Slovenia - the most detailed information about the country with photos. Sights, cities of Slovenia, climate, geography, population and culture.

Slovenia

Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe with beautiful nature, history and a dynamic economy. The country is part of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement. Slovenia is located at the junction of the Balkans and Central Europe, in the eastern Alps and northern Adriatic. The country is bordered in the north by Austria, in the west by Italy, in the southeast by Croatia, and in the northeast by Hungary.

This eastern Alpine state, despite its small size, is located at the crossroads of important European routes. Also, Slovenia is now becoming increasingly popular among tourists, thanks to its natural and historical attractions and lower prices compared to Italy and Austria.

Geography and nature

Small Slovenia boasts great geographical diversity. The Alps rise in the northwest, the Middle Danube Lowland extends to the northeast, the Dinaric Highlands to the south, and the Adriatic coast to the west. For the most part, Slovenia is a mountainous country. Mountains occupy about 40% of the territory. Slovenia is also washed by the Adriatic Sea. The sea coast has a length of about 30 km.

The large rivers Sava and Drava (a tributary of the Danube) flow through the territory of Slovenia. The country also has many picturesque mountain and glacial lakes. The largest among them are Lake Bled and Bohinj. Many karst caves are of interest - Škocjan caves, etc.

The nature of Slovenia is also very diverse. Almost half of the country's territory is covered with forests, in the highlands you can find steppe landscapes, in the mountains - coniferous forests and alpine meadows, and the Adriatic coast is pampered with Mediterranean vegetation.

Climate and weather

Geographical diversity also left its mark on the climate. The territory of Slovenia is climatically heterogeneous: on the coast the climate is Mediterranean, in the mountains it is continental, in the flat part it is temperate continental.

Summer usually features warm weather with infrequent rain. Winter is mild with slight frosts. In the mountains the weather is much harsher and there is a lot of snow.

Best time to visit

Slovenia is a country that can be visited all year round. The highest tourist season is June-August. Great times to visit Slovenia are April-May and September-October. At this time there are few tourists, dry and warm. This is a great time for hiking, exploring nature and the sights of the country.

Lowest season is November-March (except Christmas holidays). There are ski slopes in the mountains in winter. The ski season lasts from December to March.

Story

Slovenian ancestors came to these lands in the 6th century. In the 7th century, one of the first Slavic states was formed here, which in the mid-8th century came under the protectorate of the Frankish state. Thanks to the influence of the Franks, the Slovenes became Christians.

The first documents in Slovenian date back to the beginning of the 11th century. In the 14th century, Slovenia became part of the Habsburg Empire and remained part of Austria-Hungary until the First World War.

As a result of the First World War, the Slovenian coast went to Italy, and the rest of the country became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later called Yugoslavia. The Kingdom of Yugoslavia ceased to exist during the Second World War. As a result, the socialist federal republic of Yugoslavia emerged. Slovenia gained independence in 1991.

Currency and money

The currency of Slovenia is the euro. Many shops and restaurants accept credit cards.

A hotel room for two can be rented for 30-40 euros (prices vary greatly depending on the season, the star rating of the hotel and its location). Dinner or lunch in a restaurant and cafe will cost 20-30 euros. A pint of beer costs 2-4 euros. Tips are usually included in the bill. If not, then it is customary to leave 10-15% of the invoice amount.

Language and population

The official language is Slovenian. Included in the Slavic group of languages. A lot of people speak English. In areas close to Italy you can meet people who speak Italian, and on the border with Austria - German.

The population of Slovenia is mainly represented by Slovenes. Many come from the former Yugoslavia. More than half of the population professes Catholicism. Slovenes are a fairly friendly and welcoming nation. When greeting, it is customary to shake hands.

Administrative division

Administrative divisions of Slovenia on the map.

Safety

Slovenia is a fairly safe country. According to statistics, 90% of crimes are related to theft. Therefore, the basic safety rules: do not leave things unattended, be more careful in crowded places, remove valuables from the car. If necessary, you can call 112 for police or medical help.

How to get there

By plane

The main international airport of Slovenia is located near the capital - Ljubljana. There are also options to get there through airports in Pula, Trieste and Venice.

By bus

By train

By car

Slovenia has excellent road connections with neighboring countries. Thanks to good roads and small size, it is very convenient to travel around the country by car. To travel, you must purchase a special permit - a vignette.

Gastronomy

Slovenian cuisine is a kind of synthesis of Austrian and Italian cuisine. Here on the menu you can find Austrian schnitzel and strudel, Italian pasta, risotto and pizza, and Hungarian goulash. Local dishes that stand out include a similar version of our štruklji dumplings with different fillings, dried pork (prosciutto), potato dumplings, bean soup, a type of Italian polenta, ribs with garlic, and the traditional Slovenian potica pie.

Slovenian cuisine is very hearty. Typically, a meal includes beef and chicken soup with egg noodles, a second meat course of beef, pork, chicken and turkey; seafood is common on the coast.

The predominant alcoholic beverages are beer and wine. Among the local beers, the most common are Laško and Union. Coffee is a very popular non-alcoholic drink.

International fast food chains operate in major cities and tourist destinations. Large supermarket chains also operate in Slovenia - Lidl, Leclerc, Aldi, Mercator.

Cities of Slovenia

The cities of Slovenia are quiet, small and quite picturesque. The capital and largest city of the country is Ljubljana. You won’t find world-famous attractions there, and you won’t be running around trying to do everything. Here you can focus on leisurely walks and getting to know the city.

Interesting places and attractions of Slovenia

The most interesting places and attractions of Slovenia:

Lake Bled is a beautiful lake in the foothills of the Alps. Beautiful natural landscapes, architectural monuments and clear water in which you can swim in summer. Bled is rightfully considered the best Slovenian resort.

