A little more
Slovenia.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Slovenia: what to know before you go

Slovenia packs Alpine peaks, emerald rivers, karst caves and a short stretch of Adriatic coast into a country you can cross by car in a few hours. It suits walkers, cyclists and anyone who wants the scenery of the Alps with a relaxed, small-capital feel, and it makes an easy add-on to trips through Italy, Austria or Croatia.

Where to go

• Ljubljana. A compact, largely car-free capital built along the Ljubljanica river.
• Lake Bled. A glacial lake with a tiny church-topped island, reached by traditional wooden pletna boats, and a medieval castle on a cliff above.
• Lake Bohinj and Triglav National Park. Larger and quieter than Bled, Bohinj sits inside Slovenia's only national park.
• Postojna and Škocjan caves. The karst region gave its name to karst landscapes worldwide.

Best time to visit

Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are the best all-round months: trails are open, rivers are full and towns are not yet crowded. July and August are warm and busy, especially at Bled and on the coast, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains.

Staying online in Slovenia

Mobile coverage is good across towns, motorways and the main tourist valleys, and 4G and 5G are widely available in Ljubljana and Maribor. In deep Alpine valleys, on high mountain trails and inside the karst caves, signal can drop out, so download offline maps before hiking. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, hotels and guesthouses. Slovenia is in the EU, but if you are coming from outside it, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land or cross the border.