Slovenia is a small but beautiful country nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic sea. It's more famous neighbors being, Italy and Austria. The landscape changes from mountains to the sea in the matter of just a few hours drive. With so many different attractions to offer , Slovenia is definitely a great tourist destination .
And what is even better, it is still not that touristy. Not yet!
Here are few important things to know so that you can plan a great vacation to Slovenia-
Visa essentials for Indian citizens -
Schengen Visa is required for Indian citizens. If you are planning to visit Italy or Austria or Czech Republic, then you can apply for visa from the country you intend to stay for the maximum duration. You will need to submit your documents at the Vfs Global, visa application center, that is located closest to you. Processing time may vary from a couple of weeks to a month depending on various factors, so be sure to apply well in advance.
How to get there -
There are no direct flights from India to Ljubljana. Flights are usually via Vienna or Frankfurt.
Hence, you can also consider exploring one of these larger (and beautiful cities) since they are well connected cities to Ljubljana by train.
We chose to fly to Frankfurt and took another flight to Salzburg. After exploring Salzburg, we took train (rail jet) to Ljubljana. We flew out of Vienna.
Currency -
Slovenia uses EURO. At the time of our visit, the conversion rate was 1 EURO to 80 INR. However, we hardly made any cash payments, card works at most places. Slovenia is surprisingly quite affordable as compared to its neighbours! So your money will go a long way here.
When to visit -
Summers can be hot and winters can be cold. Also, expect lots of crowds at popular destinations like Lake Bled during summer months. We would definitely recommend visiting during late spring and early Autumn, to enjoy great weather and less crowds. May and September can be great time to visit Slovenia.
We visited during late September, and witnessed the foliage starting to change color and it was beautiful.
Food -
Eating out in Slovenia is a lot cheaper than most European countries ! Restaurant meals can cost anywhere between 14 to 25 euros for a meal. You can also buy groceries at supermarkets and cook some or all of your meals if you are staying in Hostels or Airbnb. Supermarkets like Mercator also sell ready to eat sandwiches and other meals. There are few Indian restaurants in Ljubljana to satisfy your craving for desi food. Alcohol is sold at supermarkets .
Be sure to try some famous food items like the Bled cake !
Accommodation -
There are hotels to suit every budget in Ljubljana. Consider staying in the city center, in Ljubljana. Most of the tourist attractions and restaurants and even the railway station are located at a walking distance so you save money on transport and enjoy exploring the beautiful city at a slow pace.( We stayed in Hotel Emonec in the city center Ljubljana).
Slovenia has a beautiful countryside, and it has something amazing called - tourist farms! These are real working farms, that provide accommodation , meals and various farm related experiences in Slovenia. In my opinion, these are great places to stay and explore the local life, culture and cuisine. The stunning views from the farms are a Bonus! You can book via Bookings.com or directly with the farm. You can research about the farms at - Association of Tourist farms of Slovenia.
We stayed at two such beautiful farms at Selo,Bled and Robanav Kot.
Transport -
Ljubljana is a walkable city. Its fun to explore the city on foot! Ljubljana is well connected to major tourist destinations like Bled or Bohinj by bus. Public transport to other part of Slovenia like the Logar valley , can be infrequent and time consuming. So, we highly recommend renting a car to visit these beautiful places at your own pace.
In Slovenia, they drive on right side of the road. Tourists can drive with Indian driving license for upto a period of 3 months. The license should be in English.
Activities -
Slovenia is emerging as the adventure travel destination. However, even if adventure travel is not your thing, Slovenia has a lot to offer . From fairytale castles to laid back costal city of Piran, wine producing Vipava valley to Julian alps, there is something for everyone! Slovenia is beautiful!
Is it child friendly ?
Slovenia can be a great fun place to visit with kids! There are a lot of tourist farms offering animal experiences. The little adventurers can also enjoy trekking , boating, swimming!
Is it safe ?
Slovenia is a safe country. Most of the locals speak English and are very helpful.
Violent crimes are rare. That said, petty thefts can happen in Ljubljana, so be careful of your surroundings and always keep an eye on your belongings.
Slovenia is a beautiful country and whether you spend a couple of day or a couple of weeks here, you will definitely be leaving with a lifetime of memories! So make your plans now!
Read our post - Perfect 7 days itinerary to Slovenia! to get started on planning a trip to Slovenia.
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