For an action-packed holiday, Slovenia is a fantastic choice for families with active kids and teenagers. This itinerary is ideal as you can combine city, lakes, mountains and coast all in one week. With crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, miles of caves and a rich marine life, Slovenia will blow you away with its natural beauty.
One night in Ljubljana – Three nights in Lake Bled – Three nights in Piran
One night in Ljubljana
- Enjoy the atmosphere of the Old Town
- Climb up to Ljublijana Castle
- Walk or paddleboard along the river
As soon as you walk out of the arrivals hall you are surrounded by mountains and forest – not the usual industrial parks. A small airport, it was a breeze getting through passport control and our car with Avis was waiting outside the rental office opposite ready for us to get going. The drive into Ljubljana is pretty straight forward and it was easy to get to our hotel which had underground parking.
Arriving at lunchtime we headed straight into the old town which is a maze of streets branching off either side of the river. On the way we passed through Presernov Trg square with its beautiful Pink Franciscan Church. Here you’ll also find a water feature you can walk through – the cool mist was wonderfully refreshing in summertime temperatures of 30 degrees and more. In the heart of the city, a lively café scene can be found along the riverside with plenty of places to eat, sip on a cocktail or share a board of local cheeses and meats. We ended up at Café Romeo which served Mexican food but very reasonable and the quesadillas and tacos went down well with the kids.
Before climbing your way up to the castle, treat yourself to an ice cream at Romantika Gelato. You’ll struggle to choose from the tempting, creative and unique flavours including matcha, watermelon and mint sorbet and Sicilian almond as well as the classics.
Standing majestically on top of Castle Hill, surrounded by forest, Ljublijana Castle is a steep climb or funicular ride away from the old town. Here you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and have a drink or meal in one of the restaurants. The castle entrance is reasonable and they offer an ‘Escape Castle’ experience and a ‘Time Machine’ experience which make it more engaging for children and teenagers.
The riverside scene is lovely in the evening for a walk or pre-dinner cocktail. While we were there, the volleyball championships were taking place on platforms on the water. With music booming and crowds lining the bridge, it was a great atmosphere.
Although Slovenian food has influences from both Eastern Europe and neighbouring Italy, you’ll find a whole range of cuisines from around the world. For dinner we ate at Abi Falafal. A popular place with a queue out the door, the Turkish mezes, kebabs and salads were delicious and for less than €40 for the four of us, it was a cheap night out.
Where to stay
City Hotel Ljubljana – Central with spacious family rooms offering two separate sleeping areas, plentiful buffet breakfast (and decent coffee) and underground parking (pre-bookable at €18 per day).
3 nights in the Lake Bled area
Lake Bohinj
- Hike up to Slap Savica
- Paddleboard, kayak or swim on the waters of Lake Bohinj
- Take a ride on the Vogel Cable Car.
We decided to base ourself in Lake Bled as there were more activities and sights nearby and more going on in the evening but although equally beautiful, I have to say I loved the unspoilt and low-key vibe at Lake Bohinj. Although still very popular, whilst paddleboarding and swimming, I felt truly at one with nature and so in awe of its beauty. We drove from Ljublijana to Lake Bohinj which took around 1hr 15 minutes.
Slap Savica
Slap Savica is around 10 minutes’ drive from the lake and there is plenty of paid parking next to two restaurants. We had a lovely walk through the forest and the mountain views are spectacular as you climb to the waterfall. There are a lot of steps but it’s a well-maintained trail and there are places to stop and admire the view. The sheer height of the mountain peaks towering all around you is quite something. The waterfall itself was a little underwhelming though.
Paddleboard, swim and take a boat trip on the lake
A great way to experience the lake and easy for most kids (and adults) to get the hang of, we hired paddle boards from a little agency close to the bridge. They were €10 per hour, but the owner kindly gave us all four for €30. Surrounded by turquoise water, forest and mountains, the views are breath-taking. If you’d rather let someone else do the work, there are frequent boat tours operating quiet electric vessels for a peaceful ride.
Afterwards, it was time for a dip. The lake is crystal clear (you can literally see fish swimming in the shallow waters on the edge) and lovely and clean. The best thing about lake swimming is no chlorine and no sand and salt. There are several beach areas with jetties to jump in the lake or sit and relax. For an afternoon treat, we stopped at Kramer café along the shores of the lake for a coffee and pancakes.