One of the oldest castles in Slovenia and one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The Gothic style castle was founded in the 12th century and is perched on the edge of a large cliff. Located 10 km from the town of Postojna.

Postojna Jama is one of the most visited attractions in Slovenia. This is a system of karst caves more than 20 km long. About 5 km are open to the public. This is the world's largest underground attraction accessible to tourists.

Otočec Castle is an old medieval castle 7 km from the town of Novo Mesto. Built on a small island in the 13th-14th century.

Triglav is the only national park in Slovenia and one of its symbols. It includes the most beautiful alpine landscapes, mountain rivers, lakes and the highest peak of the country - Mount Triglav.

Slovenia is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, and three states separate it from Russia (if you fly directly). If you decide to travel here by car, you will have to cross Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria. What is surprising is that Moscow is separated from Slovenia by about 2000 km, and to get to Ljubljana, you will only need 3 hours by plane.

Any map will tell drivers the way. We will tell you how to get to Slovenia by train and plane.

How to get to Slovenia by plane?

There are both direct flights and flights with transfers between Slovenia (Ljubljana) and Moscow. Planes fly daily from Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo. Transfers are possible in Warsaw, Geneva, Helsinki, Frankfurt am Main and can last from 1-2 hours to half a day.

There are almost no direct flights between Ljubljana and Moscow. Please pay attention to this and book your tickets in advance.

Adria Airways offers the best prices for direct flights. So, a one-way plane flight (FlightNo: jp915) from January 14 to 15, 2017 in economy class will cost a little more than 12 thousand rubles (provided that you book through the company’s official website). On the Aeroflot website the cost will be 34 thousand. This is a direct flight that will take 3 hours. Landing at Sheremetyevo is at 15:05. You must arrive for registration in advance.

If there is no direct flight, look for a flight with transfers. Sometimes these flights are cheaper. For example, as early as January 15, you can fly from Moscow on LOT Polish Airlines (FlightNo: lo678 and lo615). A ticket will cost no more than 10,000 rubles. The plane departs at 21:25 and you will arrive in Slovenia at 13:15. The transfer is in Warsaw; you will have to wait more than 13 hours for the next plane.

There may be more transfers. For example, Nordic Regional Airlines offers flights with short stops in Helsinki and Frankfurt am Main. You will have to wait two to three hours, and the total time in the air will be more than 5 hours. Cost - from 26 thousand (both ways).

When purchasing round-trip tickets, one flight will be cheaper: from 16 thousand rubles (in economy class).

The more transfers (and the more inconvenient the flight), the lower the price. This is a rule, to which, of course, there are exceptions. You most likely won’t be able to save money by choosing a flight with one stop instead of a direct one (except for cases like the one described above). But on a flight with 2 transfers you can save 1-2 thousand rubles. Sometimes more.

How to get to Slovenia by train?

There is no direct train connection between Ljubljana and Moscow, so you will have to use a more difficult route. In particular, you will have to take the Moscow - Nice train and get off in Vienna. Train No. 017B runs once a week - every Thursday. Departure - from Belorussky railway station at 11:18. You will arrive in Vienna at 12:27 the next day (you will spend more than 27 hours on the road). Coupe, SV and Lux ​​available. A compartment ticket costs about 10,000 rubles.

In Vienna you can change trains to Ljubljana. The last train (Wien Hbf - 7900003 with 3 changes) leaves at 12:58. You will have 30 minutes to get ready and find the train you need. The journey will take almost 7 hours - until 19:40. The total cost of a ticket is about 1,500 rubles. There are no direct trains, and the rest leave earlier.

It is more convenient to take a bus: you will have time to walk around the city or, at a minimum, walk to the departure point (Station Erdberg or S?dtiroler Platz). From Vienna to Ljubljana buses leave at 14:15, 22:00, 23:00, 00:15. The journey takes about 5 hours. Price - from 1800 to 4300 rubles.

You won’t be able to save money when traveling from Russia to Slovenia by choosing a train. Air travel will not be much more expensive. In addition, it will take a lot of time to check documents at the border and stop along the way.

Buses and cars

Buses do not go directly from Moscow to Slovenia. However, you can travel to Budapest or Zagreb, where you will change trains and be in Ljubljana in a few hours. Ljubljana is separated from Budapest by 491 km, and from Zagreb by 135 km.

The bus is also an expensive form of transport. The cost of the trip will be comparable to the price of an air ticket. Tickets for trains that run through Eastern European countries (within the European Union) are inexpensive - about 10-20 euros. You will also spend a little on the last bus that will take you to Ljubljana.

Traveling by personal car will be more expensive than air travel and traveling by bus, if you take into account the cost of insurance and service before departure. However, if you take 3-4 passengers with you (or are a passenger yourself), you can save (online resources quoted a cost of 3,000 rubles). There is only one problem - organizational.

The best route for traveling by car is through Belarus, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

• When booking plane tickets, compare prices in different services. The ideal option is the official website of the airline, where there are no additional fees.
• Tickets for last-minute flights, if they are not completely sold out, can cost much less: the carrier is interested in filling the plane, so it makes good discounts. But the general rule is: the earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets will be. True, the difference will not be so big.
• Calculate transfer times in advance. If the plane departs from another airport in the same city, or the bus station is far from the train station, allow yourself more time. Ideally - 3-4 hours. This will be enough, even if you have to get through traffic jams.

HOW TO GET TO SLOVENIA

Planes to Slovenia

Daily flights to Slovenia from Russia are operated Adria Airways jointly with Aeroflot on the Moscow–Ljubljana route. You can also get to Slovenia by plane in transit through other European countries.

Alternatively, you can use the international airports of Budapest, Zagreb or Venice, located a few hours away by train from Ljubljana.

