One of the smallest countries in Europe, Slovenia more than justifies the ‘Europe in Miniature’ hype. Tucked in an enviable geographical position between the Alps and the Mediterranean, it is blessed with spectacular mountains, thick forests and an Adriatic coastline. 

Following the destruction of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during WWI, Slovenia became a part of the new ‘Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes' in 1918, later Yugoslavia. After WWII, Tito created Socialist Yugoslavia. Following his death in 1980, the economic and political situation deteriorated and led to a series of regional conflicts in the early 1990s. Slovenia was the first republic to break away, achieving independence relatively peacefully in 1991. 

Slovenia was always the most prosperous region in Yugoslavia and it has successfully made the transition from a socialist economy to a capitalist free market one: it was first of the former Yugoslavian states to join the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2007. 

Picturesque Ljubljana, the capital, is the starting point for a wide range of excursions. Situated in the heart of Slovenia, draped along the banks of the Ljubljanica River, the capital is within a two-hour drive of all the state borders.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Note

Slovenia joined the Schengen Agreement on 21 December 2007 for overland entry points and seaports, and on 29 March 2008 for airports.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Money

Currency

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and some hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations, tourist agencies and exchange bureaux.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at upmarket establishments; elsewhere cash is preferred. Credit cards can be used to get cash advances from banks.

Traveller's Cheques

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1400-1700; Sat 0830-1100/1200.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

Food and Drink

Mains water is considered safe and drinkable. However, bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other Risks

Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forests. Walkers should take precautions against tick bites. Vaccination is advisable. Immunisation against hepatitis B, diphtheria and tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek immediate medical advice.

Health Care

The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) gives European residents access to state-provided medical treatment, but comprehensive travel insurance is advised. For more information contact the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZZZS) (website: www.zzzs.si).

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airline, Adria Airways (website: www.adria-airways.com), operates direct flights from London and many other European cities to Ljubljana.

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Ljubljana is 2 hours.

Main Airports

Ljubljana (LJU) (Brnik) (website: www.lju-airport.si) is 26km (16 miles) northwest of the city. To/from the airport: Buses are available to Kranj (journey time - 15 minutes) and to Ljubljana (journey time - 45 minutes) regularly. Taxis are also available (journey time - 20 minutes). Facilities: Bank, post office, duty-free shop, car hire (international and domestic companies), restaurant, snack bar, shops, and Internet cafes.

Maribor (MBX) and Portoroz (POW) also have some limited international flight connections.

Departure Tax

None.

Getting There by Water

Main port: Koper (website: www.luka-kp.si).

Between March and October, there are scheduled trips across the Adriatic on the Prince of Venice (tel: (05) 617 8000; website: www.kompas-online.net) catamaran, which runs between Venice and Portoroz and Piran (journey time - 2 hours).

There are four marinas (Izola, Koper, Piran and Portoroz) to choose from for visitors arriving on private vessels.

Cruise ships call on the Slovenian coast.

Getting There by Rail

Connections and through trains are available from principal eastern and western European cities. The Eurocity Mimara train connects Ljubljana, Munich, Salzburg and Zagreb, while the Casanova high-speed service links direct to Venice. There are direct trains to Slovenia from Austria (Vienna and Villach), Bulgaria, Croatia (Zagreb), Greece, Hungary (Budapest), Italy (Trieste and Venice), Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Switzerland. Some international trains have couchette coaches as well as bar and dining cars. Contact Slovenske železnica (tel: (01) 291 3332; website: www.slo-zeleznice.si) for more information. On some lines transport for cars is provided.

Rail Passes

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail). 

Getting There by Road

The following are among the frontier posts open for road traffic:
From Italy: San Bartolomeo-Lazaret; Albaro Veskova-Skofije; Pesse-Kozina; Fernetti-Fernetici (Sezana); Gorizia-Nova Gorica; Stupizza-Robic; Uccea-Uceja; Passo del Predil-Predel; and Fusine Laghi-Ratece.

From Austria: Wurzenpass (Villach)-Korensko Sedlo; Loibltunnel-Ljubelj; Seebergsattel-Jezersko; Grablach-Holmec; Rabenstein-Vic; Eibiswald-Radlji od Dravi; Langegg-Jurij; Spielfeld-Sentilj; Mureck-Trate; Sicheldorf-Gederovci; Radkersburg-Gornja Radgona; and Bonisdorf-Kuzma.

From Hungary: Bajansenye-Hodos.

From Croatia: Jelsane-Rupa. 

Nearly all the border crossings mentioned above are open 24 hours a day and are served by buses.

Climate

Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters (snowfalls in the Alps). Mediterranean climate on the coast.

Required Clothing

Medium-weight clothing and heavy overcoats in winter; lightweight clothing and raincoats for the summer, particularly for the higher Alpine north.

Contacts

Slovenian Tourist Office in the UK

South Marlands, Itching Field, Horsham, West Sussex R13 0NN, UK
Tel: 0870 225 5305.
Website: www.slovenia.info

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in the UK

10 Little College Street, London SW1P 3SH, UK
Tel: (020) 7222 5400.
Website: www.mzz.gov.si
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1200 (consular section; for appointments in person).

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in the USA

1525 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 667 5363.
Website: www.embassy.org/slovenia

Slovenian Tourist Office in the USA

2929 East Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, USA
Tel: (954) 491 0112.
Website: www.slovenia.info