Best things to do and places to visit in Slovenia during the winter season
If you’re searching for the best things to do and places to visit in Slovenia during winter, look no further! Whether you want to explore the beautiful snow-covered mountains or cozy up in a local spa, you won’t be disappointed with all that Slovenia has to offer during winter.
Every time we have people visiting us in Slovenia during the winter, we always take them to do a few of the things on this list. So you can be sure that we are not recommending only tourist traps, but our personal opinion as locals.
9 Best things to do in Slovenia during winter
1. Go skiing on the beautiful Slovenian slopes
Skiing is one of the most popular things to do in Slovenia during winter. The country has a wide variety of ski resorts, ranging from beginner-friendly to more challenging slopes. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy the stunning views that come with skiing!
The best places to visit in Slovenia in winter if you want to go skiing are Vogel, Krvavec, and Kranjska Gora, with the latter being the busiest one. Kranjska Gora is the village that attracts the most tourists during the winter season in Slovenia as they offer all sorts of activities and things to do.
Read also: Visiting Slovenia in December
2. Visit the charming Christmas Markets
If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, a visit to one of the many Christmas markets in Slovenia is a must. From traditional wooden houses filled with gifts and local delicacies to live performances, there’s something for everyone!
The biggest and most popular Christmas market takes place annually in Ljubljana, the capital. Bled also hosts a lovely Christmas market with a special light show on the 25th of December. Another magical Christmas Market is held annually in Kranjska Gora.
There are also plenty of smaller markets in other cities and towns across the country – all with their own unique charm.
Make sure you get a glass of mulled wine and a portion of roasted chestnuts to get in the holiday mood at the Slovenian Christmas markets.
3. Try the Local Winter Food
Slovenia is known for its delicious cuisine, and winter is no exception! Try some hearty stews such as jota, a traditional bean and cabbage stew. Goulash is also popular in Slovenia, as well as local dishes such as žlikrofi with potato filling or štruklji filled with cottage cheese and spinach.
Don’t forget to try some of the delicious desserts – things like štrudel, potica (a nut roll cake), and gibanica. And for a special treat, try the famous Štruklji with sweet cheese filling.
4. Save some space to taste the Slovenian local wines and spirits
You may have not heard about Slovenian wines because 70% of the entire production is consumed within the country and not exported. But even if they are less famous, Slovenian wines are of very high quality and have even received renowned awards and prizes.
Slovenia has three main wine regions – Primorska, Podravska, and Posavska – which you might want to check out if you are interested in winemaking.
Now, if you will be visiting Slovenia during winter, you may want something stronger than wine to keep you warm. We, Slovenians, are very fond of our local spirits and liquors, which you will easily find in bars and sometimes in Christmas markets.
Some of the most popular spirits to have during winter in Slovenia are medica (honey schnaps), borovničke (blubbery schnaps), and slivovica (plum schnaps).
5. Relax in one of the many Spa & Thermal Baths
If you want to relax after all the skiing and sightseeing, why not visit one of Slovenia’s many spas and thermal baths? Escaping the cold weather in a relaxing spa is one of our favorite things to do in Slovenia in the winter. There are plenty to choose from, ranging from rustic outdoor pools to luxury spa resorts.
Terme Olimia in Podčetrtek is the largest spa complex in Slovenia and offers everything from thermal pools to saunas and massage treatments. Terme Čatež is another popular spot, with its thermal pools as well as a wide range of massage and beauty treatments.
6. Visit Postojna Cave, the largest cave system in Slovenia
Postojna Cave is one of the best places to visit in Slovenia during winter because the cave has the same temperature all year round. It doesn’t matter if it is sunny or snowing outside, inside the cave, the temperature is always 10°C.
This means that you can visit the cave all year round and have the same incredible experience. For this reason, Postojna Cave is one of our favorite places to take people whenever they come to visit us during the wintertime.
As a bonus, you can combine the visit to Predjama Castle as well since these two attractions are located very close to each other. Predjama Castle is also a great place to visit during winter in Slovenia as it is much more empty and equally interesting during the cold months.
Read more:
7. Spend a peaceful weekend in Bled or Piran without the tourist crowds
If I say that some of the best places to visit in Slovenia during winter are popular summer destinations such as Bled and Piran, would you believe me?
One of the best things about traveling to Slovenia in winter is that you get to enjoy some of the top destinations in the country without the buzz of the tourist crowds that come during the summer months. Bled and Piran are two of the most popular cities in the country and you will see that during the winter, they get a fraction of the tourists compared to the summer months.
Bled looks particularly magical during the winter, especially if you are lucky enough to visit the city after a snowfall. In some years, if the weather gets cold enough, Bled Lake can even freeze and people then go ice skating in the lake.
The guide we linked above was made specifically for ideas of things to do in Bled during the winter. If you will be visiting at another time of the year, check this Lake Bled guide instead.
