Date of travel: Apr 28, 2018
Slovenia, a hidden gem in Eastern Europe, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture, making it a paradise for travellers. This small but beautiful country is situated in Eastern Europe sharing borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Adriatic Sea. From the stunning Julian Alps to the scenic Adriatic coastline, Slovenia’s diverse landscapes and natural wonders attract tourists from all over the world.
Lake Bled and Bohinj, Postojna cave, Predjama Castle and Capital city Ljubljana are among Slovenia’s famous attractions.
Brief History of Slovenia:
Slovenia’s history dates back to prehistoric times, with various empires and dynasties shaping the country. From the Romans to the Habsburgs, each era has left its mark. Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia until gaining independence in 1991. Today, it’s a highly developed country and a proud member of the European Union.
Ljubljana:
Ljubljana, the capital and largest city, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and entertainment. The medieval Ljubljana Castle dominates the skyline, while the picturesque Ljubljanica river flows through the heart of the city. Tourists here admire the beautifully designed bridges, explore the charming Old Town, and visit the numerous theatres, museums, and galleries.
Our Unforgettable 3-Day Adventure in Slovenia.
We embarked on a thrilling journey to Slovenia dedicating each day to exploring breathtaking Lake Bled, the enchanting Postojna Cave and the charming capital city Ljubljana.
Exploring Ljubljana:
Whether you are interested in history, culture or outdoor activities, Ljubljana has something for everybody.
Ljubljana Castle:
Our tour began at the majestic Ljubljana castle, a medieval fortress located on the green hill in the middle of the city. This 11th century awe inspiring castle used to serve as a strategic defence point for the city.
We opted for a scenic funicular ride from the old town which offered panoramic views of the city while ascending to the castle. Return tickets were priced at 6 Euro per adult. Other way to reach is hiking up the castle via scenic walking trails.
Once we reached the terrace and climbed up the tower, stunning views of the town below and surrounding mountains were really a sight to behold. The castle’s museum and virtual show were fascinating, delving into the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. We had great coffee at an open restaurant in its lovely courtyard where parties and cultural performances happen on regular basis.
Preseren Square and Ljubljanica river:
Next stop was Preseren Square, central cobblestoned vibrant square at the entrance of Ljubljana’s old town. The Square is a hub for cultural events and was named after France Preseren, a famous Slovenian poet.
We strolled inside the beautiful old town and then walked along picturesque Ljubljanica river flowing through the centre of the city.
The heart of Ljubljana’s social life are the river embankments, densely scattered with lively cafés offering outdoor sittings. We booked a tourist boat cruise paying 15 Euro per person and enjoyed one-and-half hour relaxing boat ride while devouring picturesque buildings, vibrant embankments and unique bridges.
Bridges on Ljubljanica river:
Several bridges span Ljubljanica River which contribute to Ljubljana’s special charm and are popular tourist attractions too.
Notable bridges are mentioned below:
Triple Bridge: A group of three bridges connecting old town with the modern part.
Dragon bridge: A bridge with dragon statues on either end. The Ljubljana dragon is its symbol and depicts strength, courage and might.
Cobbler’s Bridge, Butcher’s Bridge, Fishmarket Footbridge and Trnovo Bridge are other famous ones.
Other Attractions of Ljubljana:
National Museum of Slovenia, Slovenian National Theatre, Botanical garden and lovely and expansive Tivoli Park.
Discovering Postojna Cave:
After an hour long drive covering 55 km distance from Ljubljana, we arrived at the breath taking Postojna cave, a 24 km long karst cave system created by Pitka river and due to dissolution of soluble limestone rocks over a million years.
Our guided tour, which included a cave train ride and a walking tour, revealed the cave’s
stalagtites and stalagmites. We marvelled at the magnificent Brilliant, a five-meter tall stalagmite and learned about cave’s unique features like its constant temperature of 10 degree Celcius throughout the year and ‘Olm’
Olm is a cave salamander, amphibian, and is most notable for its adaptations to a life of complete darkness. Though it has a snakelike body, they are not reptiles. They have underdeveloped eyes and are 20-30 cm long.
The cave has kept vivarium which serves as a museum for Olms, also known as baby dragons or human fish.
The train ride was for 3.5 Km distance and walking tour covered another 1.5 Km distance. The fact that the cave railway system was installed 140 years ago, was really fascinating. Ticket price was approximately 30-32 Euro per adult for only Cave tour and combined with Predjama castle, cost was 46 Euro per adult.
Best Time to Visit:
Spring and Autumn for fewer crowds, comfortable weather and beautiful landscapes.
Summer for swimming, paragliding, hiking.
Winter for skiing and winter sports.
Peak tourist season is June to August.
Ljubljana festival happens is Summer and features music, theatre and dance performances.
Slovenian Cuisine:
Traditional dishes include Potica, a nut roll for dessert and Klobasa, spicy pork sausage.
Local cheese, honey, truffles and wine are very famous too.
4 thoughts on “Slovenian Bliss: Charming Capital City Ljubljana and Magical Postojna Cave”
Very nicely narrated with pictorial supplements. Very few people from Asia travel this part of the world , which was once part Yogoslavia. Population is mixtures of Slavs and Croatians
Thank you so much for your valuable comments
The cave walk looks is exciting and tiring but amazing naturals formations acknowledging the enormity of nature
Thanks a lot