Exploring Slovenia

When to visit Slovenia

Travelling to Slovenia? When’s the best time to go?

When to visit Slovenia is different for everyone. Whether you’re craving sun and sea, powdery snow, or a peaceful, crowd-free getaway, each traveller will find their own perfect time to visit Slovenia. Many attractions – including Lake Bled and Ljubljana – are enjoyable year-round. But there’s so much more to see and do in this small yet versatile country, and much is weather dependent. All of our itineraries are tailoured to your needs and can be tweaked to suit the time of the year.

Slovenia’s climate follows three distinctive patterns:

Northwest Region

An alpine climate predominates, characterized by very cold winters, often with heavy rainfall and snow, and moderately warm summers. However, with the wide range of activities on offer – skiing between December and March, and climbing, hiking and adventure sports between April and September – a visit to the mountain regions can be enjoyed at pretty much any time of the year.

Primorska Region (from the Soca Valley down to the coast)

This has a typically Mediterranean climate – very warm summers with consistent sunshine, and pleasantly cool winters.

The Interior Lowlands (including Ljubljana)

This area has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters.

Check Slovenias weather today!

Spring in Slovenia

It’s not yet warm enough to swim, and no longer cold enough to ski, but spring in Slovenia is the best time to visit if you want to avoid crowds entirely. The weather from March to May can be somewhat unpredictable, and early spring can be especially rainy. But by May, the weather is mild and perfect for outdoor adventures.

The snowmelt makes whitewater rafting a great option at this time, or find peace and quiet on the hiking trails. Ride a bike through majestic green valleys with wildflowers in full bloom, or wander around the streets of Ljubljana. Many of the attractions closed for the winter will be open by late spring, such as the caves beneath the must-see Predjama Castle, but prices won’t go up until mid-June.

March

The weather begins to warm up though it can be quite unpredictable ranging from wet and windy to clear and sunny. Although March marks the beginning of the end of ski season, there are still a couple of international ski events that take place at the start of the month. You’ll still find plenty of snow on the ground in the higher alpine areas. Average temperatures get up to 3°C (38°F), edging slightly higher by the end of the month. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F) and average lows of about 1°C (31°F).

April

Although April in Slovenia tends to be wetter than March, it can be a great month to visit Slovenia. The first true month of spring brings warming temperatures, melting snow, and budding blossoms with plenty of festivals and activities. School and Easter holidays are a great excuse for a family adventure combined with family fun in one of Slovenia’s top spa resorts. One not to be missed for wine enthusiasts is the Orange Wine Festival in Izola and keep idea an eye out for the cherry blossoms. Weather-wise the average highs creep ever so slightly into the double-digits at 12°C (53°C). At 3°C (37°F), the average lows in April can still get a little chilly.

May

Temperatures continue to rise and the coast can see temperatures reach the 20s towards the end of the month, making it an option for an early summer holiday. May is one of the best times of year for cycling and hitting the many hiking trails, with cooler temperatures than summer and relatively dry conditions. Plus the wildflowers are a spectacle that everyone should see! So much that there is an international Wildflower festival in Bohinj. Average temperatures reach up to 12°C (54°F) with average highs of 17°C (62°F) and average lows 7°C (45°F).

Check out the Wildflowers and Fairytales Itinerary from £245

Summer in Slovenia

Summer is by far the most popular season to visit Slovenia, though it’s still relatively uncrowded compared to other European countries. If you want to avoid crowds and higher prices, bypass Lake Bled in July and August. But Lake Bled can also be crowded any weekend between May and September. That said, the water temperature is perfect for a swim and the forests trails are at their greenest.

Ljubljana comes alive during the summer months when locals flock to outdoor cafes along the river and spend their days having picnics in the parks. Throughout the summer there is a number of outdoor concerts, festivals and food markets.

June

June is a great time to visit Slovenia. You can get the benefits of the beautiful Slovenian summer without it being quite as crowded as July and August. Temperatures really jump on the coast, climbing up to a toasty 27°C, making Portoroz and Piran the perfect place for a sun holiday. The rest of the country also sees the temperatures rise and all the spa resorts open up their outdoor pools and waterparks.

July

July is when the high season starts and the more well-known highlights like Lake Bled are at their height of tourist numbers but compared to other European summer spots, they are nowhere near the average numbers. If you want to get away from the crowds this is the time to explore the east of the country. With long warm sunny days, hidden lakes, picturesque towns and aqua parks of the spa resorts this is where the locals escape to

August

August continues to bring hot weather especially in the western plains and along the short coastline of the Adriatic. Still, in the high season, every region of Slovenia has something to offer. from the Alpine northwest to the coastal towns along the Adriatic Sea in the south and to ancient Ptuj in the east, not forgetting the lively capital.

The coastal towns, Piran, Izola, and Koper are popular summer destinations, offering a plethora of sea-related activities. Kranjska Gora in the high mountains has great hiking and if you’re brave, alpine lakes, like Lake Jasna to dive into. Many areas focus on family-friendly activities and provide plenty of entertainment for the kids while parents can relax.

Autumn in Slovenia

With the changing foliage, Autumn is the perfect time for Slovenia to showcase its beauty. Red, golds and Oranges dominate the country and lower tourist numbers means this is one of the best times to experience the more popular attractions like Lake Bled. For the wine enthusiast, autumn means harvesting time and trying out new wines.

