the few hundred metres between the border and the petrol station. Luckily, there are vignettes for sale at the border, so the old man can relax.
Note: As of February 2024, physical stickers are no longer sold; only electronic vignettes are available. A vignette costs €16 for a week for a small car. Further details can be found here.
Finally, we can enter Slovenia. It has taken us half an hour and cost €16 in exit and entry tolls. So much for freedom of movement! We drive the final 50 miles to Ljubljana, park up and take a walk around the city. It’s not a very big city, so it doesn’t take long. We walk along the river, across various bridges and through various squares. All presided over by Ljubljana Castle, perched on a hillside some 400 metres above the city.
Congress Square
Congress Square sits between the castle and Park Zvedva. It is apparently named in honour of the Congress of the Holy Alliance, convened by Austria, Prussia, Russia and Naples, which took place in Ljubljana in 1821. It was the first of many historic events which took place here, including demonstrations for independence in 1918 and 1988 and speeches by Yugoslav President Tito in 1945 and US President Clinton in 1999.
After periods of being named Revolution Square (during the Communist era) and Liberation Square thereafter, it has subsequently reverted to its original name of Congress Square.
Park Zvedva
Park Zvedva (Star Park) is a tree lined park adjacent to Congress Square. It is the ideal place to sit and relax for a while.
Republic Square
Republic Square is the city’s largest square. It was here that independence was declared in 1991. The square has some interesting revolutionary sculptures. The National Assembly Building stands on its northern side and Cankar Hall (a convention and cultural centre) sits on the southern side.
National and University Library
The National and University Library was built in the 1930s. Designed by Slovenian architect, Jože Plečnik, it is accessed via an imposing metal door. Enter and you find yourself in darkness, surrounded by black marble. Climb the steps to emerge into ‘the Light of Knowledge‘. It was closed when we visited, so no light of knowledge for us…
Cathedral of St Nicholas
The Cathedral of St Nicholas dates from the 18th century. Two bronze doors were added in 1996 to commemorate a visit by Pope John Paul II. In fact, it has an impressive selection of doors. My favourite is the Ljubljana Door, which depicts six bishops, who appear to be teleporting from an early episode of Dr Who.
Ljubljana Castle
Next, we take the Funicular Railway up to Ljubljana Castle, from where you get a great view of the city. The lower station of the Funicular is located on Krekov Square, opposite the Main Market. It is also possible to walk to the castle via a network of trails.
Much of the castle dates back to the 16th Century, with some more modern additions. You can wander round the grounds for free or pay to enter the castle and climb the 95 steps to the top of the Watchtower.
The castle houses a Slovenian History Exhibition and a Puppet Museum. Other activities on offer include a Time Machine guided tour and a Castle Escape adventure game.
The castle is open from 9 am until 6 pm (8 pm during the summer). There is a range of ticketing options. For example a package including a return ride on the Funicular plus the Watchtower, a 4D movie, the Slovenian History Exhibition and Puppet Museum costs €19 (€17.10 online).
Dragon Bridge
We descend from the castle to visit the city’s iconic Dragon Bridge. The Art Nouveau style bridge is guarded by four dragon statues, which sit on stone plinths on side of the bridge.
Mesarski Most
Mesarski Most (Butcher’s Bridge) is a modern bridge. It has some sculptures and an impressive selection of padlocks.
Prešeren Square
Prešeren Square is the city’s main square. The square is surrounded by beautiful old buildings. In the centre is the Prešeren Monument, dedicated to Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren, who stands beneath a lady holding a branch, presumably for some important symbolic reason.
Triple Bridge
The Triple Bridge is another structure designed by Jože Plečnik. He introduced two pedestrian side bridges to the original 19th Century bridge and furnished all three with fancy stone balustrades.
Stairways on each of the side bridges lead down to terraced pathways along the Ljubljanica River.
Dinner at Druga Violina
In the evening, we go to Druga Violina for dinner. Three good things about Druga Violina; (1) the food is excellent, (2) it’s a social enterprise providing employment for people with disabilities, so you can bask in the warm, fuzzy glow that your custom is helping a good cause and (3) allergens are marked on the menu.
Accommodation – Penzion Pod Lipo
Time to check into tonight’s accommodation, Penzion Pod Lipo, which is situated around 500 metres south west of Congress Square. The property is set over two floors, with the guest rooms on the second floor above a restaurant. It offers free wifi, parking and tea/coffee. First impression are good. There are plates of cookies and sweets in reception. The old man abandons me to work his way through the food on offer. The receptionist proceeds to produce apple and pear brandy. I check in and head for our room (which is clean and comfortable). When the old man finally reappears, he’s somewhat the worse for wear.
