Slovenia makes National Geographic’s coveted ‘Best of the world’ list for 2023

Slovenia profiled among 25 most extraordinary places and communities to inspire your next trip.

Slovenia once again in a prestigious company!

Lately, Slovenia has been brought to the spotlight by world-renowned media, especially thanks to sustainable practices and top-level gastronomy, as well as its natural and cultural treasures and exceptional individuals.

Every year, National Geographic unveils its annual list of the 25 inspiring destinations for the renewed travel landscape to help individuals get a jump on planning for the year ahead. For 2023, National Geographic's Best of the World is themed around travel destinations and experiences that leverage the benefits of tourism to strengthen their local communities and environments, both natural and built. We are extremely proud Slovenia made the coveted 2023 list in the NATURE category!

Explore the 2023 Best of the World list!

Best of the World is Nat Geo’s annual love letter to the most incredible places in the world, both near and far.

Nathan Lump, National Geographic’s Editor-in-Chief

Sustainable cycling with culinary stops

As National Geographic describes Slovenia: "Long a leader in sustainable tourism, Slovenia is now developing green gastro-tourism biking routes visiting farms, vineyards, cheesemakers, and other food producers."

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Nothing brings more pleasure than discovering the local culinary delicacies and hidden culinary gems of green Slovenia, sleeping in boutique family hotels and guest houses, admiring the lush green countryside and feeling the wind in your hair when cycling along forest trails. The 11-day tour, designed on the principles of responsible, sustainable tourism, is the right choice for all travellers and cycling enthusiasts seeking an active holiday this year. It is made up of both less and more challenging cycling sections, but mostly it runs along paths offering plenty of scenic views. The route runs from Ljubljana to Goriška Brda, the Vipava Valley and the Kras region and back through the capital towards Sevnica, Podčetrtek, Ptuj and Maribor.

Explore Slovenia Green Gourmet Route

Cycling among green destinations

Discover long-distance cycling tours that take you to the destinations and providers with the Slovenian Green sustainability label.

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Bike Slovenia Green

Bike Slovenia Green is the world’s first bike tour to connect only destinations with a certificate of sustainability.

Slovenia Green Gourmet Route

Take a ride along the cycling route which only passes through destinations bearing the Slovenia Green label and offers culinary delights in sustainable restaurants, and let yourself be enticed by the...

Slovenia Green Capitals Route

The cycling tour takes you between the three centres of central Slovenia – from the nation's capital, Ljubljana, through Kočevje, the "capital of nature" to Bela Krajina, the "capital of culture".

Slovenia Green Wellness Route

The Slovenia Green Wellness Route is a 16-day cycling route that takes you through beautiful nature to the best Slovenian health resorts.

Welcome to green Slovenia

Sustainability has become a trend and Slovenia is a visionary in that field. This tiny country in the heart of Europe followed green development even before sustainability became a thing. Slovenians have known how to coexist with nature and its laws for centuries, which is why responsibility to the green environment and tradition is in our blood. Get to know our green story.

Slovenia was the first country in the world to be declared a green destination as a whole.

The capital, Ljubljana, was the European Green Capital in 2016 and it belongs among the cities of the world that have the largest share of public green areas per resident.

The Slovenia Green national sustainability labels have been awarded as part of the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism to more than 280 destinations and tourism providers so far.

Ever more restaurants follow sustainability principles, gaining Slovenia the title of the 2021 European Region of Gastronomy and attracting the attention of the world-renowned Michelin Guide.

Get to know our green story

Our natural assets and rich tradition demand that we act responsibly at every step we take. We strive to preserve our treasures and culture for future generations.

Take a tour through our green story

Watch the interactive video and get to know some of the most interesting facts and green stories that reveal the sustainable path of Slovenia.

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Take a tour through our green story

Watch the interactive video and get to know some of the most interesting facts and green stories that reveal the sustainable path of Slovenia.

Destinations led by green ideas

The mosaic of Slovenia’s green story is made up of individual pieces that form a model of responsible preservation of natural and cultural heritage and attitude towards the environment. The most sustainably aspiring destinations bear the platinum and the golden Slovenia Green label. Destinations with a silver or bronze label are on a good way to follow the green path.

