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The Expats Guide to Slovenia – Slovenia Beyond the Guidebooks

A special episode of Feel Slovenia the Podcast, now transformed into a full written feature – showcasing personal tips from those who’ve chosen to call Slovenia home.

What happens when passionate expats from around the world share their favourite hidden corners, culinary secrets and cultural treasures in Slovenia? You get The Expats Guide to Slovenia – a unique and heartfelt journey through the country’s lesser-known wonders. Hosted by American author and art historian Dr. Noah Charney, who calls Kamnik home and Slovenia “the world’s best country,” this special episode of Feel Slovenia the Podcast captures authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences – the kind that even locals and long-time residents find surprising.

Now, we’ve transformed it into a full written feature – with added details, photos and locations – because the stories, places and people highlighted in the episode deserve to be explored, revisited and shared far and wide.

 

Man with long hair sits on a chair outdoors, wearing a gray scarf and blazer. Autumn leaves create a warm, colorful background.

 

I wouldn’t like to fix your ideas on any specific osmica, I would invite you to go and wander around.

Carlos Pascual – Literary expat exploring Slovenia's soul

Pascual is a Mexican writer living in Slovenia now for more than 16 years. He regularly writes columns for Dnevnik, and his stories, essays and chronicles are published in various literary journals and cultural online media. He is the author of five books published in Slovenia and the founder of The Black Box – an independent theatre and music venue in the heart of Ljubljana.

He is also a devoted wanderer of the Karst region, where he finds inspiration in its windswept landscape, stone houses and age-old customs. His top tip? Seek out osmice — temporary farm pop-ups that serve homemade food and wine, part of a culinary tradition dating back to the Austro-Hungarian era. Rather than pointing to just one, Pascual encourages visitors to wander and discover their own favourite. 

 

Discover open osmicas here

 

 

 

 

 

Elderly couple smiling at an outdoor restaurant table with a colorful meal, including tomatoes, falafel, and greens.

 

It's a very solemn and moving site, but a really beautiful one and it makes a nice contrast to other things that you might be doing during your enjoyment of Slovenia.

James & Diane Charney - Noah’s parents and frequent visitors to Slovenia

James and Diane Charney, parents of podcast host Noah Charney, have been regular visitors to Slovenia for many years – especially to Kamnik, where they come to spend time with their son. With each visit, they’ve discovered new places to love, from alpine adventures to quirky local gems.

Among James’s top picks is Velika planina – he finds the cable car ride alone, which climbs to a high-altitude alpine plateau above Kamnik, absolutely spectacular. If time allows, he also recommends a stop at Pr’ Jurju, a cozy forest inn near the lower cable car station in Kamniška Bistrica. Diane, meanwhile, highlights the Volčji Potok Arboretum as a year-round favourite, especially for families. She’s enchanted by its diverse trees and plants, the butterfly house, life-sized dinosaur and whale models and beautifully crafted animal sculptures. The garden-themed gift shop is a personal highlight. Another must-visit on her list is the Russian Chapel on the Vršić Pass – a humble wooden memorial built by Russian WWI prisoners of war who perished in an avalanche.

 

 

 

 

 

Man in sunglasses and white shirt sits on stone steps with a large, relaxed dog. He holds a wine glass.

 

You've got BioSing David Lesar has got this insane underground layer, like something out of a James Bond film where he makes the most unbelievable salamis.

Jason Hartley - Chef, culinary explorer and founder of Choose Slovenia

A dynamic chef, brand consultant, and the creative mind behind Choose Slovenia, Jason draws on over two decades of exploring Slovenia’s culinary landscape to help expats settle in and inspire visitors to look beyond Bled and Ljubljana. His mission is to uncover the country’s lesser-known food, wine and travel treasures – always with a storyteller’s flair and a sharp, discerning palate.

He invites you to taste your way through some of Slovenia’s most exciting food and wine destinations. Among his top picks is Monstera Estate, a boutique culinary retreat tucked away in Goričko, the peaceful, rolling hills of Slovenia’s northeast.

