By Monika
Visiting Postojna Cave in Slovenia – a Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors.
If you’re planning a trip to Slovenia and wondering whether Postojna Cave in Slovenia is worth adding to your itinerary, let me make this easy for you — it absolutely is.
We had the same dilemma as our schedule was already packed, but we decided to go for it, and I’m so happy we did!
Postojna Cave is one of those places that feels a little unreal, like stepping into a magical underworld where you’re surrounded by massive chambers, dramatic stalactites, and an underground landscape that’s unlike anything you’ll see above ground.
In this guide, I’ll share all you need to know to have a great visit to Postojna Cave in Slovenia, what to expect during the tour, and a few helpful tips from my experience so you can easily plan your visit – and maybe add one more nearby gem that I unfortunately didn’t have enough time for!
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- Visiting Postojna Cave in Slovenia – a Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors.
- What is Postojna Cave?
- Where is Postojna Cave?
- How to get to Postojna Cave?
- Postojna Cave tickets and opening hours:
- What to expect on a Postojna cave tour
- How long do I need for a visit to Postojna Cave
- Tips for your visit:
- Is Postojna Cave worth a visit?
- If you have more time
- Where to stay near Postojna Cave
- FAQ:
- Nearby attractions:
First – let’s go over some basic information:
What is Postojna Cave?
Postojna Cave (Postojnska Jama) is the most visited cave in Europe.
Also described as “The Queen of Caves” it’s part of a massive cave system (the longest in Slovenia) formed by the Pivka River. Out of its total length of 24 km, 5 km is open to tourists today.
According to the Postojna Cave Park official website it’s “the most captivating cave” where you can experience a “fascinating subterranean paradise”.
I absolutely agree with these statements, and I think, after reading this guide, you will, too!
Where is Postojna Cave?
The cave is located in the Postojna Cave Park, only about 45 minutes (50 km) from Ljubljana and about 1 hr 5 minutes from the famous, scenic Lake Bled.
How to get to Postojna Cave?
To visit the cave, you can either drive or take a guided tour.
Drive
Driving to Postojna Cave is the most convenient way to visit. There is a large parking lot near the main building and it costs €6 per day per car.
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Take a tour
There are many convenient tours you can take from Ljubljana, which will take care of all the planning logistics and will guide you through the entire visit.
Many also add a visit to Bled and Predjama Castle (more on the castle a little later in this article).
Check out these well-received guided tours below:
Postojna Cave tickets and opening hours:
Postojna Cave is open year-round.
The hours of operation vary by season – in the peak season (July/August) it open from 9:00 amd to 7:00 pm.
Get the most up-to-date information here.
You can only visit the cave by booking a timed tour ticket.
The tickets cost about €33 per adult with discounts for children and students.
I strongly recommend buying them online as they may sell out, especially during the busy summer months, and adding the optional audio guide to your ticket to learn about the cave as you explore.
We were lucky to have gotten the tickets just the day before for our group, although we didn’t quite get the time we wanted.
Good to know: I use the word “tour” here loosely – technically there is a guide assigned to your group, but I didn’t see a whole lot of them during our visit. BUT you do have to check in and start your visit at the specific time stated on your reservation, so the word “tour” means more of a “cohort” rather than a true guided experience.
What to expect on a Postojna cave tour
If you arrive by car, your visit will start with a walk from the parking lot to the main building, where you will check in for your tour. The walk takes a few minutes and is a very pleasant stroll through the park.
Helpful hint: plan to arrive early – you’re expected to check in 30 minutes before your tour time, so allow enough time to get to the parking lot, find a spot, pay the fee, and walk to the cave building.
Check in at the entrance, and follow the instructions to get to the first part of the experience:
The surprisingly thrilling train ride
When I read about the cave before my visit, I definitely did not expect the train ride to be such an experience.
You board, take a seat, and start moving slowly through the chamber. But… just wait!
It picks up speed very quickly and you almost feel like you’re on a mild roller coaster as it navigates through the various caves and corridors with frequent twists and turns.
Some parts of the route have such a low ceiling that it seemed as if you were taller and sat up really straight, you could almost touch it! So definitely stay in your seat and do not get up, no matter how incredible the scenery is as you pass – no photo is worth getting hurt!