Josef Pucik International Airport ( Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport) is located 19 km north of Ljubljana. You can get to the city by bus (travel time - 30-45 minutes) and by taxi (taxi rank is located opposite the terminal, the cost of travel to the center of Ljubljana is about 40-45 euros).

Airport help desk phone number: +386 4 20 61 981;

official website: www.lju-airport.si.

Tickets to Slovenia

The search form on our website will allow you to select and book plane tickets to Slovenia online. Here you can see flight schedules and prices for tickets to Slovenia, choosing the cheapest option. Keep in mind that the earlier you book your ticket, the cheaper it may cost.

Enter the appropriate cities in the fields " Point of departure" And " Destination"; indicate the departure date and other required information, and click " Find" You will see a complete list of flights between the cities you selected, with prices indicated. If there are no direct flights between the specified points, then you will be offered the optimal (both in price and time) routes with transfers.

You can purchase tickets to Slovenia without leaving your computer. By clicking on the " Buy", you will be taken to a website that contains all the necessary information about payment and delivery of the ticket.

How to get to Slovenia by train

You can get to Slovenia by rail on the Moscow-Venice train, which departs from Kievsky Station twice a week and makes a stop in Ljubljana.

You can also first get to Austria, Hungary or Croatia, and make a transfer there to a flight to Slovenia. The price of train tickets to Slovenia from Russia may be no less than the cost of air tickets.

Train schedules, information on travel costs, as well as the function of booking train tickets to Slovenia from Russia online are available on the page ORDER TRAIN TICKETS.

How to get to Slovenia by road

You can get to Slovenia by bus with transfers in Hungary or Croatia, but such a trip will cost comparable to the cost of a plane ticket.

The distance by road from Ljubljana to Moscow is 2345 km, to Budapest - 491 km, Belgrade - 507 km, Munich - 430 km, Vienna - 395 km, Zagreb - 135 km, Zurich - 724 km, Venice - 249 km, Trieste - 110 km, Salzburg – 290 km.

the site compares prices for air tickets to Slovenia for 728 airlines around the world. We do not sell air tickets ourselves, but here you will find the lowest rates and special offers.. The population of Slovenia is 2,007,000 people. The official currency is the Euro (EUR).

Prices of flights to Slovenia

The cost of tickets to Slovenia depends on the season, city of departure, airline and availability of sales. Below is a list of the cheapest flights to Slovenia found by our visitors in the last 48 hours *:

The cheapest air ticket to Slovenia found by our users in the last 48 hours: ticket on the route St. Petersburg - Ljubljana from Wizz Air with departure 10/18/2019 and cost 3,373 rubles.

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Fastest air ticket to Slovenia: ticket in the direction Munich - Ljubljana from Adria Airways with the nearest departure 08/28/2019 and flight duration 50min.

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Visa and flight

The state is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which means that when purchasing air tickets to Slovenia you must obtain a Schengen visa. The package of documents is standard, including confirmation of flight, accommodation and financial solvency.
Air tickets to Slovenia are offered by Adria Airways and Aeroflot, which operate joint flights to Ljubljana. In addition, it is always possible to reach the country's capital by car from Vienna, Budapest, Zagreb or Venice. Special promotions will allow you to buy cheap air tickets to Slovenia, information about which can be found on the pages of our website.

The best time to buy air tickets and travel around Slovenia

The combination of temperate continental, Mediterranean and alpine climate zones provides mild winters and comfortable summers without sweltering heat. Tourists heading to the Adriatic coast usually buy a plane ticket to Slovenia in July-August. If you purchase plane tickets to Slovenia, counting on an excursion program, choose May-June or September-October.

Major cities and airports in Slovenia

Time and communication

Slovenia's time zone is UTC +01:00. In March, clocks are moved forward 1 hour, and in October - back.
To access the Internet, you can use GPRS roaming, which is available to MTS and Megafon-North-West subscribers, as well as paid or free Wi-Fi access points.
Payphones operate using cards (indicated by the letter “K”) and tokens (“A”).

Money and shopping

The national currency of Slovenia is the euro, before it there was the Slovenian tolar. Credit cards and travelers checks are accepted almost everywhere. Currency exchange is offered by banks, special points, shops, hotels, however, the commission can vary from 1 to 5%. When buying air tickets to Slovenia, you should decide on your shopping list in advance. The most popular souvenirs: lace, wood and ceramic products, glass products, as well as natural cosmetics.
Note:
Banks are open from 8:00 to 18:00 with a break (usually from 12:30 to 14:00) on weekdays, from 8:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays.
Tips for waiters, taxi drivers, porters and gas station workers – up to 10%.
When purchasing air tickets to Slovenia, inquire about the procedure for returning taxes and issuing a special Refund Check.

Transport and accommodation

Comfortable and modern hotels in Slovenia guarantee European-style quality service. Affordable accommodation options usually involve private accommodation. Almost all “fours” have swimming pools. Finding air tickets to Slovenia and choosing accommodation usually does not cause any difficulties.
You can rent a car from the age of 21, and an international driving license must be issued at least a year ago. Please note: in the city center, many parking lots are paid.

Slovenia is a small country in the north of the Balkan Peninsula. I believe that those who come here are those who don’t like crowds of tourists on the beaches or an endless line of buses near ancient ruins. You should not come here to attend concerts of fashionable stars or to “have a blast” at a noisy party until the morning. In Slovenia, we enjoy calm and leisurely walks along clean and tidy streets, along picturesque forest and mountain paths; others enjoy the clean air of the sea coast or the view of crystal clear rivers. Well, for those who are not satisfied with this, the country has both ski resorts and famous health and balneological centers.

Slovenia is a very diverse country. Here the Julian Alps meet the Mediterranean, and the Dinaric karst highlands pass into the Pannonian lowland. This leads to the fact that on an area of ​​just over 20 thousand square meters. km, there are three types of climate: alpine, temperate continental, Mediterranean. Therefore, in one day we could take part in the grape harvest, then swim in the sea, and ski before going to bed.

