Slovenia is a beautiful country with many different landscapes and territories. Whether you are a hiker, a biker, a swimmer, or a museum fan, you will find something to do in Slovenia.
Slovenia has a small coast with a karst topography in the southwestern part of the country, alpine mountains in the North, mountains, valleys, and rivers in the East. It is a wonderful country filled with surprises and interesting facts.
If you are a tourist in Slovenia, you will want to know everything about it. Let’s take a look at 11 fun and interesting facts about Slovenia’s territory.
1. Slovenia Has the Highest Number of Caves in the World
Slovenia has karst topography, and there are more than 10,000 caves in the country. This means that if you visited one cave every day, it would take you more than three years to visit all of them. Unfortunately, not all the caves are open for tourists. However, some of them are worth seeing.
Every year, about a hundred new caves are discovered around Slovenia. We expect to discover another 20,000 to say we have found all of them, which means Slovenia has the highest number of caves globally.
There are about 20 caves you can visit in Slovenia. The Postojna Caves and the Skocjan Caves are the most famous and visited ones. The Postojna Cave is the largest in the country. It is seen by 700 000 visitors per year. There are more than 38 million people who have been inside the cave.
It is a beautiful cave located near the Predjama Castle. In the Postojna Caves, you will find the oldest underground in the world. The Postojna Cave is also the home of a very particular endemic species: olms. Olms are also called baby dragons because people thought the little translucid invertebrates were the babies of dragons living in the Ljubljana Marshes and the caves.
The Postojna Cave is a perfect example of a cave with immense biodiversity and where streams and rivers have created stalagmites, stalactites, and beautiful other subterranean masterpieces.
If you want to visit the Postojna Cave, here are the timetables (they can sometimes change, be certain of the times, check the official website):
- November to March: 10 am, 12 am, 3 pm
- April: 10 am, 11 am, 12 am, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm
- May: every hour from 9 am to 5 pm
- June: 11 am, 4 pm
- July: 10 am, 11 am, 12 am, 2 pm, 3 pm
- August: 10 am, 12 am, 3 pm
- September: every hour from 9 am to 5 pm
- October: 10 am, 11 am, 12 am, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm
Prices:
- Adults: 27,90 €
- Students (16 – 25 years): 22,30 €
- Children from 6 to 15 years: 16,70 €
- Children up to 5 years: 1,00 €
It is also possible to visit the Postojna Caves in larger groups. For this, you will need to book the visit in advance. If you are coming with 20 people or more, there are discounts and unique accommodations.
There is also a field trip accommodation for school groups. They are available for primary-school and secondary-school students. You can choose between different science visits for children to enjoy:
- Karst Caves: Postojna Cave and Expo Cave Karst (2.5 to 3 h)
- Castle Adventure: Predjamski grad in Postojnska jama (2,5 h)
- Comprehensive Exploration of the Karst: Postojna cave, Expo Cave Karst, Predjama Castle (3 to 4 h)
- Underground Trekking Tour: Postojna Cave, Black and Pivka Caves, Karst forest, Expo Cave Karst (3 to 4 h)
Postojnska jama d.d.
Jamska cesta 30, 6230 Postojna
T: +386 5 700 01 00
E: info@postojnska-jama.eu
2. There Are 321 Lakes in Slovenia
In Slovenia, there are not only caves; there are also many lakes. There are 321 lakes in the country, which is a lot. You probably already know about Bled Lake, the most visited tourist attraction in Slovenia.
There are also many other lakes like Lake Bohinj (the largest lake in the country with its 318 ha), the Wild Lake (the deepest lake), Lake Jasna, Black Lake, Lake Ptuj, Lake Cerknica, and many others.
If you are a tourist in Ljubljana, you have to visit at least one of the lakes. Lake Bled, for example, is like a fairytale. You will be amazed by its transparent water, beautiful castle up the hill, and the lovely island in the center of the lake.
On the island, there is also a church where many people get married each year. The tradition is that the husband has to carry his bride up the 99 stairs to get to the church. Also, legends say that if you ring the Bled bells three times, your wishes will come true.
3. There Are Lakes That Sometimes Disappear
In Slovenia, there are lakes called intermittent lakes, which means they only appear from time to time, depending on the season. It is dry during part of the year.
