Slovenia Mini Guide
Slovenia has a coastline on the Adriatic Sea while sharing land borders with Italy to the northwest, Austria to the north, Croatia to the south and Hungary to the northeast. This advantageous position means that Slovenia is within reach of the Alps and also some fine beaches. Skiers or sun worshippers will be equally pleased to take their holidays here. One of the most popular tourist hotspots in Slovenia is the Julian Alps where all sorts of energetic activities can be enjoyed such as mountain biking and kayaking. This is also where the best skiing is to be found.
Slovenia is easy to get into because it is part of the Schengen agreement and so there are no border controls should you arrive by car or plane from another Schengen country. The main airport is in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana and there are flights operating with a number of carriers. These include routes with the national carrier Adria Airways or cheap flights from
London Stansted with Easyjet.
Given Slovenia’s position in the midst of so many other European countries it is easy enough to fly to an airport nearby and drive across. You can do so from
Trieste in
Italy,
Pula in
Croatia (Ryanair flies here) or
Klagenfurt in
Austria. Having a car is vital in this part of the world and Rhino hire car operates out of all these international airports and we may be able to allow you to use different pick up and drop off points for your vehicle if it is more convenient. It is also possible to drive into Slovenia from such major European cities as Venice in Italy and Vienna in Austria and Slovenia has excellent road links with these countries. Rhino can also sort out the normal road tax that you are required to pay on entry. Check with our representatives.
Generally Slovenia is not an expensive country to visit and eating out tends to be good value. Most of the food is quite basic though Italian cuisine is often served and seafood is good when you are at the Adriatic coast. The wine here is better than you would expect it to be. Try something from the Goriška brda region or the Štajerska region. The official language of the country is Slovene and you may wish to take a phrase book with you. When speaking English speak slowly and clearly if you want to be understood.
Slovenia Factfile
- Slovenia covers an area of 7,827 square miles and approximately 2.05 million people live there
- Over half of Slovenia is covered by forest and this makes it the third most forested country in Europe
- A tradition and pastime in Slovenia is trapping the edible dormouse which can be found abundantly in the forests
- The Lipizzan horse which is associated with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, originates from Slovenia
- A popular fast food in Slovenia is burek, which are pastries filled with meat, cheese or vegetables
Is it worth hiring a car in Slovenia?
Slovenia is a small country but it has a good road network and renting a car is the best way to get out and explore the pretty rural areas. It boasts beautiful beaches on the Adriatic Sea in the south of the country, mountain ranges and historic cities. The capital city Ljubljana is very charming with its Baroque architecture and a lively feel thanks to the large student population.
Is it easy to drive in Slovenia?
Driving in Slovenia is much like other countries in Central Europe, the road network is generally very good. Expect busy streets and congestion in and around the main towns and cities, particularly around rush hour, but otherwise you should find driving in Slovenia easy and a self-drive rental car here opens up a world of opportunities to explore this beautiful country at your own pace.