The Best Day Trips from Ljubljana, Slovenia that You Won’t Want to Miss!
Ljubljana is one of the smallest and safest European capitals, and it is definitely worth a stop. However, after a day or two you will be ready to set out and explore further, so I present two can’t miss day trips from Ljubljana.
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1. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Bled is best known for its stunning Lake Bled, which features a small island in the middle of a gorgeous lake holding a church. Surrounding this lake are the Julian Alps, rolling hills, and of course Lake Bled Castle. So what would you do with a day trip to Lake Bled from Ljubljana?
Best Things to Do in Lake Bled
Upon arrival, you can pick up a free map of Lake Bled at the Tourist Information Center, or if you are planning to do extensive hiking in the area a more detailed map is for sale.
Of course, the other option is to ensure your cell phone has service or to download offline maps. My favorite is maps.me, but Google Maps are also available offline!
Hiking in Bled
It takes about an hour to walk the 3.75 miles around the lake, but there are a number of hiking trails available shooting off from the main path.
If you have the time, hike up trail number six. It will take you to Osojnica at 756m. More importantly, and of more interest, is Mala Osojnica at 691m, which provides an excellent overlook of the lake and castle. It’s well worth the hour long round trip climb.
Boat to the Island
If you wish to take a boat to the island to explore the church, there are a number of rowboats available. They will take you there for about €12 round trip per person. The other option is to rent a boat on your own and row there. Boats run about €10 per hour, and it will take about 30 minutes to get there and 30 minutes to get back. Plan at least a couple of hours to row yourself over.
Visit Bled Castle
Another point of interest is Bled Castle which sits overlooking Bled Lake. There is a path from town with stairs that lead up to the castle. It will take about 20 minutes to climb. Entrance into the castle, which also features a museum, is €9. There are a number of other trails that should get you to the castle (trail one), but they are poorly marked with many side paths. This can cause a much longer climb up to the castle.
Getting to Bled from Ljubljana
Buses run about every hour from the main bus station in Ljubljana to Bled. You can buy the bus ticket on the bus, and it should cost about €6.20 one way. If you buy it in the station there is a €1.50 reservation fee tacked on.
The 75 minute ride will take you to the center of Bled which is just a couple of minutes walk from the lake. To return to Ljubljana catch a bus at the same station purchasing the ticket on the bus again.
Day Trip Time
All in all, the length of trip will depend on your activities so it could range from only 4 hours to a full day event.
Read all How to Day Trip to Lake Bled from Ljubljana.
2. Postojna, Slovenia
Postojna is home to “the best-known cave in the world”, the Postojna Caves. It is the number one tourist attraction in Slovenia and one of the largest karst monuments in the world.
Tickets to the Caves vary in price based on if you are a child, student, or adult with students being €18.30 and adults being €22.90. There are a number of packages available to include the nearby Predjama Castle, Proteus Caves, and more. You can check options and prices on the official Postojna website.
The tours into the cave are unique in that you take a train ride 2km into the caves which provides great views, and then you go another 1km on foot. This takes you further into the cave resulting in a 1.5 hour tour in total. Remember to dress warmly as the caves stay about 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit all year round (8-10 degrees Celsius).
Pro Tip: If you buy your tickets at the Tourist Information Center in town, you save 5%.
Getting to Postojna from Ljubljana
Buses are available more or less every hour, check the schedule online or ask in the bus station. You can purchase your ticket on the bus for €6, and the ride is generally right around an hour depending on the exact bus you take. When you exit the bus station, take a left and head into town.
If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the signs to the Postojna Caves which are only about a 15 minute walk, or stop in the Tourist Information Center in town and pick up a map.
Day Trip Time
If you are just going to the Postojna Caves, the trip will be about 5 hours, but if you add on the other attractions, plan longer.
Read all about How to Day Trip to the Postojna Caves from Ljubljana.
Skocjan Caves
Another awesome day trip in Slovenia is the UNESCO listed Skocjan Caves. This cave system is one of the largest in the world featuring underground river canyons.
Do a Skocjan Caves Tour
Want to have the logistics planned for you? No worries! You can take an amazing day trip to Skocjan Caves from Ljubljana and visit Piran on the same day! This popular day trip allows you to not just see the awe inspiring cave system but also to check out the Venetian architecture
Slovenia in One Day
Want to see the most of Slovenia in a day trip from Ljulbjana? Consider doing a Slovenia in One Day Tour. This trip takes you to the highlights of Slovenia all at once! This makes it one of the most popular day trip options from Ljubljana.
So where would you go on this magical day trip? Three of the best destinations in Slovenia: Lake Bled, Postojna Cave, and Predjama Castle.
In Bled, you’ll explore Lake Bled, Bled Island, and the Julian Alps. Take a pletna boat to Bled Island. Explore Bled Castle. Try the local desert Bled Cream Cake or Potica Cake.
Then head to Predjama Castle, a medieval fortress that is built into a cliff right outside of the Postojna Cave system. It features cool winding stairways through
Explore More of Slovenia
These are the best day trips from Ljubljana, Slovenia. If you only have one day, I would personally opt for Lake Bled as it has a more natural feel vs. the touristy feel of the Postojna Caves. However, both are equally impressive and worth day trips from Ljubljana. Don’t miss either!
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