What you should definitely bring back from Ljubljana that’s delicious. Prosciutto and pumpkin seed oil, Idrija lace, Borovničke and Viljamovka: what else to bring from Slovenia (Ljubljana) as a gift? Shops and shopping centers in Ljubljana
Slovenia is an incredibly beautiful country. It amazes with its amazing landscapes and their diversity in a small area. In one day you can visit different regions with their microclimates and weather patterns different from others, or travel to neighboring countries (Austria, Italy, Croatia). Slovenia is also a country in which it is very difficult to get lost. Clear forks in the roads, frequent signs, often with pictures of nearby tourist sites, and the responsiveness of local residents will replace any guide to the country, which you will use here only as a list of attractions that you would like to visit. Snowy mountain peaks playing in the rays of the sun, clear lakes and rivers, gorges and caves, valleys and vineyards, ancient castles with their legends, friendly faces of Slovenians with frank cordiality and kindness - all this, and not only, will not leave any tourist indifferent . Everything here exudes homely warmth and comfort.
Mainly small in Slovenia settlements, and if you find yourself in the city, then you should definitely go to its historical part (Old Town). Usually in the very center, in the square, you will be surrounded by souvenir shops and shops; often souvenirs and gifts are sold right on the squares. In addition to the usual magnets, badges, ceramic figurines and whistles for tourists, mugs, plates, key chains with an inscription or image of Slovenia, the capital Ljubljana, a flag and other things, you will probably come across wood products at every step. Local woodcarving craftsmen will delight you with kitchen utensils, toys, souvenirs, rattles and other musical and noise instruments.
Also in souvenir shops and squares, small wooden panels with fragments from fairy tales, like greetings from childhood, the so-called “panjske koncnice” (translated as “tip of the beehive”) attract attention. These painted tablets not only have an attractive appearance, but also an interesting purpose; they have long been used as tips for a beehive. The motives for the drawings were often of a religious nature, and thereby beekeepers not only distinguished their hives, but also protected the bees. Panske končnice are typical for the Gorenjska and Korosko region of Slovenia.
Not just a souvenir, but a wonderful gift for connoisseurs of fine art will be Idrija lace, the weaving traditions of which have been passed on in Idrija for centuries and are part of the Slovenian cultural heritage, carefully preserved by the Slovenians.
The tradition of making Lect has also long been passed down - painted dough figures not intended for consumption (however, they are suitable for eating in the first days after production, they consist mainly of flour, water and honey). These figurines serve as wonderful gifts, souvenirs, and home decorations. The most common is the Lectovo heart. There are four handicraft workshops in Slovenia for the production of letzto figurines, the most famous of which is Radovljica, a small village next to a beautiful lake
Bled.
If you go to the Rogaške Slatina area, you will be surrounded by locally produced crystal everywhere. The shine of crystal dishes and figurines will not only attract your attention, but will also awaken the desire to buy something as a souvenir or as a gift.
Certainly, while walking through tourist spots, as well as along secluded paths in parks and forests, you can meet artists who paint the most famous sights of Slovenia in the open air, both from life and from memory. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of purchasing a small painting that will refresh your memories of the trip for a long time.
Sports fans will not be left without gifts either. First class skis, boots and Sports Equipment at the prices of the manufacturer - the Elan plant - they are waiting for you in sports stores or in the discount store at the plant.
We strongly recommend that you get to the Slovenian region of Kras! And not only because this is an amazing region, but also because Kras is a teran wine and a beautiful prosciutto. After all, Slovenia is also a wine-making country. Among red wines, tart Teran, Refosk and young wine Cvicek are popular, and for lovers of white wines - Rizling (Renski Rizling, Laski Rizling) and Traminec. These wines will serve as an excellent continuation of your trip after returning home. And prosciutto is an extraordinary delicacy for gourmets, representing wind-dried meat with spices. Only salt, clean air, sea breeze and careful control of the process by masters of their craft provide you, after 12-14 months, with the opportunity to enjoy this truly tasty, ruby-red and juicy delicacy with a seductive aroma. There are also other technologies for preparing prosciutto, but dried meat is considered the local specialty of prosciutto.
And of course, in any restaurant or company you will be offered local pear vodka Viljamovka, plum vodka Slivovka and other strong alcoholic drinks(Borovnicka, Brinjevec, Pelinkovec, etc.). Seeing a bottle with a whole pear inside, you will probably think about the method of preparing Vilyamovka. And be sure to buy this drink. All the wines and strong alcohol, both in regular and gift bottles, can be purchased at any grocery stores, they will be a worthy gift not only for relatives, but also for work colleagues and business partners.
