Car trip to Slovenia
Slovenia turned out to be one of those countries that exceeded every expectation. We drove across the entire country over three days, and I genuinely loved everything about it - the alpine scenery, the pristine lakes, the efficient infrastructure, and the surprisingly affordable prices.
With just 2 million people and a territory slightly smaller than New Jersey, Slovenia packs an incredible variety of landscapes. In one day you can drive from Mediterranean coastline to Julian Alps to rolling wine country. The country feels like a concentrated version of everything beautiful about Central Europe.
What I Experienced
Lake Bled is the obvious highlight, and yes, it's as picture-perfect as the photos suggest. The island church, the clifftop castle, the turquoise water surrounded by mountains - it's almost aggressively photogenic. We rented a traditional pletna boat to row to the island, which was touristy but fun.
The capital Ljubljana surprised me. It's compact, walkable, and has this relaxed cafe culture along the river. The old town is car-free, and everyone seems to be cycling or walking. For a capital city, it feels remarkably peaceful.
The drive through Triglav National Park was spectacular - winding mountain roads, waterfalls, and barely any traffic. Slovenia has invested heavily in road infrastructure, and it shows. The highways are excellent and well-marked.
Practical Notes
- A highway vignette (sticker) is required for motorways - buy it at gas stations before entering
- Euro is the currency
- English is widely spoken, especially by younger people
- Ljubljana is easily walkable - don't bother with a car in the city
- The famous Postojna Cave is worth a visit if you have time
For a 3-day road trip, Slovenia might be the perfect European destination. Small enough to see a lot, beautiful enough to remember forever.
Photography from Slovenia is available for purchase with commercial license - ideal for Alpine travel marketing, lake destination content, or mountain landscape wall art.