Discovering Slovakia and Slovenia

Why Visit Slovakia and Slovenia?

We’ve always loved travel shows.  Our earliest introduction to such entertainment in the UK was via the BBC whose first travel show was called Holiday 69.  It ran until the 1990’s with the year in question always included in its title. The show lasted a mere 30 minutes and it was a long wait to find out where the destination would be the following week.  No video recording back then! This was also the time of the Soviet Union (USSR) and discovering Slovakia and Slovenia would never have crossed out minds. They didn’t exist as countries!

In 1974, the competitor network to BBC – ITV – launched its own travel show. ‘Wish You Were Here’. We loved that there was another opportunity to explore the world through the screen.

Travel writer and presenter, Michael Palin, then became a household name in 1989 with his show, ‘Around the world in 80 days.’  We bought all his books, reading them over and over.

And More Travel Shows Appeared

Fast forward to today with hundreds of channels on all sorts of hobbies, including dedicated travel programmes.  Viewers can choose to watch food travel shows, wildlife across the planet, celebrities travelling the globe sharing their experiences and even travel competitions such as ‘Race Across the World’ and ‘The Amazing Race’. 

‘Race across the World’

It was the BBC show Race Across the World‘ that inspired my trip to Slovakia and Slovenia. 

This show is basically about couples (mother and son; sister & brother; two friends; married couple etc) who race against each other for 6-8 weeks travelling across countries to reach the final destination first. 

Rules include no flying; work to a budget; be flexible; no phones. The journey may involve a detour so enjoy the adventure. 

Right, I thought.  I can do this on a smaller scale.  Where can I go? Think, Ruby – somewhere that you haven’t been – not too far? 

Checking the map of Europe, I made my plan.

1. Pick somewhere central – Slovakia and Slovenia.
2. Decide a budget – £400 to include everything using our Snag a Travel Deal post tips.
3. Target set to complete travel – 4nights/5 days;
4. Persuade a travel buddy to join you – my teacher friend, Sharon.

I prepped Sharon on the restrictions of our trip.

“10KG suitcase only; £400 budget; overland once we arrive; travelling by bus/train etc; an adventure or two along the way.”

“Great – I’m in!” she replied. 

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Day 1 in Bratislava, Slovakia

Slovakia was once part of the old Czech Republic but became independent from them in 1993.  

It’s situated right in the heart of Europe.  Whilst it may not have beaches, it has mountains to the north, the Danube River to the south, a huge amount of breathtaking UNESCO caves, fairytale castles and lakes. 

Bratislava, its capital, is the only capital city in the world that borders two countries – Austria and Hungary.  

How to Get to Bratislava

Flying to Bratislava, is quick from London (about 2 hours) and very reasonable with off-peak fares as low as £30 for a basic no frills fare.  A morning flight at 0830am meant we were there by 1145am.

With no baggage to collect, no delays and a prebooked shared taxi of £10, we arrived in the city in 20 minutes. Find out more about flights and fares into Bratislava from other countries with this link Flights into Bratislava.  

Where to stay in Bratislava

Our taxi dropped us in the city centre at Michael’s Gate Entrance which led us into the old town and our hotel. This is a really lovely entrance with cobbled streets, pretty little shops and inviting restaurants.  

We stayed at the Skaritz Hotel which was a great location.  Rooms were clean and  comfortable.  Breakfast was included with a good choice of food and drinks. A café terrace to watch daily life unfold and sip that crisp glass of wine was an added bonus.   

Best Things to Do in Bratislava

It is easy to spend a day here just wandering around the old town, also known as Stare Mesto.  You can’t really get lost as it is quite small so just go in the direction that takes your fancy.  There’s lots to see – stunning architecture, lots of churches, small museums, quirky street market stalls, courtyards, statues, cafes and restaurants, street artists and fountains.  

Try this Old Town Walking Guide  which highlights some of the most interesting parts of Bratislava.

The  central point in old town Bratislava is the Main Square, which has been the hub of the town for centuries.  Surrounded by landmarks, look out for the Old Town Hall which was built in 1599.

It is one of the oldest building in the country. Today, it houses a museum all about the town’s history. You can climb the tower which we did for wonderful views of the city.

If you arrive here in the winter months, the Main Square is home to Bratislava’s Christmas fair. The entire area is decorated, and vendors set up stalls throughout the square. You’ll find souvenirs, boiled wine, beer, and many different Slovak foods. 

Enjoy strolling and spot the statues!

