We spent eight days exploring Slovenia with kids, splitting our time between the capital city of Ljubljana and the alpine beauty of Lake Bled. The country is home to just over two million people and borders Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. It might look tiny on the map, but within a short drive you can move from mountains to lakes, caves, castles, or even the seaside.
In the north, the Julian Alps bring dramatic peaks, clear rivers, and scenic hiking trails. Head south and you’ll find remarkable caves and a castle built straight into a cliff. Keep going and Slovenia’s short stretch of Adriatic coastline offers colourful towns and fresh seafood. Because travel distances are never long, it’s an easy country to explore with kids — no endless hours in the car.
During our three nights in Ljubljana, we wandered the small but lively city, played in Tivoli Park, tried Slovenian food and ice cream, and took a day trip to the famous Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. From there, we based ourselves at Lake Bled for five nights, cycling, taking a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island, and heading out on day trips to Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bohinj.
If you’re planning a family trip to Slovenia, this itinerary shows how much you can see in a week, how easy it is to get around, and what kids of different ages might enjoy most.
Getting to and around Slovenia
We flew from Paris to Ljubljana, a short flight of just under two hours. From there, it was only a 20 minutes drive into the city for the first part of our stay.
If you’re planning to explore Slovenia with kids beyond the capital, renting a car is the way to go. Public transport works well within Ljubljana, but it’s not ideal for reaching caves, castles, gorges, or alpine lakes. We booked our car for the week through Discover Cars, collecting it at the airport on arrival and returning it there at the end — simple, efficient, and much easier with kids than relying on limited bus routes.
Days 1-2: Exploring Ljubljana with kids
We started our trip with three nights in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital. It’s a small, walkable city that’s perfect for exploring with kids. The old town stretches along the Ljubljanica River, where three bridges, including the iconic Triple Bridge, connect lively streets filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants. During our two full days in Ljubljana, we mostly wandered at our own pace. With no cars in the pedestrian zone, the kids could run ahead safely while we admired the pastel-coloured buildings and riverside views.
We stayed at the InterContinental Ljubljana, which turned out to be a perfect base for visiting the city with kids. The hotel was close enough to walk to the old town and main square but still in a quieter area for winding down at the end of the day. The kids loved swimming in the small indoor hotel pool after hours of exploring. Breakfast was pretty good, with sweeping views over the city.
Ljubljana Castle
Perched atop a green hill in the heart of Ljubljana, Ljubljana Castle dominates the skyline and is impossible to miss. You can reach it either by climbing the steps or taking the funicular, which is fun for both kids and adults. If you’d rather not go inside, the castle grounds are free to explore. We skipped the museum this time and focused on taking in the city views from above.
Dragon Bridge
We stopped by the Dragon Bridge while wandering through Ljubljana, and it was a fun little pause for the kids. The bridge is famous for its dragon statues guarding each corner. As you explore the city, you’ll notice dragons everywhere — on buildings, in bookstores, and in souvenir shops. According to legend, Jason and the Argonauts fought a dragon near the Ljubljanica River, which is said to have inspired the city’s dragon symbol. Dragons have been associated with Ljubljana since the Middle Ages and remain a proud symbol of the city today.
Preseren Square
We spent some time at Prešernov trg (Preseren Square), home to the striking pink Church of the Annunciation and a natural central meeting point right next to the Triple Bridge. It’s a perfect spot to pause and take in the lively atmosphere of Ljubljana. If you’re visiting in the summer like we did, the square also offers a fun way to cool down. Its unique sprinkler system in the center lets visitors experience what the city cheekily calls “Ljubljana’s own weather.” It was a hit with the kids and a refreshing break from the heat.
Tivoli Park
One hot morning, we made our way to Tivoli Park, a huge green space on the edge of Ljubljana. The park is a mix of woodland paths and manicured lawns, with playgrounds scattered throughout — perfect for letting the kids run off some energy. There’s even a mini-golf course if you want to linger a little longer. From the heart of the Old Town, it’s just a 20-minute walk, making it an easy and refreshing escape from the city streets.
