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Located between Balkan peninsula, Central and Western Europe, Slovenia is a small yet charming country that often gets overshadowed by its more popular neighbors such as Italy, Austria, and Croatia. However, this hidden gem of Europe is a must-visit destination for travelers who love to explore off-the-beaten-path places. Slovenia has a lot to offer, from its breathtaking landscapes to its rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine. So here they are: facts about Slovenia that will inspire you to plan your next trip to this underrated destination.
Slovenia is a very small, but incredibly interesting and diverse country. And, although most guests stop to explore only two attractions: Lake Bled and Postojna Cave with Predjama Castle, which is, in my opinion, a very unfortunate omission! Let's look at some interesting numbers and facts.
2.1 million is the approximate population of Slovenia, making it one of the least populated countries in Europe. Most residents speak Slovenian, although knowledge of English widely spread: up to 70% of people here speak at least A2 English. There are also bilingual regions: Slovenian-Italian in the southwest, coast and Slovenian-Hungarian in the east. More than 80% of the population are Slovenians. There are also many Italians, Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks living there.
3500-4000 Euro is the approximate cost of a square meter of housing in Ljubljana in 2024. This means that a small 1.5-2 room apartment of 50 square meters will cost about 200 thousand Euro, which is not that cheap. A 100-120 square meters house in a small settlement 20-30 min drive from Ljubljana would be 200-250 thousand Euro. Of course, Ljubljana is the capital and the most expensive place in the country and the cost of housing, for example in Maribor or Celje, can be half the price.
20,273 square kilometers is the area of Slovenia, making it one of the smallest countries in Europe. On European mainland only Montenegro and Luxembourg, as well as all "microstates" (Andorra, Monaco, Vatican, etc.) are smaller than Slovenia. However, despite its small size, you can find many natural and historical attractions here. There are so many of them that you can travel around Slovenia for several weeks without any problems.
60% is the share of forested territory in Slovenia. A variety of forests can be found here, including dense coniferous and deciduous forests. The most common species are spruce, fir, beech, oak and hornbeam. In percentage terms, Slovenia is the second most forested country in Europe.
2864 meters is the height of Mount Triglav, the highest point in Slovenia. It is not only the highest point in Slovenia and the Julian Alps, but also the national symbol of the country. The mountain is located in the Triglav National Park, which was created in 1924 and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia, as well as the only national park. Slovenia has several mountain ranges, the main ones being the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke Range.
46 kilometers is the length of the Slovenian coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Here you can find beautiful beaches, picturesque towns and cozy harbors. The Slovenian coast is quite small, but incredibly picturesque! The Mediterranean climate, with its typical vegetation, strikingly distinguishes this area from other parts of Slovenia. Well, local towns (like Piran), vineyards and olive groves add amazing charm to the Slovenian coast.
1700 is the approximate total number of lakes in Slovenia, of which Bled and Bohinj are the most famous. Both lakes are popular tourist spots and offer a variety of activities. The exact number of lakes in the country is a matter of debate and subject to interpretation. But there are definitely a lot of them here and they are extremely picturesque!
80-100 Euro is the approximate average cost of a room for two in Ljubljana or another tourist city in Slovenia in the spring-autumn period. Most often, this price would include breakfast. It is a little cheaper in winter, and more expensive in summer.
About 400 is the number of castles in Slovenia. The number of castles here is huge and this is especially noticeable given the small size of the country. Very often, from one of the castles you can see the neighboring one. The oldest is Bled Castle on a picturesque cliff above the lake, the most famous and visited is in Ljubljana, and the largest is the former residence of the Counts of Celje in Celje. Standing apart is Predjama Castle, a unique symbol of the country and one of the most photographed attractions in Slovenia.
5 – number of sites in Slovenia recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among them are Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana, Škocjan caves, and the mercury mines of Idrija. Also, 4 objects are candidates for receiving this status.
3.9 million is the number of foreign tourists visiting Slovenia in 2022. Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the Slovenian economy, making a significant contribution to its development. Of course, when compared with neighboring Croatia, Slovenian tourism is certainly less significant: the share of tourism in GDP is more than 24-26% in Croatia, versus 10-11% in Slovenia. The figure in 2023 was slightly higher, but there is no exact data yet.
13-16 Euro is the average cost of a dish in a restaurant. There are also quite a lot of places to offer less sophisticated, but tasty and ample foods for 8-10 Euro per portion. In most cafes, the portions are very generous and one of these is enough to have a full lunch or dinner. Soups would cost 4-6 euros, but seafood lovers will have to add about 20-25% to the estimated price. A glass of simple Cvicek wine costs 1.5-2 euros when a good local teran or orange wine costs 3.5-5 euros. Local beer Laško/Union in a cafe will cost 3-4 euros. A cup of coffee from 1.5 euros and above.
28,000 is the approximate number of wineries in Slovenia. Wine is one of the country's national symbols, and local wines such as Cviček rosé are popular both within and outside the country. It is believed that most Slovenian wine is being drunk within the country, so it is difficult to find local wine outside. Slovenia has three main wine-growing regions (which are divided into smaller ones, making it 14 in total), differing significantly in climate, soils and, accordingly, the wines produced.Slovenia has a very long tradition of winemaking and the oldest noble vine in the world is also located here, the city of Maribor. The vine is over 400 years old and still fruits, while the grapes used for wine production. Some of the most popular wine regions in Slovenia are Goriška Brda, Kras, Vipava Valley, and Podravje.
