3 Days in Slovenia: How to spend your trip?

Are you thinking of a short trip and only have 3 days in Slovenia?

When people think of Europe, it’s easy to get stuck on the classic places to visit, like Paris, Rome, or Berlin, which are all great cities of course. But there is much more! So, how about 3 days in Slovenia?

In my (humble) opinion, the real beauty of Europe is in how different it is, and Slovenia is one of the secret gems that stands out on this European continent.

Slovenia is a place that calls out to be discovered with its beautiful mix of high mountains, sparkling water, and quaint towns.

Still, you need to figure out how to spend your 3 days in Slovenia. Let’s dive in and find out!

How to spend your 3 day trip in Slovenia?

So, what is the best way to discover this country in a short amount of time? Let’s dive into the itinerary I recommend!

Day 1: Explore Ljubljana

I would start your trip in the charming and cozy capital city of Slovenia. It’s relatively small compared to most of the capital cities in the region but there is enough to see and do! I love this city.

• Morning: Have breakfast at one of the bars along the river in the lively center of Ljubljana. For example, Ek Bistro has a wonderful breakfast menu with a lot of choices. After breakfast, take a walk along the banks of the Ljubljanica River.
  
  Go to Preseren Square, the heart of the city, where you can see the pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation.
  
  In the middle of the morning, walk over to the famous Dragon Bridge, which is a sign of Ljubljana. Make sure to take some nice pictures of the dragon figures, which come from a local legend.

• Afternoon: you can take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle, a historic fortress with a tower, church, and several museums. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the whole city.
  
  Eat lunch at the Gostilna Na Gradu restaurant inside the Castle. It is known for its modern Slovenian food.
  
  After lunch, learn more about Ljubljana Castle’s past by visiting its museums and exhibitions. There are two ways to get down from the castle: either take the lift again or walk down the leafy castle hill.

• Evening: Spend the evening walking around Old Town, which has a mix of baroque and medieval buildings and has a lot of character. You could have dinner at Gostilna Dela, which serves traditional Slovenian food with a modern twist.

Day 2: Look around Lake Bled

I would spend the second day in Bled which is pretty close to Ljubljana but definitely worth a visit!

• Morning: Get up early and drive or take the bus to Lake Bled. When you get there, walk the 6 km road around the lake to see the island church and the castle on the clifftop. Stop at Potica Cake Shop to try potica, a traditional rolled dessert.

• Afternoon: After lunch at Grajska Plaza, which has a beautiful view, you can rent a traditional Pletna boat to get to the island in the middle of Lake Bled. Here, you can go to the Church of the Assumption and ring the bell while making a wish.
  
  After you row back, go to Bled Castle in the middle of the afternoon. Visit its museum to learn about the past of Bled, and then go to the castle terraces to see the beautiful views of the lake.

• Evening: Go to Public & Vegan Kitchen Bled, a popular restaurant with locals that serves a wide range of foods. Don’t forget to try kremnita, Bled’s famous cream cake, at Slascicarna Zima before you call it a day.

Day 3: Bask in Piran

The last day is focused on relaxation and spending a day along the coastal side of Slovenia in the picturesque town of Piran!

• Morning: you can go to the town of Piran on the coast. Start your trip by walking around Tartini Square, which is the city center. Visit the Maritime Museum to learn about Piran’s sailing past.

• Afternoon: try to visit Fritolin pri Cantini, which is known for its fresh fish, for a seafood lunch. Then go up to St. George’s Church. From the bell tower, you can see the city walls, the Adriatic Sea, and all of Piran.

• Midafternoon: Spend the rest of the afternoon walking around Piran’s small streets or, if you’re there in the summer, swimming in the Adriatic Sea at one of the town’s pebble beaches.

• Evening: At Restaurant Pavel 2, a charming restaurant with a view of the sea, you can try local food and drinks. After dinner, you can take a stroll along the harbor and enjoy the beautiful views of Piran at night.

