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Slovenia: Europe’s secret that everyone will discover

A complete and still accessible destination that promises to become families’ new favorite for experiences

By Caroline Sundfeld

This small country between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia is emerging from the shadows to become one of the most sought-after destinations. When Forbes publishes an article about Slovenia as “Europe’s best-kept secret,” you know something is changing.

The signs are everywhere. Professional photographers are already documenting families exploring fairy-tale lakes and castles. Travel agencies have started including Slovenia in itineraries that previously focused only on traditional destinations. And Nova Gorica, a Slovenian city on the Italian border, was chosen as one of the European Capitals of Culture 2025, sharing the title with Chemnitz, Germany.

Why now?

Slovenia offers something Europe increasingly values: authenticity without crowds. While Venice limits visitors and Santorini faces overtourism, Slovenia provides equally stunning experiences with a fraction of the tourists.

The country seems to have stepped out of a fairy tale. Ljubljana, the capital, combines medieval charm with modern urban life. Lake Bled, with its church on an island in the middle of the water and a castle atop a cliff, offers scenery so perfect it seems unreal.

But it’s the combination of landscapes with family practicality that’s winning over travelers. Distances are short—you can see the main tourist attractions in a week. The infrastructure is excellent. And unlike many European destinations, it’s still possible to find genuinely peaceful places.

Ljubljana: green and accessible capital

Ljubljana was chosen as European Green Capital in 2016, and this wasn’t by chance. The historic center is closed to automobiles, transforming into an immense pedestrian space crossed by the Ljubljanica River.

For families with children, it’s almost ideal. Baby strollers move easily through the flat streets. Tivoli Park offers green spaces for children to run and even a fun squirrel hunt. Ljubljana Castle, atop the hill, can be reached by funicular or a not-too-challenging walk.

The architecture blends Austro-Hungarian, Italian, and Slavic influences, creating a unique visual identity. The famous bridges (Triple, Dragon, and Butcher’s) have become city symbols and obligatory photo spots.

Lake Bled: the postcard that works

A family of walkers

Luna De Paoli told us that before starting a family, she and her husband were quite lazy and didn’t have the habit of taking sports vacations. However, after the birth of their son with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), they discovered that Lucas was much calmer on nature outings.

They started with many road trips to have more freedom, but now they have been to Torres del Paine (Chile), El Chaltén (Argentina), Chapada dos Veadeiros, Chapada Diamantina, where they did many trails, Atacama Desert with Salar de Uyuni, and even in the Rocky Mountains in Canada! But the place he loved the most was Australia, because of the animals. The family took a trail in a park with koalas and kangaroos, and he fell in love. His hyperfocus is Pokémon, so the couple always brought some themed items. In Australia, they took several small Pokémon and placed them in some places they passed by to keep the boy motivated.

These days, Luna always carries her son’s headphones because there are noises that bother him. When they didn’t know about his diagnosis yet, they visited an indigenous tribe in Swaziland, near South Africa, and the boy was disoriented, he hated it. At the time, they thought it was just a tantrum, but he simply couldn’t stand it. So the family never plans activities in noisy places, and since it’s not always predictable, they now always carry the headphones/noise-canceling headphones.

And believe it or not! Even to Japan, Lucas and his family have already been, because of course: he’s obsessed with Pokémons!

Slovenia offers activities for different ages and adventure levels. Postojna Caves, with their underground trains, fascinate children and adults alike. The visit lasts about two hours and includes a train ride through part of the 24 kilometers of galleries.

Near the caves sits Predjama Castle, literally built inside a cliff. It’s one of Europe’s most impressive fortresses and the setting for legends about Erasmus of Lueg, the “Slovenian Robin Hood” who defied the Austro-Hungarian empire in the 15th century.

For more active families, Vintgar Gorge offers wooden walkways over the Radovna River. The walk is easy, lasts about an hour, and ends at Šum Waterfall, 13 meters high.

Practical advantages

Perfect size: At only 20,273 km², what means less time lost in transportation and more time enjoying destinations.

Modern infrastructure: Excellent roads, clear signage, and well-organized tourist services. Renting a car is easy and recommended for maximum flexibility.

Accessible prices: Compared to destinations like Switzerland or Austria, Slovenia offers good value for money. Family hotels cost between 50 and 100 euros per night, depending on the season.

Language: Besides Slovenian, most of the population speaks English. In tourist regions, there are no communication barriers.

Planning for families

Best time: May to September offers more stable weather and all attractions operating. July and August are busier, but still far from the chaos of famous destinations.

Ideal duration: Four to seven days allow visiting the main points without rushing. A typical itinerary includes two days in Ljubljana, two at Lake Bled and surroundings, and one or two exploring caves and castles.

Logistics: Ljubljana Airport is 30 minutes from the capital. Direct flights depart from various European capitals, facilitating connections from Brazil. Alternatively, many travelers arrive via Venice (250 km) or Vienna (380 km).

Before everyone discovers it

Like every rising destination, Slovenia is at the ideal point: developed enough to be comfortable, but not yet discovered by the masses. Professional photographers have already arrived. European families have started including the country in their vacation itineraries. Travel bloggers are producing content. The next steps are predictable: increased tourists, higher prices, need for advance reservations.

Forbes isn’t wrong when calling Slovenia Europe’s well-kept secret. But secrets, by nature, don’t last forever. The question is: will you discover it before or after everyone else?