Travel Guide
This Is Europe’s Trendiest Destination This Summer & It Will Surprise You
May
If you’re heading to Europe this summer, chances are countries like France, Italy, and Spain are at the top of your bucket list, and tried-and-true as they may be, we get it.
Nothing screams ‘idyllic’ quite like some good old village-hopping down the French Riviera, eating soft lemon gelato in a stone-cut town in Tuscany, or basking in the Mallorcan sun, but that’s not all that there is to it.
In fact, the trendiest summer getaway across the pond this year is none of Europe’s Big 3: it is a much smaller nation, one you may be surprised to learn has got deep ties to the United States… or shall we say, its current First Lady:
So Melania Trump Saw This And Decided To Leave?
Wedged between the Central European Alps and the Mediterranean, Slovenia is more than just Melania Trump’s homeland, or a name on a map most travelers have a hard time discerning from its Slavic sibling, Slovakia.
According to Virtuoso, a travel firm tracking global trends, Slovenia is the top destination ‘on the rise’ in Europe for summer 2025, with year-on-year bookings up by a whopping 473%, higher than any other country on the continent.
In case you’ve never given Slovenia much thought beforehand, you may be wondering why travelers are suddenly flocking there to spend their hard-earned vacation money, considering there are far more well-established, ‘traditional’ summer escapades.
Well, allow us to introduce you to one of Europe’s most underrated (and shockingly diverse) gems:
A Fairytale Capital Frozen In Time
Every trip to Slovenia is likely to start at its small, compact capital: under a name that sounds every bit as mysterious as it is beautiful, Ljubljana is a medieval settlement on the banks of a winding, narrow river, at the foot of an imposing 11th-century fortress.
Despite its relative anonymity, this is arguably one of Europe’s prettiest capitals, and between exploring the church-dotted Old Town and the cobble-paved Castle Hill (and every dragon-flanked bridge and street market in between), you’ll be falling in love with it in no time.
If you love nature, check out Tivoli Park, an expansive green space in the heart of Ljubljana, and for the foodies among us, you don’t want to miss out on takeout favorite Hood Burger, or the no-frills, sit-in Druga violina, popular for its local delicacies, like Slovenian dumplings and stew, and cheap prices.
Speaking of which, Ljubljana is an inexpensive city break by European standards: main dishes in local-frequented restaurants will set you back by $9–10, while overnights in an Old Town pension or guesthouse start from as cheap as $35-a-night for 2 adults, as seen on Booking.com.
Europe’s Most Photogenic Alpine Lake Is Here
This is the postcard view for all of Slovenia, and probably the classic shot the tiny country is known for the world over: a small islet in the center of an alpine lake, home to a solitary church, and backed by lush forest and snow-capped peaks.
That’s Bled for you:
A laid-back resort town in the Julian Alps, offering a wide range of culture and nature-based activities, from kayaking to that little island and visiting the church, to hiking up to Bled Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the dreamy scenery.
Another popular attraction is the 3.7 mile out-and-back trail looping around the lake, perfect for a mid-summer stroll, as you take in the views of rustic boathouses and jagged peaks in the distance, and breathe in the pure mountain air.
The nature is free to be enjoyed, this is a leisure destination, after all, and no trip to Bled is complete without some pampering:
If you don’t mind splurging a little, there’s a plethora of spa hotels on the lakefront, most notably the iconic Hotel Triglav, equipped with a modern wellness center, an indoor swimming pool, and a wine cellar, and featuring chef-curated menus, from a still-reasonable $221-a-night (for 2 adults).
A Mini Switzerland Waiting To Be Discovered
Bled is Slovenia’s best-known lake, but the country itself is packed-full of breathtaking alpine landscapes, so much so it’s been gaining traction lately as an alternative to Switzerland (not that we’ve played any part in it ourselves).
You can trek around Triglav National Park, dominated by Slovenia’s tallest peak, Mount Triglav (rising 9,396 feet above sea level), live your best picturesque life chasing mountain views, turquoise-water gorges, and verdant meadows in Soča Valley, or relax in the wellness haven of Kranjska Gora.
Our absolute favorite, it is the equivalent of Austria’s Bad Ischl or Switzerland’s Valz:
A charming village in the Alps that Slovenians flock to for its crystal-clear springs, spa hotels set in dramatic mountain passes, and lakes so beautiful they border on ethereal.
Wait… Slovenia Is Also On The Mediterranean?
There is yet another side to Slovenia you never knew existed, and trust us, this will feel like saving the best for last:
Unbeknownst to most, Slovenia has a coastline in the Mediterranean. Although short, at only 29 miles, it is peppered with ancient port towns settled in Roman and Venetian times and picture-perfect pebbly beaches bathed by the warm Adriatic Sea.
Koper is exactly how you imagine Mediterranean hotspots like Dubrovnik or Amalfi to be, prior to the advent of tourism: uncrowded, peaceful, and just downright stunning, soaring Romanesque belfries, narrow alleys flanked by pastel-hue houses and all.
Over in Izola, you’ll find a quaint fishing town boasting a well-preserved historic center and a yacht-lined harbor, and let’s not forget Portorož, the Slovenian Saint-Tropez, with its wide beach, alternating between sandy and grassy, and buzzing nightlife.
The star of the show, however, is Piran, a distant cousin of Venice, not necessarily for the canals but for the typically Venetian, colorful facades and its towering bell tower, which closely resembles the Floating City’s Campanile di San Marco.
Whether you’re looking for Old World charm, an alpine retreat, or an offbeat Mediterranean getaway, rest assured that Slovenia will deliver—and without its European counterparts’ hectic summer scenes or jaw-dropping prices.
Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
