This Popular Tourist Destination In Europe Boasts Stunning Scenery And Storybook Charm

Nestled between Italy, Austria, and Croatia, Slovenia spent many years as one of Europe's best-kept secrets. But while its popularity might have been a slow burn, in recent times it's emerged as one of the most popular hidden-gem European vacation destinations. Despite its small size, Slovenia seems to have it all — gorgeous historic cities with beautiful architecture, stunning mountain landscapes, outdoor adventure, and amazing cuisine — and it all comes at a fraction of the price of its more famous neighbors.

Visitors to Slovenia often stick to the romantic capital city of Ljubljana, but the country's true highlight is found in the northwest, sandwiched between Austria and Italy — the region of Upper Carniola (also known as Gorenjska). This stunning corner of the country boasts some of Slovenia's most glittering jewels, including the Julian Alps and Lake Bled, the ultimate lakeside couples vacation destination. But despite these unbelievable gems, it remains staggeringly underappreciated — although perhaps not for much longer.

Upper Carniola is the mountainous region in the north and northwest of Slovenia, originally part of the Habsburg Duchy of Carniola, with its own distinct dialect. The region begins just a few miles north of Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, which makes Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, the country's main international airport, the perfect place to arrive to explore Upper Carniola.

Wherever you go in Upper Carniola, the landscape is dominated by the magnificent Julian Alps. Soaring peaks, swooping valleys, deep gorges, and glittering waterfalls are everywhere in this wonderful highland region, making it a brilliant choice as a vacation destination for outdoor adventure seekers. Skiers will find 18 incredible slopes on Vitranc Mountain at Kranjska Gora, a fantastic Alpine ski resort. Canyoning is one of the fastest-growing adventure sports in Slovenia, and abseiling your way through the deep gorges and over the stunning waterfalls of the region is a mind-blowing experience. There are also some superb hiking routes, with the trail from Vintgar Gorge to Bled an ideal way for beginners to get to grips with the dramatic landscape.

Triglav National Park is another great place to explore, home to the highest peak in Slovenia. Mount Triglav is the national symbol of Slovenia, and there's a saying that you aren't really a Slovenian if you haven't made it to the summit at least once. The national park is filled with brilliant hikes, crystal-clear rivers, and cascading waterfalls, as well as peaceful alpine meadows and eye-catching wildlife, like ibex, chamois, marmots, bears, and golden eagles.

Lake Bled is the glittering jewel in Upper Carniola's crown, one of the bluest lakes in Europe. Surrounded by the snow-covered peaks of the Julian Alps, overlooked by a majestic Gothic castle, and emphasized by the picturesque, tear-shaped island complete with a Baroque church at its center, it's easy to see why it's one of the most popular places to visit in Slovenia. A boat trip on this wonderful body of water is a must for all visitors to the region.

The main attraction of Upper Carniola might be the great outdoors, but that's not to say there isn't plenty of cultural and historical interest to be found in the region as well. There are fairytale towns and villages scattered throughout the mountainous landscape with storybook architecture and fantastic cultural attractions. The charming medieval town of Radovljica has a wonderfully well-preserved historical center, and holds an intriguing and delightful chocolate festival once a year. The castle and museum in Škofja Loka is worth exploring, while the traditional skills of ironwork and blacksmithing are showcased in Kropa's excellent Iron Forging Museum.

Kajžnk's House in the small village of Rateče is another excellent cultural monument to discover, a reconstruction of what life was like in the region during the 19th century, as well as a fun escape room experience. For outdoor adventurers, Slovenian Alpine Museum is worth checking out, offering interesting insight into the importance of mountaineering in Slovenian culture.

The cultural offerings of Upper Carniola are set to receive a boost in summer 2026, with the grand opening of Muzej Lah, a stunning new museum overlooking the picturesque waters of Lake Bled. This superb new contemporary art gallery will showcase the collection of Igor and Mojca Lah, with an impressive display of over 800 works of contemporary art from Slovenia and around the world.