Tips from one guide: How to choose other guides in Slovenia

Greetings!

If we don't know each other yet, let me introduce myself. My name is Ivan Goncharenko, and I'm a private guide in Slovenia. I've been working in tourism for many years, and I offer personalized tours of the country, from classic routes like Bled and the Karst caves to lesser-known destinations that are rarely visited by large tourist groups. You can find more information about me and my offers on the main page of this website

Slovenia is a small country, but it offers a wide range of experiences. In one day, you can see alpine lakes, medieval cities, wineries, and even the Adriatic Sea. This is why a good guide is especially important: without them, many interesting places go unnoticed.

Of course, before talking about other specialists, I would be happy if you contacted me directly. However, if our dates do not align for some reason or you want to explore different options, let's explore how to find the right guide in Slovenia (and beyond) and what to look for.

Do you need a private guide at all?

Many tourists start their search with phrases like "excursions in Slovenia" or "tours from Ljubljana." This wording will most likely lead you to aggregator websites that offer various group tour options. However, there is a significant difference between a group tour and a private guide.

A good guide can transform even a standard itinerary, such as a trip to Lake Bled or Logar Valley, into a truly memorable experience. He will tell a story, show unexpected places, help you avoid queues and adapt the program to your interests.

Why would I recommend contacting my colleagues?

It seems that other guides are competitors. But in reality it's quite the opposite.

The time from May to October in Slovenia is a very busy period for a guide. Many tour guides are busy for weeks and months ahead. I have May and September usually almost completely booked by the end of the previous year. And when I can't take an order, it's important for me to know who I can safely hand over my guests to.

Because if people leave satisfied, they will:

recommend the trip to their friends
come back again
tell others about their experience

And that's where everyone wins. Besides that you will find them anyways if looking further in Google or asking some recommendations on Facebook or somewhere else. Here is a timesaver: a number of great destination specialist on the same page with their contact details.

Where to find a private guide in Slovenia

There are two main options.

1. Aggregator platforms

These are websites that connect tourists and guides and charge a commission. But there is a nuance, because there are two types of such sites. The first is a platform where a guide presents themselves for free. There you can post your excursions, basic information and experience, etc. But you won't be able to share contact details on the page, and more often than not, you won't even be able to see the guide's last name. This is because these platforms earn money by selling ready-made travel products to customers for a commission. The commission is paid by the customer. In most cases, this is 15-20% of the tour price, but it can reach up to 30, and sometimes even higher. Such platforms are characterized by a rather aggressive advertising campaign, and most often you will find them by opening Google for the right query. For many, it's safer this way, because there is an intermediary who is responsible (theoretically) if something goes wrong. In practice, however, no one is responsible there (which is even written in the rules), and if you order several tours at once, the total cost may be seriously higher than what the guides offer directly.

The most classic examples of such sites are:

GetYourGuide
Viator

Plus - it is convenient to book.

Minus - the price is often higher due to the commission, the impossibility of coordinating the program by preferences - choosing from what is available.

There are also aggregators of the second type. On these sites, the guides pay for their own accommodation, and you can see their contact information and full names. These sites are less profitable, so there are fewer of them and their advertising is not as noticeable. However, the prices are more reasonable, and there is also flexibility: you can contact the guide directly and discuss the itinerary.

Examples:

GetYourGuide
Viator

2. Social media

There's always the option to search on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. Guides are almost always present on these platforms, and you can contact them directly. Additionally, you can check out specialized groups where guides are being sought. For example, on Facebook, you can write, and someone will definitely respond. However, there's a common issue with social media platforms, which is the lack of structure. This means that it's not always clear what exactly is being offered, and reviews (at best) are in the form of saved screenshots or comments, with no structured descriptions of the offers.

3. Personal websites of guides

This, in my opinion, is the best option. Here you will find a tour guide to your liking and you will be able to discuss routes directly.

On such sites you:

can see contact details
communicate directly
do not overpay intermediaries
see the product and all its features

You can also search for guides through:

Tripadvisor
Google Maps
Yandex maps

Reviews are usually more real there than on personal pages.

What types of guides actually exist?