When I close my eyes, Slovenia lives in my memory in the form of green hills, white mountains, blue sea, emerald rivers and bright red roofs of cozy houses. Oh, it’s not for nothing that the main tourist slogan in English is: I FEEL S LOVE NIA, emphasizing the word LOVE. It is impossible not to fall in love with this country.

Visa and border crossing

Slovenia is a member of the Schengen Agreement with all the advantages and disadvantages of this. Naturally, for persons who have any Schengen visa, entering Slovenia will not be difficult. If you do not have Schengen, but you want to spend most of your trip here, or the first country on your route is Slovenia, then apply for a Slovenian visa. The requirements that Slovenians make are quite standard. I will note that there are no special concessions for the Russians, but they are not being too “atrocious.”

Documents must be submitted to the Embassy or visa center no earlier than three months before departure, the cost of the visa is 35 euros, the processing period is 5 working days. If you need to get a visa faster, but not less than three days, then prepare to pay 70 euros.

I will now tell you some personal tips on obtaining a visa and crossing the border, as well as what to do at Ljubljana airport when returning Tax Free.

Border crossing

Visa and customs formalities in Slovenia generally take less time than at Russian airports or at the road border with Poland.

Direct customs rules regarding how much of something can be imported into Slovenia basically coincide with other EU countries. Import is prohibited:

• psychotropic, explosive, radioactive, toxic substances,
• drugs,
• gold in bullion, in coins and in raw form,
• weapons,
• gasoline in cans.

Duty-free for a person over 18 years of age you can import:

• one liter of alcoholic beverages with a strength of over 22%;
• two liters of alcoholic drinks with a strength of up to 22%;
• four liters of wine;
• 16 liters of beer;
• 40 cigarettes (if arriving by car), 200 cigarettes (if arriving by plane or ship);
• medications for personal use (have a doctor’s prescription if these are narcotic drugs or their derivatives).

If your cash totals more than 10,000 euros, then I would like to remind you that you must declare it.

Leaving the country

When leaving the country, the main customs problem for our tourist is completing formalities after obtaining Tax Free.

There should be no other problems with Slovenian customs, just do not forget about the mandatory declaration of cash amounts over 10,000 euros.

Border control

The main focus of Slovenian officials is how long you spent in Slovenia. Let me remind you that according to the new rules, the total duration of stay in Schengen countries on a tourist visa should not exceed 90 days within 180 days. That is, if you return on April 1, then count from October 1 of the previous year. It does not matter whether it was one visa or several were issued.

How to get there

Slovenia is an important transport hub on the route from the Mediterranean to central Europe and to the east. From Russia you can get to it by air, by railways and roads, as well as by sea. Now I will tell you everything in order.

By plane

There are three airports in Slovenia that can accept flights from Russia:

• Jože Pučnik in Ljubljana (located 25 km north of the capital, near the village of Brnik),
• Edward Rusyan in Maribor,
• airport in Portorož.

The Moscow flight is usually operated by a small regional plane, the Bombardier. I liked it, although there is not enough space inside. Consequently, often those luggage bags that are carried as “carry-on” luggage on an Airbus have to be checked in as luggage here. On Saturdays, when there is a massive “import/export” of Russian tourists to the waters in Rogaska Slatina in Slovenia, Adria operates an additional flight with Airbus A-319.

Considering that the Slovenian airline has a monopoly on the transportation market, the price of an air ticket is quite high, averaging 350–450 euros for a round-trip ticket. Sometimes an air ticket to () or to () and the corresponding transfer are cheaper, especially if your accommodation in Slovenia is close to the border.

From Ljubljana airport (by the way, I note that many people call it by its old name - Brnik), the most convenient way to get to the capital is by hotel shuttle or regular bus, the schedule of which can be found on the airport website. The cost of such a trip will be 7–15 euros. If you want, use a taxi (25–50 euros) or rent a car right away (you can see car options, for example,). There is no railway connection between the airport and the capital. Some travel websites advise taking a taxi (bus) to Kranj, and from there taking a train to Ljubljana. I DO NOT recommend doing this, you will waste a lot of time.

By train

In what is now Slovenia, the first railway was built in the 19th century to connect Vienna with the port of Trieste, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As the Slovenians sadly joke, no one has repaired the railway since then. Slovenian railways are truly obsolete. Basically, it is a slow single-track with a lot of turns, and, therefore, traveling along it, in my opinion, is quite long and inconvenient.

There are no direct trains from Russia to Slovenia. Some time ago, a carriage went through Ukraine, Hungary and Croatia to Venice with a stop in Ljubljana. This train has now been cancelled. If you really want to spend two or three days and come to Slovenia by rail, then you can take a regular train to Vienna (twice a week from Moscow and once a week from St. Petersburg). The cost of a 2nd class one-way ticket is 165 and 175 euros, respectively. I suggest you look at the Russian Railways website for details.

It is already easier to travel from Vienna to Ljubljana by train, but most routes include another transfer in the Slovenian Maribor or the Austrian Villach. Ticket price starts from 30 euros, travel time 5–6 hours. Check the details on the Slovenian Railways website

By bus

Bus services, including international ones, are quite developed in Slovenia. From Ljubljana there are direct bus flights to Vienna, Zagreb, Bratislava, Sofia, etc. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight to Russia, but you can get there with transfers, but it will take a long time and, in general, will not be cheaper than an airplane.

The central bus station is located in Ljubljana next to the train station.