Well, for a sweet end to the trip, don’t forget to buy Slovenian Gorenka chocolate in a kilogram package for the trip. It will also please you, your loved ones and friends. Or a jar of Slovenian honey, the variety of which will make you think about your choice.
And after some time, going through your memories of your adventures in Slovenia - pictures of lakes, skiing, sea and sun, the smiles of Slovenians, their cuisine and traditions, looking through a huge number of photographs - you will probably want to return to this amazing country more than once .
By European standards, prices in Slovenia are moderate: they are higher than in Hungary, but lower than in Italy and Austria.
Shopping and souvenirs
Slovenia is famous for its excellent opportunities for inexpensive and high-quality shopping. At your service are a variety of outlets: small souvenir shops, fashion boutiques of famous brands, large department stores and large shopping centers.
The best time to go shopping is during the sales season: at the end of summer (summer collections are sold out) and in winter (Christmas and New Year sales). During these periods, you can purchase goods with 40-70% discounts.
What to bring as a souvenir of Slovenia?
Tapestries, tulle, cotton fabrics decorated with hand embroidery, knitted items, ceramics, wood, wicker and crystal items, Slovenian cosmetics based on thermal water and healing mud, leather shoes, underwear from the Slovenian company Pascarel;
- pumpkin oil, alcoholic drinks (“Khrushkovets”, “Mediha”), honey, chocolate.
In Slovenia you can buy lace products from 20 euros, Slovenian cosmetics from 10 euros, Slovenian wines from 4 euros/0.75 l.
Excursions
On a sightseeing tour of Ljubljana you will see the City Hall, the Cathedral, Trimostovye, embankments, cozy courtyards of ancient houses.
This excursion costs an average of 54 euros.
Entertainment
Approximate prices for entertainment in the country: a trip to the Adriatic Sea with an excursion - 80 euros, a visit to the mountain lake Bled - 50 euros, sleigh rides in the evening - 25 euros.
You should definitely visit Predjama Castle (Postojna resort): here you can visit the museum and look at the interesting exhibition.
Under the castle there is a karst cave with underground halls, which in the past housed stables. And before entering the cave, you can see the remains of the Erasmus Castle.
You can visit the castle for 15 euros.
Transport
It is more convenient to travel around Slovenian cities by bus: for 1 ticket you will pay 0.8 euros.
By purchasing a “tourist card”, you will be able to move freely on all types of public transport, including the funicular + see the main attractions for free.
A card valid for 24 hours costs 24 euros, for 2 days – 31 euros, and for 3 days – 36 euros.
If you decide to take a taxi, you will pay 1.6-1.9 euros (boarding) + 1.3-1.8 euros (every kilometer traveled). For example, to get from Ljubljana airport to the city center (20 km) you will be asked to pay 45 euros.
And renting a car will cost you at least 40 euros per day.
Your minimum daily expenses on vacation in Slovenia will be 50 euros per person (accommodation in a guest house or private room, meals in inexpensive cafes, travel by public transport). For the most comfortable stay you will need 80-100 euros per day per person.
No trip is complete without getting to know the local culture and attractions. Tourists love to bring their favorite products and souvenirs - home or as a gift. We have prepared a selection of souvenirs that you can buy in Slovenia so that they remind you of your trip to this beautiful country, and also will not leave your family and friends indifferent.
Sea salt from Portorož and Piran
Salt making in Slovenia dates back to the Middle Ages. In those days, there were many salt mining sites on the coast, and the Piran saltworks were especially famous. Now this fishery is not so widespread, but the fame of Slovenian sea salt extends far beyond the borders of this small country. In the Sechovel Valleys there is still a saltworks in which salt is mined by hand. This, as it is called, “Piran salt” has a healing effect and contains more than 60 natural microelements, and baths with this Slovenian salt will help maintain health and remind you of a sea holiday.
Wines of Slovenia – Malvasia and Refosk
A huge part of Slovenia is covered with vineyards, and in Slovenian Maribor, the oldest grapevine in Europe, which is more than 400 years old, still bears fruit. It is not surprising that Slovenian wines are of high quality and attract the admiration of the most demanding sommeliers. The most famous red wine in Slovenia, Refosk, goes well with meat, and white Malvazija goes well with fish and seafood. You can buy the best Malvasia in Slovenia at the seaside winery VinoKoper.
Slovenian alcohol – Borovničke, Teranov liker, Pleterska viljamovka
However, Slovenian strong drinks are in no way inferior to wine. Buy Viljamovka pear vodka in Slovenia, which attracts attention with a bottle with a whole pear inside. You will probably like the Borovničke blueberry liqueur and the Teranov liqueur drink, which is obtained by mixing wine and liqueur in a special proportion. Try also plum (Slivovka) or nut vodka (Orehovec). They are produced by local farmers and taste no worse than Italian Grappa.