Parking comes at a premium and the car parks fill up very quickly so probably good to get there as early as possible. We ended up around 10 minutes’ walk from the lake and the cost was €10 for the day.
Vogel Cable Car
We didn’t fit it in as we just visited for the day but with more time, a ride on the Vogel Cable Car would have been amazing. It takes you high up into the mountains for incredible views of Lake Bohinj and the Julian Alps.
Lake Bled
- Walk or cycle around the lake
- Swim and play in the lake at Castle Lido or Velika Zaka
- Visit Bled Castle
- Paddleboard or take a boat trip to Bled Island
- Whizz down the hill at Straza Summer Toboggan
- Fly through the air with Zipline Dolinka
- Hike to Vintgar Gorge
- Tuck into afternoon tea at Slascicarna Zima
Walk or cycle around the lake
The distance around the lake is approximately 6km and hiring a bike is a brilliant way to see it from different perspectives. We hired bikes from the hotel for €5 per hour. There is a path most of the way round although it was quite busy which made it a bit slow – probably best to cycle early in the morning or do it on foot.
Swim and play in the lake at Castle Lido or Velika Zaka
We had planned to spend a few hours at Castle Lido, but the weather turned rather stormy. Here you can swim in the lake and play on the inflatables. You can also hire kayaks, boats and SUP boards. Velika Zaka bathing area is a lovely, large grassy area on the northern side of the lake where you can enjoy a dip in the lake.
Bled castle
In a striking position on a precipice overlooking the lake, it is a mighty climb to the top but the views are worth it. We didn’t go inside but there’s a small museum where you can learn more about the history of the castle and Lake Bled.
Paddleboard or take a boat trip to Bled Island
An iconic image of Slovenia and a wonderful sight throughout the day from dawn to dusk. Sit back and relax on a wooden pletna boat across the lake or jump on a paddle board and make your way over.
Zipline Dolinka
Not something you do every day, this will be sure to impress kids and teenagers. I was apprehensive about the zipline as it is crazily high above the river and they range from 300-700m long but it was an incredible experience and the whole family loved it. It took around 2.5 hours to complete the 7 ziplines crisscrossing the river below with hiking through the forest in between each one. The Zipline Dolinka guides Martin and Ouska were brilliant and we felt very safe at all times. A short 10-minute minibus drive takes you to the practice line where you’re taught the basics, so you feel confident for the first zipline. Then it’s straight to the first one to fly across the treetops. They don’t go too fast so there is plenty of opportunity to take in the breath-taking views of the river below.
Straza Summer Toboggan
Opening during the summer months, this is a lot of fun for all ages. Take the ski lift up to the top and then choose from a hair-raising ride with pedal to the metal or a relaxing ride down with a speed to suit you all whilst taking in panoramic views of the lake and mountains. Find out more here.
Vintgar Gorge
A pretty cool location for a hike. 1.6 kilometres of whirlpools, rapids and waterfalls meandering through a 250-metre gorge. Following narrow pathways and bridges, the waters are mesmerising.
A 10-minute drive from the centre of Lake Bled or a short free shuttle ride. There are several car parks to choose from depending on how far you want to walk. We opted for car park 5 which took around 15 minutes’ walk to the start of the gorge. From there we followed the green route which was 5.7km.
It was a cloudy day, so the waters weren’t quite as emerald as they are in the sunshine, but we were glad of the cooler weather for the hike back to the car. As you head back through the forest and then into the meadows, the sweeping views of the valley and the mountains are stunning. For more info on purchasing tickets and choosing the best route, check it out here.
Afternoon tea at Slascicarna Zima
After a long hike or a morning ziplining, tuck into some delicious Slovenian cakes at Slascicarna Zima. Situated in Bled Village, this little cafe has an outdoor terrace as well as plenty of indoor seating. It’s difficult to choose from all the yummy cakes and ice creams on offer here. We tried a few Slovenian specialties – the Kremsnita (a light custard sandwiched between crisp pastry) and another made with apples, nuts and spices.
Restaurants in Lake Bled
Market Deli – Freshly made sandwiches where you can choose your own fillings or order one of the suggested combinations. Seating area on long tables or great for picking up a picnic for your day out.
Art Café – Lovely, modern vibe with outdoor terrace. My son said it was the best burger he had ever had!