Flight schedules and details can be viewed. In addition to mileage, pricing is influenced by departure time, the ability to choose a seat, the presence of luggage, etc. At the same time, the starting prices are quite modest, for example, you can travel to Ljubljana for only 4 euros. Buses are usually comfortable, many have air conditioning, a toilet, and the Internet. As a driver, I really liked this way of traveling: you get on a bus and get to another city. You can calmly walk there, try local wine and beer, and then relax on the bus on the way back.

By car

In my opinion, traveling in Slovenia by car is one of the most comfortable holiday options in this country. Therefore, if you come here by your own car, you will not regret it. I plan to write personal advice on this topic in a separate article.

If you travel from Russia, you must purchase an insurance policy (green); it will be issued by any insurance company. International rights are not required.

The shortest route from Moscow: – – – – – – . Distance is about 2300 km. The road is good almost everywhere, the worst is in Poland and Russia.

If you manage to quickly cross the border between Belarus and Poland, you can get there with one overnight stay in a Polish roadside hotel somewhere after Warsaw. Approximate fuel costs will be about 200 euros and another about 50 euros for tolls, so when traveling through the Czech Republic, Slovakia (it’s shorter through it, but you can get around) and Austria, you must definitely buy local “vignettes” - special toll stamps for traveling on expressways highways.

A similar vignette must be purchased in Slovenia.

It is best to purchase it before the border at a gas station or at the border itself. For 2016, the price of an annual (from December 1, 2015 to January 31, 2017) vignette is 110 euros, monthly – 30, weekly – 15. You can always look at current prices. I strongly recommend that you be careful: you must not only purchase a vignette, but also stick it on the windshield correctly, in accordance with the instructions. There are police officers and/or DARS road service specialists along the highway, who carefully inspect all passing cars, especially foreign ones. The fine for not having a correctly affixed vignette on the windshield (for example, if you stick it with tape) is from 300 to 800 euros.

By ferry

Slovenia is a maritime power, but you can’t get here from Russia by ferry. In the summer, high-speed ships from Trieste and Venice (), as well as from Porec and Rovinj (), enter Slovenian ports. Cruise ships can sometimes be seen in Koper. If you are planning to arrive in Slovenia on your own yacht, then there are modern marinas and international passages in Izola, Portorož and Koper.

Tourist regions

Despite its small territory, Slovenia is a motley mosaic of regions, the boundaries of which are quite difficult to define. Geographically, it can be divided into alpine, pre-alpine, karst, coastal and subpanno (hilly) regions. Each has not only its own attractions, cultural traditions, but even different dialects of the Slovenian language. Sometimes we came to some village in the outback and did not understand what language they were speaking to us; ordinary words caused bewilderment. However, in fact, this is not surprising; often Slovenians do not understand their fellow citizens from the other side of the country.

There are a dozen different ways to divide Slovenia into tourist regions. In this article, I propose to use the largest division and conditionally divide the country into the following parts: Gorenjska, Primorska, Notranjska, Dolenjska, Štaerska, Koroška, ​​and Prekmurje. Each territory is good in its own way, and I plan to write separate articles on them. You can book hotels on Booking – and you can compare prices with other sites. It is possible to rent a private apartment for a while - more details at.

Now I will tell you a little about each region.

Gorenjska

Gorenjska is my favorite region, it is the northwestern part of Slovenia. From the name it is clear that there are mountains here, more precisely, the Julian Alps. It is here that the highest mountain of Slovenia, the symbol of the country, is Triglav (2864 m).

There is also the Triglav National Park, Blejsko and Bohinj lakes, and pretty cities: Kranj, Kamnik, Škofja Loka, Radovljica. And in Gorensk you will find waterfalls, beautiful gorges and rivers, mountain trails for hiking, the impressive Volchi Potok Arboretum, ski resorts, the Pokljuka biathlon center, the Planica ski jumping complex and much, much more.

Primorska

Primorska - a region that borders Croatia in the west and Italy in the south, is proud of the presence of a sea coast (Portoroz, Piran, Izola), high karst uplands (Lipica - stud farm), a diverse underground world (Škocjan Caves), the Soča River amazing emerald color and vineyards for the best red wine in Slovenia.

Personally, I also like Primorsk for its good weather and bright sun.

Notranjska

Karst highlands, non-alpine mountains. Here is the most visited Slovenian attraction - Postojska Cave and Predjama Castle. And technology lovers come here to the military history park in Pivka and the technical museum in Bistra.

I really liked the real submarine half a hundred kilometers from the nearest sea.

Dolenjska

The southeastern part of Slovenia, the region is formed mainly by the banks of the Sava River. The name suggests that these are valleys, although in fact they are usually hills covered with vineyards or forests. There are calm, measured rivers, the cities of Novo Mesto and Žužemberk, the thermal resorts of Dolenjske and Šmarješki Toplice, Čatež (the most popular holiday destination with children), and the Kurtusian monastery of Pleterje.

They also make one of the most controversial varieties of Slovenian wine, Cvicek, which I think is amazingly pleasant chilled on a hot summer day.

Koroshka

Northern part of Slovenia. One of the most inaccessible regions and the least visited by tourists. There are no highways, but there are many mountains (Karavanke, Pohorje, Savina Alps) and beautiful valleys (Mežiška, Dravska and Mislińska).

True nature lovers come here. When I want to escape from the hustle and bustle of life, I will go here.

Štajerska

Occupies the north-eastern part of Slovenia with the exception of Prekmurje. In this region there are the cities of Celje and Ptuj, the water resorts of Rogaska Slatina, Laško, Dobrna and others. The hills here are also covered with vineyards, and the best, in my opinion, Slovenian white wine is produced here.

We come here to improve our health with some “living” water.

Prekmurje (Pomurje)

The farthest north-eastern part of Slovenia from Ljubljana. The name of the region is directly related to the Mura River. Here is the greatest difference between traditions and dialects. The proximity of Hungary has a big influence. In Prekmurje we visited the Radenci resort, the thermal baths in Moravke Toplice and Lendava.

