Slovenia in December: Best things to do in the winter
December is the first winter month in Slovenia, and it’s a special one because it is filled with Christmas vibes.
We have lived and traveled through Slovenia for the past 5 years, so we have experienced this country through every season.
December is one of the most magical times of the year, so this guide will walk you through our best tips for visiting Slovenia in December.
Weather in Slovenia in December
December is the first month of winter in Slovenia. You will encounter proper winter weather, with temperatures dropping below zero in the mountains and northern regions.
Now, it’s important to mention that the temperature in December varies a lot depending on where you will go. The Slovenian Seaside is normally the warmest region of the country, but if you go to the mountains, you can expect temperatures as low as -10°C sometimes.
This is the average temperature in Slovenia during the month of December:
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum temperature (avg) | -3°C | 26°F |
| Maximum temperature (avg) | 4°C | 40°F |
The good news is that December is not typically a month with a lot of rain. The weather is mostly foggy though (especially in Ljubljana).
Read also: Best time of the year to visit Slovenia
Does it snow in Slovenia in December?
The weather in Slovenia has been very unstable, so here is a little summary based on what we’ve seen over the last five years.
In Ljubljana, we usually see the temperatures dropping around the start/middle of December. It is typical to have one or two days of snow when it happens, but this snow normally melts away very fast. We haven’t had a white Christmas in years.
However, in the mountains, you normally start seeing snow around mid-December in Slovenia, which is when the ski season normally opens.
Things to do in Slovenia in December
With the winter weather fully settled in, these are a few things we recommend doing in Slovenia during the month of December:
- Watch the Christmas light turn on – this usually happens on the first week of December and it is a very fun night to go out. Ljubljana gets crowded with the celebration for turning on the lights. The entire city gets illuminated.
- Sip mulled wine at the Christmas markets. Throughout the month, you will find Christmas markets in many Slovenian towns – some of the most popular ones are in Ljubljana, Bled, and Kranjska Gora.
- Go skiing! With the opening of the ski season, this is a great time to hit the slopes and enjoy the fresh snow.
- Go ice skating – There is usually an ice rink in the center of Ljubljana and a few other smaller ones built around the country.
- Have fun sledding in Krvavec.
Read more: How to spend winter in Slovenia
Visiting Bled in December
A lot of people ask us whether it is worth visiting Bled in December. Our answer is that yes, it is worth it, but you need to manage your expectations.
December in Bled is considerably quieter than the summer months. However, some of the most popular things to do in Lake Bled are activities open all year round.
You can still hike to the Ojstrica Viewpoint (wear proper walking shoes!) or visit Bled Castle, for example.
In fact, we went to Ojstrica last December and it was great because we were the only ones there!
I also love going to Bled after a snowfall because the lake looks even more magical surrounded by snow.
It is rare for Lake Bled to freeze in December.
Check below our guide for visiting Lake Bled during winter with our recommendations of things to do in this season.
Events and Festivals happening in Slovenia in December
- 07 & 08/12 – Medieval Winter Days in the Celje Castle – They normally have performances and several options of local cuisine. The festival is super fun to attend, especially for families with kids.
- Christmas markets – throughout the month in several cities
- Christmas week until New Year’s – free concerts at Congress Square in Ljubljana
- 31/12 – New Year Celebrations happening around the country
Prices for visiting Slovenia in December
The travel prices in Slovenia in December tend to rise in comparison to the previous months because this is a festive month.
Prices are typically lower than the high season between July and August, but you can expect it to be a bit more expensive around the holiday season, especially during the last two weeks of the year.
If you want to spend New Year’s Eve at an event in a special restaurant or hotel, we recommend booking it in advance. Holiday packages for prestige events tend to sell out.
What to wear in Slovenia in December
If you will be visiting Slovenia in December, it is best to bring proper winter clothes.
The clothes you should wear will depend on what activities you plan to do. For going skiing or practicing any other winter sport, you must make sure you bring proper equipment or rent it here.
However, if you only plan on visiting the cities such as Ljubljana or Bled, here is what we recommend:
- A proper winter jacket, ideally impermeable if possible
- Warm clothes in layers, so you can get protected but quickly undress when walking into a restaurant where the temperature is warm
- Comfortable, closed walking shoes
- Scarf – it gets windy this time of the year
- Gloves, beanies, and other accessories
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Check out our page with curated Slovenia experiences
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Slovenia Map: Check out our custom-made Map with 290+ must-see spots!
- Slovenia itineraries: Check out our pre-made Slovenian itineraries!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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