Family Holiday in Slovenia: Discover the Best Activities for Kids!

Welcome travel lovers and adventurous parents!
I can’t wait to take you on a journey to Slovenia – a hidden gem for families seeking a mix of nature, culture, and unforgettable experiences.

Slovenia – The Ultimate Family Vacation Destination

With its enchanting landscapes and welcoming atmosphere, Slovenia is a true delight for families. Still undiscovered by mass tourism, this heart-of-Europe country offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation for both parents and children.

We started our trip in Ljubljana. Slovenia’s capital radiates a warmth and friendliness you wouldn’t normally expect from a big city. Ljubljana embraces you with its charming atmosphere and welcoming character, making it an ideal destination for families with kids.

Small, Cozy, and Full of Childlike Joy

“Imagine a city where your kids can run freely across charming squares, and as a parent, you don’t have to worry about long distances. That’s Ljubljana in a nutshell.”

Although it’s the capital, Ljubljana feels like a small city that’s easy to navigate. This makes it especially suitable for families looking for a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.

A Stroll Through the City

One of the best ways to experience Ljubljana’s charm is simply by wandering through its picturesque streets. Since it’s such a compact city, you can easily explore everything on foot. You’ll walk along the river, past cozy terraces, or—like we did—through the fake rain where the kids had the best time cooling off during the hottest parts of the day.

Don’t miss the famous Butcher’s Bridge, also known as the “love lock bridge.” It’s filled with padlocks where couples seal their love, and sometimes even parents add a pacifier to symbolize their bond with their child. Our kids loved counting how many pacifiers they could spot—it became a fun little game.

And of course, an ice cream stop is a must. Here in Ljubljana, the scoops are huge, which makes it an instant hit with kids (and parents too!).

 

Ljubljana Castle

A ride on the scenic little train to Ljubljana Castle is the perfect start to a day full of discoveries. Surrounded by greenery, the train takes you up the hill to a magical viewpoint over the city. For kids, the ride itself is already a highlight! At the top, you’ll arrive at the castle, where you can stroll around and soak up the stunning views of Ljubljana. Inside, there’s also a puppet theatre—great fun for the little ones. And if you get hungry, the castle even has a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal with a view.

Culinary Adventures at Julija

After visiting the castle, it’s time to enjoy a meal at one of Ljubljana’s many charming restaurants. The city is also known for its excellent culinary scene. For a family-friendly experience, Restaurant Julija is a must. Its warm and welcoming atmosphere makes it a great place to dine with kids. While they don’t have a dedicated children’s menu, the staff is happy to prepare something simple that little ones will enjoy. We had a wonderful meal here! It does get very busy, so make sure to book a table in advance—or go early on a weekday.

Staying at Boutique Hotel Asteria

After a day full of discoveries, a good night’s sleep is essential. Boutique Hotel Asteria not only offers comfortable accommodation but also a friendly atmosphere that perfectly matches Ljubljana’s character.

This small boutique hotel is located about a 15-minute walk from the city center. On the way, you’ll pass a playground and a little football field—ideal for a short break with kids. The hotel itself isn’t very large, which gives it a personal and cozy feel. With its pink walls and inviting outdoor seating areas, it looks truly charming.

They offer spacious family rooms with two double beds, and breakfast is included—a delicious bonus. Book your room here.

   

Mini City – Where Kids Discover Their Dreams

A special addition to the family-friendly activities in Ljubljana is Mini City. This unique play park offers children the chance to try out different professions in a fun, hands-on way. It’s made up of various themed rooms, each representing a different job. Has your child always dreamed of being a firefighter, a mechanic, or a doctor? Here, they can step into the role and experience it for themselves.

If you’re planning to visit several attractions in Ljubljana, consider getting the Ljubljana Card.. You can purchase it here

Therme Olimia – Water Fun and Relaxation

After our lively visit to Ljubljana, we continued eastward to Therme Olimia right on the border with Croatia. This wellness resort in the heart of Slovenia offers a mix of relaxation and fun, spread across multiple hotels and apartments.

Our home during this stay was Hotel Breza—which at first glance looked quite luxurious, but turned out to be a bit more modest upon closer inspection. We chose a double room with an extra bed for our youngest, giving us three beds for the four of us—a smart way to keep costs down.

The buffet breakfast and dinner were perfectly fine, though somewhat impersonal. There was plenty of choice, even for the kids, but the atmosphere lacked a bit of coziness. Luckily, we discovered that dining at the neighboring Hotel Sotelia offered a more relaxed and pleasant experience.

 

What truly set Therme Olimia apart were the beautiful pools and fun water slides—a real paradise for kids. Our children couldn’t get enough of them and must have gone down the slides at least a hundred times. The wellness area, unfortunately, was only accessible to older children, but the resort did offer special arrangements that allowed us to enjoy it together at specific times.

 

Aqualuna – Water Fun

And of course, the highlight of this destination: the enchanting Aqualuna Water Park! Slovenia may have several water parks, but for us, Aqualuna stood out as the best choice for our kids. We discovered an abundance of large slides, with the showstopper being the Cobra—a giant snake-shaped slide. While this one was a bit too thrilling, there were plenty of other slides at different excitement levels, which my daughter enjoyed much more.

 

Aqualuna isn’t just a paradise for thrill-seekers—it’s also simply a fun water park where you can splash around, glide down smaller slides, play in the water playground, or float in the wave pool. A true water wonderland for families!

