Best Time to Visit Slovenia
The best time to travel to Slovenia is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
Spring in Slovenia
Spring in Slovenia is a beautiful season, with temperatures ranging from mild to warm. The days are longer, and the countryside is filled with blooming wildflowers. This is the ideal time to visit the Julian Alps and take in the stunning views. There are also various festivals and events taking place throughout the season, such as the Maribor Festival and the Ljubljana Festival.
Autumn in Slovenia
Autumn in Slovenia is a great time to visit, with temperatures ranging from mild to cool. The days become shorter and the leaves begin to change color, creating a stunning landscape. This is the perfect time to explore the many vineyards in Slovenia and sample some of the local wines. There are also various festivals and events taking place throughout the season, such as the Festival of Lights in Ljubljana and the Maribor Harvest Festival.
Month-by-month guide for traveling in Slovenia
Slovenia in January
Weather
January in Slovenia is typically cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from -2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Snow is common in the northern and eastern parts of the country, while rain is more frequent in the south and west.
Events
- The traditional Epiphany celebration takes place on January 6th, when a procession of people dressed as kings and angels march through the streets of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.
- The Slovenian Alpine Skiing Championship is held in January in the ski resort of Kranjska Gora.
- The International Ice Hockey Tournament is held in January in the city of Maribor.
- The Ljubljana Marathon is held in January and attracts runners from all over the world.
- The Ljubljana Winter Festival is held in January and features a variety of cultural events, including music, theater, and dance performances.
Slovenia in January
Weather
January is the coldest month in Slovenia, with temperatures ranging from an average low of -2°C (28°F) to an average high of 5°C (41°F). Snow is common throughout the month, and the Alps can receive a significant amount of snowfall.
Events
- New Year’s Day (January 1): Celebrations take place throughout the country, with fireworks displays in some areas.
- Ljubljana Marathon (January 26): This annual marathon takes place in the capital city of Ljubljana and attracts runners from all over the world.
- International Ice Hockey Tournament (January 30-31): This annual tournament takes place in the city of Maribor and features teams from all over Europe.
- Slovenian Ski Championship (January 31-February 2): This annual event takes place in the Slovenian Alps and features skiers from all over the country.
- Celje Carnival (January 31-February 2): This annual event takes place in the city of Celje and features a parade, music, and other festivities.
Slovenia in March
Weather
March is the beginning of spring in Slovenia. The temperatures start to warm up, and the days become longer. The average temperature in March is between 5°C (41°F) and 10°C (50°F). It is usually sunny during the day, but rain is common in the evenings.
Events
- The Ljubljana Marathon is held in March. This is a popular event that attracts runners from all over the world.
- The International Festival of Contemporary Arts is held in Ljubljana in March. This is a celebration of the arts with performances, exhibitions, and workshops.
- The International Jazz Festival is held in Ljubljana in March. This festival features some of the best jazz musicians from around the world.
- The Festival of Slovenian Film is held in Maribor in March. This is a celebration of Slovenian cinema with screenings of films, talks, and workshops.
- The International Festival of Street Arts is held in Maribor in March. This is a celebration of street art with performances, workshops, and exhibitions.
Slovenia in April
Weather
April in Slovenia is generally characterized by mild temperatures and occasional showers. The average temperature in April is between 8-14°C (46-57°F).
Events
- Easter Sunday is celebrated in April, with churches and homes decorated with colorful eggs and Easter-themed decorations.
- April 25th is a public holiday in Slovenia, celebrating the liberation of the country from Nazi occupation in 1945.
- The Ljubljana Marathon is held in April, with runners from all over the world participating in the event.
- The International Festival of Contemporary Arts – City of Women is held in Ljubljana in April, featuring exhibitions, performances, and other events.
- The International Festival of Documentary and Short Film is held in Ljubljana in April, showcasing films from all over the world.
Slovenia in May
Weather
May is the beginning of summer in Slovenia, with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F). This is the perfect time of year to explore the country’s stunning natural beauty, with the snow melted away and the sun shining.
Events
- International Music Festival Ljubljana: This annual event takes place in the capital city of Ljubljana and features some of the best classical and jazz music from around the world.
- Eurobasket 2021: This international basketball tournament is held in Slovenia and features teams from across Europe.
- International Festival of Folklore: This festival is held in the city of Maribor and celebrates traditional Slovenian folk music, dance, and culture.
- International Wine Festival: This event is held in the city of Ptuj and features some of the best wines from Slovenia and abroad.
- Ljubljana Marathon: This annual event is held in the capital city and attracts runners from all over the world.
Slovenia in June
Weather
June in Slovenia is characterized by warm and sunny days, with temperatures ranging from 15-25 degrees Celsius (59-77 degrees Fahrenheit). The days are usually long and sunny, with some rain showers in the afternoon.
Events
- The Ljubljana Festival is an annual event that takes place in June. It is a cultural event that includes music, theater, dance, and visual arts performances.
- The Summer Solstice Festival is held in June in the city of Maribor. This is a celebration of the longest day of the year, with music, art, and food.
- The Summer Music Festival is held in June in the city of Ptuj. This is an outdoor music festival that features local and international acts.
- The Summer in the City Festival is held in June in the city of Kranj. This is an outdoor festival that features music, art, and food.