Theatre & Street Entertainment in Bratislava

Slovak National Theatre of drama, opera and ballet is the oldest professional theatre in Slovakia. I really liked this building – the fountain outside was so pretty and we sat there for some time, watching street artists entertain passers-by.

Performances take place here on most days of the year, so if you’re a passionate theatre goer, check the program in advance, so as not to miss anything worthy. 

Tree-lined avenues from here lead onto Hviezdoslav Square. It’s a beautiful place to walk around, with memorials to national figures and lots of history. The square has been here for over 1000 years.  

Now it’s mainly pedestrianised. We enjoyed watching locals play chess with giant chess pieces – a game I still need to master!

I have to mention some of the statues around the city; they’re great fun when you spot them especially the Cumil Statue. Check the walking tour guide above for more details.

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Day 2 – Bratislava to Vienna

Five countries border Slovakia – Poland, Austria, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Hungary.  When I looked at the map more closely, I could see we were really close to Vienna in Austria. Mmm now that got me thinking…

8am – “Sharon, are you up for a day out in Vienna?”…  of course, she was! 

So beyond discovering Slovakia and Slovenia we were off on a bonus trip to stylist Vienna.

 A check of the train timetable from Bratislava showed an hourly service of 67 minutes with a return fare costing around €20.  An online booking via Trainline Bratislava to Vienna and a 5 minute bus ride from just outside the old town gate took us to the station. 

Arriving in Vienna, a  5 minute stop on the metro took us to St Stephens station and the centre of Vienna before mid-day. 

5 Things to Do in Vienna On A Day Trip

1. Stroll around the Gardens at Belvedere Palace. They’re  free and the flowers are simply beautiful (fee to go into the Palace itself)
2. Admire the incredible architecture of St Stephen’s Cathedral – it’s over 700 years old. You can admire from outside but also go inside where you can climb to the top.Some some parts there is an entrance fee. 
3. Coffee and Cake – without question, you have to enjoy Vienese cakes – they’re simply delicious – so hard to choose from – you might just have to sample a few!
4. Take in a Viennese Classical Concert – there are lots of venues offering this – if you have time, try it.  Unfortunately on our day ticket, we ran out of time but from snippets we heard, it sounded wonderful.  A popular choice was Vivaldi’s  ‘ Four Seasons’ and of course Mozart  and Stausse concerts were on offer too. 
5. Visit the Spanish Riding School – the horses that Vienna are famous for can be seen here. You can also take a horse and carriage ride around the city. If you do, you’ll see beautiful buildings such as the Opera House.

Why Vienna is Worth A Day Trip

This daytrip wasn’t planned before we left the UK,  but the beauty of being in central Europe means it is so easy to travel around by train so take advantage of it! It’s also worth noting that staying in Vienna is expensive.

So if you want to visit this city, taking a full day trip from Bratislava is a great option.  You get to see the sights while avoiding paying high hotel prices in Austria.

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Day 3 : From Slovakia to Slovenia

With a bit of research on discovering Slovakia and Slovenia independently, I’dd worked out  travelling by bus was the cheapest option between the two countries. Flixbus offered the best deal. I prebooked our seats.  

The distance between the cities of Bratislava and Ljubljana (capital of Slovenia) is 461km.  Our total travel time on the bus was around 6 hours.  The fare was $36/£30 one way.  Now that’s a bargain!  Definitely check them out as an option for travelling between cities in Europe.  

Choose your times to suit your day- we spent a couple of hours pottering around Bratislava before getting the bus later in the day arriving in Ljubljana in the evening. The journey was comfortable – it made several pick-up stops along the way but it pretty much stuck to the schedule.

 From the bus station in Ljubljana, a 5-10 minute walk took us to our hotel – City Hotel Ljubljana. This modern three star hotel was in a perfect location and at £80 per room a night including breakfast, it was well within our budget. It has an amazing terrace where breakfast is served. 

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Day 4 – Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia until 1991 when it became independent,  Its capital, Ljubljana is one of Europe’s smallest cities – only two million people live in Slovenia, and just 292,000 in the capital.

As a city, it is delightful.  The centre reminded me of a mini-Amsterdam with serveral bridges linking the two sides of the city. It’s small and so easy to walk around and explore.  

How to Explore Ljubljana in a Day

Ljubljana is very walkable. Everything is very central and easy to find.  Signposts guide you around the city.  You really can’t get lost so just enjoy it.  Here’s 4 things to enjoy whilst exploring the city. 

Visit Ljubljana Castle

This stunning castle, which overlooks the city,  is Ljubljana’s most well-known landmark. Originally built in the 11th century, it has undergone many additions and renovations.