Pumpkin oil
Slovenia has one of the largest pumpkin seed oil production in Europe. Pumpkin oil has many useful properties, contains vitamins and minerals, has a beneficial effect on digestion, heart function and blood vessels. Slovenian pumpkin oil has a dark green, almost black color, and in the Middle Ages its price was comparable to the cost of precious metals - since then pumpkin oil has been called “black gold”. 40 pumpkins are processed to produce one liter of oil - not surprisingly, it is one of the most expensive products. In cooking, it is used to prepare salads, soups and side dishes, and black bread soaked in pumpkin oil becomes a real delicacy.
Famous Slovenian prosciutto
Be sure to buy Pršut in Slovenia. This relative of Italian prosciutto is cured or uncooked meat, cured in the wind and generously sprinkled with spices. In Slovenia, the process of preparing prosciutto takes about a year, and the meat is dried only in the salty winds blowing from the sea, so you will remember its taste for a long time! Prosciutto from the Kras region is especially good, where the tradition of its preparation originated.
Slovenian lace
Lace products, as well as embroidery and knitting by craftswomen from Idrija and the shores of Lake Bled are a real art. In the Idrija region, lace knitting was practiced back in the 19th century, at which time lace began to be exported to other European countries that could not boast of such high quality. In Slovenia today you can buy lace shawls, scarves, jewelry, tablecloths, and we can advise lace lovers to visit the Slovenian Lace Festival, where the choice is simply endless.
Crystal from Rogaska
Crystal production in Rogaška Slatina is the oldest in the country - the history of the factory goes back almost 400 years, and crystal products from its production decorate homes famous politicians and cultural figures. By visiting the Rogaška factory, you can purchase “Vilyamovka” pear vodka in a special crystal bottle with a whole pear inside. By the way, it is Rogaška crystal that is used to make figurines awarded to the winners of the Miss World and Miss USA contests.
Slovenian honey
Slovenians take the traditions of beekeeping and mead making very seriously. Recently, the president of the Slovenian Beekeepers Association even proposed establishing a Bee Day, and this proposal is currently under consideration at the UN. The main production of Slovenian honey is located in the Kocevska Valley, where, thanks to special technology, delicate honey is produced, reminiscent of cream in texture. Other regions of Slovenia also produce different kinds honey - try flower, linden, chestnut, forest or highland honey and choose the flavor that you like best. Honey in Slovenia is also used to make honey wine, liqueurs and even honey champagne!
Lavender souvenirs
Lavender in Slovenia grows in the coastal region and in the Kras region and serves as the basis for various souvenirs, and is also added to cosmetical tools. The smell of lavender calms and lulls you to sleep - just put a canvas bag of lavender under your pillow and your dreams will be sweet and deep. In addition, lavender bouquets placed in a closet with linen are an excellent natural refresher, and lavender oil is an excellent cosmetic and healing product, as well as a safe natural antidepressant.
Slovenian chocolate
Finally, try the local Slovenian chocolate - especially popular are the kilogram Gorenjka chocolate bars and the sweet called Prešernove fige. The latter got its name thanks to the Slovenian poet Franz Prešerne, who always carried figs with him and treated them to children. Now figs are covered with chocolate and named after the great poet.
Slovenia is famous for its delicious Gorenka chocolate, honey sweets, liqueurs, prosciutto and wine. And also linen and rock crystal vases. However, this is not all that can be brought from this small and very beautiful country. A nice bonus: prices in Slovenia are noticeably lower than in Russia and Central Europe.
You should go on holiday with euros. Cashless payments are possible almost everywhere, and there are no problems with ATMs either. If you still need to change currency, do it at a bank, a “changer” (that is, an exchange office) or at the capital’s train station. This is the only way you can avoid high commissions.
Remember that in Slovenia you can refund VAT on purchases. To do this, you need to spend more than 50 euros at a time in a store participating in the tax-free program. At the checkout, take a special receipt (save the cash receipt too), fill it out, and then show it to customs. Be prepared that at the border you may be asked to present purchased goods. To arrange a taxi free service, it is better to arrive at the airport in advance.
So, what can you bring from Slovenia?
Most often, local traders speak English. However, with the growing tourist flow from Russia, many sellers in Slovenia began to speak a little Russian. So there should be no problems with mutual understanding.
