Here are the best Caves in Slovenia. Head underground and discover the natural wonders of Slovenia Caves, including the UNESCO-listed Skocjan Cave and the world-famous Postojna Cave.
The natural wonders of Slovenia extend beyond the countryside and mountain scenery to deep underground caves. Slovenia boasts a staggering 8000 caves. However, only 20 of these are open to visitors to explore. Why? Because the others are too difficult to explore, unsafe, or not wholly excavated generally, the 20, which are open, certainly offer a fascinating glimpse of what lies beneath terra firma.
Postojna and Skocjan Caves are, without a doubt, the most popular and most visited, but the others are worth checking out, too. Let’s look a little further at 20 of the best Slovenian caves to visit.
- Slovenia is famous for its numerous caves, which are a must-see attraction offering a unique network of underground karst formations
- Each cave offers unique attractions, from significant karst formations and historical artifacts, to diverse underground fauna
- Options for guided tours or self-exploration are present at most caves, with varying levels of accessibility and challenges based on the cave
- Predjama and Postojna Caves are situated close to each other, making them easy to visit sequentially
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1. Postojna Cave
Probably the most famous and indeed the most visited cave in Slovenia, Postojna Cave was first referred to in the 17th century. However, the first tourists visiting the cave commenced in 1819. The cave became known as the first tourist cave attraction containing electric lighting before rails were put in place for visitors to explore the cave’s depths, with a gas locomotive train being the ideal way to travel.
The caves are home to indigenous species, such as the olm, which you can see from some in-cave aquariums along the way. The concert hall inside the cave offers fantastic acoustics and can fit around 10,000 people!
On top of this, you will visit Big Mountain Hall, Tube Hall, and many fascinating stalactites and stalagmites.
2. Hell Cave (Pekel Cave)
This Karst Slovenian cave contains many exciting and diverse stalagmites, stalactites, and a four-meter high waterfall, the country’s highest underground waterfall. Located in the Ponikovski region, the cave was named because the main entrance looks a little bit like the Devil.
The cave has two floors, with the lower floor home to countless small lakes and the upper floor where you’ll find waterfalls. To get to the cave, you walk through a picturesque forest trail, which is an experience.
3. Skocjan Cave
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, giving it some visiting clout! Located in the country’s Karst region, this is one of the largest canyons located underground globally and has areas of stunning natural beauty with its ecosystem.
At around 6200m long, the caves include the Reka River, which disappears underground at the caves’ entrance. Inside the caves, you will find Martel’s Chamber, one of the continent’s largest underground chambers, at around 2.2 million cubic meters.
You can easily explore the caves on foot, although be aware that this is one of the most popular attractions in the country, so there may be crowds from time to time. The first section of the caves themselves, Marinic Cave and Mahorcic Cave, are popular, with Big Collapse Doline, an underground canyon, also very well visited.
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4. Cross Cave (Cold Cave)
Discovered back in 1832, this cave is located in the Loz Valley, which is certainly worth visiting in its own right! The cave itself gets its name from the Holy Cross Church in nearby Podloz and has 45 underground lakes, which all sparkle in various emerald green hues. Packed with nature, with around 45 species, this is a big name in the natural world and a great cave to visit for environmental purists.
There are two passages through the cave, an easy and a hard one, with most people choosing the easier option – Pisani Rov, traveling by small boat.
5. Dimnice Jama (Smoke Cave)
This is one of the newer Slovenian caves you can visit and is open every Sunday for tours. The cave is known widely as Smoke Cave because of the fog, which seems to float up from the cave during winter.
A long winding path leads to the cave and a spiral staircase, which is quite impressive. You need to walk around 39 meters to the entrance before entering a large hallway with large chambers, including one called Dancing Hall.
6. Mayor’s Cave (Zupanova Jama)
The Grosuplje area of central Slovenia is where you’ll find this incredible cave. In 1926, the cave comprised seven halls, which were accessible by foot relatively quickly—some spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations in various colors, including ice stalactites during the winter.
The caves’ waters are crystal clear, with various wildlife calling the cave home. Visiting the cave is restricted to weekends, bank holidays, and by appointment only. The tour lasts around one hour, so arrange this one ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
7. Ledena Jama Cave
This cave is a special one and is also known as the Great Ice Cave. Why? Because it is full of ice! Located in the Trnovo Forest, this cave isn’t for novice visitors, as the lighting isn’t great, but it does have the bonus of being free to enter.
The cold air is trapped inside from winter, even though in the summer months, the ice stays inside no matter the time of year. You will find a lot of flora and fauna here, despite the cold temperatures, particularly on the western wall of the cave. The area around the cave is a protected nature reserve.
8. Crna Jama Cave
Just 3km from Postojna, located in the lush green countryside, you will find Crna Jama. This cave is open for tours between June to September daily and joins up further down the line with the primary Postojna cave system. The River Pivka runs through the cave, and you will head down to the bottom of a steep drop into the vast cave passage itself.
The path follows the river through the cave before arriving at a very narrow passage, heading up another tunnel. The cave is also known as Black Cave because of the color of the speleothems found inside. We should mention that there aren’t many chambers in this cave but one large hallway.
9. Predjama Castle Cave
Visiting the beautiful Predjama Castle itself might be enough for some, but head underground and check out the cave’s mystery while you’re there. The Lokva stream has formed this cave, and you can see signatures of visitors dating back to the 15th century inscribed into the main entrance on the second floor of the cave.
