When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Slovenia?

Known at the same time for its beautiful mountains and ski runs, and its magnificent Adriatic coast and lakes, Slovenia has many riches to offer. However, it seems complicated to know what time of the year is optimal to enjoy all of the Slovene wonders at the same time.

The country has an abundance of hidden treasures, and it would take months to tour it exhaustively. The best time to visit is in Summer between mid-May and the end of September. If you are eager to ski next to Maribor, hike in Triglav Park, or swim in Piran, you will have to adapt the period of your stay accordingly.

Let’s find out which time of the year suits you the most to discover Slovenia to help you optimize your experience by matching your needs and learning about the special events planned in the country all year long. 

Ideal Weather in Slovenia 

One of the critical points of a successful trip is generally the weather. Nothing can ruin your holidays more than bad timing. To prevent it, we recommend you to read this guide to understand the climate and seasons in Slovenia.

Climate Variations

While planning your Slovene trip, keep in mind that Slovenia’s climate follows three distinct patterns depending on three different zones. 

In the Northwestern mountains, you will discover a predominating alpine climate with long and freezing winters but warm summers. This region can be enjoyed at any time of the year. It only depends on your preferences, whereas you long for a refreshing escape in summer, or wish to climb, hike and ski. 

The Slovene coast, boarding the Adriatic sea, and up to the Soia Valley, offers a sub-Mediterranean climate with consistent sunshine and warm winters. It compares to the conditions of the Italian coast and Croatia.

Elsewhere in the country, in the interior lowlands like in Ljubljana, the climate is continental. Especially in the south and the east, the winters are cold and the summers hot, up to around 30°C.

Best Time According to Your Taste

In case you, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, base the ideal weather on average temperature and humidity statistics, you must visit Slovenia between mid-May and the end of September. 

It’s the time of the year when it will be warmer: first July, August, and June. This is the best time for tourists who want to have typical sunny summer vacations.

In Spring, the weather is still particularly rainy, windy, and unpredictable, but it starts to get hot enough to explore the country within May. From December to April, you will be able to enjoy snow in Slovenia if that is what you are looking for. 

Fall: Warm Colors Time

From September to November, Slovenia takes on vibrant autumnal colors, still delivering warm temperatures while sitting outside offseason. 

The weather is perfect in Fall for outdoor activities, like hiking. The views of Slovenia’s parks are the best in this season, especially in Triglav Park, which is spectacular. This is the time of the year where threes adorn red, yellow, and orange colors. 

Fall is also perfect when it comes to admiring the valleys from the Alps summits. To access these fantastic viewing points, you can offer yourself a long hike, since days have not become too short in early or mid-Fall. 

If you are an adrenaline lover, we can only advise you to try fun activities like zip-lining. This is also an ideal time to enjoy kayaking or canyoning. Water sports are significant at this time of the year; even swimming is still possible.

We then recommend you to do these activities on one of Slovenia’s most beautiful lakes, as Bled or Bohinj. You can visit them at any time of the year, but if you are looking for quietness, it will be the moment where beauty, warmness, and calm will meet.

Most of the tourists are gone by the beginning of September, leaving you every chance to admire both landscapes and cities. Trips to Ljubljana, Piran, or Celje are amazing in Fall, as you benefit both from weather and reduced expenses. 

Indeed, this is the best period to benefit from rock-bottom prices. As tourists are scarce in Fall, especially in November, you will find the cheapest accommodation prices of the year in Slovenia, allowing you to spend your money on activities.

These savings allow you to take a guided tour to the Skojcan caves or assist in numerous wine-related events, for example, by stoping at the Goriška Brda wine country and its 700 wineries.

Special Events in Fall

In October, you can attend the Old Vine Festival in Maribor. This culinary event revolves around the oldest vine in the world. From November 11th, the wine season is officially open, with many events planned all month long, especially Saint Martin’s Day.

Fall is also the season of international festivals in the country. September is probably the best time to visit Slovenia if you are fond of cinema; do not miss the Slovene film festival in Portoroz. 

October marks the beginning of the season of spectacles and art festivals in Ljubljana when the Summer bustle finally ends. If you pass by, do not hesitate to pay a visit to the City of Women, an International Festival of Contemporary Arts highlighting the work of female creators since 1995.