Winter sales in Slovenia take place during the New Year and Christmas holidays, and the peak of discounts in summer occurs in August. There are also local sales of individual brands at the end of each season.
European brands
Ljubljana is home to one of the largest shopping centers in Europe - BTC City. In it you will find stores of familiar European brands and excellent boutiques. Don’t neglect unfamiliar stores either: they may turn out to be Italian, French or German.
Nama is the oldest department store in the capital. It's a little smaller, but has excellent shopping. Also in Ljubljana, you can go shopping at the Mercator, MaxiMarket, and City Park shopping centers.
Outlets
People from Slovenia often go shopping to the famous Italian outlet villages (Palmanova Outlet Village, for example). The country also has several of its own: in Ljubljana these are Trgovina ASCARA outlet, Sport Outlet and others. There are several outlets of famous brands inside the main shopping center of Slovenia, BTC City. These are the ones that are worth paying special attention to.
Underwear
Women in Slovenia should buy themselves a nice gift – a good set of locally produced, high-quality underwear. The most popular brand is Lisca. Specialized stores (and they are in most large shopping centers in the country) also have a large selection of swimsuits. Wholesalers buy Lisca underwear in Slovenia and sell it in Russia with a big markup. So, girls, seize the moment.
Linen
Slovenia is famous for its environmentally friendly linen fabrics, for which Europeans even come here specifically. We advise women to try on dresses, blouses, skirts and any other clothes - all of them are worth the money invested. Men should buy a shirt or summer suit made of linen. A popular accessory is a linen bag (tourists especially love those with national embroidery), which can be brought from Slovenia as a gift to loved ones.
Tourists also actively bring all kinds of linen home textiles from this country: towels, tablecloths, bedspreads. Most often, the ornament on them is embroidered by hand.
Leather
Did you know that there are factories in Slovenia that make shoes and leather accessories for Italian fashion houses? But the prices were not even close to Italian prices: 2-3 times lower, no less. In short, don’t go home without shoes, boots, boots or sandals. Well, buy a bag or wallet.
The most famous company is Alpina. It is famous far beyond the borders of Slovenia; Europeans love it very much. A good pair of shoes can be bought for about 30 euros.
Cosmetics and medicines
Slovenia is famous for its thermal springs and mineral waters. You can’t take them home even in a bottle, but you can buy cosmetics based on natural gifts. We advise all women and girls to pay attention to local organic cosmetics. Especially the one with thermal waters or healing mud.
The most popular cosmetic brand in Slovenia is Afrodita. It has a more famous competitor - the Aphrodite company from Greece, but the Slovenian product is no worse. His products are already sold in Russia, but it will be more profitable to buy in the manufacturer’s homeland. Look in specialty stores and pharmacies. As a guide: an excellent cream can be bought for about 4 euros, fabric masks for 1 euro each.
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Souvenirs
Look for a large selection of souvenirs in Ljubljana in the souvenir shops of the Old Town. And also at the Central Market on Prešeren Square.
Souvenirs in Portorož and Koper are more expensive than in Ljubljana: they are resort cities, and therefore the prices here are increased. Shopping in Izola is calm: there are many shops on the ancient streets where you can buy all the most popular souvenirs.
For souvenirs in Maribor, head to the many tourist shops in the Old Town. The most interesting ones, perhaps, are Slovenska local made and Destination Shop ARTmijeMAR. However, they are all good.
For souvenir shopping in Bled, you should visit the Zakladi Slovenije store. It is really excellent; tourists who have visited Slovenia leave many good reviews about it. Well, also go to other souvenir shops - it’s interesting to walk around them.
Ceramics
Slovenia has a very large selection of ceramics: dishes, pots, vases, souvenir figurines and other useful little things. Of the famous brands, Majolka has good reviews. Although you can safely buy ceramics both in souvenir shops and from artisans.
Crystal
Rock crystal from Slovenia is well known and loved all over the world, so you can buy it too. At least a couple of wine glasses or wine glasses (take home a bottle of local wine in this case). For those who don’t drink, there are chic vases (prices from 40 euros and above).
It is better to buy crystal in a specialized store. Or take a guided tour of the plant in Rogaška Slatina. Prices here are lower than in the city. Well, the most popular souvenir in this category is a crystal bottle filled with the famous pear “Williamovka”. A great gift from Slovenia for loved ones!
Lace
Idrija is famous for its lace production in Slovenia. However, it can be purchased throughout the country. Including in numerous souvenir shops. Most often it is used to create scarves and decorate clothes. However, they sell a lot of beautiful napkins, tablecloths and other home textiles for tourists. Buy it - do not spare money, because Slovenian lace is considered one of the best in the world.