The Lake Cerknica, located between the Javorniki hills and the Bloke plateau, is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe and the largest in Slovenia. It covers a surface of nearly 30 km².
Lake Cerknica dries up in summer, but it can be the biggest lake in Slovenia when it is full. It is also a designated wetland of international importance.
The fact that the lake gets drained and dries can be explained by time, water, and rocks and the fact that it is located on a karst plain. The lake can drain entirely in three to four weeks, which is an awe-inspiring phenomenon. During this period, you can come back every day and discover a different lake.
Lake Cerknica Contact Information
Tabor 42, 1380 Cerknica
mail: tic@notranjski-park.si
phone: +386 1 709 36 36
Working hours:
Monday- Saturday: 8:00 – 16:00
Sunday: 8:00 – 12:00
4. Only 1/5 of the Country Is Flat, and the Highest Mountain Is the Triglav
Slovenia is not a flat country: it is perfect for mountain lovers. There are many mountainous areas in the country, which is why only 1/5 of Slovenia is flat. There are more than 7,000 kilometers of hiking trails in Slovenia, and most of them are in the heart of the mountains.
The highest mountain is called the Triglav and is located in the Triglav National Park and belongs to the Julian Alps.
The Triglav is 2,864 meters above the sea. You can hike up to the top. The most comfortable hike takes about two days, with 12 to 14 hours of climbing and leaves from the Krma Valley and the plateau Pokljuka. The most challenging hike leaves from the northern part of the mount. The best if you want to climb up the Triglav is to book a tour because it can be tricky and dangerous.
Mount Triglav is a national symbol of Slovenia. It is even on the flag and the coat of arms. It represents the country’s pride. Triglav means “three heads” because of the shape of the mountain with three peaks.
Contact Information:
Triglav National Park
Ljubljanska cesta 27, 4260 Bled, Slovenia
Phone: +386 4 578 0200
triglavski-narodni-park@tnp.gov.si
5. There Are Three Different Climates in Slovenia
Slovenia is a very small country; however, it does not mean you will find the same thing everywhere. Besides the very diverse landscapes and topographies, there are also three different climates.
In general, the weather is continental, but there are some variations. In the northwest, where the region is mountainous, you will find an alpine climate. In the South, you will encounter a Mediterranean environment.
In Slovenia, the sunnier period is between June and September, when temperatures are daily above 72°F (22°C). The average will be of temperatures below 47°F (8°C) from November to March.
Thanks to the variety of climates, you can swim in the Adriatic sea, drink a coffee at the terrace of a Ljubljana cafe, and ski in the Alps. In Slovenia, there is everything from the Alps to the Mediterranean, as well as the Pannonian Plain and the Karst.
6. Slovenia Is the Third Most Forested Country in Europe
After the caves, the lakes, and the mountains, you should know that there are also a significant number of forests. Indeed, forests cover about 60% of the territory. They are forests of oak and beech trees.
In the mountain, you will find more pine, spruce, and fir trees. Trees are essential. The Linden tree, for example, is one of Slovenia’s national symbols. It is a tall tree that can grow up to 1,800 meters on average.
There are so many forests in Slovenia that the wood industry creates a great benefit. Fortunately, this industry is not decreasing the forests. Forests in Slovenia are actually expanding. Nowadays, they cover more than 12,480 square kilometers of the territory. The government is planting over 1,200,000 trees a year.
All of this makes Slovenia the third most forested country in Europe after Finland and Sweden. Slovenia is what we could call a green paradise, both because of its environmental biodiversity and sustainability.
7. More Than Half of Slovenia Is Protected Land
Slovenia is a very sustainable country, and Slovenians care about their territory and landscape. For that reason, more than half of the country is considered protected land, about 54%. It is the second most protected country after Venezuela.
You will find natural parks everywhere, such as the Triglav National Park, the Kozjansko Regional Park, the Notranjska Regional Park, the Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park, the Pivka Lakes Nature Park, Sečolvje Salt Pans Nature Park, and the Skocjanski zatok Nature Reserve.
When you visit Slovenia, you will be amazed by its greenery and its beauty. This beauty needs to be protected. Not only the territory is preserved, but also the fauna. Indeed, there are many endemic species in Slovenia.