Food and ice cream breaks
Slovenian food is hearty and surprisingly kid-friendly. We tried traditional dishes like štruklji (rolled dumplings) and grilled meats, and ice cream quickly became part of our daily routine. Romantika was our family favourite for gelato, Figovec was a highlight for traditional Slovenian fare, and Julija provided a delicious dinner along a street lined with outdoor terraces. Of course, no trip to Slovenia is complete without trying the famous dessert Bled cream cake. Another dessert we loved was Prekmurska gibanica, a layered cake with poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, raisins and quark fillings.
Ljubljana’s Covered Market is worth a visit too. Designed by Plečnik, it houses a variety of small food shops under a colonnade, with a farmers’ market just across the square on most days. If you are visiting Ljubljana between March and October, check out Open Kitchen on Fridays, where more than a dozen local restaurants set up food stalls. It is a fun way to try a variety of Slovenian dishes and experience the city’s vibrant food scene.
Evenings in Ljubljana are magical. Locals, tourists, and families fill the riverfront, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere that makes strolling even more fun.
Day 3: Day trip from Ljubljana – Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle
From Ljubljana, we took one of the most memorable day trips of our holiday to Postojna Cave. A small train carried us deep underground into a breathtaking world of stalactites and stalagmites, and even our youngest was wide eyed with wonder the entire time. After the cave, we continued to nearby Predjama Castle, a dramatic fortress built into the side of a cliff that felt straight out of a fairy tale.
Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave is one of those places in Slovenia that you simply have to see. We visited in August and booked our tickets online about two weeks in advance — something I definitely recommend as it is one of the most popular attractions in the country. Parking was simple (€6 for the day), just a five minute walk from the entrance, and we chose the combined ticket for Postojna Cave and nearby Predjama Castle.
Our time slot was 10:45 but we did not actually enter until about 11:15, so expect some waiting even with a reservation. The experience starts with a small train that takes you almost three and a half miles underground. The kids loved this part, and even the adults were wide-eyed as we plunged into the darkness. Once the train stops, the walking tour begins — about an hour at a slow pace. Paths are non slip and easy to manage, but there are some gentle inclines. Inside it is around 10 degrees Celsius, so bring a jacket or long sleeves.
The scale of the cave is breathtaking. You see thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, in every shape and colour. Some are long and thin like spaghetti, others are glowing white or tinged red. Our guide also pointed out that the cave is rich in biodiversity, and we even saw two olm salamanders in a glass tank. These rare creatures can live for decades in complete darkness and are endemic to underground rivers and lakes in Slovenia.
The whole visit takes about 90 minutes, finishing with another train ride back to the entrance. You can also get a special stamp for postcards in the gift shop, a fun extra for the kids. Photos cannot capture how extraordinary Postojna Cave is. If you are planning a trip to Slovenia with kids or without, make sure it is on your itinerary.
Predjama Castle
After visiting Postojna Cave, we considered the cafés nearby, but most looked quite touristy and unappealing. Instead, we drove a few minutes toward Predjama Castle and stopped for lunch at Gostilna Predjamska, a lovely restaurant with an outdoor terrace that looks straight onto the castle. The food was homemade and delicious, with surprisingly healthy options like a vegan buckwheat bowl alongside hearty local dishes. It was a perfect break before exploring the castle itself.
Predjama Castle is unlike any other we have seen. From the outside it looks straight out of a fairy tale, dramatically built into the side of a cliff with caves running behind and beneath it. Inside, we wandered through old chambers, climbed narrow stairways, and explored hidden passages. The kids loved hearing stories about the knight who once lived there and imagining what life would have been like in such an unusual fortress.
What makes Predjama Castle so special is not the interior décor, which is fairly simple, but the way the entire structure merges with the natural rock face. It feels less like a traditional palace and more like a fortress carved out of the mountain itself. The combination of history, legend, and setting made this one of the most memorable stops of our trip.