Tree and vine
In Slovenia, wood is carved and painted very beautifully. Popular souvenirs include boxes, figurines, and various dishes. These goods are always available in shops for tourists - for every taste. Prices start from 3 euros for small figures, from 5 euros for a bowl with national Slovenian patterns.
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Food and drink
For gastronomic shopping in Ljubljana, head to the Central Market. Here you can buy excellent farm products (for example, rare varieties of cheese or deli meats that cannot be found in supermarkets).
Of the good gastronomic souvenir shops in Ljubljana, the most famous is Kraševka. Here you can buy all the delicious things that Slovenia is truly famous for.
Among the supermarkets in the cities of Slovenia, the most popular chain stores are Spar and E.Leclerc. Check out the Interspar shopping center for shopping, where in addition to the supermarket there are excellent shops sportswear, and on Thursdays there is a farmer's market
Meat delicacies
One of the best foods to buy in Slovenia is prosciutto, a delicious dried ham. In supermarkets you can find convenient cuts that will be easy to take home. The price per kilogram of prosciutto is approximately 20 euros, and small cuts are usually packaged in packages of 3-4 euros.
Also try the local game sausage: venison, elk, and bear meat. Do not forget that you need to take such products home only in original packaging.
Cheese
Buy local cheese. They do it really well in Slovenia. Pay special attention to locally grown ripened varieties. The most popular is goat (price per kilogram in supermarkets is approximately 16-17 euros). Cheeses made from cow's milk (ripened for more than 5 months) cost about 10-12 euros per kg.
Chocolate
The famous Gorenka chocolate is brought from Slovenia even by those who are indifferent to sweets. This is one of the most popular gastronomic souvenirs. This chocolate and the candies of the same name have a completely natural composition, which is why they are so loved.
For sweets from the famous Cukrcek company, check out the Cukrcek Chocolate store (located in the Old Town in Ljubljana). Here you can buy delicious handmade chocolates, chocolate-covered fruits (very tasty!), marzipan sticks, chocolate praline balls and other goodies.
Another good local company is Choceur. A bar of chocolate from this brand will cost less than 1 euro. They have a completely natural composition.
Honey
Bring honey from Slovenia and take it as medicine. It is natural, made in ideal environmental conditions. The main thing is to buy a local product (and best of all, from markets or apiaries). An interesting option is cream honey: the same honey, only with a very delicate texture.
National sweets
We recommend that those with a sweet tooth try national Slovenian desserts. You should start with potica - a delicious sweet pie with nuts. Or with gibanitsa - a puff roll stuffed with cottage cheese, apples, raisins, poppy seeds and nuts. Well, don’t forget about cream chives - somewhat similar to Napoleon, but with vanilla cream. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take the last dessert home, but the rest will travel just fine from Slovenia to Russia, even in a suitcase (buy at a pastry shop on the day of departure).
As a gift for children, bring a charming edible souvenir from Slovenia - a letz figurine. It is made from flour, water, honey and food coloring. It will be a pity to eat letz (especially since you can only buy them in Slovenia), but you still have to - they have a very short shelf life. At the Christmas fair, letz are sold in the form of houses, Christmas trees, snowflakes, angels - it’s very beautiful. Such a sweet souvenir costs from 1 euro per piece.
Pumpkin oil
One of the healthiest vegetable oils– pumpkin, and the best pumpkin oil in the world is Slovenian. In general, you understand what to do. Look for it in supermarkets, because in souvenir shops throughout Slovenia the prices for it are greatly increased, but the producers are the same. It is also unprofitable to buy pumpkin oil in the markets.
The price in supermarkets is approximately 5-6 euros per 0.5 liter bottle.
Salt
We understand, it sounds strange: why bring salt home from Slovenia itself? It's actually worth it. Firstly, it is considered one of the best on the planet. Secondly, it is sold in beautiful souvenir bags and cute jars, and therefore it has become one of the most popular souvenirs among tourists.
Mineralka
If you are on holiday in Slovenia, be sure to buy the famous mineral water Donat Mg (“Donat Magnesium”). She is believed to have healing properties. Of course, you need to drink it in a course, and you won’t be able to take much of it home, but at least getting to know it won’t hurt.
Alcohol
Buy large quantities of alcohol in supermarkets in Slovenia. In souvenir shops you can find beautiful gift versions of the most popular drinks (often supplemented with the famous Gorenka chocolate).
And from time to time, a winemakers’ fair is held at the Ljubljana Central Market. You can buy great stuff here Home wine or simply combine shopping with tasting. Tourists often walk around this market with a glass in hand - don’t be surprised and join them.
