20 Towns And Cities In Slovenia

Slovenia has a lot to offer the traveller, whether you enjoy city life, the countryside, or beach life. It is a small country in central Europe, but despite its size, it has a rich history which can be discovered in the cities and towns. Here you will find beautiful architecture, museums, castles and churches. The old towns are filled with narrow cobbled streets, quaint shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Surrounding the cities and towns are mountains, valleys, caves and gorges, just waiting to be explored.

Slovenia has a continental climate with very warm summers and cold winters, while on the coast, there is more of a Mediterranean climate. In the winter, you can ski in the mountains and in the summer, hike. If you enjoy swimming and water sports there are many rivers and lakes in the country and a coastal area right by the Adriatic Sea. 

Food and wine are important to the Slovenians and you will find many restaurants, bars and cafes throughout the country. Their cuisine is based on seasonal and local produce and some of their favourite dishes include strukiji which are rolls of filo pastry with various fillings and ricet which is barley and bean soup. On the Adriatic coast, there are fish and seafood restaurants to be enjoyed. When you dine out, be sure to try the Slovenian wine as it is excellent. 

Slovenian wine-making history goes back thousands of years, and the country is home to the oldest vine in the world, producing wine-making grapes since the 16th century. Here are the best towns and cities in Slovenia to visit, each with their own characteristics and attractions. 

20 Towns And Cities In Slovenia

Top Tours

• Piran and Slovenia Coast Tour – from Trieste, explore the stunning Slovenian coast on a small-group tour. 
• From Ljubljana: Trip to Lake Bled and Bled Castle – see this stunning fairytale castle and magical lake. 

8 Cities In Slovenia

1- Ljubljana

Ljubljana has to be first on the list as it is the capital of Slovenia even though it has a population of just 280,000.

There is plenty to see and do here, but it is also a good base for exploring other cities and towns in the area.

Ljubljana is set in a beautiful landscape, surrounded by mountains and trees, with a river running through it and a Medieval castle overlooking the city.

It has an eclectic mix of culture and history and it will take you a good few days to explore and take in the atmosphere.

Bridges are prominent in Ljubljana and the most famous is the Dragon Bridge where you will see four giant dragon statues.

Look out for other dragons throughout the city.

On Butcher’s Bridge, many lovers have locked padlocks onto the rails and thrown the keys into the river, signifying their love for each other.

Wherever you are in the city, you will be able to see the castle.

It is well worth visiting as there are several museums in the castle, plus you also get great views of the city and the surrounding area.

If you feel like exercising, you can climb up to the castle but if you are like me, you can take a cable car.

In the city, close to the river, is St. Nicholas Cathedral, which is around 300 years old and originally built as a Gothic church but was redesigned in the Baroque style.

As you approach the church you will see the stunning bronze-sculpted doors and inside, the artwork is awe-inspiring.

The ceilings are decorated with frescoes, paintings adorn the walls and there is a magnificent pipe organ in the choir.

Ljubljana Castle is at Grajska planota 1 1000 Ljubljana.
St. Nicholas Cathedral is at Dolničarjeva ulica 1 1000 Ljubljana.

Recommended tours:

• Ljubljana Castle Entrance with optional Funicular Ticket
• From Ljubljana: Trip to Lake Bled and Bled Castle
• 3.5-Hour Ljubljana Food & Wine Tour

2- Maribor

Maribor is the second-largest city in Slovenia and has an excellent reputation for wine production.

While you are here, you should take advantage of a tour of a vineyard and winery.

It is here, in the Old Vine House, that the oldest vine is to be found but unfortunately, the wine produced from it is reserved only for VIPS!

The beautiful Maribor Cathedral is 900 years old and was originally Medieval but was later redesigned and is now Gothic in style.

Climb the bell tower, which is 57 metres (187 feet) high, for stunning views of the city and the surrounding area.

Close to the city of Maribor are the Pohorje Mountains where you can hike during the summer and ski in the winter.

Luckily, you don’t have to climb all the way up as there is a cable car.

Maribor Cathedral is at Slomškov trg 20 2111 Maribor.

Recommended tour: From Ljubljana: Maribor & Ptuj

3- Kranj

Kranj is only 20 km (12 miles) northwest of Ljubljana so is a good place to go for a day trip while you are staying in the capital city.

The highlight of Kranj is the network of WWII tunnels which were built in 1944 to be used if there were air raids.

There are 1,300 metres (4,265 feet) of tunnels and you can explore them.

It is hard to imagine what it would have been like spending any length of time underneath the ground in this enclosed space.

Highlights of the city include the Gothic Church of St. Kancijan and Khislstein Castle which houses a museum.

There is even a gorge in the middle of Kranj with a loop trail that you can follow.