In the center of the largest city in the region, in Murskaya Sobod, local residents carefully preserve a monument to Soviet soldiers and Yugoslav partisans who liberated the city in 1945.

Top cities

From the end of June to the end of September - beach holidays or walks of various types in the mountains; it can be too hot in cities.

The “dead” season is from early October to mid-December. It is muddy and cold, and it often drizzles. At this time, in my opinion, it is good to relax at the thermal springs, since there are few people there and the lowest prices in hotels. You can check prices in search engines or, for example, in the Travelask section. In spring there is less rain, and in addition to relaxing in the thermal baths, you can enjoy walks along the sea coast, where it is already about +20 °C.

The carnival season in Slovenia lasts two weeks and usually takes place in February.

Money

The only official currency in Slovenia is the euro.

You can exchange cash dollars and (very rarely) rubles at exchange offices - money changers (menjalnica). There aren't very many of them. Available at the airport, at train stations in large cities, at post offices and in large stores. The best rate is usually in banks. Please note that banks are closed on weekends and many branches have lunch breaks. The current exchange rate can be viewed, for example, .

Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere. I didn’t notice any visual difference between the different payment systems. When paying, a standard question arises from the seller or waiter: “Are you ready or is the card?” - that is, cash or card. Then pay at your convenience. A subsidiary of Sberbank operates in Slovenia, which allows those with an account with this bank, under certain conditions, to even withdraw cash without commission.

A small nuance: sometimes, with a large purchase, you can ask the seller to give you a discount (5–10%) if you pay in cash (“ready And n pop at st"). I had this option, for example, in the jewelry store Zlatarna Celje. But this works quite rarely, it depends on your luck.

Moving around the country

Slovenia is a small compact country with a fairly developed network of roads and railways. The maximum distance from Lendava in the northeast to Nova Gorica in the southwest is just over 300 km. However, due to the mountainous terrain, transport accessibility of the regions varies. Now I will talk about how a tourist can travel around the country.

By bus

The most convenient public transport in Slovenia is the bus. A network of bus lines connects the entire country, making travel quite comfortable, relatively fast and inexpensive. For example, 57 km from Ljubljana to Bled can be driven in 1 hour 20 minutes, paying 6.30 euros. The bus station (AVTOBUSNA POSTAJA) in Ljubljana is located on the station square; tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or on the bus. The schedule can be viewed. The main drawback is the lack of express trains; the bus goes to all stops, stopping at populated areas along the route.

By rail

Suburban rail services in Slovenia are underdeveloped. There are few double-track railways; trains take a very long time. The interval between flights is long and it is often necessary to make transfers. For example, to Bled the travel time can be 2.5 hours. The fare is approximately the same as by bus.

On the other hand, it is easier to get to some places in Slovenia by train. See the schedule on the website of the Slovenian Railways (Slovenske železnice). And one more nuance: do not be surprised that many Slovenian trains are painted in graphite, which does not give the most pleasant impression of the trip.

By car

The most comfortable way to travel around Slovenia is, of course, by car. Rent starts from 25 euros per day plus fuel, deposit and extended insurance (usually 200 euros and a bank card), and parking. If you are going to travel abroad, be prepared to pay more. Offices of companies (for example,) offering cars are located at the airport, in Ljubljana near the station and near large resorts. I advise you to book the car you need in advance and come to the office early. The cheapest cars from such companies are usually in short supply. I wrote above about where else you can look at car rental prices.

To be honest, there are not many classic motels in Slovenia, there are few of them, but there are more than 90 campsites throughout the country. You will find somewhere to stay near almost any attraction, thermal hospital, or picturesque place. This is especially true for the western part of the country, from Trenta to Aidovshina, where the nature is very beautiful and there are relatively few people. Most are open from April to October, although there are also winter holiday destinations. I recommend, located in Ankaran right on the seashore,

Connection

The international code of Slovenia is +386, then dial the number of the country's region: 1 – Ljubljana, 2 – north (), etc., then 7 digits of the number. For example, to call the Russian embassy you need to dial +386 1 425–68–80. From local numbers, instead of the country code, “0” is used, i.e. 014256880. Accordingly, when calling from Slovenia in Russia, the country code +7 or 007 is used.

In order not to go broke on roaming, I advise you to buy a local phone number. It can be purchased at sales offices, gas stations, and newsstands. No passport required.

There are several mobile operators in Slovenia, they offer different tariffs, I recommend Mobitel - not the cheapest, but the best in quality. So, you buy a SIM card, saying “We are asking for a SIM card mobile phone.” Its cost is 8.5 euros, of which 5 euros are in the account. The price of calls within Slovenia depends on the time of day and the recipient, but no more than 0.18361 euros per minute, details on the mobile operator’s website. As a rule, 5 euros for local calls will last you for a month. But calling to Russia is expensive - 0.9 euros per minute. I do this: I add another 10 euros to my account and activate a mobile Internet package with a capacity of 1 GB for a month and call Russia via Internet telephony.

In addition, mobile Internet may be useful to you for other purposes. The fact is that in Slovenia Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere in tourist places: in cafes and restaurants, at gas stations, at the airport, in large cities (free for half an hour to an hour a day and only for phones with a local SIM card), but often it is not available in hotel rooms, or rather, you have to pay for it separately (3–5 euros per day). If you don’t want to pay, go to the lobby (there is free Wi-Fi there) or use the mobile Internet.

Language and communication

The official language in the country is Slovenian. It is in many ways similar to Russian, or rather to Old Church Slavonic. If you know another Slavic language besides Russian, then understanding slow Slovenian is not very difficult. However, many words have an accent in a different place, and sometimes have a completely different meaning, for example:

• ponos (diarrhea) – pride,
• pozor (shame) - attention.

