Slovenia is located in Central Europe, bordering Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy. Magnificent landscapes, the beautiful Adriatic coast, the hospitality of the people and a surprising diversity have been captivating more and more travelers for several years – and rightly so! See andyeducation for education in Slovenia.
| Capital City | Ljubljana |
| Size | 20,273 km² |
| Resident | 2,064,241 |
| Official Language | Slovenian, regional: Italian, Hungarian |
| Currency | Euro |
| Time Zone | UTC+1/+2 |
| Telephone Area Code | +386 |
Fast facts to know
- Home of the Lipizzaner horses.
- Slovenia is the first country in the world to be declared a green tourist destination.
- There are many churches in Slovenia.
- As a German citizen, you can enter the country with a valid identity card for up to three months without a residence permit.
- The country has some really beautiful wine regions.
- The oldest vine in the world grows in Slovenia.
- Crafts, folklore and customs are important to Slovenes.
- Beekeeping has a tradition of more than 600 years in Slovenia.
- There are many ticks in Slovenia – repellents and TBE vaccination are recommended.
- The country has great winter sports areas.
Exciting cities in Slovenia
- Ljubljana
- bled
- Ptuj
- Bohinj
- Piran
- Twill
- Maribor
History of Slovenia
- 6th century Slavic ancestors of the Slovenes settle in the area of today’s Slovenia.
- 7th century Creation of the Principality of Carantania.
- 10th century. Settlement areas of the Alpine Slavs in Czechs, Slovaks and Slovenes are separated, Carantania is incorporated into the Duchy of Bavaria and thus into the East Franconian Empire.
- 13th century Large areas of today’s Slovenia become Habsburg and remain so until the First World War.
- 1918 Formation of a National Council of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, then foundation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
- 1929 Renamed Kingdom of Yugoslavia after King Alexander Karadordevic’s coup d’etat, increasing Serb dominance.
- World War II: occupied by Axis powers and divided among Italy, Germany, Hungary.
- 1945 Founding of the Democratic Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia.
- 1991 Declaration of Independence of Slovenia.
- 2004 accession to the EU.
Climate & travel weather in Slovenia
- Mainly temperate climate.
- Adriatic Coast: Mediterranean climate (warm summers, mild winters).
- Northeast: continental climate (hot summers, cold winters).
- Alps & Mountains: Alpine climate (moderately warm summers, very cold winters).
- Recommended travel time:
- May – September.
- Winter sports: Dec – March.
- Beach holiday: June – Sep.
- Alps: June – Sep.
Ideas for trips in Slovenia
- Škocjan Caves.
- Cave Castle Predjama.
- Experience Festival Lent in Maribor.
- Hiking in the Bohinj valley.
- Explore the alpine settlement of Velika planina.
- Postojna Cave.
- Climb the Triglav.
- Zipline adventure in Kranjska Gora.
- Guided tour of the Lipica Stud Farm.
- Train ride with steam-powered museum train.
- Celje Castle.
Eating & drinking in Slovenia
- Inspired by the kitchens of neighboring countries, including Austria, Hungary and Italy.
- Food combines old traditions and fresh ingredients.
- Porcini mushrooms and chanterelles very popular.
- Often used: wild berries, blueberries, raspberries, white beans.
- Local cuisine is particularly good and rich.
- Favorite Meat: Turkey, Beef, Pork, Horse.
- But trout and game are also often processed.
- Butcher plates & vegetable stews are popular.
- Good cheese and air-dried ham are also served.
- Desserts usually very substantial.
- Domestic beers: Union, Zlatorog and Laško.
- Fruit brandies very popular after a meal (e.g. slivovitz made from plums).
- Typical dishes:
- Gobova juha (thick cream soup with porcini, potatoes).
- Corba od pecurki sa krompirom (mushroom soup with potatoes, tomatoes). Jota (sauerkraut, colorful beans, bacon, potatoes as a stew, thickened with pearl barley).
- Njoki (Slovenian dumplings made from potato dough or semolina with a sauce made from mushrooms, gorgonzola or goulash).
- Kranjska klobasa (coarse Carniolan sausage, spicy).
- Paprikaz (chicken slices in eastern Slovenia, heartily seasoned with paprika).
- Zganci (a kind of polenta).
- Ovcji sir (aromatic feta cheese)
- Zlikrofi (dumplings filled with a mixture of potatoes, greaves, onions and marjoram).
Particularly scenic
- Vintgar Gorge
- Mesecez zaliv bay
- Logar Valley
- Lake Bled
- Triglav National Park
- Soca Valley
- Zelenci lake