Winter

When Winter comes to Slovenia, a lot of tourists fall in love with the country. They discover incredible views of the snowy Slovene countryside and have the opportunity to warm up in other regions. 

For Whom is Winter in Slovenia made?

If you wish to discover a Winter Wonderland with a child’s eyes, do not forget to prepare yourself some warm outerwear and get ready for frequent snow and rainfalls. It will allow you to enjoy the many Winter activities that Slovenia has to offer.

The average temperatures are ranging between 3 and 9°C (37 to 49°F). It is ideal if you wish to go ice skating on the beautiful Bled Lake, just as exceptional as it is in Summer. It is also the occasion to have a hot cup of tea or coffee at the window of one of the Lake’s many cafés. 

Whether you like skiing, snowshoe walking, or ski touring, Slovenia in Winter is made for you. The Julian Alps have ski resorts in abundance if you are looking for an unforgettable but expensive experience. 

If you want to avoid the crowds to enjoy a relaxing trip, it is possible if you plan it outside the scholar holidays. Regardless of ski tourism, Slovenia is calm at this time of the year.

You could be frightened by the cold, but do not worry about it. There is a lot of indoor activities you can enjoy. 

We particularly recommend you relax in one of the many Slovene spas or visit one of the many caves of the country that offer a cold temperature at this period. Moreover, you can visit the coast if you are longing for milder winter weather.

Special Events in Winter

Lucky you if you are passing by Slovenia in December! You will have the chance to stop by Ljubljana’s Christmas markets. From the end of November to the beginning of January, you will be able to walk through countless traditional products and gifts stalls. It also focuses on New Year’s theme products. 

It is also the occasion to admire the festive decorations and discover how Slovenians celebrate these particular events. Through the diverse Christmas markets, you will also be able to taste an impressive number of Slovene dishes and drinks during the Ljubljana Festive Fair. 

You can also visit other cities across Slovenia that offer beautiful markers and illuminated streets, especially Bled or Maribor, that will be even more beautiful with snow and ice. At Christmas time, you can also benefit from the fantastic celebrations in the capital, especially the firework launched from Ljubljana’s Castle.

If you are a traveler concerned by learning more about the country’s history and culture, Winter is a considerable period. You can then celebrate the Independence and Unity Day on December 26th and assist in the various festivals and host parades. 

By the end of Winter, coming to Slovenia gives you the chance to see the Lent and Mardi Gras celebrations in various towns and cities all around the country. It is an excellent time to visit Slovenia as Spring approaches, but the accommodations are still pretty cheap.

This period of the year, at the end of February, indeed revolves around the idea of welcoming in Spring. You will then assist in many Festivals in its honor, as the 11 days Festival of Kurantovange or the Laufarija Carnival takes place in Cerkno. 

If you come to Slovenia to enjoy the end of the ski season, you will want to assist in the Slalom Course of the Alpine Ski World Cup. You can book your tickets for the beginning of March.

Spring 

Spring is your period to visit Slovenia if you are looking for a calm time to explore its wonders.

Spring Season Specificities

This season is probably the best time of the year if you want to beat the crowds and still benefit from long days of sun to explore the country. Spring offers the best weather of the year if you are interested at the same time in skiing, hiking, and walking into Slovene valleys. 

Be prepared for rainy and chilly days, but note that you can still ski at the beginning of Spring, without the weather being too cold. One of the best areas for this is Kranjska Gora: you can enjoy various ski types and spend the evening on an ice bar and the night on an igloo. 

With this unpredictable weather, there is nothing better than going for a visit to the country’s leading historical centers, considering that you can take refuge in a Museum Quarter to escape the rain. 

Spring then provides a lot of opportunities to pay a visit to the Slovene National Gallery, the Union Brewery, or again the Museum of Modern Art. It also allows you to discover the Railway Museum. Between lulls and respites, you will be able to visit the outdoor part with its many locomotives and abandoned warehouses full of Yugoslavia’s remains.

You can benefit from this weather by walking by one of Slovenia’s 500 castles. We particularly recommend the Predjama Castle. This season offers a very romantic view as it adorns a lot of flowers and blossoms on its surroundings.