Do keep in mind that the larger slides require a minimum height of 1.20 meters. Unfortunately, our son didn’t quite meet that requirement, which at first was a bit of a disappointment. Luckily, he soon found his joy in the other pools and slides, making Aqualuna an unforgettable highlight of our Slovenia trip.

From here, we continued our journey to Croatia. You can read all about what we did there in this blog.

After Croatia, we returned to Slovenia and headed to the Brda wine region. And for anyone who thinks that visiting a wine region with kids isn’t a good idea—think again!

Brda – The Beautiful Wine Region 

Brda, located in Slovenia, is a stunning wine region that’s definitely worth visiting with children. One of its most charming spots is the picturesque village of Šmartno. This medieval town offers a unique atmosphere and breathtaking views over the vineyards. And don’t miss the chance to enjoy a meal at the town’s only restaurant, Restaurant Marica, where you can savor delicious local dishes in a truly special setting.

 

One of the highlights of Šmartno is the viewing tower, where the whole family can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Kids will love exploring the area from above while also learning a bit about the region’s history.

 

If you’re looking for a place to stay, guesthouse Valentintic is an excellent choice. This cozy guesthouse offers comfortable accommodation and warm hospitality. It even has a beautiful pool overlooking the stunning wine region. They offer double rooms, but we stayed in a little “tower” where two rooms were side by side—perfect for families. The owners are happy to share their knowledge about the local wines, and you can even arrange a wine tasting to discover the different flavors. An absolute highlight!

 

What makes visiting Brda with children so enjoyable is the chance to take part in outdoor activities. You can stroll together through the vineyards, rent bikes, and explore the beautiful nature of the region. On top of that, kids can enjoy delicious local food—fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant here.

Car Train from Most na Soči to Bohinj

From Brda, we made our way to Lake Bled. On the recommendation of locals, we took the car train—a unique and convenient way to explore Slovenia. This train route allows travelers to drive their car onto the train, making it easy and comfortable to pass through some of the country’s most stunning landscapes.

The route begins in Most na Soči, a picturesque village set along the banks of the Soča River. We first had lunch at a small restaurant by the river—it looked more like a simple cafeteria, but the view more than made up for it! From there, you drive your car onto the train and enjoy the scenery as you travel through Slovenia’s mountains and valleys. Along the way, you’ll pass breathtaking landscapes, lush green forests, and crystal-clear lakes.

After a relaxing train ride, you’ll arrive in Bohinj, a popular destination for nature lovers. Here you can unload your car and start exploring the beautiful surroundings. Bohinj is famous for its breathtaking lake, framed by towering mountains. You can enjoy peaceful walks along the lakeshore, cycle through the surrounding nature, or even take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water.

     

Lake Bled – A Place Full of Activities

Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most iconic destinations, offering a wide range of activities for the whole family. This enchanting lake is famous for its fairytale-like island with a church and the imposing castle perched high on the hilltop.

    

There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy around Lake Bled. For example, you can take a boat trip to the little island and visit the church. Kids will love the adventurous side of rowing across the water and exploring the island. You can also visit Bled Castle, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the lake and its stunning surroundings.

For more active families, there are plenty of opportunities to go hiking, cycling, or even horseback riding around the lake. At the adventure park near Lake Bled, kids can enjoy even more fun activities such as tobogganing, tubing, and climbing in the treetop ropes course.

Tobogganing is a popular activity where kids can zoom down a special track—an experience full of fun and excitement, all while surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Even the ride up on the chairlift is an adventure in itself. Be sure to arrive a little before opening time, as later in the day the waiting line can easily stretch to 1.5–2 hours.

Tubing is another fun activity where kids can slide down the hill on an inflatable tube. It’s a great way to get an adrenaline rush while also enjoying the stunning scenery. Since it’s located right next to the toboggan run, it’s a perfect alternative if you happen to arrive too late for that—tubing usually has much shorter lines.

For those looking for an extra challenge, there’s also a treetop adventure park where children can climb and scramble among the trees. With different difficulty levels and careful supervision, kids can push their limits and improve their climbing skills. Unfortunately, it was closed during our visit due to storm damage.

Ribno Alpine Glamping

When it comes to accommodation, Ribno Alpine Glamping is a great option for families. The campsite has two areas:  the luxury side where a small stream runs through and kids can swim, and the simpler side. They call the cabins here “treehouses”—but don’t sell it to your kids that way! Our daughter was quite disappointed, as in her eyes it was just a small wooden hut on four short stilts. Still, it was a lovely hut with its own hot tub and a beautiful setting!

In the morning, breakfast is included in the hotel that’s part of the same complex, and you can also use the sauna. The campsite itself is in a peaceful location away from the hustle and bustle of Lake Bled, yet close enough to easily reach all the attractions. There’s also  a hotel onside if you prefer a more traditional stay.

   

However, keep in mind that Lake Bled is a very popular tourist destination, which means it can get quite busy—especially on the road around the lake. It’s important to plan a little extra time for possible traffic jams. Going early in the morning or later in the day is the best way to avoid the crowds.

This was where we wrapped up our fantastic trip through Slovenia. On the way back to the Netherlands, we made a stop at Legoland Germany.

a perfect halfway break on the route, and definitely something we can recommend.

Thank you for reading this blog about our wonderful family holiday in Slovenia. Slovenia truly is a beautiful country: stunning nature, fun activities for kids, great weather, delicious food, and of course, excellent wines 😊.

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