Ten days in Slovenia, from the Julian Alps to Ptuj

Days 1 and 2, Ljubljana plus a spare

I start with two days in the capital. The first is for the pedestrian centre, the castle, the market and Plečnik’s works. The second I keep flexible. If the weather’s good, I’d head out to Kamnik or Škofja Loka, each about 24 km away by my reckoning with OpenStreetMap data, and if it’s wet, I’d use it for museums and shuffle the mountain days. The city is ranked in things to do in Ljubljana.

Days 3 to 6, lakes, Vršič and the Soča

Days 3 and 4 are for the two lakes, Bled and Bohinj, with Vintgar Gorge from April to October and Savica Falls. On day 5 I’d cross the Julian Alps over Vršič, at 1,611 metres, from Kranjska Gora, and drop down to Bovec, 45 km on. Paid, capped parking at the top was announced in 2026, so I’d go up early. Day 6 is all for the Soča Valley, with the Great Gorge, Kozjak waterfall, the Kobarid Museum and the Tolmin Gorges. The best of that day is in the Soča Valley.

Days 7 and 8, Brda, the Karst and the coast

On day 7 I drop from Tolmin to Nova Gorica, about 39 km, and climb to Šmartno in the Brda vineyards before carrying on to the Karst and Štanjel. Day 8 is for the underground canyon at Škocjan and the Lipica stud farm, about 10 km away, reaching Piran in the afternoon. For me, Brda is the big discovery on this route, and I explain why in Brda.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Bovec on Expedia and filter by area before price.

Days 9 and 10, Postojna and the east

On day 9 I head inland from the coast to Postojna, about 74 km, for the cave and Predjama Castle, and on to Ljubljana, about 54 km more. On the last day I go east, about 126 km to Maribor, with the vine over 400 years old in the Lent district, and about 30 km more to Ptuj, the old Roman Poetovio, with its castle and old town. If you’re flying home from Ljubljana, make it a late flight or the following day. The best of the east starts in Maribor.

E-vignette and road costs

For ten days, the monthly DARS e-vignette for a car costs €32, the same as two weekly ones, and covers the whole trip. The main tickets add up, with €19 for Bled Castle, €24 for Predjama on its own and Postojna packages from €34.90 to €84.50. If you’d rather do a week, the same route without Brda, Postojna or the east is in Slovenia in a week. With four more days I reach the east and the spas in Slovenia in two weeks.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Bovec on Booking.com and filter by area before price.