September

September is a fantastic month to experience Slovenia, the weather is more comfortable (though a little rainy) and the crowds have lessened, plus the Adriatic and alpine lakes are still warm enough to enjoy. The coast still is warm enough to enjoy a sun holiday but without the high season prices. Head to the Triglav National Park and up into the Julian or Kamnik Alps to snap pics of the changing foliage, the already stunning mountain scenery turns into an explosion of reds, yellows, and oranges. Hike or ride the ski lift up to Mt. Vogel for stunning views over Lake Bohinj or follow the walking path to Savica Waterfall

October

October is one o the prettiest months to visit Slovenia with its autumn colours in full swing, popular points of interest would be to explore Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, and the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge, before heading further into Triglav National Park and to the stunning Soča Valley. Harvest is in full swing and now is the time to taste all the yummy local produce and try some new Slovenia wine.

November

Damp and foggy, November is best suited for urban and cultural exploration: museums and galleries, caves and castles. While this may be a less than ideal month to visit weather-wise. While the cold and wet weather typically keeps tourists away, November welcomes in wine season on November 11 with festivals popping up across the country drawing in local crowds. Still off-season, prices will have dropped significantly offering great bargains

Winter in Slovenia

A true winter wonderland in the colder months, Slovenia offers much in the way of winter sports, its main draw though is skiing. Head to any of the ski resorts in the Julian Alps, Kranjska Gora being the most popular. If skiing isn’t your thing, take advantage of the snow in another way, like sledding, snowshoeing or ice skating. The winter months are also a great time for a healthy spa visit.

December

Dark and chilly December brightens up in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve, attracting visitors to Slovenia’s festive villages and cities. Get into the festive spirit, grab a hot cup of mulled wine and wander the numerous food and handicraft stalls on the Cankarjevo nabrežje—keeping an eye out for potica or Slovenian Christmas cake, sold most everywhere during the season. Throughout the country, you can expect to see a Christmas related concert, the most famous and possibly most unique is the live nativity scene put on in the Postojna Cave. December also sees the start of the skiing season.

January

By January, Slovenia’s ski season is in full swing. Dotted across the Julian Alps, the three main ski resorts in Slovenia have gentle, uncrowded slopes. The superb ski schools make it a popular pick for beginners and families, and excellent snowmaking keeps the powder topped up throughout the winter. Everything is great value too – from accommodation to restaurants – and the medieval villages and national park scenery add a fairy tale touch to Kranjska Gora, Bohinj and Bled.

February

February is still very much offseason for much of the country even if it is one of the busiest ski months of the year. The weather and few daylight hours make this a slower time to travel in Slovenia, and flights, as well as hotels, will be at their cheapest (with the exception of ski resorts). February kicks off the approaching spring with Mardi Gras celebrations across the country. Keeping this in mind, it’s best to book reservations for accommodation and restaurants in advance.

Lake Bled

Lake Bled is one of the most visited attractions in Slovenia. The beautiful views of the lake and the small island it surrounds brings thousands of visitors every year. The best way to reach the island is taking a pletna, a traditional gondola in the Bled area. Once on the island, visitors must walk up ninety-nine steps to reach the island’s church. It is considered good luck to ring the church’s bell when visiting the island.

Ljubljana

Slovenia's capital city is as romantic and charming as they come—and clean, having been named the “Green Capital of Europe 2016” by the European Commission. Stroll through the pedestrian-only Old Town, sip coffee by the leafy banks of the Ljubljanica River, or take in the baroque architecture and hilltop sixteenth-century Ljubljana Castle.

Maribor

Slovenia's second-largest city is provincial and charming, with a medieval Old Town, pedestrian-only central streets, and a skyline defined by orange roofs and rolling hills. The town is also the site of a glorious landmark: "the oldest vine in the world." Stara Trta (literally "Old Vine") is more than 400 years old, and is a symbol of the rich wine culture in Maribor.

Piran

Situated on a picturesque peninsula on the Adriatic coastline, Piran is one of Slovenia's most beautiful cities. Its pedestrian-only Old Town is reminiscent of Venice in miniature, with Gothic architecture, alfresco wine bars, narrow alleyways, and glowing sunsets.

Lipica Stud Farm

Lipica Stud Farm has been breeding Lipizzaner horses since the sixteenth century. Once used by royals for their private stables, the farm is now open to visitors and allows them to admire this beautiful breed of horse. When visiting the Lipica Stud Farm, guests can stroll through the barns and join one of the farm’s guided tours. Three times a week the Classical Riding School performs, and guests can see the Lipizzaner horses in action.

Triglav National Park

The Triglav National Park, named after the country’s tallest mountain, is the only National Park in Slovenia. With beautiful views of the mountains, hills, lakes, rivers, and pastures, this park is a nature lover’s paradise. Aside from hiking, Triglav National Park offers great activities such as kayaking, rafting, skydiving, and parasailing.

Ljubljana Airport

Slovenia main airport, Jože Pučnik Airport, is located just outside its capital city and is well served by international airlines.

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Trieste Airport

A small regional airport, Trieste in Italy is located about an hour away from Slovenia’s seaside resort town of Portoroz. Ryanair flies to and from Trieste multiple times a week from Stansted Airport.

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Sečovlje Salina Nature Park

The Salt pans in the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park are one of the few places in the world where sea salt is still produced by using a centuries-old method. When walking on the park trails, visitors can observe salt being harvested manually by local workers.

Planica Nordic Centre,

Planica is home to the biggest ski jumping hill in the world. For over twenty years it has hosted one of the most important ski jumping competitions in the world. In 2015 Planica received a much-needed update, and the new Planica Nordic Center was built. Aside from the ski jumps the center also features an athletics stadium, a zipline, a wind tunnel, cycling and walking paths, and a visitor’s center. Planica zipline has the steepest descent in the world, which creates the sensations that ski jumping champions feel when flying through the air.

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