5 Things to do in Slovenia on a Budget

I am absolutely gobsmacked by the beauty in Slovenia.

There are so many amazing things to do in Slovenia. From the meandering Ljubljanica river that runs alongside pastel colored buildings in Ljubljana and the emerald green waters of Lake Bled, to the serenity at Lake Bohinj and ever present mountains of the Julian Alps in the distance; the beauty in Slovenia seems to be out of a mystical children’s book.

This post is all about the best things to do in Ljubljana, Slovenia especially on a budget!

Budget Friendly Travel and Accommodation

How we got TO LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

We decided to fly into Zagreb, Croatia and spend a few days there. From there we took an easy 2 hour bus ride straight to the center of Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana. This was a quick, cheap and easy way to get from city to city, and see the outskirts of both countries.

We took a BlaBlaCar bus, and it cost €17/per person. The bus was clean, comfortable and had air-conditioning. The bus even takes a 15 minute break at a gas station half way between the cities for a bathroom break.

Where we stayed (Super budget friendly)

We chose to stay in a private room in the Fuzzy Log hostel and truly couldn’t have loved our experience more. The hostel is a 5 minute walk from the bus station and a 5-10 minute walk beyond the hostel is the Ljubljanica river and central Ljubljana.

The rooms were clean and comfortable. The bathroom situation was the best I’ve experienced at any hostel. They were clean, had many showers and supplied soap and conditioning shampoo. We were also supplied with clean towels upon arrival.

They also have a communal kitchen area, rooftop outdoor access, free laundry machines, a bar/cafe and breakfast. Of course they also had the stereotypical hostel foosball table, and pingpong table, but they also had many different working areas for digital nomads.

Things to do in Ljubljana and the Surrounding Area

1. take a day trip to lake bled

If you’ve heard of Slovenia or seen photos, you’ve most likely seen the famous Lake Bled. The castle on an island fuels childish joy and allows your mind to imagine you’re in a fairytale. The green jewel-toned color of the lake with the striking red roof of the castle is almost too picture perfect. Of course, we had to head there on our first full day!

Getting to Lake Bled:

We took the train from Ljubljana to Lesce-Bled train station. This was €5 and took around 1 hour. Upon our arrival, we walked across the street to the bus stop and boarded the bus heading to Bled for €1.30.

Getting Around Lake Bled:

We walked the 3.5 mile loop around the entirety of Lake Bled. We started by getting to the Bled Castle that has been dated back to 1011. The views are absolutely beautiful, and allow you to get an aerial shot of part of the lake.

The walk itself was wooded in parts, and paved in others. You can also rent a standup paddle board (SUP), rowboat or go on a traditional pletna boat that will take you to Bled Island. We opted to walk around the Lake on our own and admire Bled Island from afar.

Swimming in Lake Bled

The mesmerizing emerald waters and scenery was incredibly enticing, so I decided to take a dip. As it was early October, the water was very refreshing, but not too cold. I swam for about 15 minutes before climbing out and changing out of my chilly swimsuit.

2. Taste the Famous Bled Cream Cake

One of the traditional dishes here is the Bled Cream Cake. We had to stop at the famous Slaščičarna Zima to try their version of this treat.

The layered moist, light and jiggly cake is a bit reminiscent of a tres leches meets cheesecake hybrid. Except, they they top it with flaky pastry dough and dust the top with powdered sugar. It’s not too sweet and it’s served cold, which makes it very refreshing on a hot day. Though this wasn’t our favorite treat by any means, it was still very fun to try.

3. Relax or enjoy a picnic at lake bohinj

Located just a 30 minute drive southwest from Lake Bled lies the lesser known Lake Bohinj. This absolute gem of an oasis is home to a few varieties of trout and mallard ducks.

You’ll need to have a rental car to get there, but it’s much less touristy and incredibly peaceful. You can also take a dip in the refreshing waters or sit on the rocky beaches and admire the beauty.

4. Stroll Along the Vintgar Gorge

Just a 45 minute drive from Ljubljana, or a 13 minute drive from Lake Bled is the picturesque Vintgar Gorge.

It’s a beautiful and serene walk along the gorge. Visitors are only allowed to walk in one direction and can take either a bus or walk back to the parking lot. This allows for walkers to spend time to themselves rather than crowding with other tourists.

*Since we are traveling during the beginning of the shoulder season (early October), we didn’t need to reserve tickets ahead of time. If you’re traveling during peak season make sure to reserve tickets! Requiring tickets to enter is how they help preserve the path and peacefulness of the gorge.

5. Wander Through the City of Ljubljana

Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city, is relatively small, but incredibly charming. It’s packed with good restaurants, romantic river walks and beautiful castles to explore.

The dragon bridge in the heart of Ljubljana is a perfect homage to the “city of dragons”. According to their mythologies, Jason and the Argonauts epic against a dragon is why the coat of arms includes a dragon.

I hope this has convinced you to see this beautiful country for yourself.