In Dolenjska, Jason points to Domačija Novak for its hyper-local cuisine, seasonal ingredients and standout orange wines. Nearby, he takes you underground – quite literally – to BioSing, where artisan David Lesar crafts award-winning salamis in a secretive, Bond-style cellar unlike anything else in Slovenia. Over in Istria, he recommends the rich, golden olive oils of Gramona Farm – a must for any gourmet pantry. For more of his favourites, listen to his full segment in the podcast, starting at 29:46.

 

 

 

 

 

A smiling man in a café holding a glass mug of coffee. The cozy interior has warm lighting, patterned floors, and decorative shelves.
Photo by Primož Korošec

Alex Niño Ruiz – Architect, coffee expert and owner of Črno zrno

Colombian-born Alex Niño Ruiz is the creative mind behind Črno zrno, a beloved specialty coffee shop in Ljubljana. Known for its exceptional brews and international vibe, it was the only Ljubljana café featured in a New York Times article.

In Dolenjska, Alex recommends Domačija Novak – a family-run homestead where seasonal, locally sourced dishes are paired with an extraordinary cellar of 300+ orange and organic wines.

 

The real magic pairing traditional dishes with modern orange and organic wines I had never encountered before.

 

Close-up of three coffee bags on a light surface. The bag in focus features a red label with "Črno Zrno" branding.
A barista carefully pours hot water from a stainless steel kettle into a conical coffee dripper on a scale.
Sign for "Črno Zrno Kava" hangs on a rustic stone wall beside a red shutter with "specialty" written on it, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Chic café interior with patterned tiles, white arches, and pendant lights. A barista stands behind the counter.

 

An elderly couple smiles warmly in front of a festive wreath adorned with ornaments and baubles.

 

It's a mom-and-pop operation with their two teenage daughters helping when they can. And it's located right at the entrance to the old town of Radovljica. And since we lived in the land of chocolate, Belgium, for over 20 years, I think we know our chocolate.

Laurie & Bruce Bach – Passionate Slovenia explorers

For the past nine years, Laurie and Bruce Bach have called the Gorenjska region home, living just a stone’s throw from Bled. Bruce’s insider tip is a little-known gem called the Bee Trail – a short but rewarding hike up Višelnica Hill that begins just before Gostilna Fortuna on the road to Vintgar Gorge. Ten minutes up a quiet dirt road, a bend reveals a bench with one of the most breathtaking views in Slovenia: Bled Castle and Lake Bled spread out beneath you, framed by the Julian Alps.

Laurie’s tip comes wrapped in sweetness – quite literally. At the entrance to Radovljica’s old town, she points chocolate lovers to a family-run artisan chocolate shop where every praline and truffle is handmade on-site by a husband-and-wife team, with help from their teenage daughters. 

The couple also encourages travellers to head off the beaten path to Prekmurje, Slovenia’s far northeast. In Lendava, explore the castle museum, then visit Grad Castle – the largest in Slovenia – with its maze of rooms perfect for a game of hide-and-seek. Nearby, the quirky Vulkanija Park offers a fun, educational dive into volcanoes, especially for kids. And no trip to the region is complete without tasting Prekmurska gibanica, the decadent layered cake and bograč, a rich twist on goulash.

 

 

 

 

 

A smiling man in glasses and a checkered shirt stands on a balcony with red flowers. A cityscape is visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

 

They often sell out, so make sure you book your seats in advance.

Rory Cox – Film enthusiast with a love for Ljubljana’s cultural scene

Rory Cox from California moved to Ljubljana two years ago and quickly found a Sunday ritual worth sharing. His top tip? Sunday breakfast screenings at Kino Dvor.

Every week at 11:00 AM, this beloved city cinema shows a first-run film – and for just over six euros, your ticket includes not only the movie but also complimentary coffee and fresh croissants from the café.

One of the joys of watching films in Slovenia, Rory notes, is that they’re subtitled rather than dubbed, so you can enjoy the original dialogue.

 

Start your Sunday with coffee, croissants and a first-run film

 

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A woman in a floral dress smiles while kneeling in a vibrant field of red poppies and blue wildflowers.

 

The border ran through the graves and there were actually some which were cut in two.

Sara Terpin – Co-founder of Slovely.eu and seeker of Slovenia’s hidden stories

Sara Terpin runs slovely.eu with her partner Carlo Ghio – an inspiring blog and travel portal that has become a go-to guide for Italian travellers eager to explore Slovenia beyond the obvious tourist trail.