8. Get your adrenaline up by practicing other winter sports in Slovenia
Skiing is not the only winter sport available in Slovenia. If you are up for some more adventurous activities, you can also try climbing on frozen waterfalls, ski touring, winter paragliding, or even snow rafting.
I bet you have never heard about some of these options. For lovers of snow activities, the best places to go to Slovenia in winter are Vogel and Kranjska Gora. Both destinations can be amazing playgrounds as the ski stations offer many different options of things to do during the Slovenian winter time.
9. Get cozy in a winter cabin
One of our favorite things about traveling in Slovenia is the variety of accommodation options for glamping and cabins. During the winter, the only cabins that will be open are the ones that are easily accessible through the road during this season. The mountain huts from the hiking trails all close during the winter.
Jasna Lake in the Triglav National Park is a great example of a destination to visit in the winter in Slovenia. The amazing Jasna Chalet Resort offers large cabins that are perfect for larger families.
The picture above was taken during a winter trip to Velika Planina, during our stay at Chalet Tisa. The best way to get to the cabin during winter is by taking the cable car up, but it is an amazing destination for a cozy winter getaway.
Read also: Day-trip to Velika Planina: Hiking or With the Cable Car
Driving in Slovenia during winter – things to pay attention
When driving in Slovenia during the winter season, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
Winter tires or snow chains are obligatory for all drivers, so make sure you have the appropriate equipment before embarking on your journey. If you will be renting a car in Slovenia, know that the rental companies are obliged to give you a car that meets the local driving criteria but it doesn’t hurt to double-check it.
Additionally, even though most highways and roads are regularly cleaned after a snowfall, we recommend you be extra careful when navigating slushy roads and take things slowly. This will help you to avoid accidents while you enjoy your winter trip to Slovenia.
Read more: Driving in Slovenia as a foreigner – rules and tips
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Best places to stay in Slovenia during winter
When visiting Slovenia during the winter months, the best places to stay are Ljubljana, Bled, or Kranjska Gora. These three cities are the places that have the most structure to welcome tourists during the winter months.
To help you pick the best accommodation, we have put together recommendations for each city.
Places to stay in Ljubljana during winter
- Eurostars uHOTEL – One of the most central hotels that offer all the facilities you can possibly need. uHOTEL is a great option for a place to stay in Ljubljana all year round.
- Stella Sky – If you need fully functioning apartments but still want to be located in the heart of Ljubljana, this is a great option for a place to stay. You will have the city center at your feet, with the Christmas market just around the corner.
- Hostel Celica Art – If you are looking for unique places to stay, this incredible hostel is hosted in a building that used to be a prison. The inside of the building was entirely redesigned by different local and international artists. Hostel Celica is also very central.
Places to stay in Bled during winter
- Adora Luxury Hotel – The beautiful Adora hotel has one of the best locations around the lake and it is one of our favorites because it is a bit out of the busy center. You will have the beautiful Bled Lake right in front of the hotel, and depending on which room you get, also right outside your window.
- Rikli Balance Hotel – This is a great option for a place to stay for a relaxing trip. Rikli Hotel has incredible spa facilities so you can enjoy the city and also the indoor and outdoor pools.
Places to stay in Kranjska Gora during winter
- Garni Hotel Miklič – A great option for a place to stay in Kranjska Gora all year round. Hotel Miklič offers delicious breakfast and is run by locals who can give you advice on things to see and places to eat in the vicinity.
- Best Western Hotel Kranjska Gora – The main reason why we are adding this hotel to our recommendation list is that it is located in a bit quieter area, outside of the busy center of Kranjska Gora. You can still walk to the center, but you get a much more peaceful stay, with access to all the facilities and comfort of a Best Western Hotel.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Slovenia during winter
What is the average temperature in Slovenia in winter?
Even though it depends a lot on where you will be going, the winter temperature in Slovenia normally ranges between -5° C to 2° C (or lower if you will be going to the mountains). Winters in Slovenia are usually quite dry and cold.
Is it worth visiting Slovenia during winter?
The experience of visiting Slovenia during winter is completely different than seeing the country during the summer. The landscape changes a lot and the activities available are entirely different.
So, with that in mind, we do believe that visiting Slovenia is very worth it if you like winter-related activities such as visiting Christmas markets or skiing.
However, if you are coming to Slovenia for nature, I’d say that it is better to wait for the warmer months as you will be able to enjoy it more.
When is the first snowfall in Slovenia?
Slovenia usually experiences the first snowfall in December, even though the mountains may get snow as early as October depending on the weather.
Does it snow in Ljubljana?
It normally snows in Ljubljana at least once a year, between December and February.
Unfortunately, in the past few years, we have seen much less snow in Ljubljana than we used to get. Nowadays, it is very hard to plan a trip in order to see snow in the capital – instead, you will have to count on your luck if you want to see Ljubljana covered in snow.
Some of the best places to visit in Slovenia in winter to see snow are Kranjska Gora and the ski resorts, such as Krvavec (which is very close to Ljubljana).
More about traveling through Slovenia
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Slovenia on Skyscanner.com.
- 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!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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