Known to travelers through soul alchemist Paulo Coelho’s novel Veronica Decides to Die, Slovenia is a country of stunning Alpine scenery and a wealth of attractions, including the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary on beautiful Lake Bled in the capital, Ljubljana, and the charming Predjama Castle in the Bohinj and Postojna regions, as well as a variety of delicious foods and desserts, including potija.
1. Slovenia Quick Facts
Language Slovenian
Religion Roman Catholic
Currency EURO (€, EUR)
Visa Free 90 day visa for 60 nationalities, Shengen Area rules apply
Power Plugs 230 V 50 Hz (G Type)
Capital Ljubljana
ATM ATM are scattered throughout the city, making it easy to withdraw money.
Use card Most all stores accept credit cards.
APP
Google Maps
Uber
Bolt
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Ljubljana city buses (26 routes) can be recharged at charging machines and convenience stores throughout the city.
City transportation card Urbana card (€ 2 card value)
A single ticket valid for 90 minutes (with transfers) costs € 1.3
Bicycles in Ljubljana (bicikelj.si/en/home)
Easy access to bicycles throughout the city with pre-registration
1 week registration fee, 1 year registration fee, € 3
By train
Slovenia is served by Slovenian Railways.
Easy to travel within Slovenia and to Austria and Croatia.
Taxi start (normal rate)€ 2.00 Taxi 1 kilometer (normal rate)€ 1.00
4.Safety
The country is very safe, but illegal immigrants and foreign workers have been known to commit thefts, pickpocketing, and muggings.
Beware of gypsy neighborhoods – Murska sobota, Novo Mesto, etc.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
Police: 113
General emergency number: 112
5. Climate
The country has four seasons, and its geography (alpine, karst, and sea) gives it a mix of alpine, Mediterranean, and continental climates. Temperatures range from 1°C (34°F) to 29°C (84°F) throughout the year, with annual lows below -3°C (27°F) and annual highs above 33°C (91°F).
Northwest: Alpine climate zone
Northeast: Continental climate
Adriatic coast: Mediterranean climate
(5°C(41°F) or more difference in minimum temperature from inland)
6. price
The cost of living is generally low. There are plenty of bargains and delicious food.
Gasoline (1 liter)1.50 EUR
McDonald’s Combo Meal:6.50 EUR
Water (1.5 liters): 0.68 EUR
Milk (1 liter)1.10 EUR
7. Travel precautions
Water from taps and public drinking fountains in Slovenia is safe to drink. Drinking fountains are only open from April to October.
Public restrooms in Slovenia are free to use. In Ljubljana, you can follow the WC signs at train stations and in the Old Town. For families traveling with babies, there are also changing tables, which are rare in Europe.
Tourist Tex refund: If you spend at least €50 in a single shop on the same day, you can get your VAT refunded if you leave the EU within three months of the purchase.
If you bring in medication, you must have a doctor’s prescription in English to pass through.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
An invitation to a restaurant is seen as a polite gesture of courtesy and is gladly accepted.
Slovenians have a natural indirect communication style. They may seem reserved and somewhat unfriendly at first, but this quickly disappears once a relationship is established.
Tipping
Tipping is not widely practiced, but tourists are expected to tip. 5-10% of the total bill is a reasonable amount. Rather than calculating the cost of a tip for every meal, think of it as leaving some change. If the bill includes a service charge, you don’t need to tip.
10. Holidays
The following are the national public holidays for 2024:
1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day
2 Jan Tue New Year Holiday
8 Feb Thu Prešeren Day
31 Mar Sun Easter Sunday
1 Apr Mon Easter Monday
27 Apr Sat Resistance Day
1 May Wed May Day
2 May Thu May Day Holiday
19 May Sun Whit Sunday
25 Jun Tue National Day
15 Aug Thu Assumption Day
31 Oct Thu Reformation Day
1 Nov Fri All Saints’ Day
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day
26 Dec Thu Independence and Unity Day
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : New Year’s Day
Thursday, 2 January : New Year Holiday
Saturday, 8 February : Prešeren Day
Sunday, 20 April : Easter Sunday
Monday, 21 April : Easter Monday
Sunday, 27 April : Resistance Day
Thursday, 1 May : May Day
Friday, 2 May : May Day Holiday
Sunday, 8 June : Whit Sunday
Wednesday, 25 June : National Day
Friday, 15 August : Assumption Day
Friday, 31 October : Reformation Day
Saturday, 1 November : All Saints’ Day
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Friday, 26 December: Independence and Unity Day