Special Events

If you want to discover the country when it is burgeoning, know that Spring hosts the biggest flower fair of the year in Slovenia, the Spring Horticulture Fair. In late April, you can find it near to Kamnik, at the arboretum Volcji Potok. 

You can also satisfy your passion for flowers at the International Wild Flowers Festival that takes place in Bohinj every may for two weeks. It will allow you to discover the many riches of the area, through guided hiking excursions and ornithological circuits.

For all outdoor lovers and eaters, Spring also marks the beginning of the Odprta Kuhna Festival season. From April to October, this open food market welcomes you every Friday in Ljubljana.

April is also the perfect month for history and medieval enthusiasts. The traditional George’s Fair hosted at the Bled Lake brings together many celebrations, including numerous horse blessings. You can then enjoy a trip to Portoroz to admire the medieval coast and its Venitian architecture. 

However, May is the ideal month if you want to take the path of Slovene history and discover Ljubljana’s past during fascist occupation through the annual “Walk Along with the Wire event”. 

If you are a young music festival lover, we advise that you choose May to discover the Slovene scene. Since 1984, this alternative music festival is hosted in Ljubljana and attracts people from all around the world as it is one of the most important festivals in Central Europe. 

Summer

Summer is definitely the number one time of the year to visit Slovenia, according to the number of tourists that go there every year. This is when the county comes alive, animated by the most significant part of Slovenia’s 4 million tourists per year. 

Why Does It Attract So Much?

Months from June to August are by far the busiest months when the wheater becomes mostly sunny and warm. This weather makes possible a lot of amazing outdoor activities. 

For example, rafting is a massive thing in Slovenia during Summer, when the watercourses are swollen by the thawing, and the air is hot enough. All waterbodies become inviting for tourists, and the coast starts to be crowded but way less than most of the Mediterranean countries. Temperatures go up to 27°C (81°F) at this time of the year, especially in Slovenia’s interior. 

If you book in advance, you can benefit from still affordable prices until the end of June. This is the perfect time to explore the Golf of Trieste, especially if you plan on using your swimsuit. Tourists who can handle crowds do not regret going for a heading to the Adriatic coastline or the Bled Lake that are wonderful in Summer thanks to more enjoyable weather.

Those who want to escape the hot weather for a while can still enjoy hiking and diving into alpine lakes. Do not hesitate to make it to Šmarna Gora by one of the various trail and hike options, especially if you are near Ljubljana. 

If this is crowds that you want to get rid of, go for a trip on the eastern countryside, less frequented and equally impressive. You will be able to discover beautiful views, castles, and museums on your way on to Celje, Maribor, Posdreda, and Styria.

In a nutshell, this is perfect timing if you are eager to tour Slovenia most exhaustively, as most of the country will be accessible. However, it is not made for everyone if you cannot beat the crowds or the heat, but it is still totally doable. 

Summer Events in Slovenia

The first month of Summer in the country is known for offering way more than just a sunny holiday spot. July hosts some of the Slovene’s best festivals, especially with Europe’s oldest Jazz Festival located in Ljubljana.

If you are in Slovenia at this time of the year, you will probably go to Bled Lake, one of the Slovene’s main attractions; so do not miss the Bled International Music Festival. It welcomes classical music and jazz concerts for two weeks in beautiful natural sites. 

July in Slovenia is the busiest month in a matter of crowds, but it is also impressive in terms of events hosted. The Festival of Ljubljana particularly animates the country by organizing dance shows, concerts, and theatre play. We especially recommend you to make it to the Lozca’s Beer and Flowers Festival that will satisfy rock enthusiasts.

However, the summer art festivals reach their peak in August. The Pisana Loka Festival features film, theater, music, and children’s events to amaze the whole family. The most well-known one remains the Radovljica Festival that spreads for two weeks in August, putting Slovenia on the map of the world’s early music.

An Unforgettable Experience

No matter when you choose to come to visit Slovenia, it will offer you an unforgettable experience that you will remember your whole life. The country has so many wonders to discover that you will inevitably have to weight it up according to your taste. 

If you cannot decide between all of those fantastic options, just book your trip as soon as you can, and you may have the chance to come back another time to explore some more!