Slovenia best photography spots: a complete guide

Discover the best photography spots of Slovenia, one of the hidden gems of Europe!

Slovenia is one of the greenest countries in Europe. Not because of its environmentalist politics (I am not an expert in that area), but because it is covered in forests, lakes, rivers, and mountains. Did you know that 54% of the surface of the whole country are forests? And most importantly, did you know that it is home to some of the best views in Europe?

As a travel and landscape photographer, I found it a very easy country to photograph. If you are a street photographer, you might find it a bit difficult to find photo spots (although Ljubljana has plenty of options). However, if you are a nature lover, don’t doubt it and book your trip to Slovenia.

Need some inspiration? These are the best photography spots I encountered during my trip to Slovenia. As you will easily notice, all photos were taken during winter. However, these are all-year-round worth visiting locations.

Church of St. Primož and Felicijan

Slovenia has some of the cutest and most photogenic churches I have ever seen. Located at the top of a small hill, St. Primoz is a must-visit photography spot in Slovenia. It is its location that makes it special. With the beautiful mountain range on the horizon, it is very easy to take a good photo of the church.

Getting there requires a bit of driving, and once there, there are some parking spots by the road. From there it takes 5-10 minutes to get to the church. If all the spots are taken, drive to the nearby village of Jamnik (a 2-minute drive). From there, you will be at the church in around 15 minutes.

Photographically speaking, don’t get too close to the church. The nice view (and most famous photo) is taken from the side of the road, on the way to Jamnik. Try to frame the church with the mountains. Either place the top of the spire aligned with the tallest mountain or make both of them the main elements of the photo.

Another great composition is the frontal view of the church. Use the small path as a leading line for a different photo.

Lake Bled

There is no way to explain the photo opportunities at Lake Bled in a few lines. However, I think that the images below can summarize why it is the Lake of Instagram. It is impossible to take a bad photo at Lake Bled. All-weather conditions give a special touch to the lake. Fog, snow, sun, ice…

I have a complete guide on how to photograph Lake Bled, where I go into detail on how to make the most out of multiple weather conditions, and where I share the exact photography spots.

Bled is very easy to reach, it is one of the most visited places in the country and has plenty of accommodation opportunities, from hostels to 5-star resorts. It is worth spending a night there, the sunrise by the side of the lake is a view that you will not forget. If you are lucky enough, a swan might come to keep you company!

Mala Osojnica Viewpoint

This viewpoint over Lake Bled deserves its own item in this list. Without any doubt, this is the best viewpoint over Lake Bled. There are a few more, such as Ojstrica, the view from the Bled snow slopes, or from the Bled castle. Yet, nothing compares to the gorgeous view of the island, the lake, the church, and the mountain range behind it.

Sunrise or sunset from Mala Osojnica is amazing. Depending on the time of the year the light direction will be better at sunrise or sunset. However, I recommend sunrise, as fewer people will be there. During winter, be careful on the way up and down, as the snow turns into ice and can get really slippy.

There are hundreds of tracks of the hike online. In fact, it is not even necessary to use your phone. The path is clearly marked. Look for Mala Osojnica Trailhead on Google Maps for the exact location where the hike starts.

Lake Bohinj

Lake Bled is among  Slovenia’s most popular photography spots (if not the top one), but Lake Bohinj is not far behind. It might not be as popular as its small brother, but this large lake at the heart of the Triglav National Park is heaven for photographers.

Being not so popular is quite beneficial, as fewer people get there. Don’t expect to be alone, but it can feel more relaxed. Besides, as it is larger, it is easier to find places for yourself alone. In the Bohinj Lake area, there are plenty of things to photograph, covered in detail in my lake Bohinj guide. It is very easy to reach, although you might need to consider getting a car, as moving around from there using public transport is a bit more complicated.

However, the most popular view is the mountains reflected on the lake. I enjoyed it very much during winter, as I was lucky enough to have a snowstorm, and I was almost alone. It was there that I took some of my favorite photos of Slovenia. Consider doing the hike around the lake, especially during summer.

Bohinj churches

There is a view of Lake Bohinj that needs to be highlighted. The Bohinj Church with the stone bridge reflected on the quiet waters is the best view of the lake. It is during winter that it becomes a real Christmas postcard. Don’t miss it!

Triglav National Park

This is a more generic photo spot, but the Triglav National Park is the most beautiful part of Slovenia (landscape-speaking). Some of the spots listed below belong to the park (as well as Lake Bohinj). Yet, there are multiple hikes and activities that will allow you to explore the park at its best.

For the hikers out there, Slovenia’s highest mountain, Mount Triglav is a very enjoyable climb (with the right physical shape). nonetheless, there are hikes and excursions available for everyone.