Day 4-8: Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bohinj
After spending three nights in Ljubljana, we moved on to Lake Bled for the rest of our trip. We used Bled as our base for exploring nearby gems such as Lake Bohinj and the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge. There’s no shortage of accommodation around Lake Bled, but one that we liked is the Rikli Balance Hotel. The hotel has spacious family rooms and a large wellness area with multiple pools that guests can use for free.
If you are short on time, you can still experience the magic of Lake Bled on a day trip from Ljubljana. It is only about an hour away by car or bus, making it an easy addition to any Slovenia itinerary. But if your schedule allows, staying overnight at Lake Bled gives the chance to explore at a slower pace, enjoy the lake in the early morning or evening, and fit in more family-friendly activities. For more details on what we did in Lake Bled, you can read my post Lake Bled with Kids: Our Fun Family Adventure in Slovenia.
Set at the foot of the Julian Alps, the 2.1 km–long Lake Bled is Slovenia’s most famous attraction. With its dazzling turquoise waters, a medieval castle perched on a cliff, and a fairy-tale island with the Church of the Assumption, it looks like a postcard come to life. When Slovenia was still part of Yugoslavia, Lake Bled was a fashionable resort for Austro-Hungarian aristocrats and later a favourite escape of President Josip Broz Tito, who built his summer villa here. Today, that villa is the four-star Hotel Vila Bled, where Tito’s 100 m² presidential suite can still be booked as a room.
What we loved most at Lake Bled with kids
1. Taking a traditional pletna boat to explore Bled Island
On our first morning at Lake Bled with kids, we took a traditional wooden pletna boat to Bled Island, a tiny postcard-perfect islet in the middle of Slovenia’s only alpine lake. These handcrafted boats, steered by a single oarsman, have been run by local families for generations. The ride takes about 20 minutes, and tickets are paid in cash on board (€20 for adults, €10 for kids up to 10 years old). Our children loved spotting fish in the clear emerald water along the way.
Once on the island, you get around 45 minutes to explore. The highlight is the 99 stone steps leading up to the Church of the Assumption, where you can ring the wishing bell for good luck. There’s also a small souvenir shop, a café, and an ice cream stall. Walking the island takes only 15 minutes, but it is worth slowing down to enjoy the views before heading back across the lake.
2. Biking around Lake Bled
The path around Lake Bled is about 6 km, flat, and very manageable with children and strollers. Walking it would have taken us around 2 hours to walk at a relaxed pace with kids, but we decided to rent bikes to make it more fun. The kids loved the freedom of cycling, and we stopped often to take photos. The cycling path is shared with walkers, which is probably the only downside. Go earlier in the morning for a smoother ride. Later in the day, you may find yourself weaving between walkers as you try to cycle past. If you’re visiting Lake Bled with teenagers, renting an e-bike is a fun way to explore further. You can cycle through nearby villages, countryside, or even plan day trips to Lake Bohinj or Vintgar Gorge.
3. Exploring Bled Castle
Perched on a cliff 130 meters above Lake Bled, Bled Castle is the oldest in Slovenia, first mentioned in 1011. It began as a single tower and grew over time into the fortress you see today. From below it looks imposing, but once inside, the castle grounds are compact and easy to explore with kids. The uphill walk from town took about 20 minutes. The climb is steep but short, and even our two managed it without complaints. At the top, the reward is incredible views of Lake Bled with its tiny island – worth the effort on their own.
Inside the castle, much of the museum isn’t especially geared toward children, though one room with interactive science displays kept them busy. The real highlight for both kids and adults was the medieval printing workshop. Using an old wooden press, the children inked a plate and stamped their own parchment sheet, which they proudly carried home as a keepsake.
4. Ziplining at Dolinka Bled
We tried the Zipline Dolinka, and my older child gave it a big thumbs up. The course runs across the Dolinka River and is made up of several different ziplines strung between platforms. The guides take safety very seriously, and once you’re clipped in, it’s just pure fun. The highlight was soaring above the river with the mountains in the distance, a really memorable way to experience Bled’s nature. I’d say it’s best suited for older kids (around 10+) and teenagers who want a bit more adventure.
