Piran Day Trip & Škocjan Caves from Ljubljana
UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves with an underground river canyon
700-year-old traditional salt production
Mediterranean coast
Picturesque old town of Piran
Pricing
Included in price
English speaking guide
Comfortable transportation
All parking fees and toll charges
Important for the tour
Description
Škocjan caves are the largest underground cavern in Europe. Its majestic subterranean river canyon qualified it to be placed under UNESCO natural heritage protection. Walking on the 3 km (1.8 mi) path through the caves is an experience worthy of fairy-tales, fantasy and awe. The indescribable scenery will make you look over your shoulder, almost expecting a dwarf or some other magical creature to appear from the darkness. You will be able to learn about the first explorers of this incredible feature of our planet and, if you are really lucky, spot some of the creatures that have made this place their home. A day trip from Ljubljana to Škocjan caves wouldn’t be complete without adding Piran.
So we will continue towards the coast and make a stop at one of the salt pans, where the tradition of salt-making has been around since 804 AD. Today, some of the world-class “fleur de sal” comes from Slovenia – and you will get the chance to see the traditional production first hand. These unique areas are now also under protection as a part of a nature park, due to the biodiversity that developed in the region.
The afternoon will be reserved for Piran, a small historic town that was flourishing on a peninsula during the Venetian times. Symbols and architecture of Venice will accompany you on every step, and the colourful buildings will not let you lift your finger off the camera’s shutter. Besides the walking tour of the town with your guide, you will have plenty of free time for lunch, as well as for any museum visits or even a glass bottom boat tour out to the sea. If you fancy a swim during the warmer parts of the year, there are plenty of nice spots all around the town where you can have a dip in the Adriatic Sea.
Location
Things to know
There are 4 designated pickup and drop-off locations that we use in downtown Ljubljana (see the options when booking). Your driver will be driving between multiple pickup locations, so we kindly ask you to allow a 20-minute window for your pickup, although we will do our best to be there on time.
In case you would like to be picked up / dropped off at a different location, we can accommodate that with a surcharge of 9€/booking.
You have the option of both. We have a time slot reserved for lunch on each tour, always somewhere with (usually local) restaurants handy. That said, you can always pack your own picnic lunch and eat it wherever and whenever you like. This might sometimes even save time in order fit a bit of extra sightseeing into your day.
The best thing about our day trips is that they can be tailored to your own level of fitness. Most of the tours are designed with different activities available, so the choice is entirely yours. Please consult the difficulty section under a specific day trip to see what the difficulty level of the tour and particular activity is.
Don’t worry. Our day trips are planned with everyone in mind. If you find an entrance fee too expensive, or you are unsure if you are willing to spend so much of your budget on entrance fees, our guides will always have some free alternatives ready for you. From taking a short hike and finding that perfect photo opportunity, to relaxing in a beautiful spot, we have got you covered.
If you want to, sure! We are well aware that some people love to stay in groups while others prefer some more alone time on their trip. We wanted to give you the opportunity to do things your way. It is your holiday, after all! As long as you respect the group timings and locations designated by your guide, please feel free to customize your itinerary and create your own adventure!
It is important to dress for the season. Slovenia has all 4 seasons, so please check the weather forecast before the day trip regarding temperatures and rainfall. When you are close to the Alps, the weather can change fairly quickly, so your best bet is to always bring an extra layer. We recommend shoes you will be comfortable in. If you are visiting caves, please remember that the caves are cold in the summer, as the cave temperature is constant throughout the year.
It really depends on the level of your restriction. Vegetarian options are fairly easy to find in Slovenia, but vegan dishes, on the other hand, are extremely hard to come by in rural areas of the country and in smaller towns. Please note, that the places where we stop off at for lunch are often traditional and may have difficulties accommodating you outside of their standard menu. We suggest you keep this in mind.
There is so much to do in Slovenia, so we wanted to give you the option of choosing exactly how you would like to spend your time here. Which is why we have compiled a list of popular activities in the areas of your visit and categorized them as extras. Therefore, the choice of which and how many you would like to experience is entirely up to you. We set up some of the most popular activities in the areas of your visit and listed them as extras. The choice of how many and which you would like to do is entirely yours. When you arrive to a destination, such as Lake Bled, the itinerary always allows for any additional activities you might want to do, like visiting Bled Castle or taking a traditional boat ride to the island. You can book all of your chosen extras in advance. Your guide will confirm the bookings with you on the tour and make sure you know everything you need to know. It is always exciting when people come away from the same trip enriched by different adventures and can share and compare their experiences along with the tons of photos they have taken.