Slovenia & Istria Self Guided Bike Tour 2026

Your journey begins in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. After settling into your hotel, take a stroll through the old town centre with its beautiful bourgeois houses from the late 19th century, take a funicular ride to the city castle, or relax in a café by the Ljubljanica River that winds through the city.

A nice easy first day across the historic and richly diverse plains surrounding the capital. As the morning sun begins to rise high in the sky, you will be cycling across an immense 160-square kilometre marshy plain. The Ljubljansko Barje was once a great lake until it dried up 6000 years ago, leaving behind an incredibly diverse landscape that is now home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. Along the way, you can see the remnants of the world’s highest railway viaduct in Borovnica. In hot summer months, you can even freshen up in a typical Carst Lake of Podpec. Just before arriving in Vrhnika, you can visit the Technical Museum of the Republic of Slovenia housed in Bistra Castle, where you’ll find a great hunting collection and an interesting exhibition of President Tito’s cars. (B)

Cycling distance: 41km
Elevation gain: +150m / -160m

On this day, the roads will take you away from the main tourist routes and off the beaten track. You can also take a short detour to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle, wedged tight into a crevasse halfway up a 123-metre cliff face protruding dramatically into the surrounding basin. Here, lived a vivacious and daring knight. Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilising the secret of the Predjama Caves to sneak out for supplies, which included freshly picked cherries which he used to throw at his adversaries to taunt them. Take the tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down. (B)

Cycling distance: 43km
Elevation gain: +760m / -510m

So far, nearly 30 million tourists have visited this stunningly beautiful underground Postojna Cave formation, carved deep into the heart of the limestone hills. This is the most extensive cave system in Slovenia, covering a total of 21 kilometres. The 1.5-hour tour will take you through a fairytale world full of large and colourful stalactites and stalagmites, not forgetting the unique “human fish”, a mysterious creature that lives in dark pools inside the caves. In the afternoon, you head to first vineyards of Vipava region. (B)

Cycling distance: 32km
Elevation gain: +240m / -630m

First stop is perhaps at the botanical garden in Sežana, then it’s on to the stud farm of Lipica, where you can visit these beautiful thoroughbred Lipizzaner horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation. The history of the Lipica horses is closely linked to the Vienna riding school. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, watch them perform and visit them close up in their stables. This will be a day to remember. If you have the time for a couple of side trips, you can also visit the very unusual but also very interesting “War Museum” set in the village tower of Lokev. (B)

Cycling distance: 50km
Elevation gain: +630m / -360m

If you skipped Postojna Caves – this morning, you can visit Škocjan Caves – no less interesting but way less frequented Karst Caves – even listed as UNESCO natural monument! The day trip ends in Muggia - south of Trieste. After day's cycling, it is time to take a boat trip to Trieste centre, enjoy a gelato in the old town or relax on one of the beaches. (B)

Cycling distance: 38km
Elevation gain: +280m / -700m

Cycling along the coastal road, on a new cycling path following former railway line. Enjoy great vistas of Slovene coast and Trieste Bay. A coffee stop in fashionable resort of Portorož is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous Venetian little harbour village of Piran. (B)

Cycling distance: 35km (46km with a side trip)
Elevation gain: +230m / -240m

Today, you will cycle past the vast salt pans of Sečovlje. Get there early enough to catch the beautiful morning light. From here, you head across the border to Croatia and into the heart of Istria, across a slightly hilly terrain to the village of Umag. Once a Roman colony, within its town walls and across its gated drawbridge lies a town steeped in history. Take a tour through the medieval centre and visit the beautiful city tower.(B)

Cycling distance: 38km
Elevation gain: +250m / -250m

Once again, you cycle across some low hills to Novigrad (Cittanova), another medieval walled town. As well as its rich history, Novigrad is also renowned for its gastronomy, and is listed as one of Istria’s top gourmet destinations. Next stop is Poreč, where you can visit the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica, a diverse mix of Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque buildings. (B)

Cycling distance: 43km
Elevation gain: +340m / -340m

Tour ends after breakfast. You may opt for an extension of your trip. (B)