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Wanderlust: Slovenia among the top 25 destinations to visit in 2025

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Wanderlust: visit Slovenia's charming small towns in 2025

The renowned travel magazine Wanderlust has included Slovenia and its charming towns in its list of 25 must-visit for 2025.

Why visit Slovenia in 2025 according to Wanderlust?

Happiness lies in the little things. This is what the renowned travel magazine Wanderlust discovered when it explored Slovenia's captivating small towns and their inspiring stories. The UK's longest-established travel giant, known for championing sustainable, authentic and immersive travel, has ranked the top 25 destinations to visit in 2025 in its Good to Go List 2025.

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The list focuses on the extraordinary experiences and unique stories of culture and heritage set to define 2025 for each destination. The top 25 also included Slovenia, with Nova Gorica, the European Capital of Culture together with its twin sister Gorizia, the seaside town of Piran, Novo mesto with the nearby Otočec Castle, and Ptuj with its traditional Kurentovanje carnival.

Take a walk through the inviting Slovenian towns highlighted by Wanderlust.

Nova Gorica and Gorizia: Two towns, two countries, one cultural heart

Nova Gorica, Slovenia's youngest town, will enter 2025 as a European Capital of Culture, together with Gorizia in Italy. The official opening of the rich cultural and artistic events in the two towns, which were closely linked despite their former borders, will take place on Slovenia's Cultural Holiday, 8 February. The title of European Capital of Culture is not only a manifestation of the artistic and cultural creativity of the two towns, but for the first time in history it also reflects exemplary cooperation that transcends national borders. This spirit of unity is embodied in the programme’s slogan: GO!2025 = BORDERLESS.

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Nova Gorica's role as European Capital of Culture shines a spotlight on lesser-known Slovenian towns and boosts regional development through tourism.

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Piran: a Venetian-Gothic beauty with terracotta roofs jutting into the Adriatic

From Nova Gorica, the European Capital of Culture 2025, to the charming seaside town of Piran, it's just an hour's drive through the mysterious karst world. We like to say that Piran is a town built on salt, as the nearby salt pans significantly influenced its development. The town's charm comes from its restored Venetian buildings, narrow but lovely streets and central square, Tartini Square – named after one of Piran's most famous natives, the composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini. Piran is easy to explore in a day, but its magic is sure to leave a lasting impression on you for a lifetime.

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Medieval Novo mesto and the astonishing Otočec Castle

Novo mesto, the centre of the Dolenjska region in south-eastern Slovenia, will celebrate the 660th anniversary of the town's foundation in 2025, although archaeological findings show that the area was inhabited as early as the Iron Age. It is home to the world's largest site of situlae, precious Iron Age finds which can be admired in the Dolenjska Museum and also take centre stage during the annual Situla Festival. The historic town along the Krka River is given a modern vibe by various festivals, such as Jazzinty, one of Slovenia's most renowned jazz festivals, which will celebrate its 25th edition in 2025.

Near the medieval town, you'll find one of Slovenia's most striking castles, reigning atop an islet on the Krka River. Otočec Castle combines the romantic architecture of a medieval castle with the elegance of a modern 5-star hotel.

More about Novo mestoVisit Otočec Castle website

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ptuj in kurenti

Ptuj: the ancient home of the Kurents

If Wanderlust begins its journey through the charming Slovenian towns with the youngest, its eulogy to Slovenia ends with the oldest – Ptuj. This historic gem on the banks of the Drava River, surrounded by wine-growing hills, has its roots in the Roman era when Poetovio served as a Roman military camp.

Overlooking the town is a magnificent medieval castle, home to the Ptuj Regional Museum, where you will also find an exhibition about Ptuj's most famous "resident" – the Kurent. This furry, fearsome yet friendly carnival character, whose rounds have been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List, is an indispensable part of the annual Kurentovanje, Slovenia's largest Shrovetide carnival, which will celebrate its 65th edition in 2025.

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Top arts and cultural events to mark on your calendar for 2025

A cultural rainbow of events stretches throughout the year – across all tastes, reaching every heart. Get into the flow of the diverse festival programme, enjoy top-quality performances on Slovenian stages and discover the contemporary creative spirit in the highlighted exhibitions and biennials.

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Discover the charms of Slovenian cities and towns

Every city and town in Slovenia has its own story to tell. Each narrative inspires great experiences and gives impetus to contemporary cultural creativity. Stroll through the enchanting town streets and squares and listen to the stories of days gone by and the modern urban pulse.

Old town centres - bridges between past and present

If you want to get to know the most charming corners of Slovenia's historic towns and cities, it is worth visiting the old urban centres. You'll be enchanted by grand medieval or burgher buildings that hold a variety of stories from the past and are today brought to life by housing cafés, boutique shops, galleries and other amenities.

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Old town centres - bridges between past and present

Old town centres - bridges between past and present

If you want to get to know the most charming corners of Slovenia's historic towns and cities, it is worth visiting the old urban centres. You'll be enchanted by grand medieval or burgher buildings that hold a variety of stories from the past and are today brought to life by housing cafés, boutique shops, galleries and other amenities.

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Feel the urban heartbeat of cultural quarters

Feel the urban heartbeat of cultural quarters

Cultural life flourishes in many Slovenian cities and towns. If you are looking for an authentic pulse of contemporary urban culture, head to the cultural quarters, where each tells their own story from the world of art and culture in their respective areas. These are not merely individual spaces of cultural activity, but defined districts where the identity of the area can be felt at every turn. At the same time, they also serve as a bridge between visitors eager for cultural exploration and the local population.

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Industrial heritage spaces brought to life

Industrial heritage spaces brought to life

Every story has a beginning and an end. And every ending can mean a new beginning. This could be said of former industrial buildings and factories that have been given a new lease of life. Many a building or mine has been converted into a museum of sorts, and some facilities have undergone a complete makeover to acquire completely new content.

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365 days of festivals

365 days of festivals

No matter what time of year you visit Slovenia, there's bound to be a festival you'd love to visit. The festival scene is at its peak in the warmer months, but there's also a lot going on culturally in the cooler months of the year. If not exactly a festival, you can at least catch some interesting events in Slovenia's cultural centres.

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May your journey lead to Slovenia

Let Wanderlust's recognition of Slovenia as one of the top travel destinations in 2025 inspire you to explore this small, green country in the heart of Europe. Discover its cultural treasures, explore its architectural gems, open the doors to modern creativity and travel back in time with walks through its old streets and squares.

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UNESCO World Heritage

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UNESCO World Heritage on map
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10 evergreen reasons to visit Slovenia in 2025

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