Top style tips for Slovenia
- Slovenians do dress quite smartly, but you don't have to follow suit; if you prefer to dress more casually you will feel at ease.
- Ljubljana is a cosmopolitan capital city with a large student population so really any style of dress will fit in. Our preference though is for smart casual.
- Jeans are always popular and will serve as a versatile base to your wardrobe. Wear them with cool layers such as camisoles or a t-shirt for the summer, or warmer ones e.g. a long-sleeved shirt and sweater in the winter.
- However in the height of the summer – June, July and August – jeans may be too hot, so opt instead for lighter weight pants or a sundress in natural fabrics to keep you cooler.
- If your trip includes enjoying hiking, cycling, water sports, climbing or any other of the many outdoor activities on offer here you will also need to bring your specialist gear with you.
- If you are looking for a highly versatile travel jacket to bring along we recommend the SCOTTeVEST range. Their range of jackets have been specifically designed with traveling in mind and include RFID security (to protect your passport information), 23 secure pockets and personal connectivity integration.
What shoes to pack
- Make sure you take comfy footwear for daytime as there are loads of cobbled streets, boat trips, plus religious sites and museums with wooden floors (try Hotter shoes, they provide total comfort and look great too).
- Ladies, if you must pack high heels save them for the evenings and smarter restaurants, but glitzy flat shoes are preferable in the summer.
- And gents we would recommend including a pair of smarter shoes for evenings.
Pack for the weather
- In the summer – June, July and August – the temperatures average 18 – 24°C. It can get much hotter, but the evenings can still be cooler so pack a lightweight jacket or sweater.
- The sun can be deceptively strong even if the temperature feels cool; this is especially so at altitude and on the lakes, and we suggest that you use a good quality sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection) and sunhat. Also insect/mosquito repellent is a must.
- The winters are freezing. Through December, January, February and March pack warm layers: a thick coat, warm hat, gloves and scarf. A furry lining or trim will keep you even cosier. For extra warmth pack some long thermal underwear – you'll be grateful you did.
- light wool is a good choice to wear against your skin as it naturally helps to regulate your body temperature. It keeps you warm in the cold, wicks away moisture when it's hot, and doesn't retain odours – even after prolonged wear.
- For the winter months you also need to pack really good boots with soft rubber soles. It's important that you get soft rubber soles because even medium soles get really hard in the freezing cold. Make sure too that they have large spaces between the tracks, or the snow will get stuck in them and make them very slippery.
- Dressing in layers will help you with the temperature changes during the day, whatever time of year you visit.
- A light raincoat and travel umbrella are worth packing all year round.
- We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip 🙂
Clothing tips for women
- A pashmina is a versatile piece, and in Ljubljana it's also good for when the sun goes down and you're outside by the river listening to live music.
- Dress an outfit with a few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry or a scarf.
- Pop in a smart dress, scarf and heels for dining out in smarter restaurants.
Clothing tips for men
- Even in smarter restaurants shorts and jeans are accepted but smarter dress will be appreciated.
Regions of Slovenia
- Traditionally, Bled was famous as a high class spa resort. Today it has an “up-market European” feel coupled with an outdoor sporty element (rowing, skiing etc). There are a couple of smart, expensive restaurants – so you may like to pop in a nice outfit for dining out.
- For walking in the hills and many countryside trails, lightweight cotton pants that dry quickly are useful. If they have detachable legs to turn them into shorts they will be even more versatile.
- However, the Slovenian forests are one of the highest-risk regions of Europe for tick-borne diseases. If walking in these areas wear long, loose clothes and tuck pants into your socks. Clothes can also be proofed with suitable repellent beforehand and you may want to consider vaccinations before you go. Check your skin each day and if you are bitten remove the tick (you need a special tick removal tool, don't just pull it out) as soon as possible and/or seek medical help.
Other things to pack
- A lightweight day sack or shoulder bag will come in handy to carry your sightseeing essentials.
- Tap water is perfectly safe here but if you tend to buy bottled water, consider carrying a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle – fill up from any source and get clean, safe drinking water without wasting plastic bottles. Slovenians really are keen on protecting the environment from waste plastic – so it will be much appreciated. There are water fountains and public taps throughout Slovenia.
- To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step down voltage converter if your devices are not designed for European voltage (230V).
- If you're aiming to travel with just carry-on baggage, try the CabinMax soft-sided rucksack – it's light, roomy and has plenty of pockets to keep your stuff organized.
- Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! Lace goods are popular, as is Slovenian wine or schnapps in a range of varieties; remember though that liquids must be packed in checked-in luggage unless you buy at the airport. Try their pumpkin oil – it really is delicious and something of a local speciality; this too can be bought at the airport.