Emerald Tour
Start in Ljubljana, finish at the Adriatic coast
Key stops: Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, and Lipica Stud Farm
Explore the UNESCO Škocjan Caves and the Karst region
Includes a detour to Muggia, outskirts of Trieste, Italy
Scenic rides through countryside, coastal towns like Piran and Portorož First Hand Experience
(3 ratings)
Departure
Daily from March 23 to October 10, 2026
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Starting Point
Ljubljana
Total Distance
239 km
Activity Level
Medium
Cycling down to the Adriatic coast in seven days!
This popular self guided cycling tour guides you through Slovenia’s top historical sites, offering a mix of cultural and natural beauty. Beginning in the vibrant capital, the route takes you across the rolling hills of the Karst region, famous for its caves, castles, and churches. The journey culminates at the shimmering Adriatic coast, offering diverse landscapes and experiences for all travelers.
As a pre-trip, have a look at our Lakes & Cities Short Tour starting at Lake Bled!
Itinerary
Your journey begins in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. After settling into your hotel, take a stroll through the old town center with its beautiful bourgeois houses from the late 19th century, take a funicular ride to the city castle, or relax in a café by the Ljubljanica River that winds through the city.
Your first cycling day will be a gentle ride across an immense 160-sq km marshy plain: the Ljubljana Moors (Ljubljansko Barje).
Along the way you can see the remnants of the world’s highest railway viaduct in Borovnica. Before you arrive at your destination, be sure to visit the Technical Museum in Bistra Castle, where you’ll find an interesting exhibition of president Tito’s cars.
On this day the roads will take you away from the main tourist routes and off the beaten track. You can also take a short detour to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle, wedged tight into a crevasse halfway up a 123-meter cliff-face protruding dramatically into the surrounding basin.
Here lived a vivacious and daring knight. Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the secret of the Predjama Caves to sneak out for supplies, which included freshly picked cherries which he used to throw at his adversaries to taunt them. Take the tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.
So far nearly 30 million tourists have visited this stunningly beautiful underground Postojna cave formation, carved deep into the heart of the limestone hills. The 1½ hour tour will take you through a fairy tale world full of large and colorful stalactites and stalagmites, not forgetting the unique “human fish”, a mysterious creature that lives in dark pools inside the caves.
In the afternoon you head to first vineyards of Vipava region.
Today you’ll cycle to the stud farm of Lipica where you can visit beautiful thoroughbred Lipizzaner horses, whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation.
You can also visit the unusual but very interesting “War Museum” set inside an old Venetian tower.
If you skiped Postojna caves – this morning you can visit Škocjan Caves – no less interesting but way less frequented Karst Caves – even listed as UNESCO natural monument!
The day-trip ends in Muggia – south of Trieste. After days’ cycling it is time to take a boat trip to Trieste center, enjoy a gelato in old center of town or relax on one of beaches.
For your last day you’ll cycle along the coastal road on a new cycling path following the old railway line.
Enjoy great vistas of Slovenia’s modest, yet lovely coast, and Trieste Bay. A stop in the trendy resort of Portorož is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous little Venetian harbour town of Piran.
After breakfast your 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)- Seven 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 30 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: 315 EUR;
Season B: 330 EUR;
Season C 345 EUR. - Single room – Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
Season A: 285 EUR;
Season B: 305 EUR;
Season C: 325 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 110 EUR. Bikes have 18 gears (XL frames 11 gears).*
Every additional day 25 EUR per bike. - Electric bike rental 280 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 7.
- 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 up to 30% discount on basic price.
- Third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price.
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
239 km
75% regional country roads, 15% cycleways, 5% main road (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: M Hotel 4* in Ljubljana
- Day 2: Hotel Mantova 4* in Vrhnika
- Day 3: Hotel Kras 4* in Postojna
- Day 4: Guesthouse Hiša Posebne Sorte 3* in Štanjel Area
- Day 5: Hotel Malovec 3* in Divača
- Day 6: Hotel San Rocco 4* in Muggia
- Day 7: Hotel Piran 4* in Piran
Travel Options & Local Transfer
Starting point of this trip is Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital.
Getting to Ljubljana
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the airport you can travel to Ljubljana by minivan shuttles, by bus or book our transfer – Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana Downtown or vice versa.
By bus: several Flixbus lines stop in Ljubljana
By train: Ljubljana is the main railway hub of Slovenia, well served from all directions. Our standard first hotel is two km away.
By car: the city of Ljubljana is centrally located in Slovenia and all motorways go there.
Back from Piran
By plane: closest airport is Trieste, 50 km NW (served by Ryanair from many origins). We can best arrange you a transfer- please ask us for a favorable quote. Next is Ljubljana (LJU). You can return to Ljubljana by bus, train or our transfer.
By bus: a few Flixbus lines depart from Koper, 18 km from Piran.
By train: Koper railway station is 20 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 into Italy, you’ll need to travel first to Trieste.
By boat: check out ferries to Venice. There are also ferries operating to Greece and seasonal sailings along the Slovene coast to Croatia.
By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there by bus or train. Our transfer – please ask us for a favorable quote.
Available Transfers
Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana
1-3 persons 90 EUR
4-8 persons 130 EUR
Trieste Airport to Ljubljana
1-3 persons 315 EUR
4-8 persons 350 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
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