Best of Slovenia
Swim in clear alpine mountain lakes.
Soak up the culture in the capital, Ljubljana.
Visit vast underground limestone caves.
Chill out at the Muggia Venetian piazza.
Sample the sumptuous Karst wine. First Hand Experience
(3 ratings)
Departure
Daily from March 29 to October 10, 2026
Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Starting Point
Bled
Total Distance
347
Activity Level
Medium
Ultimate 10 Days Slovenia discovery cycling trip
This “Cross Country Cycling Tour” whisks you through the majority of western Slovenia’s most interesting attractions and along the many natural wonders packed into this diverse little country. Starting at the enchantingly beautiful Lake Bled, then on to the vibrant capital city of Ljubljana. Then it’s over a limestone landscape laden with castles and vineyards above and huge cave systems below, as you cycle your way from the alpine center to the lovely Adriatic coast.
Suitable for cyclists with time on their hands, an average fitness level, a love of fine wine and the great outdoors. If you wish to explore Slovenia by bike, this is best choice.
Our Salzburg to Lake Bled cycling tour would be a good option to take before this tour.
Itinerary
Start in Bled, a charming town on a glacial lake with its iconic island church and cliff-top castle. Take a boat to the island and hike to Mala Osojnica for stunning views.
You’ll take a bus to Pokljuka plateau for stunning views, then cycle through alpine villages to Ribčev Laz by Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park. Ride to Savica Waterfall, take Vogel cable car for panoramic Mount Triglav views, explore forests, and enjoy local honey brandy in cozy pubs.
You’ll leave Bohinj cycling to Bohinjska Bistrica with its picture-perfect backdrop, then ascend 750 m to Jelovica plateau (optional lift available). The route winds through forests into Selška Dolina, passing Sorica – birthplace of painter Ivan Grohar – and Železniki with its historic blast furnace. Finish in Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia’s oldest towns, with medieval streets and a hilltop castle.
After checking into your hotel, explore Ljubljana’s historic old town with ornate architecture and fin de siècle mansions. Walk or ride up to Ljubljana Castle for panoramic city views, then enjoy an evening along the Ljubljanica River at outdoor bars, cafes, or a leisurely stroll through the vibrant streets.
Enjoy an easy first day cycling across the historic plains around Ljubljana. Explore the Ljubljansko Barje marshes, see Borovnica Viaduct, refresh at Podpec Lake, and visit Bistra Castle with the Technical Museum and Tito’s car exhibition before arriving in Vrhnika.
Today’s ride takes you off the beaten track to Predjama Castle, built into a 123‑meter cliff. Learn about the daring knight Erasmus, his secret cave escapes, and his legendary demise.
Visit Postojna Cave, Slovenia’s largest cave system spanning 21 km, with stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and the mysterious ‘human fish.’ In the afternoon, explore the vineyards of the Vipava region.
Start at Sežana’s botanical garden, then cycle to Lipica stud farm to see famous Lipizzaner horses, enjoy a carriage tour, and visit their stables. Optional side trip: the War Museum in a Venetian tower.
If you skipped Postojna, visit Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO-listed Karst wonder. End the day in Muggia south of Trieste, then take a boat to Trieste, enjoy gelato or relax on the beaches.
On your final day, cycle along the coastal path following the old railway line, enjoy views of Slovenia’s coastline and Trieste Bay, stop in Izola, and finish in Piran, ascending the bell tower for sunset over red roofs and the Adriatic Sea.
After breakfast your cycling Best of Slovenia tour ends. However, you can prolong your stay in Piran, take a one-way boat trip or day-cruise to Venice or continue cycling by taking our Croatia Istrian Coastal Tour down to Pula.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Date of Day1 sets the trip's season.
(Currency converter)- Ten nights accommodation in 3* / 4* hotels and guesthouses in two bedded ensuite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast.
- Luggage transfer – one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb. Lufthansa airline dimensions. Every additional piece 40 EUR per trip, payable on spot.
- Welcome meeting and bike handover.
- Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form. One download per adult person. Every additional download 15 EUR.
- Local tourist and other taxes.
- Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
- Single travelers – Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
Season A: 445 EUR;
Season B: 455 EUR;
Season C: 465 EUR. - Single room – Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
Season A: 345 EUR;
Season B: 375 EUR;
Season C: 395 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Ljubljana City Center location supplement:
Season A and B 45 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 70 EUR.