St. Krancijan Church is at Glavni trg 4000 Kranj.
Khislstein Castle is at Tomsiceva ulica 44 4000 Kranj.

4- Celje

Celje, Slovenia’s fourth-largest city, is well worth visiting for a day or two during your vacation.

Here, the new merges with the old and you will find ancient history alongside a contemporary scene.

In the Old Town, there is an old Roman Road and Medieval buildings as well as a modern square filled with trendy restaurants, cafes and boutiques.

The Castle of the Counts of Celje, which was built in the 13th century, stands high above the city.

There is an interactive exhibition at the castle which tells you about the history of Celje.

In the lower castle, the Court of Princes, you will find an archaeological exhibition.

Here you can see what is left of the Roman town of Celeia which stood where Celje is now.

The Castle of the Counts of Celje is at Stari grad Cesta na Grad 78 3000

5- Koper

Koper is the largest port city in Slovenia and is set in a wide horseshoe bay in the northern Adriatic, just 5 km (3.1 miles) from the border with Italy.

If you enjoy the sun and the sea, there are beaches close to the city where you can swim, sunbathe and take part in water sports.

Take an early evening walk along the promenade and watch the beautiful sunset before dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants.

The highlight of the city is the main square, Titov trg or Tito Square.

The architecture is mesmerising with Venetian influences, with hints of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

Visit the Cathedral of the Assumption and climb the 204 steps of the Bell Tower for lovely views of Koper and the coast.

Recommended tour: Koper Stroll & Taste

6- Velenje

Velenje makes for an interesting day trip while you are staying in Ljubljana as it’s just 82 km (51 miles) away and is worth the journey for the beautiful lakes, parks and historic buildings.

Tito, who was president of the former Yugoslavia, loved this city and you will see a 10 metre (32.8 feet) high monument dedicated to him.

If history is your interest, head to the Renaissance Velenje Castle, which is now a museum where you can learn about Velenje’s past.

It houses a reconstruction of a shop and an inn where you can replenish your thirst.

Coal mining was important in the area and Velenje houses the Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia.

You can descend 160 metres (525 feet) underground and learn what life was like for coal miners years ago.

A highlight of Velenje is Lake Velenje which has been turned into a mini resort.

You can swim and go surfboarding and paddleboarding and you are even given free sunbeds.

If you are sporty, there are courts for tennis, volleyball, football and basketball.

You can play golf or mini golf and if you get thirsty after all this activity, there are bars around the lake.

The Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia is at Koroska cesta 56 3320 Velenje

7- Novo Mesto

Novo Mesto is a museum lover’s paradise 69 km (43 miles) from Ljubljana and another city to choose for a day trip.

Visit the Dolenjska Museum which has three permanent exhibitions – archaeological, ethnological and recent history.

The Jakcev dom Museum houses paintings by the Slovenian painter, Bozidar Jakac.

The Old Town is a lovely place to while away a few hours in one of the restaurants, cafes or bars.

Here you will also find the stone Cathedral of St.

Nicholas which houses Tintoretto’s altar painting and there is also a Franciscan monastery.

There are lots of interesting shops in the Old Town where you can treat yourself or buy gifts for friends at home.

The Dolenjska Museum is at Muzejska ulica 7 8000 Novo Mesto.
The Jakcev dom Museum is at Sokolska ulica 1 8000 Novo Mesto.
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas is at Kapitulska Ulica 20 8000 Novo Mesto.

8- Piran

Piran is a coastal city next to the Adriatic Sea that has grown from being a quiet fishing village to a buzzing resort with restaurants, cafes and bars lining the streets.

It is close to the Italian border and much of the architecture and food reflect Italy.

The heart of the city is Tartini Square, named after the Italian composer, Guiseppe Tartini, who was born in the city.

There are colourful buildings in the square and one side opens to the harbour where you can take a boat trip.

There is a Bell Tower and if you climb the 146 rickety steps, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.

Recommended tour: Piran: Walking Tour with Local Wine and Food Tasting

12 Towns In Slovenia

9- Ptuj

Ptuj has the honour of being the oldest town in Slovenia, having been inhabited since as far back as the Stone Age.

It has a charming Old Town with historic buildings such as churches and monasteries.

Overlooking the town is a Medieval castle that houses the oldest wine cellars in Slovenia.

The Regional Museum is in the castle and it has a large collection of artefacts including armour, Gothic and Baroque art, paintings on glass, traditional carnival masks and the biggest collection of musical instruments in the country.

You will have lovely views from the castle towards the town, the wine-growing hills and the river Drava.

Be sure to visit the Dominican Monastery which is built in Gothic and Baroque styles.

It has a museum and a peaceful park from where you can see the river Drava.

