Ljubljana to Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, Piran and Portorož

 

Visit Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, Piran and Portorož to see Slovenia’s magnificent Karst region and Adriatic Coast. This full-day trip is a true feast for the eyes with numerous photo stops and experiences that will bring warmth to your life.

We will start with the town of Postojna and join a tour of one of the largest and most beautiful monuments of the Karst – Postojna Cave. The electric train will take us through the tunnels of the cave. With its 20 km long cave system, it is the most impressive and most visited cave in Europe. We will be able to spot human fish, the most famous cave animals in the world. They are the largest and the only type of underground vertebrates in Europe, which used to be believed to be dragon offspring.

Our excursion to Postojna will continue with a tour of the mighty Predjama Castle from the 12th century, which is mounted on a 123 m high cliff above the Lokva River. There are many tales and legends about the castle and its knights. The most famous of them all is the story of Knight Erazem of Predjama who rebelled in the 15th century against the emperor and became the first Slovenian Robin Hood.

To experience the Mediterranean fairy tale, we will visit the beautiful seaport town of Piran, also known as “Small Venice”. This is a picturesque place of ancient tales, legends and mysteries that we will help you discover. We will stroll through the old town and Tartini Square until the viewing point overlooking the church of St. George with a view of three countries – Slovenia, Italy and Croatia. Piran is also known for its excellent seafood – what better place to have your late lunch or early dinner?

On our excursion to Piran, we will also shortly enjoy the beauty of the nearby modern capital city of Slovenian tourism – Portorož. With its Mediterranean climate, spa and wellness centres, this is the place to visit when you want to enjoy a relaying day. Local bars, cafés and restaurants offer unique culinary experience with exquisite local dishes and finger-licking good gelato. In addition, you will be amazed by the unforgettable sunset views over the Adriatic Sea.

 

* PLEASE NOTE: We reserve the right to change the order of trips and sometimes the contents to make the tour as logistically convenient as possible.

POSTOJNA CAVE

The biggest classical karst cave with as much as 20 km long cave system is the most visited cave in Europe and one of the largest karst monuments in the world. Located only about half an hour’s drive from Ljubljana, it welcomes you to an entirely different, mystical underground world.

TIP: The cave has a constant temperature of about 8°C – 10°C, so you will need an additional layer (pullover or jacket) even in summer.

What to see in/near Postojna Cave

The illuminated trail leads through the Great Mountains (Kalvarije) across the Russian bridge, built by Russian prisoners during World War I in 1916, to the beautiful Tubes’ Hall, White Hall and Red Hall – until Brilliant Passage, where the most famous stalagmite Brilliant, the symbol of the Postojna Cave, is located. In a large concert hall, you can see an aquarium with human fish, the most famous cave animals in the world.

What to do in/near Postojna Cave

Guided tour of Postojna Cave includes walking and driving by an underground train, where you can admire 5 km of tunnels, passages and spectacular halls. By Hotel Jama in front of the cave, you can visit the souvenir shop and get a baby dragon of your own. Enquire about additional experiences and activities in the area!

Where to go in/near Postojna Cave

If you can spare a day or two, you can stay at the recently renovated Hotel Jama, located only 100 m from the cave entrance. Situated in the heart of the Postojna Cave Park, it offers pleasant natural surroundings and proximity to attractions such as Predjama Castle, Pivka Cave and Postojna adventure park.

PREDJAMA CASTLE

Predjama Castle tour is a must when visiting Slovenia! It is listed among the Guinness World Records as the largest cave castle in the world. Carved in a 123 m high towering cliff, it is a unique Renaissance structure with a hidden passageway under the cliff. Picturesque, magnificent, defiant, mysterious and impregnable, it has been dominating this area for over 800 years.

Fun fact: Due to its location and favourable temperatures, the cave under the castle is inhabited by a colony of bats, which is why entering there is only possible between May and September (when not hibernating).

What to see in Predjama Castle

Predjama Castle offers a unique insight into the history of medieval people. With ingenuity and special construction techniques, they found shelter from the intruders there that you get to explore 6 centuries later! Inside the castle, you can see a renovated room in the main attic with an amazing view of the entire valley below the castle, where a number of replicas of various weapons, armours and firearms are on display.

What to do in Predjama Castle

Predjama is also the venue for a special medieval-inspired event that takes place every summer: Erazem’s Knight Tournament. This is a wonderful opportunity for archers, knights, swordsmen and horsemen to show their skills and offer the visitors a presentation of the historic way of life from a time long gone.

Where to go in Predjama Castle

Special audio guides available in 17 languages guide you on a tour of Predjama Castle and present you its legacy. You can also visit the spot where Erazem of Predjama was assassinated and walk to the linden tree, under which he is resting (as legend has it). Remember to take a photo stop on the bridge leading to the castle!

PIRAN

Piran is a romantic Mediterranean town with rich history and numerous cultural sites. It is inarguably the most beautiful town on the Slovenian coast, which flourished due to the proximity of the Piran Salt Pans, where salt is still acquired using traditional methods. You can still find influences from the times of the Republic of Venice that Piran once formed a part of. The town is protected as a cultural and historical monument.

What to see in Piran

Narrow streets and old stone houses with colourful window shields give Piran a special sense of cosiness and an undeniable charm. You can see churches and buildings with noticeable venetian architectural traits. The main square is crowned with a statue of Giuseppe Tartini, a composer and virtuoso violinist who was born in a house just steps from the square.

What to do in Piran

Since Piran is such a tiny town, you can just walk around it with our tour guide to get to know it better. If you walk down the pier, you will see the traditional fishermen, and if you walk away from the sea, you will find yourself in the middle of a lively market. Having coffee or lunch by the sea can become one of your most treasured memories.

Where to go in Piran

Climbing the hill to reach Piran City Walls will treat you with an amazing view of Slovenia, Italy and Croatia. The best cafés and restaurants are lined up around Tartini Square and down the main beach. Piran is also a popular venue for various traditional events in glory of local natural heritage and crops, such as the Salt Festival.

PORTOROŽ

Portorož is the modern capital city of Slovenian tourism with the most luxurious hotel in Slovenia – Kempinski Palace Portorož. It has a long history of being a popular health resort for domestic and foreign visitors with beneficial climate and healing substances from the nearby Piran Salt Pans. It is a small place with high-quality wellness offer, casinos, bars and a vast selection of activities that include its surroundings.

What to see in Portorož

Sea, sand and sun(sets) – still the ultimate recipe for a great vacation! Portorož has a well-maintained central beach with cute beach bars and cafés, where you can spend time swimming or sea-gazing to relax and let your mind wander. In a quiet town like Portorož, families with children, couples and individuals can take some time off.

What to do in Portorož

Those of you who want a more active holiday can visit one of the local clubs, attend numerous events throughout the year, rent a car, bike – or take a horse ride to the nearby Istrian villages! For true sports enthusiasts, there are tennis courts, sporttracks, sport halls, pools and, of course, the warm blue sea.

Where to go in Portorož

A stroll through the main promenade and an evening walk from Portorož to Piran are nice and relaxing experiences even the locals never get tired of! If you are interested in cultural sights and natural attractions, you can take a trip to the nearby Sečovlje Salina Nature Park and Strunjan Nature Park or visit Piran.