Responsible and comfortable – choose green accommodation

Hotels and tourist farms provide it. Camps, glamping resorts and spas provide it, too. And it is also provided by a range of other accommodation options that not only offer comfortable beds and food, but think more broadly about their place in the environment. With all the responsibility to future generations. Choose accommodation with the Slovenia Green label and contribute a piece to the mosaic of sustainability.

Sustainable gastronomy

The main attributes of Slovenian cuisine are local ingredients used in both traditional dishes and masterpieces from top chefs. Discover chefs with prestigious achievements in sustainability and see for yourselves the inspiring reasons for the positive development of Slovenia's profile as a country of sustainable culinary excellence.

10 reasons why you should go cycling around Slovenia

Slovenia is a paradise for cyclists. Cycling is one of the most popular activities among Slovenians. The successes of Slovenian cyclists at top cycling races additionally boost the enthusiasm for cycling. The diverse landscape is the perfect venue for all kinds of cycling – road to mountain cycling, family cycling or long-distance challenges. Discover more reasons why it is worth visiting Slovenia by bike.

Why choose Slovenia, then?

There are countless reasons to visit Slovenia. It is amazing to be able to enjoy mountains, the sea, the Pannonian plains, wine-growing hills and vast green forests in such a small area and within such a short time. Slovenia is also special because of numerous outstanding individuals who promote the country around the world.

10 reasons to add Slovenia to your travel list

Slovenia is a unique destination committed to sustainability, which offers experiences that are intended for individuals, couples, groups of friends or families all year round. It’s a country where everyone can find something for themselves: active experiences in the embrace of pristine nature, city breaks topped with culture, relaxing holidays in spa centres or gastronomic pampering with local flavours in first-class restaurants.

10 reasons to add Slovenia to your travel list

Why choose Slovenian spas?

Slovenian spas and health resorts offer everything you need to relax and strengthen your health. They are located in green nature, which provides the best raw materials that bring you beneficial effects. A team of experts will help you get exactly what you need in a perfectly safe and responsible way.

Land of exquisite gastronomy

In Slovenia, including ingredients from the environment, local field or garden is not only a fashionable trend, but a matter of tradition. Fresh local ingredients find their way both to local taverns and top-level kitchens whose chefs like to browse the recipes of their grandmothers and present them in a new, modern and creative way.

Unique accommodation in Slovenia

When your legs get heavy, it’s time to rest. But not just anywhere. Unique glamping and camping sites take you closer to the stars and nature. In neat rural houses and farms, you will experience the idyll of countryside. For more glamorous accommodation, choose elegant villas or romantic castles. Let the comfort lull you to pleasant and relaxing sleep.

Culinary experiences

Do you know which dishes are the most well-known and traditional in our historic towns? Take a wander around Slovenian historic towns, and you will find somewhere to eat well, too. Because they know how to blend tradition into contemporary cuisine. Gourmets will find what they are looking for in restaurants, acknowledged by the famous Michelin Guide.

Slovenia – a true pearl in the middle of Europe

The green nature and landscape of Slovenia are an excellent venue for numerous outdoor activities. Lovers of urban strolls will be charmed by pleasant historical cities, led by the capital, Ljubljana, which offers modern urban living and a lively cultural buzz, while being only a step away from nature. Slovenian gastronomy offers a luxurious journey for the taste buds, and when your legs become heavy, you can pick a comfortable and pleasant place to stay in the city or in the middle of nature.

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Active holidays

Discover the world of active outdoor adventures in Slovenia.

Discover nature

Feel the beneficial effects of the green natural environment in Slovenia.

Cities and destinations

Small towns for big adventures.

Follow the Michelin Stars in Slovenia

Meet Slovenia's gastronomic stars that are now shining on the Michelin sky.

Where to stay

From luxury hotels to tourist farms, from private rooms to camping grounds. An exclusive offer of glamping accommodation or staying at the vineyard cottages. In Slovenia, you will find accommodation to suit every budget and every taste.

UNESCO World Heritage

Slovenian treasure troves of world heritage

Spas and health resorts

Rest, relax and enjoy the soothing power of thermal waters and wellness treatments.

The flavours of Slovenia

Do you know the typical flavours of the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain?

Stories from Slovenia

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Slovenia makes National Geographic’s coveted ‘Best of the world’ list for 2023