They treated us like royalty in Postojna and Predjama. Our lovely hotel welcomed us with homemade iced tea and cake. Slovenians know how to conquer your heart! Additionally, my brother who lives in Ljubljana gave us a tour around the area. However, Postojna Cave was the star of our day trip from Ljubljana. We went all the way down 15 miles (24 km)!
We even got to see the unique aquatic salamander Proteus. Endemic to this region, the Proteus were once considered baby dragons! Sorry no pics, the tiny creature lives in a cave so it’s not fond of flashes. Then we were almost completely on our own in the renaissance Predjama Castle. Finally, in the atmospheric town, we had the pleasure of chatting to a few locals. Apparently, they miss Old Yugoslavia.
How to Visit Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle
Trains from Ljubljana
Postojna is between the Slovenian capital Ljubljana and the Slovenian seaside. Thus, it’s easy to get there from the entire country. Several daily trains from Ljubljana take you to Postojna in about 1 hour. The Postojna train station is about a kilometer away from the city center.
A free shuttle bus from the train station to both Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle operates only in high season. Since we visited the offseason, we had to hire a taxi. There are taxis by the entrance. Don’t worry, a taxi shouldn’t charge more than 40 EUR. It’s a 20 minute ride.
Buses from Ljubljana
You can take a bus from Ljubljana to Postojna Cave. Buses leave from the bus station next to the train station in central Ljubljana. The journey takes approximately an hour. There are three buses in the morning. From Postojna cave to Ljubljana buses leave in the afternoon.
Another option is going from Ljubljana to Postojna city center. Buses leave from the same station and take the same time. However, there are 10 buses a day. The first one at 5:30 AM, and the last one at 20:05 PM. There are 11 buses from Postojna city to Ljubljana from 6:05 AM to 20:50 PM.
Private Tours from Ljubljana
If you are short of time or don’t want to go alone, we strongly recommend going with a private tour. We’ve got two fantastic Ljubljana to Predjama castle tours. Both include a visit to Postojna cave. This one includes tickets to both places and is limited to 15 people.
You go on a private bus with an English-speaking guide. It includes an audio guide and pick up and drop off service. The whole tour lasts 6 hours. This tour is basically the same but does not include the tickets. Since it’s limited to only 7 passengers, it’s a bit more private.
Driving to Postojna
We don’t like to drive. That’s why we usually take buses or trains everywhere. However, we have family living in Ljubljana. They always drive all around the country. Slovenia has a fantastic road system. It takes approximately one hour to drive from Ljubljana to Postojna city.
From central Ljubljana, take A1/E70 road all the way to Postojna. You have to pay approximately 20 EUR per car on tolls. The road is in perfect shape. No worries if you get hungry or thirsty. There are rest stops with restaurants. There are paid parking lots near the cave.
Coming from the Slovenian Coast
You can also reach Postojna from the Slovenian coast. There are buses from Koper to Postojna city. The journey takes a bit over an hour. Frequencies vary from day to day, so ask at your hotel or check for official info here. The journey is an attraction in itself, so be sure to grab a window seat.
There are buses from Koper to Postojna cave too. These operate less frequently than buses to the city. You can also take a train from Koper to Postojna. However, until the end of this year, you have to exchange to a bus in Divaca. Please check here for official info.
Postojna City
Most tourists don’t even stop by Postojna City. They rush to the cave and skip the city altogether. What a mistake! Postojna city is so pretty that we believe spending at least a night is mandatory. Besides, it’s a great place to set base and go to the cave and the castle.
Some 9000 people live in Postojna. It was a dwelling until 1909 when it was recognized as a town. Lovely trees line the town’s streets. There are cute coffee houses and local restaurants everywhere, in particular along Titova Street. Visit the Notranjski Museum next to the station and Saint Stephan Church in the center.
Postojna Cave
The main reason we came to Postojna was to visit the world-famous Postojna Cave. The Postojna cave system is 15 miles (24 km) deep and is the world’s second longest. Towering formations, underground rivers, and large halls make up the system. The 16-foot (5 meter) tall stalagmite called Brilliant is its symbol.
Slovenians have done a great job and it’s safe to travel inside the cave. You get to take a train and then walk about. Opened in 1872, the Postojna’s cave train is the world’s oldest underground train. The tour lasts 1,5 hours and explores around 3 miles (5 km) of underground space. We had never seen anything quite like it!
Getting to Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave is 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) from Postojna Train Station. Thus, you can walk from the town to the cave in 25 minutes. From the station walk to Titov Square, the city’s main square. The tourist information office is one block from the square. From there, walk along Jamska Street to the cave.