We’ve enjoyed our day in Ljubljana, it’s an intimate little capital. Tomorrow, we move on to see Slovenia’s top tourist attraction – Lake Bled.
Slovenia Day 2 – Bled
Today, we are going to Lake Bled. I have been looking forward to today, because I’ve heard it’s really beautiful, although my daughters have counselled against swimming, due to the enormous fish. In any case, it’s 4 degrees C, so swimming doesn’t feature in our plans.
Vintgar Gorge
First stop this morning is Vintgar Gorge; a gorge with a river running through it.
You can walk along a 1600 metre boardwalk which follows the gorge, crossing the river several times for great views of the rapids and waterfalls.
The gorge is open daily between April and October. Opening times vary according to the season. Entry to the gorge costs €15 for adults (children cost €5 and pets €3). Parking is free. A shuttle bus runs between the gorge, the parking lot and the bus station and costs €4. Further details can be found here.
Bled
From here, we continue to Bled. It’s warmed up somewhat by now, so I stop moaning about not having packed gloves and even shed one of my jumpers.
Lake Bled
Upon arrival in the pretty little town of Bled, we opt to walk a full circumnavigation of Lake Bled, following the 6 km path that skirts the water’s edge. It’s really beautiful, the water is blue-green and the lake is surrounded by trees with a backdrop of mountains. Perched on top of the cliffs above is Bled Castle.
Heart of Bled
On the eastern shore of the lake, overlooking Bled Castle is the Instaworthy Heart of Bled; a heart on a jetty for the perfect Bled photo op.
St Martin’s Parish Church
The Gothic style St Martin’s Parish Church was completed in 1905 from plans by Austrian architect Friedrich von Schmidt. It sits beside the lake, with its white spire visible amidst the trees.
Picnic in Spa Park
Pretty Spa Park is right on the lakeside with spectacular views. We purchase supplies from a nearby deli for a picnic lunch on a bench overlooking the lake.
Olympic Rowing Centre
On the western shore of Lake Bled is the Olympic Rowing Centre, with some interesting sculptures outside. Most striking is the Statue of a Boatman, which is the work of Slovenian sculptor Boris Kalin.
Pletna ride to Bled Island
In the middle of the lake is Bled Island (Slovenia’s only Island); a forested islet with a church on top. You can reach the island by Pletna, a sort of gondola with oars which docks at a jetty beneath a staircase leading up the island to the church.
The boat trip to Bled Island runs approximately every hour during daylight and costs €16.
Bled Island
Once you are ashore on the tiny Bled Island, access is via the 17th Century stone staircase. You can climb the 99 steps to the church at the top of the hill. Our oarsmen told us that traditionally, the man should carry his wife up the stairs. The old man looks a little concerned that this tradition is going to be enforced.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary sits at the top of the island. There has been a church here since the 9th Century, although the current building dates from the 17th Century, The belfry contains a ‘wishing bell‘ which you can ring to make a wish.
We have 30 minutes on the island while our exhausted oarsman takes a well earned nap. After realising that entry to the church costs €6, we follow the little path round the island, where we spot some enormous fish, then wait for our boat back to the mainland.
Our return journey to the shore is shorter, as we are dropped in a different location. We complete our (now prolonged) circuit of the lake.
Bled Castle
By the time we have retraced our steps to our guesthouse, we have walked around 8 miles and are exhausted. If you still have the energy, you can visit Bled Castle. If not, do as we did and admire it from a distance…
The castle dates back as far as the 11th Century, although much of the current structure was built in the 16th Century. It houses a museum that traces the lake’s history as well as weapons, armour and jewellery.
The castle is open from 8 am until 6 pm (8 pm in peak season). Adult entry costs €18.
Accommodation – Pension TTT
We check in to tonight’s accommodation; Pension TTT. This rustic guest house is situated in the centre of Bled, a 15 minute walk from the shores of Lake Bled. The rooms are clean and comfortable, while outside is a pretty garden with a seating area. The price includes breakfast, wifi and parking.
The old man announces he is not moving again. Luckily, the guest house is close to a supermarket, so I buy myself a gourmet lunch of sausage and salad and we have an early night.
- Trip taken: September 2018
- Updated: November 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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