The route
Ljubljana → (Postojna Cave + Predjama Castle)
OR
Škocjan Caves → Fiesa parking → walk to Piran
Part I: The caves
BIG DECISION.
Slovenia is a crazy country for caves – some are world class and comparable in beauty to world-famous ones in Vietnam. There’s so many Miha accidently got to name one (https://www.katasterjam.si/caves/12251). But for easy access there are 2 main contenders for your time: Postojna cave and Škocjan cave. If you’re into caves, see both! If you have never been to a cave see both! But if you’re tight on time then you need to make a choice.
Postojna cave & Predjama castle
- More famous so easier to get to with public transport
- You get to ride a train into the cave.
- More spectacular cave formations
- Feels like a grand palace, really nicely illuminated
- Bonus castle
Škocjan cave
- More raw and wild
- Absolutely massive, largest discovered underground chamber in Europe
- It’s literally an underground canyon - the ceiling is 100m above the floor
- UNESCO World Heritage List
- Bonus outdoor walk along the gorge at the end and a scenic walk while you wait
- Less crowded
- Better for “You shall not pass” jokes – you’ll see why
Option A:
Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle
Visit Predjama Castle first before big busses of tourists arrive! I don’t think the inside is worth it, save your time and money for better things. Just take some nice photos of the outside in the front and enjoy this legend of awkward death. https://perceptivetravel.com/blog/2016/10/03/the-legend-of-predjama-castle/
Postojna Cave
Make sure to book ahead – slots can fill up in high season! Not much to say just to be on time, sit back and enjoy the tour. Extra points if you make choo-choo sounds on the train. Don’t miss the HUMAN FISH – the weirdest animal Slovenia has to offer (Except Miha).
Option B:
Škocjan Caves
Make sure to book ahead – slots can fill up in high season! Not much to say just to be on time, sit back and enjoy the tour. Be early and you can do a nice walk along the viewpoints on the cliff.
Part II: the coast
Piran
It’s a stereotypical medieval coastal town with a nice pocket-sized charm. You don’t need Dubrovnik, we have Dubrovnik at home.
Lunch
Your best bet is to eat before in Koper (on the way to Piran). It has a lot of options, but personal recommendation is Baščaršija (https://maps.app.goo.gl/qnEDRCDEqHNpjuhW8) for balkan food (not suitable for vegans). Close to Italy so good seafood and pizza everywhere.
Parking
I’d recommend parking in Parkirišče Fiesa and enjoying a lovely 30min walk along the coast to reach the church on top of the hill where you can see all the way to Italy. Alternatively, park in Are Garage.
Cerkev sv. Jurija
Regardless of the parking, I’d make my way to the Church of St. George on top of the cliffs for a spectacular view of the sea and a charming view of the entire old town. Great place for photos too! You can even see all the way to Italy AND Croatia at the same time. Yes, our coast is only 46km long, make the most of it!
Piranski svetilnik & Narrow streets challenge
From the church, I’d play a game: race to get to the lighthouse at the end of the peninsula. You are not allowed to use phones for navigation. You are not allowed to use the roads directly by the coast – you have to stick to the inner ones. Slow walking only and enjoy the narrow streets. Bonus points if you split up. Start exactly on this pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/2RcLykdJotCRWu2Q8 and chose one of the two paths down.
Tartini square
From the lighthouse, walk along the coast to the main square. On the way, stop for an ice cream, some seafood or pizza. Or Aperol.
Bonus: Sečovlje/Sicciole Saltpans Nature Park
If you have extra time, there is very famous Slovenian salt produced there but it’s also a national park due to the wetlands and many birds nest there. In winter even flamingos started appearing in recent years! If you don’t get the time just buy some salt in Piran to make high quality tequilas.
What after?
You can continue on the Soča day trip (PUT LINK) by heading to Nova Gorica. You can stay a bit longer in Vipavska Dolina and Goriska brda – the best wine regions in Slovenia in our opinion so find yourself a good wine cellar for wine tasting. You can climb Nanos if you’re into hiking. You can go to Trieste in Italy (although not my favourite city) or even better go to the palace of Miramare next to it. You are 1,5 hours away from Pula or Rovinj (Croatia) if you love the medieval coastal city vibe of Piran.
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