Spica – Very popular place but lots of seating so it didn’t take long to get a table. Extensive menu with international cuisine – ribs, steaks, pasta. The pizzas are really good and lots of toppings to choose from.
Arbor – Located in a small shopping complex, it doesn’t look anything special from the outside but the outdoor terrace has views across the lake and the food was reasonably priced and very tasty. Mediterranean, Italian and Slovenian dishes on offer. My husband has the venison goulash with dumplings which was delicious.
Where to stay
Hotel Park – A large hotel right on the lake recently refurbished with a style inspired by nature. There is an emphasis on soft, relaxing tones and wood. The floor to ceiling windows in the bar and restaurant frame the view of lake and forest beautifully. The swimming pool with swinging egg chairs was a haven to retreat to during an afternoon thunderstorm and the views up here are awesome.
3 nights in Piran
- Explore the underground world at Postjna caves
- Snorkel at Moon Bay, Strunjan Nature Park
- Climb the bell tower in Piran
- Take a boat trip from Piran
- Practice your balancing skills at the inflatable water park
Postjna Caves
Ideally situated almost halfway between Lake Bled and the coast, Postjna Cave was the perfect stop to break up the journey. A quite surreal experience and strange leaving a hot, sunny day and entering an underground world with temperatures of around 10 degrees. The tickets aren’t cheap, but it was certainly a unique attraction and the sheer size of the network of caves and concentration of incredible stalagmites and stalactites was pretty impressive. The tour begins with a train ride which takes you deep into the caves. You then explore on foot with an audio guide.
Snorkelling at Moon Bay, Strunjan Nature Park
There are numerous opportunities to swim along the coast but not many beaches as such. Between the Histrion Hotel and Piran, there are dedicated areas with steps into the sea and room to lay your towel if you fancy a dip. Moon Bay situated in Strunjan Nature Park is a pebble beach and if you can get past the discomfort on your feet (jelly shoes definitely advisable for kids), you’ll be amazed by the crystal-clear shallow waters and the wonderful underwater world that can be explored with a snorkel set. Only reached on foot, park at Strunjan Beach car park and follow the path uphill past the white cross before the descent down on the beach. It takes around 15 minutes.
Climb the bell tower in Piran
As temperatures soared to 30˚c during the day we had an early evening wander around the town of Piran on several occasions. For the best views of the town with its terracotta rooftops, impressive Tartini Square and glistening Adriatic coastline, head up to the bell tower. The narrow steps take you on to a viewing platform with 360˚ views.
Inflatable waterpark
Located just in front of the hotel pool, in the sea, this huge inflatable waterpark is fantastic for an hour’s entertainment. €8 for 1hr, the kids had a great time swinging and sliding like they were on Wipeout.
Take a boat trip from Piran
One of the best ways to appreciate the picturesque town of Piran, we hopped on board the Subaquatic Boat from Piran Harbour for an hour and a half of stunning scenery both on land and underwater. The trip takes you along the coastline to Fiesa, Pacug and Strunjan. Under the deck, there are glass windows where you can marvel at the marine life and there is also a stop at the mussel farm with rows of mussels hanging below the water. There are two trips a day and we bought our ticket when boarding.
Where to stay
Histrion Hotel – A sprawling 4* hotel complex situated on the seafront, it was in a prime location for sunset walks along the coastal path to Piran (taking around 20 minutes). The indoor saltwater pool with slides, water jets and a sort of lazy river feature was great for a cloudy afternoon. The outdoor saltwater pool is on the other side of the marina and features a small water park for younger children. Parking is also free here which is a bonus. There are a few bars and restaurants just outside the hotel which are great for an afternoon ice cream or coffee stop. There is also a great pizza takeaway where you can grab a slice for €3 – budget lunch!
Where to eat
Rostelin – Situated in a charming little square with kids playing and people enjoying the atmosphere. The homemade pasta and gnocchi dishes were delicious.
Porto Marciana – We had to wait for a table but it was worth it. Several tables squeezed into the narrow, cobbled street serving up fresh and tasty pizzas, pasta, salads and steaks.
We did a lot in one week but there is still so much more to see so we’ll be back, I’m sure, to experience more of this wonderful country.
For another fantastic lakes, mountains and coast road trip, check out our 10 night Montenegro itinerary.
Fam Full of Wanderlust 