Wine
As for alcohol in Slovenia, it is worth buying locally produced wine. The vineyards in the country are gorgeous, and they definitely know how to make wine here. In a word, don’t pass by - taste it in cafes and wineries, buy it, and take it home. It is more profitable to buy table wines in supermarkets. Look for elite alcohol from private owners, in production and in specialized stores.
We recommend checking out the Vinoteka Movia wine boutique. Wine is sold here popular brand Movie. You can try it before purchasing. In Koper, you can go wine shopping with an excursion to the Wine cellar Santomas winery. Buy alcoholic souvenirs here too.
Prices for good table wine in supermarkets in Slovenia start from only 3 euros. No, don’t get poisoned - it’s really high quality.
Tinctures
Strong alcohol containing fruits, berries, honey and even nuts is often brought from Slovenia. These liqueurs come in apple, pear, plum, quince and other flavors.
One of the most popular liqueurs in Slovenia (and it is about it that tourists leave the best reviews) is Pleterska Hruska. You can easily recognize it by the pear inside the bottle. There is also “Vilyamovka” - an excellent pear vodka that you can bring from Slovenia to your dad, brother, friend or boss. By the way, tourists buy it most often. And don’t forget about the blueberry liqueur Borovničke, Hruskovec and Medikha.
Beer
Beer in Slovenia is excellent – especially when local bars, which has its own brewery. If you want to buy bottled wine, the best local brands are Laško and Union.
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We hope you find our tips for shopping in Slovenian cities useful. We wish you pleasant and profitable shopping! Anything to add? Write in the comments!
Despite its small size, nature has generously endowed Slovenia - there are high mountains The Alps, the Adriatic Sea, and the extraordinarily beautiful Alpine lakes Bled and Bohinj. Slovenia is second only to Finland in the number of forests, so the air here is always clean. But Slovenia is not only the green treasure trove of Europe. Medieval castles, architectural and cultural heritage The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Venetian Republic offer a rich excursion program. After skiing and swimming in the sea, travelers can enjoy their holiday at the thermal resorts of Slovenia. Good hotel facilities and impeccable service attract tourists who are looking for relaxation for body and soul among the splendor of nature, in an atmosphere of calm and well-being.
Which resort in Slovenia is better to choose?
Ski resorts in Slovenia
Kranjska Gora - the most famous ski resort in Slovenia, 6 km from Austria and 7 km. From Italy. This is a fairly large, noisy and very picturesque resort town. The ski area consists of 20 km. tracks of which are blue - 10 km, red - 8 km, and black - 2 km. All hotels are located near the ski lifts. The resort is ideal for beginner skiers and parents with children. This is one of the most expensive resorts in Slovenia. No one will be bored here. There are many restaurants and snack bars in Kranjska Gora, night club, disco, cabaret, 2 casinos, bowling, billiards, skating rink, sports complex with swimming pools. Horseback riding and mountain climbing on frozen waterfalls are popular. Skiing from a helicopter, skiing on virgin snow.
Maribor Pohorje - the largest and one of the most popular ski centers in Slovenia. Here is the longest illuminated track in Europe with a length of 7 km, so you can ski in Pohorje for 12 hours a day. Every year a competition is held on this track - the Golden Fox Women's World Cup. A variety of trails of varying difficulty - from easy (30 km) to difficult (20 km), and super difficult (14 km), as well as opportunities for snowboarding, carving and telemark, a luge track 800 m long and skiing on virgin soil. Maribor Pohorje also attracts tourists because it is located 6 km away. from the second largest city in Slovenia - Maribor. In Maribor there is an excellent thermal health complex "Fontana" with a complex of swimming pools, diagnostics and modern treatment, saunas, solarium, Turkish bath. Maribor offers tourists a wide range of evening entertainment and is the starting point for excursions to ancient castles and wine cellars in Slovenia.
Rogla - a small ski resort located high in the mountains, where skiing can be combined with thermal treatment. On Rogla, all the hotels are located on the mountain, and if you don’t have your own car, it’s difficult to get anywhere. Rogla has excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding, there are snowboard tracks, a half-pipe, and a 1,450 m long toboggan hill. Guests can enjoy - indoor stadium, basketball, football, volleyball courts, tennis courts, Gym, pool.
