Privacy settings
Have fun in the Karst!
Welcome to a mysterious region, where there are exciting things to experience if you go below the rocky surface. Feel the magic of the Karst landscape on and below its surface. Discover the game of nature, which created unique masterpieces with the help of water. Learn about the incredible harmony between humans and rocks which led to the typical appearance of Karst villages. Although you’ll find it difficult to find water on the surface, the most refined flavours are the fruit of Karst soil. Explore this incredible Karst world. Regardless of whether you go deep underground or cross the landscape on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback, you’ll find breathtaking Karst surprises everywhere you go.
It’s a different world!
Experience the beauty of the Karst underground, where various water sources have carved incredible structures in stone. Visit the most famous karst caves and also explore other hidden gems below the Earth’s surface.
Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave
The most visited tourist cave in Europe will surprise you at every step, regardless of whether you enter it by train or you follow the footsteps of the first cave explorers. Get the full picture of how it was created and what the karst world is like by visiting an interactive exhibition, and make sure to look for the knight Erazem in the largest cave castle in the world located nearby.
MoreŠkocjan Caves
Škocjan Caves
Descend into the deepest underground canyon in the world, which is a part of UNESCO world heritage. On your way through the Škocjan Caves, you will be amazed by massive, up to 15-metre-high stalagmites, natural bridges, vast halls, and many other subterranean mysteries.
MoreThe Križna Cave
The Križna Cave
Put on some rubber boots, switch on your torches, hop into a rubber boat, and go across the subterranean lakes of the Križna Cave accompanied by a guide. Experience its world in a fully authentic way.
MoreVilenica Cave
Vilenica Cave
Enter the underground kingdom of the first tourist cave in Europe, which is, according to legend, home to fairies. Stir up your imagination in the Vilenica Cave, where an international literary festival of the same name takes place every year.
MoreDivača Cave
Divača Cave
Experience the luxury of the peace and unspoilt nature of Divača Cave, which hosted Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary and the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.
MoreDimnica Cave
Dimnica Cave
A walk through the Dimnica Cave system is a true science lesson about the typical karst cave phenomena. Did you known that a unique water supply system was established in the cave during World War II? The cave offers a boutique experience, and it can be explored with the help of headlamps, accompanied by speleologists.
More
In the footsteps of the first cave explorers
Is the explorer inside you keeping you restless? Experience the karst underground in the most authentic, boutique way. Put on your rubber boots, switch on your torches, and go into the most mysterious corners of the Postojna Cave.
Cross the karst landscape on foot or by bicycle
A network of hiking and cycling trails will reveal to you all of the allure of the karst landscape. The trails will take you in the footsteps of history, natural, and cultural heritage. Regardless of whether you are looking for trails for a family walk or more difficult hiking and cycling challenges, there’s a trail for everyone.
Take a walk or a ride through charming Karst villages, and to experience true Karst architectural heritage, make sure to visit the medieval village of Štanjel. Although the Karst landscape is mainly characterised by stone, you’ll be surrounded by green stories here, too. Visit Miren na Krasu and Komen, two places that have earned the golden Slovenia Green label for their green and sustainable efforts.
There are also plenty of hiking and cycling adventures in the vicinity of another unique and special karst feature – the intermittent Lake Cerknica. Enjoy the views from nearby peaks and plateaus – Slivnica Hill, the Menišija Plateau, the Javorniki Plateau, etc. And since you’re exploring this area anyway, you might just as well visit another natural landmark – Rakov Škocjan.
The Karst from the saddle
If you like horses, then the Karst is just the right place for you to meet these lively beauties. Regardless of whether you send a horse into a gallop or take a horse-drawn carriage ride, your options are plentiful.
Lipica
Lipica
In the Karst, you can find the oldest European stud farm for Lipizzaners, noble white horses that will take your breath away with their beauty and elegance. Take a carriage ride, try to be a horse whisperer, or simply enjoy the shows put on by these white beauties. Visitors can join a guided trail riding tour and children can ride ponies.
MoreA circular horseback riding trail
A circular horseback riding trail
Experience the most idyllic image of the karst world. Go on a circular horseback riding trail, which will take you across karst meadows and through pleasant Karst villages.
MoreA carriage ride around Lake Cerknica
A carriage ride around Lake Cerknica
Hop on a typical farmers’ wooden carriage, known as a ‘lojtrnik’, and go on an interesting panoramic ride around one of Europe’s largest intermittent lakes.
MoreAn active and educational experience learning about Karst heritage
Combine your journey through the Karst with a visit to interesting museums. Learn more about the landscape that you walked or cycled across. And don’t forget to make a stop in one of Slovenia’s most unusual museums.
Living Museum of the Karst
Living Museum of the Karst
Go on a 2–4-hour walk among the most typical natural and cultural features of the Karst. Learn about karst phenomena in nature and typical Karst architectural elements, such as wells, Karst shepherd's cottages, and dry-stone walls, the construction of which is also on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
MoreEcomuseum of the Seasonal Lakes of Pivka
Ecomuseum of the Seasonal Lakes of Pivka
Learn About the biodiversity in the Seasonal Lakes of Pivka Landscape Park. You can go cycling, horseback riding on Iceland ponies, or walk on one of the footpaths among the 17 small seasonal or intermittent lakes. End your visit at the Ecomuseum of the Seasonal Lakes of Pivka, where you can discover everything about how the Pivka lakes were created and about the life around them in an interactive way.
MorePark of Military History
Park of Military History
As you travel around the Karst, make sure to visit the Park of Military History where you can, among other things, go inside a military submarine and see life-size tanks, air force airplanes, and a train engine. You can go on a circular path of military history, which will guide you to military-related points of interest in nature.
More
When hunger strikes ...
There’s a saying in Slovenia: “An empty sack can’t stand upright.” So, after your active exploration of the Karst, your stomach will probably start to make noises. Especially if you glance upon typical Karst specialities, the prominent ones being the Karst prosciutto ham and the Karst Teran wine. Although they’ll be glad to offer you the very best that the Karst soil has to offer when you visit tourist farms, inns, and restaurants, it’s worth it to visit ‘osmice’ (pronounce: os-mee-tzeh) on colder days of the year. Osmice, which are temporary wine bars where you are provided with an excellent opportunity to taste typical Karst specialities, are linked by the Karst Wine Road, also an excellent place for a hike or a bicycle ride.
Expand your horizons
The mild Mediterranean climate provides opportunities for outdoor activities throughout the year. Visit Karst ‘neighbours’ and find out what they have in common.
