Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the southeast, with a 47km (30-mile) Adriatic Sea coastline, where the main port is Koper.

Currency

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

General business opening hours

Business hours are generally Monday to Friday 0900-1700 (or 1900), although quite a few still operate 0700-1500. Working the weekends is not the norm, though many shops now also open on Saturdays and some on Sundays too.

2021

Novo leto (New Year’s Day): 1 und 2 January 2021
Prešernov dan (Culture Day): 8 February 2021
Velika noč (Easter Sunday): 4 April 2021
Velikonočni ponedeljek (Easter Monday): 5 April 2021
Dan upora proti okupatorju (Resistance Day): 27 April 2021
Praznik dela (Labour Day): 1 and 2 May 2021
Dan državnosti Slovenije (Statehood Day): 25 June 2021
Marijino vnebovzetje (Assumption): 15 August 2021
Dan reformacije (Reformation Day): 31 October 2021
Dan spomina na mrtve (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2021
Božič (Christmas Day): 25 December 2021
Dan samostojnosti in enotnosti Slovenije (Independence Day): 26 December 2021

All information subject to change.

The streets of Ljubljana come to life with this colourful carnival, which is always held on the Saturday before Shrove Tuesday. With participants dressed as traditional Slovenian carnival figures such as ‘kurenti’, ‘pozvacini’, ‘oraci’ and ‘godlarji’, a costumed parade with marching bands sets out from Krekov trg Square and heads towards Presernov trg Square, where a series of entertainment events take place, including brass bands, puppet theatre and dancing. The event has religious origins as a last chance for merriment before Lent.

Showcase of contemporary music.

Since its modest but daring start in 1995, the Exodos Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts has become a major international festival in Slovenia.

Established in 1984 as an alternative to the country’s mainstream music festivals, Druga Godba is dedicated to the weird and wonderful sounds of world music. Everything from Slovene folkloric music to African jazz finds a home at this eclectic five-day event that takes place at the Krizanke Theatre in the centre of Ljubljana. In addition to a great line-up of world music artists, the festival also includes animations, film screenings, music workshops, children’s events, art exhibitions, seminars and political debates.

With three or four performances each evening, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival is a popular event that sees international bands and local talent take to the stage. The festival includes a variety of styles ranging from trad jazz and blues through to experimental and Latin American jazz.

Ljubljana’s stages fill with performers from around the world and the city’s population swells.

Starting and finishing at Subieeva ul in front of the Parliament building in the centre of Ljubljana, runners follow a circular course that takes in some of the best sites of this laid-back city. For anyone not up to running the full 42km (26-mile) marathon, runners can attempt the 21km (13-mile) half marathon or the 7km (4-mile) fun run.

The annual Ljubljana International Film Festival is one of the biggest events of its kind in Slovenia and features over 100 films, animations and documentaries, with a focus on avant garde work. The festival attracts a mix of film lovers, fans and industry specialists who can pick their way through a varied schedule that includes everything from French cinema through to Asian film.

One of Europe’s great festive markets with practically the whole old city illuminated and stalls lining the river.