There are several ways to access the castle, with the easiest being a 70m-long funicular ride that leaves from the Old Town not far from the central market area.  There’s also an hourly tourist train  and several walking routes.  

We chose to walk up and take the funicular down.  Probably best to do it the other way round as although it wasn’t a hard climb up it was quite steep.  At the castle, the courtyard area and some towers are free to wander around.  Check out the Castle Guide for more information.  

Enjoy the River and its Bridges

As a river city, Ljubljana features several interesting bridges. Cobblers’ Bridge was named after shoemakers who lived and worked on the bridge. Dragon Bridge is a beautiful bridge and draws many visitors and photographers with its iconic dragon statues.

The Triple Bridge features an 1842 bridge and two newer bridges built to ease traffic. Visitors can walk down stairways to enjoy terraces along the Ljubljanica River.

Definitely sit in one of the cafes along the river and enjoy an evening refreshment.  You can join a River Cruise too which we did – 45 minutes relaxing ride on the water for 12 Euros.   

Browse Ljubljana’s Central Markets

Of course, we visited the markets! They’re right in the centre of the city. You’ll find stalls selling herbs, spices and handicrafts, while further along are bakery stalls, cured meat, dried fruit and nuts, dairy products, fresh fruit and veg and fish.  The market is open every day except Sunday.

Ljubljana’s Central Market is more than just a place to shop. Traditionally, it has also been a place for the locals to meet and enjoy themselves together. Like all markets, they’re fun to explore. 

Relax in City Squares & Check Out Statues

If there’s an event going on in Ljubljana there’s a good chance it will happen in Prešeren Square. The square takes its name from the 19th-century poet France Prešeren whose work “Zdravljica”, “A Toast”, became Slovenia’s national anthem.

You can find his statue next to the Central Pharmacy, across the square from his unrequited love and muse Julija Primic. Admire the architecture here – it’s wonderful. 

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Day 5: Explore Lake Bled in Slovenia

The brilliant thing about Slovenia is that its small size means it’s relatively easy to get from the capital to other highlights. If you have time, do go to Lake Bled  – it is magical.  Here you can swim, hike, walk, visit a castle and an island all in one day!   It’s only a 50-minute drive away. 

A taxi will cost £75 one way. By far the cheapest option is to catch a bus – they’re frequent (hourly) from the bus station, only take 57 mins and fares are around £12 for a return fare.  Check out the Bus Timetable. 

Top things to do on a day out at Lake Bled

• Stroll around the entire lake – it’s only 6km.  It’s simply stunning and a really easy walk. You can hire bikes if you prefer.  There’s lots of spots to stop on around the lake whether it’s for drinks, snacks or to sit and have your own picnic. It will take a while to get around as if you’re like me, you’ll be constantly stopping to get photographs. 
• Take a boat to Bled Island in the centre of the lake. It will cost you about £20 if you hire your own boat to get there (rental shops around the lake to choose from). Alternatively, you can buy a ticket to board a pletna (traditional small boat with a canopy) and join others (around £12 a person) – a good option but obviously you have to fit in with the allocated time slot.  
• On the island, there’s a Baroque church called Church of the Assumption where many couples come to pledge their eternal love to each other. How romantic!  There is a small charge to go into the church. 99 steps take you down to the water’s edge to get your boat back.  

And There’s More to See in Slovenia!

• Hike up to 1000 year old Bled Castle.  There’s amazing views from up here. It’s only about a 15 minute walk from the lake. The path up  is good enough but it’s fairly steep so take some water with you.  You can visit the castle if you have time.  Entrance charge is from Euros 15. Check out the Official Bled Castle Website for more information.
• Go for a swim. If you visit in the summer, don’t forget to pack your swimming things. The lake is so inviting and even if you don’t swim, you’ll definitely want to sit on the edge and dangle your feet in the water.
• Sample the famous Bled Cake. The cake consists of puff pastry with delicious cream and custard, and it dates back to the 18th century.

The ‘Race is Over’

We flew back directly from Ljubljana to London with Easyjet paying around £50 for our oneway fare. We kept to our budget and even had a few euros left over!  Slovakia and Slovenia really are wonderful parts of central Europe to explore.

Sharon, you were a fabulous travel partner – thank you! No need for our How to Stay Friends on Holiday tips!

If you have the time, go discover Slovenia and Slovakia for longer.

Why not set yourself your own ‘Race across the World’ challenge – it’s a whole load of fun! I’m looking at Finland to Lithuania via Estonia and Latvia!