Ptuj Castle is at Na Gradu 1 2250 Ptuj.

10- Kamnik

Kamnik is a beautiful Medieval town surrounded by the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

It makes for a very pleasant day trip from Ljubljana as it is only 22.5 km (14 miles) away.

You should visit the main street in the town, Sutna, where you will find the parish church of Mary Immaculate, the birthplace of Rudolph Maister who was a Slovene military officer, poet and political activist and the Sadniker Museum.

Just above the town, on a small hill, is Zaprice Manor which houses the Kamnik Regional Museum.

The Town Hill, Mali Grad, provides a magnificent view of the city and the mountains.

There used to be a large castle complex here but now, all that is left is a two-storey Romanesque chapel and crypt.

Stari Grad Hill is a 30-minute hike and is also well worth it for the views.

The Kamnik Regional Museum is at Grad Zaprice Muzejska pot 3 1241 Kamnik.

11- Bled

Bled is probably the most beautiful place in Slovenia and you can easily spend a week here.

Lake Bled is surrounded by mountains and forests and has a castle perched on a rock overlooking the lake.

There is a museum, a chapel and a printing press in the castle and you get magnificent views towards the lake and mountains.

There is also a wine cellar in the castle where you can enjoy a wine tasting.

There is a tiny island in the middle of the lake which you can visit.

You can choose to row there yourself or go on the traditional Pletna boat which is a large gondola-type boat that comes with a rower.

I chose the latter as I would have probably been rowing around in circles if I tried to get to the island in a rowing boat! On the island is the Church of the Assumption.

If you ring the bell in the church, you are supposed to have good luck.

You can walk around the lake which is a pleasant thing to do on a warm day.

It is a walk of 6 km (3.7 miles) and the views are lovely.

In town, you will find many Medieval, Gothic and Renaissance buildings and lots of cafes, bars and restaurants.

You should taste the famous cake of the town, Bled Cream Cake, which is made with rum and lemon zest.

It is to die for.

Recommended tours:

• From Ljubljana: Trip to Lake Bled and Bled Castle
• Bled: Sava River Rafting Trip
• Guided Kayaking Tour in a Transparent Kayak

12- Nova Gorica

Nova Gorica, right by the Italian border, has a youthful vibe, probably because it was only built after WWII.

Nova Gorica is known as ‘The City of Roses’ because there are over 12,000 Bourbon roses throughout the town.

If you climb up to Kostanjevica Hill and go to the Franciscan Monastery Gardens, you will find the largest collection of Bourbon roses in the world.

Every year, there is a rose festival in town.

The town is very green with plenty of parks to stroll in as well as excellent nightlife and casinos.

Perla Casino is the largest casino in Europe and also has a spa.

Just outside town is Kromberk Castle which is set in a Baroque Park that has beautiful fountains and walking paths.

The castle is small and built in the Renaissance style, but it houses an exhibition venue that is part of the Regional Museum.

In the museum, you can see artwork and learn about the cultural history of the city.

Kromberk Castle is at Grad Kromberk Grajska cestel 5000.

13- Škofja Loka

Skofja Loka is a beautiful Medieval town and is a great place for a day trip from Ljubljana as it is just 24 km (14.9 miles) away.

The town has the oldest bridge in Slovenia, the Capuchin Bridge, which was constructed in the 14th century.

It is beautiful and well-preserved and you can take photos of it from the new bridge.

The Skofja Church of Saint Jacob was built in the Gothic style in the 15th century and has beautiful frescoes on the ceiling, painted in the 16th century.

The main square, Mestni Trg, has stunning houses, brightly coloured in shades of orange, pink and yellow.

The old town hall is decorated with frescoes and there are statues of the Virgin Mary, Saint Anthony and Saint Roch at the Plague Pillar, built in 1751 in gratitude for the town being saved from the plague.

Skofja Loka Castle is just over the hill and offers spectacular views.

You can drive right up to the castle, or you can walk.

It is a gradual climb so you won’t be too exhausted and you will be able to take in the views as you walk.

There is a museum in the castle where you can learn about the town and there are also exhibits from WWII.

The Church of Saint Jacob is at Canker jev trg 14 4220 Škofja Loka.

14- Izola

Izola was a small seaside town that has grown to become a resort with lovely beaches and nightlife.

However, there are other things to do if you want a break from the beach.

The Baroque Church of St. Maurus is impressive with its 10 altars, 15th-century paintings and a pipe organ.

It has a Gothic Bell Tower which is over 30 metres (98.4 feet) high.

If you are feeling energetic, climb the 99 steps for great views.

The maritime influence in the town is evident in Izolana – House of the Sea, where you will find a life-size fishing boat, 35 models of ships and a 3D model of the town which projects the development of Izola.