Bovec- the highest mountain resort in Slovenia (2548 m), located on the border with Italy and Austria. If you have a Schengen visa, you can purchase a single “ski pass” for skiing in Sella Nevea (25 km) and Tarvisio (30 km) in Italy and Arnoldstein (45 km) in Austria. The slopes in Bovec are at an altitude of more than 2000 m, so the ski season here lasts from the beginning of December to the end of April. A free bus takes tourists to the cable car. The distance from the hotels to the funicular is approximately 900 m. It is believed that the Bovec resort is suitable for experienced skiers. For example, it is recommended to take the Krnca route only with an instructor. But this resort also has trails for beginners. Among Slovenians, the Bovec resort is known as a place for extreme tourism: paragliding, snowboarding, sledding, climbing frozen waterfalls, rafting, canyoning.
Beach resorts Slovenia
Portorož is a famous and prestigious resort on the Adriatic coast of Slovenia, near Ljubljana. The clear sea, mild climate, comfortable hotels, thermal pools with healing mineral water - all this attracts tourists here at any time of the year. Comfortable hotels in Portorož are united in so-called complexes, offering guests the opportunity to use their entire infrastructure. Tourists relaxing by the sea in Portorož are offered interesting excursions to the medieval town of Piran (4 km), the Forma Viva sculpture exhibition, salt mining (2 km), the famous Postojna Jama cave (70 km), the Lipica stud farm, where special breeds of horses were raised for the royal courtyard in Vienna (50 km). Venice is located two hundred kilometers from Portorož, where you can organize a bus excursion or a catamaran trip. Boat trips along the Adriatic coast are also organized.
Piran - An ancient port city in Slovenia, an open-air museum city. Thousands of tourists come here every year to wander along the ancient cobbled streets lined with closely-standing houses, admire the numerous historical and architectural monuments, and feel the flavor of the Middle Ages. You should definitely visit the central square named after the Italian composer Giuseppe Tartini, who was a native of this city. And also a church with a tower with a beautiful panoramic view of the Gulf of Trieste. Piran is a very lively resort town. Day and night, tourists love to sit in its many restaurants and cafes and stroll along the embankment. For those staying in hotels in Piran, there is a city beach. It is rocky and the sea is open and quite deep, but very clean.
Izola - a small ancient town on the Adriatic coast, with a beautiful promenade and a yacht pier. Previously, the city of Izola was an island, but then it was connected to land with the help of a dam. The Izola resort is for beach lovers who love to walk along the ancient streets in the evenings, go to shops or the market, and taste delicious dishes of Slovenian, Italian and seafood cuisine in small cafes and restaurants. In addition, fans of extreme sports will find themselves in Izola, because... the resort is considered a windsurfing center.
Balneological resorts of Slovenia
* Rogaska Slatina
* Radenci
* String
* Dobrna
* Šmarješke Toplice
Sights of Slovenia or What to see?
In addition to the main attractions of Slovenia, we definitely recommend taking a one-day visa-free excursion to Venice ~80 EUR, a one-day visa-free excursion to the Italian city of Trieste (you also need a multiple-entry Slovenian visa) ~35 EUR, to Postojna Lipica (visiting the largest cave in this region, the length of which is more than 20 km; inspection of a stud farm and performances by riders) ~70 EUR (including lunch), Lake Bled and Ljubljana ~60 EUR (including lunch), fish picnic ~30 EUR, rafting ~60 EUR
Shopping and souvenirs or What to bring from Slovenia?
From Slovenia they usually bring embroidery (Idrija, Bled), handmade knitted items, pottery, wickerwork, metal products, crystal, excellent Slovenian wines, strong national drinks “meditsa”, “Grushkovec”, “Wiljamovka”, cosmetic preparations from fango . Professional skiers buy ski equipment and clothing very profitably in Slovenia.
Culinary masterpieces or What to try in Slovenia?
The cuisine of Slovenia is very diverse. In Slovenia, people usually eat dishes made from meat, fish, vegetables and porridge. In Slovenia, more than a hundred different types of štruklje (balls with minced dough) are prepared; a special delicacy is potica (sweet pie with nuts, raisins and seasonings). For sweet dishes, be sure to try Prekmurje gibanica ( puff pastry, filled with apples, nuts, raisins, poppy seeds and cottage cheese, which I pour over with butter or cream), dumplings (potato balls stuffed with apricots), zavitek (the famous Austrian strudel), palpncinke (a pancake with nut filling, which is poured with cream on top). Be sure to try the cured meat with Teran red wine. Slovenian wine and fruit vodka made from pears are highly valued. In restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of no more than 10% of the order price.