This 3-day plan lets you see as much of Slovenia’s varied beauty as possible. This European gem is full of lively cities, peaceful lakes, and lovely seaside towns that will give you a lot of unforgettable experiences.

Is 3 days in Slovenia enough?

The truth is that I find it hard to say. You could actually spend weeks in Slovenia getting to know its rich culture, different landscapes, and interesting past.

But if you are short on time, a well-planned 3-day trip can let you see the most important parts of this beautiful country. There is a lot to see and do, from the famous Lake Bled to the charming streets of Ljubljana.

You might not be able to see every part of Slovenia in three days, but that’s more than enough time to make some great memories and get a feel for this beautiful country.

What is the most beautiful part of Slovenia?

To be honest, this is a hard question to answer, because all of Slovenia is beautiful. Still, there are a few places that definitely stand out.

• Lake Bled: Imagine a blue lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, an island with a medieval church in the middle, and a castle on top of a hill. That’s Lake Bled. When you come here, you feel like you’ve stepped into a picture.

• Ljubljana: Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, is a beautiful and lively city. This city is just magical. It has a medieval castle that looks out over lovely cobblestone streets and the winding Ljubljanica River.

• Piran is one of the most beautiful places in Slovenia. It is a seaside town on the Adriatic Sea. Piran is a town you’ll fall in love with because of its beautiful Venetian Gothic architecture and views of the sea.

• Triglav National Park: This National Park is a must-see if you love nature. It’s Slovenia’s only national park, but what it lacks in number, it makes up for in quality! From emerald-green rivers to high hills, this park has everything a nature lover could want.

Is Slovenia a cheap place to visit?

Compared to some of its European neighbors, like Italy for example, Slovenia is quite cheap. The cost of lodging, food, and activities can be quite low, especially if you avoid the busiest times and plan your trip in advance.

But keep in mind that ‘cheap’ is not a fixed term. Costs can add up quickly if you plan to do a lot of activities, eat out at places, or stay in nicer accommodations.

It’s also important to note that even though Slovenia can be a cheap place to visit, it doesn’t sacrifice quality.

Even if you are on a tight budget, you can still enjoy good food, comfy accommodations, and fun things to do.

Which month is best for Slovenia?

Choosing the best time to go to Slovenia really depends on what you want to see and do there. Still, I would say that June through September is the best time to go. The days are long and warm, and all of the sites and attractions are open.

But if you ski a lot or just love the magic of winter, going there in the winter can be a real treat. The winters in Slovenia are beautiful, turning the country into a winter wonderland with beautiful ski hills and Christmas markets.

Summer is also the busiest time for tourists, so if you want fewer people and a bit cooler weather, May and October are also great times to visit. Both the flowers in May and the autumn colours in October add to the beauty of the scenery.

The Wrap-Up: 3 Days in Slovenia

So, 3 days in Slovenia might seem like a short amount of time, but if you plan well, you can have a lot of interesting things happen in that time.

In 72 hours, you can admire the beauty of Lake Bled, walk the charming streets of Ljubljana, get lost in the natural beauty of Triglav National Park, and get lost in the coastal charm of Piran.

Yes, Slovenia is a cheap place to visit that has something to offer in all seasons. It is a country that draws you in with its stunning beauty and keeps you interested with its rich culture, long past, and friendly people.

Slovenia is a delightfully low-key and real place in a world that is often full of overhyped places. Even though a 3-day trip is short, it’s long enough to make an impact. After all, great things often come in small packages, and Slovenia is no different.

So, are you ready to find out more about this hidden gem in the middle of Europe? Pack your bags, let your sense of adventure run wild, and get ready to make some great memories in Slovenia!

I’m sure that before your first trip is over, you’ll be planning your next one. After all, you don’t just go to Slovenia to see it, you go there to live it.

And if you want to know more about Ljubljana from a linguistic point view, check out my post about the pronunciation of Ljubljana.

Your restless voyager,

Dustin