The numbers sound very similar, but the tens and ones are swapped in the German manner, that is, tri-in-dvajset (three in dvajset) - 23, dvesto pet-in-štirideset (two hundred pet in shtirideset) - 245.

Purely personal recommendation: when I don’t understand a Slovenian word, I try to pronounce it with a different accent, highlight the root of the word and try to remember old expressions. For example, in Pushkin: “Her lips, like a rose, blush...” And it’s clear how red it is in Slovenian. And Red Square was called that in Rus' because it was beautiful. Among the Slovenians this remained in the first meaning. To be honest, it doesn't always work. Also the word pozor, it is clear that the root is “zor”, but you can immediately guess that “zorkiy” in Russian means attentive...

In any case, it is not difficult to understand each other with the help of gestures, in addition, most Slovenians of the older generation studied Serbian, which allows them to understand Russian better. But young people all speak very good English.

One more piece of advice: if you decide to seriously prepare for a meeting with Slovenia and are going to buy a dictionary, then DO NOT buy the Kiev edition of 2001 (red or burgundy binding), there are a huge number of errors there. Better is the little yellow one, Uzhgorod edition, 2010.

And one more nuance: Russian swearing in Slovenian has almost the same meaning, so don’t swear, they will understand you :).

A few basic phrases in Slovenian:

• dober dan (dober dan) – good afternoon;
• živjo (zhivio) – hello/bye;
• na svidenje (for a date) – goodbye;
• hvala (praise) - thank you;
• prosim (ask) - please;
• oprostite (forgive) - sorry;
• ne razumem Slovensko, govorim rusko (We don’t understand Slovenian, we speak Russian) - I don’t understand Slovenian, I speak Russian;
• kako lahko pridem do... (how lahko we'll get to...) – how can you get to...;
• koliko stane... (koliko stane) – how much does it cost...;
• zelo dobro (zealo good) - very good.

Features of mentality

Slovenes are, first of all, Balkan Slavs, usually open, good-natured and broad-minded, sometimes noisy. They quickly switch to you. Friendly. I established contact with them very quickly. At the same time, they lived for a long time as part of Austria-Hungary and some German traits passed on to them. This is accuracy, discipline, commitment. Any village house is maintained in perfect order.

They like to drink in the company of friends. Many people have barrels of homemade wine in their basement.

And/or moonshine stills. I was not always able to get away from such people sober.

Much still depends on what region the Slovenian is from. This is especially typical for Primorye residents; many of them, like Italians, like to “talk with their hands”, actively gesticulating.

The attitude towards Russia is generally friendly, many are proud of the commonality of our countries. “From Primorye (Slovenian) to Primorye (Russian) we are Slavs.” Good attitude towards the burials of Russian and Soviet soldiers in Slovenia during the First and Second World Wars. Although there are exceptions. But in general, problems on ethnic grounds should not arise.

Food and drink

Slovenia's geographical diversity has led to rich gastronomic traditions. In each Slovenian region we tried dishes that were different. However, as a rule, Slovenian cuisine consists of simple meat dishes with a side dish of potatoes, sauerkraut, buckwheat (!) and turnips (!!!). There is also a large selection of sweets, again with a regional distribution.

A traditional lunch for a large company in a local “hotel” looks like this: guests are seated at a long table on which there are jugs of white and red wine, as well as bottles of sparkling water (usually local “Radenskaya”). Still water is often served in a jug and straight from the tap.

Slovenians start their feast with a glass of wine; many, following the Austrian habit, dilute white wine with sparkling water and make a so-called wine spritzer. I liked this custom, it’s very convenient, especially when you have to drive later. Next, “goveya and gobova yukha” (beef and mushroom soup) is served in large tureens. Guests themselves pour any amount onto their plate, then the waiters serve everyone with a bowl of salad, usually seasonal vegetables without dressing (olive and pumpkin oil, vinegar are on the table) and instead of tureens, large plates with various types of meat and two or three side dishes are placed. Option - each guest is given such a set.

At the end of the meal there is usually another toast, everyone moves their glasses to the center and raises them up with an exclamation of “oooh”. Next, most drink coffee, often with dessert.

Of course, much more can be written about Slovenian gastronomic traditions; I plan to do this in a separate article.

5 dishes worth trying

• Krashsky prosciutto. In essence, this is a dry-cured pork ham, but due to the wind that constantly blows in the Krasian Highlands, the meat turns out to be very tender. Definitely no worse than the best varieties of Spanish jamon.

• Pumpkin oil. Produced in the northeast of the country, it is traditionally added to salads. Considered very useful. A universal gift.

• Blaze silicon rubber. The famous cream cake, the hallmark of Slovenia. You only need to try it in Bled; in other places they use preservatives, which worsens the taste of the product.

• Prekmurskaya gibanica. A multi-layer puff pastry containing nuts, apples, poppy seeds, raisins and cottage cheese.

• Borovnichka. Blueberry liqueur. Traditional alcoholic drink. You can buy it in a regular chain store, but it’s better from local manufacturers.

Shopping

There is no good shopping in the country. Yes, there are sales, yes, many goods can be bought cheaper than in Russia, but the choice is very limited. It is more efficient to get to neighboring Italy (Palmanova outlet is located 30 km from the border) or to Austria.

Best cities for shopping

Near any major city in Slovenia there is a shopping center with a more or less large supermarket and a dozen chain department stores. Prices and assortment are almost the same everywhere. The only exception is the rather large BTC shopping complex in Ljubljana. You can dress there, but you won’t find fashionable things.

What to bring from this country

Slovenia is a country of folk crafts, and thanks to its diversity, you can buy something different in every region. In short, I recommend buying souvenirs in the places where you visit, without waiting for a trip to the souvenir store.