There is a certain scale of restaurants and catering establishments, however, this does not always correspond to the current state of affairs. The highest level establishments are called "restoration" (restavracija). At a lower level there are establishments such as “gostilna” or “gostische” (gostisce), but often they are in no way (except for prices) inferior to restorations. Small eateries are called “okrepcevalnica” but offer a fairly extensive and high-quality menu. Pivnitsa offers light snacks and beer, as well as stronger drinks. Coffee and all kinds of cakes are served in the "kavarna", and ice cream and sweets are served in the "slascicarna". Prices in all establishments are relatively low, and the products are of high quality. A characteristic feature is the prices for meat dishes usually indicated without the cost of a side dish.
Hotels in Slovenia or Where to stay?
Hotels in Slovenia are comfortable and modern. They are divided into categories L - luxury, A - comfortable international class, B - with shower and toilet in the rooms, C - shower and toilet on the floor. Accommodation prices are quite high - a single room usually costs about 20 euros, even in small hotels. The rooms themselves, in turn, are divided into 2 categories - the “first category” provides a shower and toilet in the room, the “second” - a shower and toilet on the floor. This year, more and more hotels are offering half board, but this is not always better than just breakfast: Slovenia has excellent cuisine and it is interesting to dine in different places, and not limit yourself to a rich, but still “buffet” table in a hotel. High-end hotels categories have their own beaches, most often platforms, but mostly the beaches are municipal, well equipped. The cost of a sun lounger and an umbrella is ~3-5 EUR. The beaches on the lakes are grassy, with sandy areas.
Transport in Slovenia or What to ride?
The bus is the cheapest and most convenient form of transport in Slovenia. An hour's journey on average costs about 2 euros, and luggage costs 0.5 euros. You can buy a ticket a day in advance or pay for the trip directly on the bus. It is better to book tickets in advance for the end of the week. In the capital, the bus service is quite developed, the ticket is paid for with a token for one trip (about 50 tolars or 40 cents, sold in newspaper and tobacco kiosks) or in cash at the box office, as well as a ticket for unlimited amount trips for one day or week (sold in red kiosks). The fare does not depend on the distance. Buses on the main routes operate from 3.00 to 24.00, the rest - from 5.00 to 22.30.
Railway tracks cover almost the entire territory of the country. Due to congestion on highways, travel along railway are becoming more and more convenient. Tickets are sold at railway ticket offices and tourist offices, as well as directly on the trains (slightly more expensive).
To rent a car, you must have an international driving license issued at least 1 year ago, credit card, be at least 21 years old. You can return a rented car in any major city in Slovenia. On the main highways of the country, the traffic police strictly maintain order. It is mandatory to turn on your side lights in Slovenia at any time of the day.
In Slovenia there are two motorways perpendicular to each other: “Slovenik” - from the border with Austria and Hungary in the northeast to the border with Italy in the southwest, and “Illyrica” - from the border with Austria in the northwest to the border with Croatia in the southeast. The traffic on them is very intense. Autobahns are toll roads. The network of auxiliary roads is quite well developed. Driving along them is free, but will take much longer. Signs on the roads are very common, so moving around in a rented car will not cause any particular difficulties.
Phone numbers in Slovenia or How to call?
The country's telephone network is quite modern and is being modernized quickly. Payment for calls from a pay phone is made by telephone cards (with a capacity of 100 units - about 300 tolar, 200 units - about 500 tolar, sold at post offices and kiosks) and tokens. The types of tokens and calling cards in different regions of the country differ from each other and are not suitable for phones other than their “own” type. Token machines are designated by the letter “A”, and “card” machines by the letter “K”.
Information desk - 981.
Ljubljana Information Desk - 433-94-75.
Police - 113.
Fire service, ambulance - 112.
Roadside assistance (Automobile Club of Slovenia) - 987.
National characteristics or What to pay attention to?
Slovenians have a number of easily recognizable national traits- These are very independent, serious and hardworking, and at the same time modest people. The restraint of the Slovenians is evident at every step - it is customary to greet with a handshake, even in the family, public hugs and kisses are not accepted. When visiting, Slovenes take off their shoes and offer guests light slippers. In restaurants, everyone pays for themselves; even a woman may consider it humiliating if she is asked to pay for her expenses. They treat their family with special care and clearly divide life into personal and public. After 10 p.m., the city usually comes to a standstill—residents go to bed early. That's why phone calls late evenings are not accepted.
In Slovenia there is a real cult of flowers. There is almost never a fence around private Slovenian houses, but there are almost always elegant front gardens, neat personal gardens, orchards or green hedges.
The measurement system is metric. In the market, goods are weighed in kilograms or decagrams (1 decagram or “dag” is equal to 10 grams). In restaurants, the price of fish is indicated in dag.
In hotels and restaurants, a service charge is included in the bill. It is customary to tip waiters, taxi drivers, porters and gas station workers in the amount of up to 10% of the bill amount.