You can take a public bus from the center of the town to the cave. There are four buses each day, except on Saturdays. These leave at 9:05 AM, 12:50 PM, 16:10 PM, and 18:10 PM. Two buses go the other way, at 12:39 PM and at 13:46 OM. An inexpensive taxi there takes no time.
Predjama Castle
Though our goal was to visit Postojna, we soon realized Slovenia has another unique place. The impressive medieval Predjama Castle majestically perched on a cliff for over 800 years is quite photogenic. The original castle was built in 1274. Destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries, today it looks straight out of a fairy tale.
There is something else unique about it: Predjama is the world’s largest cave castle. In fact, most of its rooms are inside caves! What’s more, there is a network of secret tunnels leading to safety. The castle is open to regular visits, while the tunnels open only for pre-arranged adventure tours.
Getting to Predjama Castle
The Predjama Castle is some 6 miles (10 km) from Postojna. Thus, a bit far from the city and the road there has no sidewalks. Hence, walking is not an option. We’ve been told by locals that there are side treks that could eventually take you there. If you find a way, please let us know.
In July and August, ticket holders to the cave and the castle can take the free shuttle service between the two. You can take a 1 EUR bus from Postojna cave to Predjama castle. Buses take 15 minutes and depart from Veliki Otok, just north of the cave. A taxi shouldn’t cost more than 40 EUR return.
Other Things to Do in Postojna
There are tons of things to do in Postojna. The area is known around Slovenia for its incredible forests. A 30-minute walk from the city through the forest takes you to the Memorial to the Hostages of the War. From there, you can walk for hours through nature.
Another popular walk is to the World War II Mass Grave. It’s southeast of the city, between the Big Javornik and the Small Javornik Hill. Ask your hotel or the tourist office for info. Planina Cave is 5 miles (8 km) north of the city. The cave is home to Europe’s biggest underground rivers.
Check out this post for more things to do in Slovenia.
Where to Stay in Postojna
Postojna City Center
Visiting both Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle is too much for a day trip from Ljubljana. Therefore, we strongly suggest spending at least one night in Postojna. Hotel Kras is the best hotel in the city center. They offer huge rooms and apartments. The family rooms are great value for money.
Another fantastic hotel is the Postojna Cave Rooms & Apartments Proteus. The hotel is on the main square. The rooms are plush and pretty big. If you are traveling with friends or family we recommend the apartments. They’ve got one and two bedroom fully equipped units.
Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle Hotels
The Postojna Cave Hotel Jama is just 300 feet (100 m) from the cave. The contemporary property sits in the middle of a lovely garden. The rooms are super comfy. Book a room with a balcony to enjoy breathtaking views over the hills. The complimentary breakfast is delicious.
If you want to stay close to the Predjama Castle you have one option: the Počitniška Hiša Pr Martinovih. It’s a large house, perfect for groups of up to six. In all honesty, we believe it’s a much better idea to stay close in one of the Postojna Cave hotels we suggested. The area is gorgeous and there are tones of things to do in Postojna.
Where to Eat and Drink
There’s a fantastic restaurant close to the cave. Jamski Dvorec is a fancy restaurant with high ceilings, wooden floors, and lots of character. It serves local and international food. There’s a coffee shop by the entrance. It’s nothing special, but you can munch there and buy water.
Our favorite restaurant in Postojna city is Bistro Štorja, one block south of the main square. You can eat delicious traditional food at Proteus restaurant. It’s in a palace directly on the square. For a beer or some cocktails, head to Allegro Bar. It’s got a lovely terrace overlooking a garden.
When to Visit Postojna and Predjama
You can visit Postojna and Predjama all year round. Though the weather in Slovenia varies considerably throughout the year, it’s never that hot or cold. June, July, and August are the warmest months. The average maximum temperature in those months is around 78F (20C), while the minimum is 58F (14C).
The coldest months are December, January, and February. The average maximum temperature in those months is 41F (5C), and the minimum is 29F (1C). It hardly ever snows. If it does, the country looks beautiful! Our favorite months are April, May, September, October, and November. The weather is splendid, and there are fewer tourists around.
Useful Tips
As mentioned above, the weather changes a lot in Slovenia. Therefore, don’t forget proper shoes and to wear warm clothes in winter. Conversely, wear always some sunscreen and carry a recycled bottle of water in the summer. We recommend wearing comfortable but proper shoes inside the cave. It can be slippery.
Another tip is time. Some people rush and try to see everything in one day. One of the things we love the most about Slovenia is its slow pace. That’s the whole point of traveling through the country. Take your time to enjoy the local culture. Slovenians are warm hosts!
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