Season C 60 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 90 EUR. - Standard touring bike rental 190 EUR. Bikes have 18 gears (XL frames 11 gears).*
Every additional day 25 EUR per bike. - Electric bike rental 390 EUR. *
Every additional day 50 EUR.
* Bike rental period starts 9:00 of day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day 10.
- Additional transfer to the top of Sorica pass 30 EUR.
- Printed information package in English or German, including route notes and detailed maps, delivered upon arrival 30 EUR.
Price is per person per night.
- 4* Hotel in Ljubljana
Season A: Double Room 95 EUR. Single room 150 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 105 EUR. Single room 165 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 177 EUR. - 3* guesthouse in Štanjel Area
Season A: Double Room 75 EUR. Single room 105 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 75 EUR. Single room 105 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 85 EUR. Single room 115 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Muggia
Season A: Double Room 80 EUR. Single room 115 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 90 EUR. Single room 130 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 110 EUR. Single room 150 EUR. - 4* Hotel in Piran
Season A: Double Room 120 EUR. Single room 185 EUR.
Season B: Double Room 145 EUR. Single room 195 EUR.
Season C: Double Room 165 EUR. Single room 215 EUR.
- Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents 30 % discount on basic price.
- Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price per third person only.
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
347 km / 366 km with side trips
80% regional country roads, 15% cycleways, 5% main road (town and city approach sections)
95% asphalt and paved, 5% unpaved
Medium – for those who, for example complete daily trip to the market by bike in nice weather and consider cycling should be fun but not training. Gentle hills or stretches on gravel paths do not cause any difficulties. Average daily elevation gains between 100 and 500 meters.
Accommodation
Helia supports responsible travel. On our trips we therefore use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character operated by locals or their families. Here you can find the list of standard accommodation we primarily use on the trip. The actual hotels may differ from this list, depending on time of booking and rooms availability.
- Day 1: Hotel Lovec, Kompas, Savica 4* or Astoria 3*Superior in Bled
- Day 2: Eco Bohinj Hotel 4* in Bohinjska Bistrica
- Day 3: Mini Hotel 3* in Škofja Loka
- Day 4: M Hotel 4* in Ljubljana
- Day 5: Hotel Mantova 4* in Vrhnika
- Day 6: Hotel Kras 4* in Postojna
- Day 7: Guesthouse Hiša Posebne Sorte 3* in Štanjel Area
- Day 8: Hotel Malovec 3* in Divača
- Day 9: Hotel San Rocco 4* in Muggia
- Day 10: Hotel Piran 4* in Piran
Travel Options & Local Transfer
Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia.
Getting to Bled
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about two hours) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster – 20 min) – please check here below.
By bus: Flixbus lines stop at Lake Bled.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled station on the Villach – Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from town center, need to take a bus or call us, we’ll give you a lift for free. The other is station Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day.
By car: take exit Lesce on the A1 motorway Ljubljana – Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking options.
Back from Piran
By plane: Trieste airport (TST) or Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve them. You can book our transfer: Piran to Ljubljana Downtown or Ljubljana Airport – please check here below.
By train: Koper railway station is 18 km away from Piran. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onward to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only a few trains cross the border! There are no train connections to Italy, you’ll need to first travel to Trieste.
By boat: there are boats operating from Piran to Venice and to Trieste and ferries from Poreč to Venice.
By car: if your car is in Bled, you can return there by bus or train. Our transfer is available – please check here below.
Available Transfers
Ljubljana Airport to Bled
1-3 persons 90 EUR
4-8 persons 130 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled
1-3 persons 130 EUR
4-8 persons 170 EUR
Piran to Trieste City
1-3 persons 165 EUR
4-8 persons 200 EUR
Piran to Trieste Airport
1-3 persons 175 EUR
4-8 persons 210 EUR
Piran to Ljubljana City
1-3 persons 225 EUR
4-8 persons 265 EUR
Piran to Ljubljana Airport
1-3 persons 250 EUR
4-8 persons 290 EUR
Piran to Bled
1-3 persons 290 EUR
4-8 persons 320 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes and unisex frame model:
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- Pannier
- Helmet
Only for self-guided tours: per two bikes – one repair kit, one spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, Allen keys and tire levers. + one combination lock.
Other available rental bikes