Day trip from Lake Bled: Vintgar Gorge
Hiking the Vintgar Gorge in Slovenia with kids was easily one of the highlights of our week in the country. The trail is very family-friendly, which meant it was an adventure we could all enjoy together. Having said that, the gorge isn’t pram-friendly. I’d agree with the official advice to avoid it with children under three. With stairs, narrow paths, and uneven terrain, it’s just not suitable for little ones in strollers. For us, with kids aged five and ten, it worked perfectly. A nice surprise at the entrance was the kids’ activity booklet (available in English). It turned the trail into a little treasure hunt. At each numbered stop, the children solved an activity and collected a sticker for their “passport”. I’d definitely recommend picking one up if you’re visiting Vintgar Gorge with kids.
The first section of the trail takes you through the gorge itself: a 1.6 km wooden walkway clinging to the cliffs above the turquoise river. Water rushed beneath our feet, spilling into emerald pools and cascading over small waterfalls. Every few minutes, we stopped to soak it all in. It took us about 45 minutes to cover this part of the trail. From here, you can’t retrace your steps (the gorge is one-way). Instead, you choose between two return routes: the longer Alpine Trail or the shorter, shaded Forest Trail. With kids, the decision was easy — we took the Forest Trail, which was long but not too demanding. Both routes eventually loop back to the visitor centre or shuttle stop. All in, the hike took us about three hours, with plenty of breaks for photos, water, and just sitting still to enjoy the scenery.
I’ve written a full guide on Visiting Vintgar Gorge with Kids with all the practical details and what to expect at each stage of the hike.
Day trip from Lake Bled: Lake Bohinj
Just 30 minutes drive from Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj feels like a completely different world. Wilder, less developed, and more natural, it’s the kind of place where you really feel like you’ve escaped the crowds. There are fewer cafés and facilities than at Bled, but that’s exactly what gives Bohinj its charm and why it never feels overrun.
The lake itself is much bigger than Bled. Cycling or walking around it takes quite a bit longer (a full loop can take 2–3 hours by bike, compared with about an hour at Bled). With rain clouds rolling in, we decided against bikes and instead went for a gentle walk along the lakeshore. The water is beautifully clear, and the kids loved spotting fish and ducks as we strolled. We saw families swimming and plenty of kayakers gliding across the calm water. If the weather had been sunnier, we’d have loved to rent a canoe or kayak too. Swimming is allowed almost anywhere in the lake, which makes it easy to find your own quiet spot.
If you’re visiting Lake Bohinj with younger kids and don’t want to commit to a long walk, there’s also an electric boat service that crosses from one end of the lake to the other.
Ideas to extend your stay in Slovenia
If we had a little more time in Slovenia, there are a few other places we’ve been recommended and read about that sound well worth visiting.
One that keeps coming up is the Slovenian coast, especially Piran. It looks like the prettiest seaside town with narrow Venetian-style streets and terracotta rooftops. People say there aren’t sandy beaches, but that families swim right off the rocks and little jetties.
Another suggestion we came across is heading into Triglav National Park and the Soča Valley. The photos of the river are unbelievable. From what I’ve read, it is a great spot for rafting, kayaking, or just family-friendly walks where the scenery is the highlight.
We’ve also heard that the Logar Valley in the north of the country is a real beauty. It seems to be more about peaceful alpine meadows and easy walking trails than high-adrenaline adventures, which makes it sound perfect for kids to explore at a slower pace.
The nice thing is that Slovenia is small, so these are all reachable as day trips from Ljubljana if you want to add them in.
More on Slovenia
Hiking the Vintgar Gorge in Slovenia with Kids – practical details and our own experience of hiking with kids.
Lake Bled with Kids – what we enjoyed the most, where we stayed and day drips we took.
Feel free to leave questions in the comments below or share your own Slovenian experiences for other travellers.
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