The most beautiful places I discovered in Slovenia
To be honest, I’ve felt a bit paralyzed on where to start writing about Slovenia: I can’t believe how much I managed to fit into three days in the country! 
And so: I wanted to just start with all of the incredibly beautiful places that I visited. Even with high expectations, I was blown away.Fairytale lakes, stunning waterfalls, colorful art deco architecture, many miles logged on roads through the Slovenian Alps: it felt like a cheaper, less busy Switzerland to me. Just as stunning, but everywhere I went, I had the place to myself and I spent far less money than I have in most Western European countries for the same standard of service. And I don’t think that Slovenia is necessarily at the top of “most beautiful places in the world” for most people, but here’s my case for making it to the top of your list.
Franciscan Church in Preseren Square
The capital of Slovenia is a center for Art Nouveau architecture: an earthquake in 1895 destroyed all but 40 buildings, and thus everything else was rebuilt in the popular Art Nouveau style. This pink church is one of the few remaining examples of Baroque architecture, and it’s beautiful.
National and University Library
Obviously, always in for a beautiful library. What I especially loved about the National and University Library was the architecture: the windows are meant to evoke open books!
Random beautiful street
I loved this little side street: Križevniška ulica was tucked away beside the river, and it was basically everything I had dreamed of when it came to Ljubljana. Cobblestone streets! Flower boxes! A church! 
View from the river
I’m a big fan of river cruises, and I especially loved seeing Ljubljana from the water. I opted for this beautiful wooden boat, and the boat was almost as lovely as the view! 
View from the castle
The Ljubljana Castle is a medieval fortress that overlooks the city: it’s a steep hike (or an easy funicular ride) to get up, but it’s a gorgeous view once you’re there.
Vurnik House
My favorite example of Art Deco architecture: the Vurnik House. This was actually located right across the street from the Grand Hotel Union, where I stayed–it’s the same hotel where the Queen stays when she visits Slovenia! Fun fact: it was painted by the architect’s wife in the tricolors of the Slovenian flag. 
Lake Bled
Lake Bled felt like an absolute fairytale! There’s a monastery in the middle of the lake, and wooden boats that row out to it, and a castle overlooking the lake, and the 4-mile trail surrounding the lake is dotted with picturesque churches and beaches and benches. I stayed at the Rikli Balance Hotel overlooking the lake, and there was truly nothing as wonderful as waking up to sunrise over the lake.
Lake Bled castle
For perhaps the most magical view of Lake Bled: add a glass of rosé at the restaurant at Bled Castle. My only regret: not going up here at sunset!
Lake Bohinj
Although Lake Bled is the darling of Slovenia, it’s certainly not the only lake in the country. Lake Bohinj is a short drive away, and it’s even more stunning than I expected. The water is insanely clear: you can see all of the fish swimming around! I especially loved the church and the arched bridge reflecting in the water.
The suspension bridge in Soca Valley
I truly couldn’t believe the stunning turquoise color of the water of the river flowing through the Soca Valley. I feel like everyone associates this with the color of the ocean in the Caribbean, not a river in Slovenia!
Seriously, though, the color of the water
How is it this color?! How is it this clear?! HOW?!
Zelenci Spring
Located just a five-minute walk from the parking lot on one of the main roads (and with the Slovenian Alps in the background!), this emerald lake was so serene and stunning. 
Jamnik Church
Located high on a mountain in an Alpine region of Slovenia, this is truly one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been. It was so still and serene, and I couldn’t even begin to imagine what life was like for the people who constructed this church ad built their lives in such a beautiful but challenging place. Also: can you even picture how beautiful this view must be when the foliage is changing in the heart of fall?! Enough reason for me to go back. 
A church at a bus stop
This was the view from a bus stop in the middle of the country: HOW!?!
A standard small town
I logged a lot of miles in my few days in Slovenia, and I drove through innumerable small towns liek this: so incredibly picturesque and quaint. Complete with a church and shuttered buildings and weeping willows along a river! 
Kozjak Falls
My only regret about visiting Kozjak Falls was not bringing a swimsuit: the waterfall is sort of tucked away behind a little grotto, and it would have been the most delightful swim in this super clear water.
The town of Kobarid
I missed the turn for the parking lot to walk for Kozjak, and ended up on a very long and twisty road for a long time before I realized that it was leading me to a random river and not the waterfall. Alas! The upside was that I drove through the town of Kobarid: I actually stopped the car in the middle of the road to take this picture. Just too pretty! 
Pericnik Falls
You can actually walk behind this waterfall, but I was too nervous that I would fall on the slippery rock! The water is crashing down so fiercely: you’ll start getting misted as soon as you get near the top.
Boka Falls
The highest waterfall in Slovenia! It’s an easy hike to the viewpoint, and I loved getting to see the turquoise water in the pool at the bottom of the falls. So gorgeous!