In Slovenia, as in other places around the world, there are several types of guides. The differences may be noticeable or not, but the main thing is still the presence or absence of a state (or local) license. In some countries, authorities are hunting for illegal guides, while in others, they feel more comfortable. In Slovenia, there is no great strictness, but there is a shortage of specialists during the season. Therefore, the employment of unqualified specialists is practiced even in serious travel companies. This is, however, presented gently and most often in the format of a "driver guide", when the guide can explain on the bus, but does not have the right to go out and tell something on the street.

1. Driver Guides

These are people who offer a transfer and an excursion at the same time. In this case, we are not talking about certified guides, but rather about taxi drivers who offer tours around the country. In fact, there is nothing really wrong with this. If you are comfortable with this format, it is a viable option. However, taxi drivers often charge for these services as if they were excursions, making them less cost-effective.

Pros:

They know the roads
Sometimes they are cheaper

Cons:

the historical part is sometimes quite superficial
in general, this is more often the format of brought-drove

2. Young guides

In recent years, many new specialists have appeared in Slovenia. Tourism is actively developing, and many young people take courses and get a license.

3. Guides-photographers

They are on Instagram and usually arrange "photo tours". Not the kind of photo tours where you're taken on a long journey to crawl through forests with professional equipment, learn how to compose your shots, and sit in ambush for hours to capture a single unique image. In this case, a "photo tour" is more like a one-day journey to interesting locations, with a collection of beautiful photos as a memento. This format is perfect if what you're looking for is a light and unobtrusive trip with memorable photos. I sometimes engage in such activities myself. It's not intentional! However, it's often the case that guests require precisely this. Well...the master-barin!

They know:

beautiful views
the best photo points
the time of sunsets

But sometimes the historical and informational part of such tours is usually minimal.

4. Professional licensed guides

These are classic tour guides.

They usually have:

a license
museum accreditation
a lot of experience

They know how to not just show places, but also tell a story.

How much do private tours cost in Slovenia

Prices can vary greatly.

The average range in 2026 is:

A walking tour of Ljubljana

100-150 €

A private car tour

300-450 € per day per group.

The price usually includes:

transportation
guide services
parking and roads.

How to choose a good guide

There are three main criteria.

1. Price

Too cheap tours are rarely good.

As in the market - tomatoes can cost 2 € or 5 €, but the taste will be different.

2. Specialization

Someone knows perfectly well:

Alpine routes
hiking
city history
wine regions

It is better to choose a guide for a specific interest.

3. Personal feeling

This is the most important point.

You should be:

comfortable to communicate
interesting to listen
pleasant to spend time.

After all, the tour is a few hours or even a whole day together.

Guides in Slovenia whom I totally recommend

Below you can find a small list of excellent specialists. Obviously I don't put my name into this list, but would be flattered if you choose to contact me. This is not an advertising and not a rating - just guides with good reviews and experience.

Marina Goncharenko

Well, with your permission, I will put the wife in the first place. It doesn't seem very fair, although it's my article, so I can do whatever I want! Seriously, she has a lot of experience, and the reviews are excellent, so I can recommend her with a clear conscience. She works with small groups and creates custom tours.

+386 6 994 17 44

anira.timoshenko@gmail.com

Tjaša Janovljak

Licensed tour guide from Ljubljana.

Specializes in:

the history of the capital
architecture
custom tours of the old town

Conducts tours in English and Spanish

https://www.sloveniaincolours.com/en/tours/

Bojana Petkovič

My colleague from Ljubljana who is mainly focused on tours of Ljubljana but also has a license for tours in Alpine Slovenia. Conducts tours in English and Spanish languages.

https://tourism-ljubljana.com/

Mateja Kregar Glihar

Experienced local guide with exceptional knowledge of Slovenia. One of the most experienced guides in Ljubljana.

Facts:

has been working as a guide since 1987
cultural historian
museum licenses

Guides in:

English
German
Italian
Serbian
Croatian.

Conducts:

tours in Ljubljana
tours in Slovenia

https://sloveniaguides.si/en/

Mitja Šorn

One of the famous mountain guides in Slovenia.

Specialization:

climbing in the Julian Alps
hiking in the Triglav National Park
climbing on Triglav

https://www.triglavguides.com/en/homepage/