What to buy in Slovenia, souvenirs with a story

Idrija lace, the most delicate souvenir

This is the country’s most delicate souvenir. Idrija is the great centre of bobbin lace, and the Tourist Board notes that its school, founded in 1876, is the oldest in continuous operation in the world, with more than 500 children and young people learning there today. Every June the town holds its Lace Festival, which reached its 44th edition in 2026 with 21 exhibitions, workshops and craft markets. Žiri and Železniki are the other two big centres. What else to see there is in Idrija.

Salt, honey and flavours

Salt is the souvenir of the coast. The Piran salt pans, founded in 804 according to the Tourist Board, still yield fleur de sel the traditional way, and Sečovlje has guided tours and a salt-making museum, covered in the Sečovlje salt pans. From the Alps come honey and mead, tied to a long beekeeping tradition. For food, the catalogue mentions Carniolan sausage, which has protected designation of origin, and Prešeren figs dipped in chocolate.

Glass, wood and stone

Rogaška Slatina makes glassware, including wine glasses the catalogue links to the country’s wines. From Ribnica come two pieces with a documented tradition going back to the late 1400s, a bouquet of miniature wooden utensils and a clay whistle shaped like a horse and rider. The Kropa blacksmiths make a handheld candleholder designed by the architect Jože Plečnik, and Karst stonemasons carve mortars and pestles. To spot quality craft, the catalogue mentions the «Rokodelstvo-Art&Craft-Slovenija» label.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Piran before prices climb.

Wine, water and getting it home

Slovenia has three wine regions, Primorska, Posavje and Podravje, and a bottle from your favourite valley makes a good present; more in Slovenian wine. The Tourist Board also picks out two sparkling mineral waters with an international reputation, Radenska and Donat Mg. Going home to Great Britain, gov.uk’s current rules allow honey, eggs, poultry and fish from the EU, but not cheese, other dairy or pork, beef and lamb products such as sausages, so eat the Carniolan sausage while you’re there.

Contemporary design

For something more modern, the Centre for Creativity launched Made in Slovenia, an online catalogue of 57 products by Slovenian makers chosen by a jury from the National Gallery, the National Museum and the Academy of Fine Arts and Design. It isn’t a shop, but it lets you contact each maker.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Piran and choose by the reviews.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Piran before prices climb.