More experienced cavers can explore the Western Passage, which has narrow areas. However, other visitors can easily view the first and second levels with ease, namely Erazem’s Gap and Fizenca and Stable and Names Passage, where you will see those signatures we just mentioned.
10. Zelnjske Jame Caves
Located near Kocevje, the Zelnjske Jame Caves are accessible for all as they are not very deep.
While this isn’t one of the most visited cave systems in the country, it is quieter, which means you can explore the cave independently. Of course, countless beautiful stalactites and stalagmites exist to explore, and the vast underground chambers offer a unique glimpse into the subterranean world.
11. Planinska Jama Cave
In the Postojna region, you will find many caves. However, this one is located underneath a very high limestone cliff, which gives it a somewhat mysterious feel when you see the entrance. From April until the end of September, visitors can see the old ruins of a watermill in the Unica River flow.
The cave is one long tunnel packed with eerie sights to enjoy. This isn’t one of the region’s most visited caves, so you’re unlikely to run into huge crowds, meaning more space.
12. Pivka Cave
In the Postojna region, you will find Pivka Cave, through which the River Pivka flows. You can visit all passages through which the river flows, which is unusual. The gently flowing water is home to many different types of organisms.
The cave is light and airy without feeling oppressive, which is one of the main attractions. Visits in May, June, and September need to be pre-arranged; however, two daily tours are on offer during July and August.
13. Black Cave
From Pivka Cave, you enter into another cave system, Black Cave; a human-made tunnel links the two; however, this particular cave sparkles with thousands of tiny glowing crystals.
You probably won’t be able entirely to capture this spectacle on a camera; such is its wonder, but seeing it for yourself is a great memory to have. You can easily visit both Pivka and Black Caves on the same day.
14. Kostanjevica Cave
The largest Karst cave in the Dolenjska Region is the easily accessible Kostanjevica Cave, and here you will also find smaller caves, potholes, swallow holes, and springs.
15. Krizna Jama Cave
Located on the Cerknica Lake’s eastern banks in the Grahovo region, you will find Krizna Jama Cave, famous for the excavated bones of the now extinct cave bear. The cave is around 8km long, and you will find beautiful stalactites throughout its length and approximately 50 lakes running along with the cave network.
You can tour the caves with a guide, which takes around an hour; however, if you want to enjoy a boat tour of the lake, we highly recommend that as well. You must book your visit well and note that boat trips need larger groups to fill the itinerary.
16. Rudnik Cave
Located in Mezica, this is an old lead and zinc mine but is now open for experienced cavers to explore during the summer months. Be aware that the light isn’t so fantastic, so be equipped before you visit; however, guided tours take you through a section of the old mine via a train tour, and you are given a yellow jacket and headlamp to help with the visibility issue.
There are many mineral deposits around, namely wulfenite, and this sparkles in the light. This is an unusual and very historic cave to visit.
17. Jama Vilenica Cave
Located close to Sezana, this cave is open from May to October, and you need to be part of a group of ten or more to take the guided tour. The cave is made out of Cretaceous limestone and is well-lit, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
The first tour of the cave dates back as far as 1633, making it one of the oldest on record, allowing visitors to check out the beautifully named Hall of Fairies, where you can stand on a balcony and view the astonishing sights before you. The path around the cave is long and not too difficult to walk. However, proper footwear is recommended.
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18. Antonijev Rov Cave
Located in Idrija, very close to the capital, this is a very easy cave to reach, making it accessible to more visitors and one of the few caves with tours available all year round. You will be able to explore an underground chapel, large chambers, and even the knowledge that you are in the world’s second-largest mine of mercury found to be high in red cinnabar ore.
You enjoy a tour of the mine with a lot of information about geology before being equipped with a helmet and overcoat to explore. You will also be able to see old mining tools before heading to the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, dating back to the 18th century.
19. Sveta Jama Cave (Saint Cave)
If you are visiting Castle Socerb, near Koper, be sure to check out this cave, also known as Saint Cave. Tours are available every Sunday afternoon, and the cave is quite well lit. In the entrance hall, you will find an underground church, and it is said that Saint Servolus dwelled in the cave, giving it its name, Saint Cave.
The cave is set on the top of a hill before disappearing deep underground rather steeply at one point. Some stairs lead into the most prominent chamber, and you will see the church with a small basin for holy water and an altar. It’s worth noting that this cave is rather chilly, trapping the cold air inside, so do dress appropriately.
20. Jama Pod Babjim Zobom Cave
Located close to Bled, this is a great area to visit if you stay in the town. The cave is open from May to September and is equipped with electric lights making visibility quite good.
This is quite a small cave compared to some of the others we have talked about, and it is located at the bottom of the Julian Alps, giving it a truly remarkable setting. The pathway is straightforward to walk along, and there are two levels to discover. There are many calcite crystals along the walls and speleothems to check out.
Are you ready to head underground into some caves in Slovenia?
I have been there and they are truly amazing!
Lucky you Bill <3
We have been, and to Postojna Caves twice, both are worth seeing.
I was blessed spending the day with family who took me to Postojna caves
Yes you were blessed Sandy! A beautiful time that must have been.
Will do it in august! (y) Have been in Postojna Jama 2 times!