Another highlight is Simonov Zaliv, an archaeological site that contains the remains of an ancient Roman maritime villa and a port.

They are around 2,000 years old.

Izolana is at Ulica Alma Vivolda 3 6310 Izola.
Simonov Zaliv is at Tomažičeva Ulica 11 6310 Izola.

15- Radovljica

The Medieval town of Radovljica is known as ‘Sweet Rad’ but why you may wonder.

Well, the town has a history of beekeeping and making honey and, in addition, close to the town is Gorenjka which makes the most famous of Slovenian chocolates.

In April, the largest chocolate festival in the country takes place, an event not to be missed by any chocolate lover.

A wide variety of chocolates and chocolate desserts are on offer as well as entertainment.

There is a museum in town dedicated to apiculture which boasts the largest collection of painted beehive panels in the country.

Between May and October, there is an observation hive for you to watch the bees going about their daily business.

There are many Medieval buildings in the Old Town and the only remaining moat in the country.

The Gothic Church of St. Peter has a black marble altar and intricately designed vaults.

If you are in Radovljica during the first two weeks of August, you can enjoy a Classical Music festival.

The Church of St. Peter is at Linhartov trg 31 4240 Radovljica.

16- Murska Sobota

Murska Sobota is a must-see for history buffs.

The Regional Museum houses an enormous collection of documents, photos and paintings showcasing the history of the town.

There are also interactive displays that both you and your children will enjoy.

The Gothic St. Nicholas Cathedral dates to the 14th century and has a stunning interior with beautiful stained-glass windows.

Take a peek at Bukovnik Mill which was once a water mill and now houses a museum.

Here you can learn how flour was milled in centuries past.

The Regional Museum is at Trubarjev drevored 4 9000 Murska Sobota.
St. Nicholas Cathedral is at Gregorciceva Ulica 4 9000 Murska Sobota.

17- Postojna

Postojna is famous for the famous Postojna caves which are 24 km (14.9 miles) long with five km (3.1 miles) open to the public.

They are a magical experience as there are stalactites and stalagmites and beautiful rock formations to be seen.

The caves were formed millions of years ago and are the largest caves to be found in Slovenia.

You travel through the tunnels in a little land train and enter some enormous caves.

It seems a little surreal as some of the stalagmites are large and have taken on humanoid shapes which makes you feel as if you have entered ‘The Lord Of the Rings’!

In town, visit the Notranjska Museum which showcases local heritage with exhibits about local history, local art history, biology, ethnology and archaeology.

The Notranjska Museum is at Kolodvorska cesta 3 6230 Postojna.

Recommended tour: Ljubljana: Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle Tickets and Tour

18- Bovec

Bovec is surrounded by the Julian Alps and is close to Triglav National Park which is spectacular and filled with forests and glacial lakes.

The town is a good base for exploring the park.

The Soca River runs through the town and is a great place to take part in water sports such as white-water rafting and kayaking.

You can also zipline, camp and hike close to the river.

In the winter, the town connects to a mountain range and ski resort by cable car, making the town a year-round destination.

Just 10 km (6.2 miles) from Bovec is the Great Soca Gorge which is worth going to if you enjoy hiking.

Here there is a beautiful river beach where you can swim in the cold river waters.

This is ideal on a hot summer’s day.

Recommended tour: Bovec: Canyon Ucja — Biggest Zipline Park in Europe Entry

19- Kobarid

20 minutes drive from Bovic, is Kobarid, a town which is steeped in history.

The Battle of Caporetto was fought near here during WWI and Ernest Hemingway mentioned it in his famous novel, ‘A Farewell to Arms’.

You can learn about how WWI affected this region in the Kobarid Museum.

The city has some of the best restaurants in Slovenia, so it is worth visiting the city just to try some of the local delicacies.

Kobarid is in the Julian Alps where you can climb and hike.

You can also go rafting and kayaking in the Soca River.

Kobarid Museum is at Gregorciceva 10 5222 Kobarid.

20- Portoroz

Portoroz is a beautiful seaside town with crystal clear waters and sandy beaches.

From here you can take a boat cruise, the best of which is the romantic sunset cruise.

The promenade is full of restaurants, cafes and bars and it has a vibrant nightlife with clubs and casinos along the waterfront.

If you need a little rest and relaxation, the town has spas.

Some offer treatments with mud and brine from the nearby salt pans.

You will feel all the better after one of these treatments.

The largest water park in Slovenia is here in Portoroz.

It offers both extreme slides as well as a lazy river for those who just want to relax.

It is open year-round as it has a heating system.

Portoroz has hosted the Forma Viva Open Air Sculpture Collection for over 55 years.

The sculptures which are shown in the exhibition are later used to adorn the parks in the city.