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Karst & Coast a Full-Day Trip

Slovenia is a small and very diverse country. Most of the locations are within a daily trip distance from the capital. 

This blog may be more suitable for travelers who prefer the coastal region of Slovenia. The unforgettable experience includes:

Wine tasting tour, visiting the Old Town of Piran, and exploring UNESCO heritage Skocjan Caves.

The entire experience is also family-friendly experience. as children may choose something else when it comes to the wine-tasting part.

Skocjan Caves

Skocjan Caves Slovenia

The professional local English-speaking guide will take you to the Skocjan Caves. On your 80km journey in an air-conditioned minivan, you can observe the Slovenian countryside slowly converting into the Karst.

There you join a standard guided tour which will take you into the underground canyon of the river Reka. The underground canyon is the biggest underground canyon in the world. The place is magnificent.

At that place, I heard a tourist say to his friend: "I’ve been to most of the places in Slovenia, and the one who has not seen the Skocjan Caves yet, has seen nothing at all.”

The Skocjan caves contain spectacular limestone formations. Tourists have been visiting the caves to see the incredible miracles of nature. Today, the caves are an exciting destination to add to your tour of Slovenia.

Apart from the Postojna Cave, this place is packed less with tourists, less commercialized, and includes more walking.

I must not forget to mention that visiting the cave in the hot summer months is always a refreshing experience. The temperature in the cave is a refreshing 10°C. You will be walking in the cave for some time. Therefore warm clothes are desirable, or the visit could become unpleasant. The walking surface is often moist. Comfortable shoes are also welcome.

Karst air-dried prosciutto

Karst air-dried Prosciutto

After visiting the Skocjan Caves, the guide will take you to a local tavern where you could try some local air-dried Prosciutto called Karst Prosciutto. Locals accompany it with their local wine. The name of the wine is Teran. It goes without saying that after a walk in the cold environment, a glass of Teran wine and a Karst Prosciutto will go beyond tasty. Is it the cave or just local cuisine?

Lipica Stud Farm

After your lunch, the Lipica stud farm will be your next stop.

The Lipica Stud Farm is the oldest European farm continuously breeding Lipizzan horses. It is a beautiful place to visit. The Lipizzan horse is known as Slovenia's national animal.

Most of the mares we saw at the stud farm were white, but a few were still grey. Adult Lipizzans are usually greyish-white in color, and foals are born almost black. Lipizzan horses that are dark gradually lighten as they grow older, and by the time they are close to white.

You can drive across the farm for free, but a paid admission allows you to close the experience of the horses. While you go to the parking lot, you may see the mares feeding in a field. You can watch the graceful creatures and can take photos.

Coastal City Piran

The Old Town of Piran will be your next stop on today’s trip. Here you can lose yourself in its narrow, medieval streets and enjoy some free time over an exquisite seafood meal in one of the many local restaurants or cafes. Most of them are located by the coast. Bringing your swimwear can be a good idea.

The Predjama Castle

Predjama Castle is about a 57km drive away from the Piran. Your guide will stop there on the way back to the capital Ljubljana.

The castle-built cliffside covers the entrance into the cave behind. After you hear the story about the local Robin Hood, you can explore its stairways and chambers independently or with a guide.

Final words

You’ll see that your guide is punctual, professional, and very attentional. All those places are full of tourists, especially in the summertime. So an experienced guide is needed. Under the lead, you’ll be able to visit all of those incredible locations. The price does not include Skocjan Cave 16 EUR/per person (January, February, November, and December) and 18 EUR/per person in March, April, May, June, September, and October. 20 EUR/ per person cost in July and August. 16 EUR/person costs Lipica Stud Farm. Taste of Teran Wine and Prosciutto costs 10 EUR / per person. The tour does not include the cost of food or other expenses like souvenirs. Still giving you the freedom to decide whether you visit that place or skip that one and wait to go and see the other.


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See this gallery in the original post

Interested in Postojna Cave instead?