Small country really big
Cycling holidays in Slovenia
This small country awaits you with great cycle paths: Cycle through Slovenia on former railway lines, a real highlight! Cycle over iron bridges and mighty viaducts on the former route of the Crown Prince Rudolf railway from Tarvisio in Italy via Kranjska Gora to Mojstrana in Slovenia. You cycle past the Triglav massif between the Karawanken and Julian Alps. Otherwise, you can also cycle on well-developed and signposted cycle paths and small side roads through the small, large country between the mountains and the coast.
Architecture and sights
There's a lot going on in a small area: places worth seeing with traditional wooden houses and castles and, last but not least, the lively capital Ljubljana are fascinating. In Kranjska Gora, ski lifts run up the slopes to the left and right. Down in the town itself, there is a lively hustle and bustle between picturesque, older wooden houses and modern hotels.
You should also get off your bike in Bled and take a traditional wooden boat trip to the island in the middle of enchanting Lake Bled. The Bled Castle towers high above it all.
Radovljica is not far away. You'll definitely want to take a look and take your feet off the pedals. No wonder, the historic old town with its pretty houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, a beekeeping and gingerbread museum and the late Gothic church of St Peter is really worth a visit.
Kranj in Upper Carniola, the capital of the Slovenian Alps high above the Sava and Kokra rivers, also has an interesting old town centre.
The capital Ljubljana seems rather small compared to other metropolises in the world. Prešeren Square is home to the monument to France Prešeren, a 19th century Slovenian poet, with whom almost everyone has their picture taken or takes a selfie. Right there are the Tromstovje, three bridges from different eras, one of Ljubljana's main attractions. And the Ljubljanski grad castle, visible from afar, watches over everything. From here you have a view of the Karavanke and Alps and the Ljubljanica river. Afterwards, find a cosy spot down by the water and round off the day and your journey.
Slovenian festivals
When night falls in Ljubljana, the bars to the left and right of the river fill up with people from all over the world. Half the night is a hive of activity. ‘There's always a festival going on here,’ explains a local, ’next week, for example, the salsa festival at the castle!’ There is also the ‘Ljubljana Festival’ with ballet, opera, music and theatre performances, the Open Kitchen food market every Friday, the ‘Summer in Ljubljana Old Town’ festival with classical concerts from June to August and much more.
Bled cream slice and Ajdovi Krapi
At Lake Bled, many people try the famous, rich Bled cream cake. Incidentally, you can only find the real thing in the Hotel Park patisserie right by the lake. It consists of puff pastry, vanilla cream and another layer of puff pastry dusted with icing sugar on top. Strudel and pastries are booming in this country.
For those who prefer something heartier, there are roasts with sauerkraut, Slovenian cheese and, near the coast, fish dishes. Don't forget to try ajdovi krapi, a typical dish made from buckwheat, quark, millet porridge and lard, which disappears very quickly in your stomach and gives you strength for your cycle tour.
Pure nature - Sava, Lake Bled and Triglav National Park
You cycle through the high mountain landscape between the Karawanks and the Julian Alps through the valley of the Sava, Slovenia's longest river. Where the Sava is very wide, it almost looks like a lake. In any case, the lakes are not neglected on your journey: Lake Bled, for example, is a popular bathing lake due to its mild climate. From Bled, which lies on the edge of the Triglav National Park, you cycle through an idyllic setting: you can often just hear the birds chirping along the way. The Triglav National Park with its endemic animal and plant species, vast forests, deeply carved valleys and crystal-clear rivers and lakes is another highlight.