From Slovenia, I would bring gingerbread from Radovljica (1–5 euros), lace from Idrija (30–50 euros), crystal from Rogaška (20–100 euros), forged items from Kropa (20–1000 euros). And, of course, wine, plum brandy, boletus, prosciutto, cheese.

There are no special restrictions on export from Slovenia. Usually stores indicate that they issue Tax Free, do this, but keep in mind that each store has its own rules and it happens that the tax will be returned to you only in the same store on your next visit to Slovenia). But I will tell you about applying for Tax Free at the airport in an article about visas, customs and border formalities.

Vacation with children

Slovenia is a country where it is quite comfortable to relax with children of different ages. I plan to write an extended article on this issue (about various holiday options in the country), but for now the main directions:

• Thermal springs. Almost all of them have splash pools for the little ones. For older children there are various types of slides. The most popular place for such family holidays is the Catež Baths, especially when additional outdoor areas open in the summer. There are good summer slides at the springs in the city of Ptuj and in the Aqualuna park near Rogaska Slatina. But there are no classic amusement parks a la Disneyland in Slovenia, and locals go to Italy to Gardaland, located not far from.

• Rope amusement parks. They work in the summer almost throughout the country and starting from the age of 5, children can safely climb on them.

• The sea, however, in Slovenia is not as comfortable for children as in neighboring Croatia and Italy.

• Zoo in Ljubljana. Botanical parks in Ljubljana, Volče Potok and other places.

• Sports events. Slovenian children enjoy going to the mountains with their parents, ice skating, swimming, rafting, and downhill and cross-country skiing. If you don’t know how to do it yourself, then this will be a great opportunity to learn together with your children by hiring a personal or family trainer.

Safety

Slovenia is a fairly safe country, crimes are rarely committed. They steal bicycles, break into apartments and storage rooms, and become pickpockets. But, fortunately, there are practically no serious crimes. That is, feel calm here, but don’t relax at all.

Popular types of scams

A taxi is quite cheap in Slovenia; you can travel through the whole of Ljubljana for 10 euros, but only if you call it by phone. I usually call 031311311 in Ljubljana simply because this number is easy to remember. But if you take a taxi near the station or near the hotel, the tariff increases by 3-5 times. Moreover, it will be official, according to the meter, only the tariff is calculated specifically for tourists.

Things you definitely shouldn't do

While in Slovenia, observe basic rules of decency, respect local laws and local citizens. Pay for parking, don't drive drunk, don't be rowdy, don't harass women, be polite. I don't have any specific recommendations.

5 things you must do in this country

1. Take a walk around Ljubljana and drink coffee in the castle above the city, on a local skyscraper (skyscraper) or just on the Ljubljanica embankment.
2. Ring the bell three times in the church on the island on Lake Blais.
3. Climb the mountains. Admire the nature, get tired and have a snack at a local restaurant.
4. Visit thermal springs;
5. Go to the coast and try to breathe in the sea air.

Nearby countries

In all places of mass recreation for Russian citizens in Slovenia, collective and individual excursions to neighboring countries are organized almost daily during the season. Prices start from 45 euros.

However, I have practically never been involved in group tourism, so my advice is for those who are vacationing in Slovenia with a car: their own or a rented one. I hope to present in more detail my impressions of individual attractions in neighboring countries, and now briefly about the main areas of possible holidays in them, provided that you go there for one day without an overnight stay.

Italy

It is convenient to travel to Italy if you live on the coast or in Ljubljana. There are no visa restrictions. Roads in Italy have tolls, but are not very expensive for short trips. Fuel is much more expensive than in Slovenia. There is more crime on the roads and in cities. But incredibly beautiful.

In my opinion, one-day excursions can be prioritized as follows:

• . We can talk about her endlessly. You should definitely visit it at least once in your life.
• Trieste. Beautiful port, ancient Roman ruins, city. Miramare Castle. Nearby is the pretty fishing village of Mugia. The advantage is that it is very close to the border.

• Udine. A small, little-known but charming city with Venetian-style architecture.

• Aquileia is an ancient and significant city in Christianity. Grado is a small tourist town with a sandy beach. A chic, in my opinion, place to relax after a cultural excursion.

• Shopping. Large shopping outlets (the nearest are Palmanova and Chinese markets). Men, be careful: if you go with a companion, you will spend 2-3 times more in a day than during your entire vacation in Slovenia;).

• Such beautiful Italian cities as Padua and Treviso are also within daily reach.

Austria

It is most convenient to travel to Austria if you live in the Gorish region, Rogaška Slatina or Ljubljana. There are no visa restrictions. Roads in Austria are toll roads; you need to purchase a vignette for at least 10 days or drive on regional roads. Fuel is not much more expensive than in Slovenia. Beautiful, expensive, imperially luxurious.

In my opinion, day excursions can be prioritized as follows:

• . A very beautiful city, see the article about it with a rich history.
• and its surroundings. There are many interesting tourist places. It is better to go not through the Karavanke toll tunnel, but through the Lyubel Pass.

• Shopping. In Austria these are mostly expensive and sophisticated things.

Hungary

If you wish, of course, you can even get to Budapest in one day, take a walk there and return back, but this is difficult and not advisable. If you decide to do so, remember to buy a “vignette” at the border. In Hungary, it is not glued to the windshield, but simply data about the car is entered into the computer. Schengen visa.

Croatia

If you are going to Croatia while vacationing in Slovenia, then remember that if you have a single-entry Schengen visa, you will not be allowed back. Roads in Croatia are paid in kunas or euros. For vacationers on the Slovenian coast, you can go to Croatian Pula, Rijeka, and the island of Krk in just 24 hours.

For those who live in Čatež, the Plitvice Lakes are very close, a little further away. The most beautiful place I have seen in my life.

Friends, you often ask, so we remind you! 😉

Flights- You can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!