This train started running in1872 as the first documented railway in an underground cave and has been renovated and upgraded since then. Today, it takes visitors through the first 3.7 km of Postojna’s passages.
Read about the train’s history here.
The walk through the cave
After you disembark, you follow the path through the remaining 1.5 km of the cave.
The first part takes you through the Great Mountain Cavern (Velika Gora).
You walk through some really amazing areas, with some unreal stalagmite and stalactite formations – just keep your camera ready!
Then you’ll go across the Russian Bridge and enter the last segment of the cave, called Beautiful Caves. where you’ll see some truly breathtaking limestone structures.
Even though you have plenty of people in your group, after the train ride the group tends to stretch out as everyone starts exploring at their own pace.
We lost sight of our guide pretty quickly, but no worries – there is only one path to follow, so you can’t get lost!
Don’t miss the baby dragons!
Towards the end of the tour, you’ll see a small aquarium with the famous Postojna Cave baby dragons, also known as olms.
They are cave-dwelling salamanders (Proteus anguinus), native to Postojna cave. They are pale, aquatic creatures that can live up to 100 years! And because they only live underground, they are blind.
The train ride back
Beautiful Caves mark the end of the tour – from here you’ll board the train again to head back to the starting point.
You can explore more tunnels and caves on a Postojna Adventure Tour.
How long do I need for a visit to Postojna Cave
The tour takes about 90 minutes, but add at least 30-45 minutes to park and check in, and some more time to grab a bite to eat and get some souvenirs after your visit.
When we surfaced after our tour, we were quite hungry but so happy with the experience!
Tips for your visit:
- Book tickets in advance, especially in the summer
- Allow enough time to get to your tour – you don’t want to miss it!
- Dress warmly – the temperature in the cave is 10°C, which is 50°F, so bring a sweater.
- Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. You don’t really need hiking boots, regular sneakers are fine, but I wouldn’t recommend sandals.
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Is Postojna Cave worth a visit?
100% yes!
It’s a combination of a fun train ride with a nature walk through a stunning, unique, underground landscape that makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
If you have more time
If you have more time, you can add a visit to Predjama Castle to your visit.
It is the world’s largest cave castle, listed the Guinness Book of World Records.
It’s also part of the Postojna Cave Park, only 9 km away. There is a shuttle to transport visitors between the two attractions and if you buy a combo ticket for both, you will save some money.
You should allow about one hour to visit the castle.
Since we visited Postojna as part of a longer road trip and were on the way to Croatia, we did not have the time for the castle visit. It remains on my “to do when I go back to Slovenia” list.
Where to stay near Postojna Cave
The closest hotel to the cave is Hotel Jama.
For more options, explore this handy map below:
You can also stay in Ljubljana, especially if you want to take a guided tour, or in Bled, where we stayed before visiting the cave.
FAQ:
Yes, Postojna Cave is one of the most accessible caves in Europe. Visitors ride an electric train for a large portion of the tour, and the walking paths inside the cave are wide and, while a bit uneven, mostly flat. Wheelchair access is available on request, and staff are very accommodating, though it’s best to notify them in advance.
Absolutely! Postojna Cave is very family-friendly and a great option for visiting Slovenia with kids. The train ride through the cave is a highlight for children, and the walking tour is engaging without being too long. Just keep in mind that the cave temperature stays around 50°F (10°C), so warm layers are important for little ones.
The best time to visit Postojna Cave is spring and fall, when crowds are smaller and tickets don’t sell out so easily. Summer is very popular, especially with families, so it can get very busy. If you’re visiting during peak season, booking tickets in advance can help you secure your spot on a tour.
Yes, you can take pictures inside the cave, however, to protect the delicate cave environment, flash photography and the use of tripods are not allowed. For a complete list of rules and “cave etiquette” visit this page.
Yes! Postojna Cave offers a unique experience thanks to its underground train, massive chambers, and a chance to see the olms. Even if you’ve visited other caves in Europe, the scale and accessibility of Postojna make it stand out as one of Slovenia’s most memorable attractions.
Nearby attractions:
- Lake Bled
- Lake Bohinj
- Vogel cable car & viewpoint
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About Monika
An avid traveler and a passionate trip planner, mildly obsessed with being organized and prepared 🙂
Well aware of how precious travel time is, I’m here to share my experience and help you get the most out of your vacation time.
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