Slovenia · Itineraries
One week in Slovenia by car: the loop, stop by stop
A week is enough to drive one loop around western Slovenia from Ljubljana. The route goes north to Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, over to Kranjska Gora, across the Vršič Pass into the Soča Valley, then back past Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave. The whole loop is about 375 kilometres, so no single drive takes much more than two hours.
Day by day
- 1
Ljubljana
Start with a night in the capital. The old town is closed to cars, so park once and walk. The river Ljubljanica runs through the centre with cafes along both banks, and the castle sits on the hill above, reached on foot or by funicular. One evening and a morning cover it comfortably. Pick up the rental car on the way out of town, not on arrival, because you will not need it in the centre. Lake Bled is under an hour up the motorway.
- 2
Lake Bled
Two nights here. The lake is small enough to walk around in about an hour and a half, and that walk is the best way to see it. A traditional wooden boat called a pletna takes you out to the island church. Bled Castle stands on the cliff above the north shore and has the widest view of the lake. Summer days are busy by late morning, so do the lake loop early and save the castle for late afternoon. Vintgar Gorge is a short drive away and fills a half day.
- 3
Lake Bohinj
Half an hour past Bled, and far quieter. Bohinj is the largest natural lake in Slovenia and sits inside Triglav National Park, so the shore is mostly forest and meadow with very little building. The stone church of St John the Baptist stands by the bridge at the eastern end. A cable car climbs to Vogel for a view over the lake and the Julian Alps. In summer the water is warm enough to swim. One night is enough, though people who like walking often wish they had two.
- 4
Kranjska Gora and the Vršič Pass
Kranjska Gora is a small alpine town close to the Italian and Austrian borders, and the usual base for the high road south. Lake Jasna is a few minutes from the centre. From here the Vršič Pass climbs through around fifty hairpin bends to roughly 1,600 metres before dropping into the Soča Valley. The road is usually shut by snow from about November to late May. If it is closed, drive round through Italy over the Predil Pass. Start the pass early in the day, before the motorbikes and tour traffic.
- 5
Soča Valley
Two nights. The Soča is an emerald river that runs through narrow limestone gorges, and the colour is real. Bovec is the base for rafting, kayaking and canyoning, with outfitters along the main street. Further down the valley, Kobarid has a well regarded museum about the First World War front that ran through these mountains, and short walks to waterfalls nearby. The water stays cold all year, so swimming is a quick dip. Book rafting a day or two ahead in July and August.
- 6
Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave
The last stop breaks the drive back to Ljubljana. Predjama Castle is built into the mouth of a cave halfway up a cliff, and it is about nine kilometres from Postojna Cave, so most people see both in one visit. Postojna is one of the largest show caves in Europe, and the tour starts with a ride on an underground train. The cave stays cool whatever the weather, so bring a layer. Allow three to four hours for the pair, then an easy motorway run to the capital.
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Plan it
- Best time
- June to September, when the lakes are warm enough to swim and the Vršič Pass is open. May and October are quieter and cooler, and the pass may be shut.
- How long
- Seven days covers the loop at an easy pace. With five days, drop Bohinj or shorten the Soča Valley to one night.
- Getting around
- A rental car from Ljubljana. Motorways need an e-vignette tied to the number plate, bought online before you drive. Drives between stops are short, mostly under two hours.
Good to know
- Buy the e-vignette before joining the motorway. Cameras check number plates.
- Check whether the Vršič Pass is open before leaving Kranjska Gora, especially in May and October.
- Carry a swimsuit and a towel in the car. Half the stops are on water.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for a Slovenia road trip? +
A week is the comfortable length. It gives two nights at Lake Bled and two in the Soča Valley, with single nights in Ljubljana, Bohinj and Kranjska Gora. Five days works if you cut one lake. Ten days lets you add the coast at Piran or the wine country in the east.
Do you need a vignette to drive in Slovenia? +
Yes, for motorways and expressways. Slovenia uses a digital e-vignette linked to the car's number plate. Buy it online or at a petrol station before you join the motorway. Rental cars picked up in Slovenia normally have one already, so ask at the desk.
When is the Vršič Pass open? +
Usually from late May or early June until the first heavy snow, around November. The exact dates change every year. When it is closed, the alternative from Kranjska Gora to the Soča Valley runs through Tarvisio in Italy and over the Predil Pass, which stays open through most of the winter.
Is Lake Bled or Lake Bohinj better? +
Bled has the famous view, the island church and the castle, and more places to stay and eat. Bohinj is bigger, quieter and wilder, inside the national park. They are half an hour apart, so the easy answer is to stay at one and visit the other.