4,4% is the unemployment rate in Slovenia in September 2024, making it one of the least unemployed countries in Europe. In addition, Slovenia is one of the most economically developed countries in the region.
Facts About Slovenia:
- Slovenia is the only country in the World, which became a rich one while being a socialist country. Being a part of socialist Jugoslavia, GDP per capita in the republic of Slovenia at the end of 1980s was above 14000$. This was higher than in Portugal or Greece and only a little lower than in Italy of that times. Back than Slovenia (with only 9% of population of Jugoslavia) produced about 25% of total GDP of the country. This is a completely unique situation for a socialist state and reflects the high level of literacy and success of local government.
- Slovenia is the only country in Europe that combines the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain, and the Karst. This unique geographic location gives Slovenia a diverse landscape with stunning natural beauty that includes mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and caves.
- Slovenia is home to the world-famous Lake Bled, one of the most picturesque lakes in the world. The lake is surrounded by mountains and a medieval castle, and the island in the middle of the lake is home to the Church of the Assumption, a popular wedding venue.
- The capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe but it has a lot to offer. The city is known for its charming old town, picturesque bridges, vibrant cultural scene, and green spaces.
- Slovenia is not so much known for archeological excavations, still has some unique ancient evidences to see. First would be World's oldest musical instrument, a neanderthal flute, made of a jaw-bone of cave bear 60000 (!) years ago. It is now exhibited in the National museum of Slovenia. Another is the world's oldest wheel with an axle was found in Slovenia's Ljubljana Marshes, dating back to around 3200 BC. The wheel is considered one of the most important archeological discoveries of the 20th century. You can find it in the city museum of Ljubljana.
- Slovenia is also known for its Lipizzaner white horses, a breed of horse that originated in Lipica in the southwestern part of the country. The horses are famous for their elegant appearance and high intelligence and are used for classical dressage performances. While nowadays they breed lipizzaner horses in many countries around the world, the origin of this breed is in Slovenia and the stud farm comes from 16th century.
- Slovenia is a green destination, with over 60% of the country covered by forests. The country has a total of 42 protected areas, including the Triglav National Park, which is home to the highest peak in Slovenia, Mount Triglav. Slovenia is considered to be one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world, with a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. In 2016, Slovenia was the first country in the world to be declared a green destination by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
- Slovenia is a food lover's paradise, with a rich culinary tradition that includes dishes such as žlikrofi (dumplings with potato filling), idrijski žlikrofi (a regional version of žlikrofi), jota (a traditional soup with beans and sauerkraut), and potica (a sweet pastry).
- Slovenia is a great destination for outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, cycling, rafting, and kayaking. Some of the best outdoor destinations in Slovenia are the Julian Alps, the Soča Valley, and the Kranjska Gora ski resort.
- Slovenia is one of the most water-rich countries in Europe, with more than 27,000 km of rivers and streams. Some of the most popular rivers for water sports activities are the Soča River, the Kolpa River, and the Sava River.
- One of the world's largest ski jumps is located in Planica, Slovenia. The ski jump, called the "Letalnica," has a total length of 240 meters and is used for international ski jumping competitions. For instance the finals of the World Cup in 2025 takes place here in March.
- The Postojna Cave in Slovenia is home to the unique "human fish," also known as the "olm." The olm is a blind amphibian that can live up to 100 years and can go without food for up to 10 years.
- Slovenia also has a thriving craft beer scene, with a growing number of microbreweries and beer festivals throughout the country. Some popular Slovenian craft beers include the HumanFish Brewery's "Pan IPAn," the Reservoir Dogs Brewery's "Lucky Bastard," and the Pelicon Brewery's "The Phantom." Beer lovers can also visit the annual Pivo in cvetje (Beer and Flowers) festival in Laško, which features over 200 different types of beers from Slovenia and around the world.
FAQs:
Q. Is Slovenia a safe country to visit? A. Yes, Slovenia is considered one of the safest countries in Europe, with a low crime rate and friendly locals.
Q. What is the best time to visit Slovenia? A. The best time to visit Slovenia depends on your preferences. If you enjoy outdoor activities, the summer months from June to August are the ideal time to visit. If you prefer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, the spring and autumn months of April-May and September-October are perfect. For winter sports enthusiasts, December to March is the best time to visit.
Q. Do I need a visa to visit Slovenia? A. It depends on your nationality. Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland do not need a visa to visit Slovenia. Visitors from other countries may need a visa, so it's best to check with the Slovenian embassy in your country before you travel.
Slovenia may be a small country, but it has a lot to offer. From its stunning natural beauty to its rich cultural heritage, Slovenia is a hidden treasure of Europe that deserves to be explored. Whether you're interested in outdoor activities, cultural attractions, or culinary delights, Slovenia has something for everyone. We hope these 10 facts about Slovenia have inspired you to plan your next trip to this charming destination.