Her tip takes you to Miren, a small village near Nova Gorica, where history left an extraordinary mark on a humble village cemetery. In 1947, the newly drawn border between Yugoslavia and Italy sliced right through the graveyard – so much so that some graves ended up half in one country and half in the other. Even today, the dividing line is still visible.

You can uncover this remarkable story at Vsemir, a small museum housed in the cemetery building. Its exhibitions bring the period to life with personal stories from locals who lived through the absurdity of a border running through their loved ones’ final resting place.

Discover the remarkable story of Miren’s divided cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

Smiling man wearing glasses and a gray blazer over a brown sweater, seated with arms crossed on a table.

 

You’ll need to call the key keeper to get in — their number is written right on the church door.

Tomas Vucurevic – Branding expert and cultural explorer

Founder of BRAIND® and a global ingredient branding expert, Tomas Vucurevic has spent 25+ years shaping brands. Now a German expat in Slovenia — and a close friend of Noah Charney — he channels his storytelling passion into uncovering the country’s hidden gems.

His top pick is the 12th-century Church of the Holy Trinity in Hrastovlje, famed for its perfectly preserved frescoes, including the striking Dance of Death. From afar, only the tower peeks out above the 15th-century defensive walls, but inside, centuries of history await. Tomas is also fascinated by Slovenia’s partisan heritage. He recommends seeking out hidden forest hospitals from WWII, where mountaineer-trained partisans cared for the wounded. His favourite is the walk to Hospital Bela, near the Ogrlice waterfall in the Kamniška Bistrica Valley.

When it comes to food, Tomas follows the rhythm of the seasons – spring dandelion greens, wild Istrian asparagus, cherries from Goriška Brda and in autumn, neighbourly chestnut picnics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The staff are fantastic. Then, the garden out the back is gorgeous.

Mark Evans – Historian and culinary adventurer

A historian from Canberra, Australia, Mark Evans has called Ljubljana home for several years, uncovering not only its rich history but also its global flavours. As a lifelong devotee of Indian and Nepalese cuisine — a passion shared with his father, who spent much of his life in both countries — Mark delights in the city’s lesser-known culinary treasures.

His standout recommendation is Maharaja & Himalaya, an Indian–Nepalese restaurant just two kilometres from Ljubljana’s centre, on Vodnikova cesta. Whether you dine in or opt for takeaway, Mark insists it’s worth the short bus ride from the city centre – and guarantees you won’t be disappointed.

 

 

 

 

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Now that you’ve reached the end, there’s one more thing to highlight: this story is drawn from a podcast episode hosted by Noah Charney – author of Slovenology and many other books, but above all one of Slovenia’s most devoted explorers and advocates.

Throughout the episode, Noah shares his own insider favourites: from the hidden Baroque splendour of the Jesuit Seminary Library to hands-on fun at the Interactive Museum House of Experiments, and a taste of tradition at Marjetka’s legendary cabbage stand in Ljubljana’s market. His journey continues with riverside meals at Gostilna Žolnir in Dolenjska, art-filled halls at the Božidar Jakac Gallery and wild hikes through Rakov Škocjan Park, before indulging in Trojane donuts, riding the Velika planina gondola, exploring Slovenia’s largest castle in Grad and more.

Interwoven with the voices and tips of fellow expats, Noah’s narrative blends places, people and flavours into a vivid, unforgettable journey – making the full episode a must-listen for anyone who truly wants to feel Slovenia.
 

Slovenia is waiting for you to explore it. In your own way.

If you’re looking for that perfect green and safe oasis, you’ve come to the right place. Slovenia is the green heart of Europe, where everyone can find something for themselves. It’s difficult to find such a small region offering so much anywhere else in the world. Four different worlds are combined into a magnificent symphony that can be felt in culture, gastronomy and natural wonders. Whether you enjoy walking well-trodden paths or prefer to turn off the beaten track, you will find stunning beauty and boutique experiences tailored just for you everywhere you go.

We are ready to offer you the best we have. With a great deal of responsibility, your visit to Slovenia will be enjoyable and unforgettable.

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