- The Ljubljana Marathon is held in June in the city of Ljubljana. This is a running event that attracts thousands of participants from all over the world.
Slovenia in July
Weather
July is the hottest month in Slovenia, with temperatures ranging from an average high of 24°C (75°F) to an average low of 15°C (59°F). The days are usually sunny and dry, with occasional thunderstorms.
Events
- The Ljubljana Festival is an annual event that takes place in July. It is a celebration of music, theatre, dance, and visual arts, with performances held throughout the city.
- The Bled Festival is an annual event that takes place in July in the beautiful town of Bled. It is a celebration of music, art, and culture, with concerts, theatre performances, and exhibitions.
- The Maribor Summer Festival is a month-long event that takes place in July. It is a celebration of music, theatre, and dance, with performances held throughout the city.
- The Ptuj Carnival is an annual event that takes place in July. It is a celebration of music, dance, and culture, with parades, concerts, and workshops.
- The Piran Summer Festival is an annual event that takes place in July. It is a celebration of music, theatre, and art, with performances held throughout the city.
Slovenia in August
Weather
August in Slovenia is usually warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 18-25°C (64-77°F). Rainfall is usually low, but thunderstorms can occur.
Events
- Bled Days: This annual festival, held in the town of Bled, celebrates the local culture and traditions of Slovenia. It includes folk music, traditional dance performances, and local food.
- Ljubljana Festival: This annual festival is held in the capital city of Ljubljana. It includes music, theater, dance, and other performances from both local and international artists.
- Maribor Summer Festival: This annual festival is held in the city of Maribor and includes music, theater, and dance performances, as well as art exhibitions and workshops.
- Ptuj Carnival: This annual carnival is held in the city of Ptuj and includes parades, music, and dance performances.
- Summer Night Festival: This annual festival is held in Ljubljana and includes music, theater, and dance performances, as well as art exhibitions and workshops.
Slovenia in September
Weather
September is the time of transition from summer to autumn in Slovenia. The weather is usually mild, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 24°C. Rainfall is common during the month, and the days can become quite cloudy.
Events
- The annual Ljubljana Marathon takes place in September. The event draws thousands of runners from all over the world and is a great way to explore the city and its surroundings.
- The Bled Festival is a popular music event that takes place in the city of Bled. This event features a variety of genres, from jazz to rock, and is a great way to enjoy the end of summer.
- The International Festival of Puppet Theatre is held in Ljubljana in September. This event showcases the best of puppet theatre from around the world, and is a great way to experience the art form.
- The annual Ljubljana International Film Festival is held in September. This event showcases the best of international cinema, and is a great way to experience the best of world cinema.
- The International Festival of Contemporary Arts is held in Ljubljana in September. This event showcases the best of contemporary art from around the world, and is a great way to experience the best of modern art.
Slovenia in October
Weather
October is the start of the autumn season in Slovenia. Temperatures typically range from lows of 8°C (46°F) to highs of 16°C (61°F). Rainfall is common during October, with an average of 17 days of rain in the month.
Events
- The Ljubljana Marathon takes place in October each year. The event attracts runners from all over the world and is a great opportunity to explore the city of Ljubljana.
- The Festival of Lights is held in Ljubljana every October. The event celebrates the start of the winter season with a variety of light installations and performances.
- The International Folklore Festival takes place in Maribor every October. The festival celebrates traditional music and dance from around the world.
- The Bled Festival of Culture is held in October each year. The festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Slovenia with a variety of music, theatre, and art performances.
- The Festival of Wine and Cheese is held in the town of Ptuj every October. The event celebrates the local food and drink with a variety of tastings and workshops.
Slovenia in November
Weather
November in Slovenia is typically cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from a low of 1°C to a high of 8°C. Rainfall is common throughout the month, with an average of around 80mm per month. Snow is also possible, especially in the mountains.
Events
- The Ljubljana Marathon takes place in November, usually around the second week of the month. This popular event attracts thousands of runners from around the world.
- The International Jazz Festival takes place in Ljubljana in November. This event features jazz music from around the world and is a popular event for music lovers.
- The Ljubljana Festival is held in November. This event features a variety of cultural performances, including music, dance, theatre, and more.
- The Maribor Festival of Lights is held in November. This event features a variety of light displays, including illuminated sculptures, projections, and more.
- The International Film Festival takes place in Ljubljana in November. This event features films from around the world and is a popular event for film lovers.
Slovenia in December
Weather
December is usually a cold and wet month in Slovenia. Average temperatures in December range from -1°C to 6°C, with the highest temperatures in the south and the lowest temperatures in the north. Snow is common, especially in the mountains.
Events
- The first weekend of December is the traditional time for the Christmas markets to open in Slovenia. The markets are held in the main squares of towns and cities, and feature traditional crafts, food and drinks.
- The Ljubljana Marathon is held in December. The marathon is a popular event, with runners from all over Europe taking part.
- The International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music is held in December in Ljubljana. The festival features a range of classical, jazz and folk music.
- The traditional Christmas Eve dinner is held on December 24th. The dinner is usually a festive affair, with a range of traditional dishes served.
- The New Year’s Eve celebrations are held on December 31st. The main celebrations are held in the capital, Ljubljana, with a range of concerts and fireworks displays.