Stories

Slovenia may not be known for its golf, but it’s a popular destination! Here’s our guide to the best golf courses in Ljubljana and Slovenia.

That's a pretty usual question for locals and foreign visitors of Ljubljana. Before we attempt to answer the question we have to ask ourselves what it is that we expect from this coffee.

It happens that the second largest ski centre in Slovenia is really close to Ljubljana. Just 25 km away either by car or a direct bus from Ljubljana. Yet, it’s not just the vicinity that places Krvavec as Ljubljana’s top choice, but also its unique position on the brink of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, 30 km of ski runs, a snow park, night sledding, and, finally, stunning hiking trails.

Ever since I had found out about the wind tunnel opening in Logatec, a town 30 kilometers west of Ljubljana, I wanted to see what it is all about. I already jumped out of an airplane with a parachute and loved it, so I wanted to check this out as well and see how different from skydiving this experience is.

In the warm sunrise light, endless meadows speckled with purple bell-shaped flowers of the leper lily (Fritillaria Meleagris) and other little wild flowers sparkle in morning dew. Not too far away, deer chew on spring goodies, unaffected by the passing visitors. And as birds continue with their heart-warming melodies, I follow lonely paths deeper into the Ljubljana Marshes, my mind off and the batteries-recharging mood on.

With strikingly beautiful panoramic views, an enchanting green meadow stretches between towering peaks to the east and west and continues into a steep drop to the glacial Logar Valley to the north. At 1,900 m, Kamniško Sedlo is one of those easy half-day hikes that ends on a sunny terrace of a friendly hut in the middle of a mountain idyll, while also connecting with the neighbouring peaks through a myriad of trails. The best part? It’s less than 40 km from Ljubljana!

Numerous waterfalls that plunge from twenty to five metres down, emerald green pools of fresh water, thick forests, and a great restaurant serving fresh trout.

As much as I tout Slovenia's summers being amazing, there's still a tiny corner of my soul that itches for cooler temperatures. Shady forests, rivers, gorges, waterfalls, and Alpine villages, you say? I know a place just a short drive from Ljubljana that’s got it all!

Up among the bush, just a few kilometers south of Ljubljana, binoculars in one hand and a camera in the other, I’m mesmerized by a beautiful sight; a herd of roe deer munching their way through rusty-colored plains. I’d planned spending a few hours exploring the Ljubljana Marshes, wetlands greatly diverse in wildlife, and ended doing a 17-km circle and returning there over the next few days. To say the least, the Ljubljana Marshes themselves were a treat and are easily my favorite place for a relaxing adventure near the capital.

Krvavec is the local mountain of the "Ljubljančani" – in fact, flying into Ljubljana, you can almost shake hands with it on the way down. Part of the Kamnik Alps, this spectacular mountain group stretches up from 1,600 to 2,000 metres. Just 20 minutes from the city centre, It’s a fabulous year-round outdoor playground.

I’d driven past it many times, always towards jagged mountain peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and so it wasn’t until two years ago when I finally decided to visit Stari Grad with my family. As it turned out, it’s one of the coolest and most scenic short hikes in Slovenia. It’s a family-friendly 35-minute trail that teaches about wildlife and nature, and ends with amazing views over the Alps and Kamnik. A must-go if you’re in town!