8. There Is a Vineyard for Every 70 People
Another fun fact about Slovenia is the immense number of vineyards. It is said that there is a vineyard for every 70 people in the country. About 216 square kilometers of Slovenia is covered in vineyards.
Slovenia has a long history of wine and vine. It definitely is a wine-growing region, and it has been for over 2,600 years.
There are about 50 varieties of grapevine in Slovenia, and they even prepare surprising wines such as Orange Wine.
Orange wine is not a wine with a completely different type of production. It is made from white grape varieties where the grape skins are not removed and stay in contact with the wine for a few days. Bring a bottle back home and have all your friends try it.
Slovenia’s wine is famous internationally and has won multiple awards. Slovenia is especially known as a wine-growing country because there is the oldest vine in the world located in Maribor.
You can see this vine in front of the Old Vine House in Maribor’s old town center. The vine is 400 years old. It is part of the Guinness Book of Record.
The old grapevine variety is žametovka or modra kavčina, one of Slovenia’s oldest noble vine varieties. The wine coming from this vine is precious because of the small quantities produced.
You will also find a piece of this vine in Ljubljana, in the Castle’s Park.
Contact Information Old Vine House in Maribor
Turistično informacijski center Maribor:
Partizanska cesta 6a, 2000 Maribor
T: +386 2 23 46 611, +386 31 327 775
E: tic@maribor.si
Working hours:
Mon-Fri: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sat, Sun, and Holidays: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
9. Slovenia Has Only 46 Km of Coastline
Slovenia is a small country, but it still has a coastline! This coastline is 46 kilometers (about 28,5 miles) long. Slovenia has access to the Adriatic sea that is a part of the Mediterranean Sea.
From the coastline, you can see both Italy and Croatia, which is very impressive. Besides being between two beautiful countries, the Slovenian coast is splendid itself.
There are many lovely cities along the Adriatic sea, such as Portoroz, Koper, Izola, and most of all: Piran. Piran is the most beautiful city on the coast of Slovenia. If you are planning on visiting the entire coast, you should finish by Piran; otherwise, the other cities will not look as amazing.
You can also bathe everywhere along the coast, jumping directly from the city to the ocean. There are not really sand beaches on the coast. However, if you are looking for a place to stay for the day and tan, you should head for the Moon Bay.
10. Slovenia Covers Less Than 0.004% of the Earth’s Surface
Slovenia is a very small country, and it covers less than 0,004% of the Earth’s surface. However, it is not the most impressive. The most surprising thing is that, although it covers only 0,004% of the planet’s surface, it is also home to more than 1% of all living creatures and 2% of terrestrial animals.
Slovenia has incredible biodiversity, both considering fauna, and flora. You will find a total of 24,000 animal species in Slovenia, including bears, olms, Lipizzans, trouts, bees, eagles, karst shepherds, sheeps, pigs, and alpine ibex.
11. Slovenia Has More Than 27.000 Kilometers of Rivers
Slovenia has many lakes and a small coast, but that is not the only water there is to see. One of the most beautiful things is the rivers and the streams covering the entire country. No matter where you go, you will find rivers.
In Slovenia, there are more than 27,000 kilometers of rivers. The most mesmerizing one is the Soca River, with its emerald green and turquoise water. This color is due to the reflection of the sun on the mineral dust in the river. It is a beautiful phenomenon, absolutely worth seeing.
You will find Sava, Drava, Kolpa, and Savinja, all over 100 kilometers long among the other main rivers. These rivers are the perfect place to practice watersports and adrenaline sports like rafting, paraglide, hydrospeed, riverbug, stand-up paddle, canoe, kayak, open kayak, biking, wild water kayaking, canyoning, and swimming.
The longest river in Slovenia is the river Sava which is 947 kilometers long and crosses Slovenia for 221 kilometers.
Conclusion
Slovenia is the perfect country for your holiday. You will never get bored in Slovenia because you can swim in the morning, hike at noon, and ski in the afternoon. It is a country full of possibilities and with a territory always surprising you.
Once you know all the most interesting facts about Slovenia’s territory, the only thing left for you is to see it for yourself to believe it truly.
