A Seaside Getaway During Advent on the Slovenian Riviera

On November 27, 2026 (Friday), we depart from Szeged in the early morning hours from the car park of Szeged Plaza. Around midday, we arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s picturesque capital, where we explore the charming historic city centre, built on Roman foundations. The city’s most important sights are clustered around the main square named after the famous Slovenian poet France Prešeren. Crossing the renowned Triple Bridge, we make our way to the Town Hall, which dates back to the medieval period, while the festive Advent lights create an increasingly magical atmosphere throughout the city centre. Near the pedestrian zone, we take the Ljubljana funicular up to the medieval castle, where breathtaking panoramic views await us over the city and the surrounding mountains. The castle also has a connection to Hungarian history: Count Lajos Batthyány, a martyr of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence and Hungary’s first responsible Prime Minister, was imprisoned here. Afterwards, free time allows us to immerse ourselves in the festive bustle of Ljubljana’s Advent market, admire the streets illuminated by sparkling lights, and experience the special magic of the Christmas season. In the late afternoon, we depart for our accommodation in Portorož, where a delicious dinner awaits us.

After breakfast, we travel to one of the most charming towns on the Slovenian coast, Piran (Pirano in Italian). With its picturesque setting, Mediterranean atmosphere, narrow winding streets and Venetian heritage, this enchanting town transports us back to a bygone era. During our walk, we explore the magnificent Tartini Square, the heart of the peninsula town, admire masterpieces of Venetian Gothic architecture, and then climb up to St. George’s Parish Church, where breathtaking views await us over the deep blue Adriatic Sea and Piran’s distinctive red-roofed houses. Afterwards, free time allows us to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the seaside. Our next destination is Koper, Slovenia’s most important port city and a major logistics hub on the Adriatic. Its charming historic centre offers a special appeal even in autumn. The city’s main square, named after Josip Broz Tito, is home to several remarkable landmarks. Here, we admire the magnificent Praetorian Palace, once the residence of the local governor appointed by the Venetian Doge, the nearly 500-year-old Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the impressive Loggia Palace. After our free time in Koper, we continue to Portorož, Slovenia’s best-known seaside resort. Known in Italian as the “Port of Roses”, the town exudes a distinctive Mediterranean charm, particularly along its palm-lined seafront promenade. During our evening stroll, we admire the illuminated waterfront before returning to our accommodation for dinner.

After breakfast, we travel to the northwestern part of the Dinaric Alps, home to one of Slovenia’s most spectacular natural treasures: the world-famous Postojna Cave. We enter one of Europe’s most extraordinary underground realms, where magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations, vast chambers and mysterious passageways await us. We explore part of the approximately 5.2-kilometre visitor route by underground train and continue on foot through the cave’s breathtaking galleries. The extraordinary variety of shapes and colours among the rock formations creates a truly unforgettable experience, making us feel as though we have stepped through a gateway into another world. Our next destination is another remarkable attraction in Slovenia’s enchanting karst region. Predjama Castle is a monumental medieval fortress built into a towering vertical cliff face, captivating visitors for centuries. Its walls seamlessly integrated into the rock, the mysterious passages of the cave system and the legends surrounding the notorious knight and robber baron Erazem lend the castle a unique and mystical atmosphere. This picturesque and romantic fortress provides a fitting finale to our Slovenian adventure. Afterwards, we begin our journey home. Along the way, we make a short stop in the village of Trojane, famous for its delicious doughnuts, where we have the opportunity to sample this local speciality. We arrive back in Szeged in the late evening.