Iglica Falls

The Iglica falls are not worth it. They are not even close to competing with other waterfalls, such as the Savica or Mostinca waterfalls. However, the viewpoint at the top of the falls is well worth it.

On the way from Bled to Bohinj, there is a small village called Bohinjska Bela. From there, there’s a short 10-minute hike that leads to the Iglica Falls (there are signs everywhere). I bet that during the thaw the waterfall looks better, but when I was there, it was a bit disappointing. Yet, by the waterfall, you will see a set of very steep stairs that seem to get inside the mountain. Climb them and you will get to the top of the waterfall, with an amazing view over the valley.

With the village of Bohinjska Bela at your feet and the mysterious Slovenian mountains on the horizon, it is one of the least known Slovenia photography spots. It takes 10 minutes to get up there, and the photo is worth it!

Savica Waterfall

Slovenia is a country full of waterfalls, and Savica waterfall is one of the most visited ones. At the most distant end of lake Bohinj, there is a road that goes up into the mountain. At the end of it, there is a mountain hut, and a parking lot, from where the short hike to the Savica waterfall starts.

The waterfall is especially worth visiting when there is a lot of water, it is spring or autumn (rainy seasons). Yet, in winter, covered by snow it is also a nice view.

Photography-wise, it does not give space for a lot of creativity. The waterfall is at the end of a canyon only accessible from a small viewpoint, where a path leads to the base of the waterfall. During the high season, you have to pay a small fee to hike to the waterfall. When I visited Savica waterfall during winter, it was completely free.

Mostnica Gorge

This is another of the not-so-well-known Slovenia photography spots, and in my opinion, one of the best ones. In fact, this is a mix of 3 spots. The first one is the Mostnica Gorge itself. A beautiful gorge, easy to explore, and not-so-easy to photograph. I struggled to find a good composition, especially because of the snow and the difficulty to get out of the path.

I expect it to be different during summertime when it is easier to move around. Nonetheless, it is an amazing place to visit and photograph. Moreover, you need to go through it to get to the next 2 spots.

Mostnica valley

At the end of the Mostnica gorge, there is a path that follows towards the Mostnica waterfall. But more about this later on. After the path leaves the gorge behind, it ventures into an amazing valley, one that has probably the most photogenic mountain huts of Slovenia.

An unexpectedly wide valley, with small huts that can be rendered during summer, and are abandoned to snow and cold during winter. If you are looking for a “Dolomites style” view, you will find it there.

Mostnica Waterfall

The last of the Mostnica trilogy is the waterfall. At the end of the valley, you will find a very interesting waterfall, although not that easy to photograph. Although it is not the best waterfall in Slovenia (keep reading to discover it), it is a very nice place to photograph. Again, a bit difficult to explore and find different compositions because of the location of the waterfall.

If you like photography and nature, visit Mostnica, which is one of the best Landscape Photography spots in Slovenia.

Jasna Lakes (Kranjska Gora)

More lakes? Yes. Jasna Lakes is a fantastic photography spot, and one of the most iconic ones in Slovenia. Surrounded by mountains and just by the road that goes to the famous Vrsic Pass, it is an easy-to-access place. The two lakes are located just by the road, and there are multiple parking lots nearby.

These are not the size of Bled or Bohinj. Instead, it takes just around 30 minutes to discover the area, but with the photography stops it can take a bit more.

It is from Jasna Lakes where one of the most iconic photos of Slovenia is taken. The beautiful Julian Alps reflected on the waters of the Jasna Lake. A unique view that with the right light and wind conditions is worth the trip. During winter, though, the lake might be frozen, and the reflection impossible to achieve.

Pericnik Waterfall

Of all the Slovenia Photography spots, this is my favorite one. Or at least the one I enjoyed the most shooting at. It might be related to the conditions of the Pericnik Waterfall when I visited it, as it was completely frozen.

Nonetheless, if you visit it in warmer weather conditions you will be able to take a photo that is impossible to obtain during winter. There is a walkable path behind the waterfall, from where you can take a photo that could easily be mistaken for that of a waterfall in Iceland.

No matter the time of the year, it is a really nice waterfall, and one of the best photography spots in Slovenia. More on how to get there and the possible routes on my Kranjska Gora one-day guide!

St Thomas Cruch’s viewpoint

Of all the churches in Slovenia, this has to be the most scenic one. This spot is not the church itself, but the nearby hill form where there is a fantastic view of the church with the snowy mountain range behind. This is the exact location of the viewpoint.

The best time to take this photo is at sunrise. Unfortunately, there is nothing else to do near the viewpoint, so it is a one-photo trip. However, it is at an acceptable driving distance from Ljubljana, and the view is so worth it.

Be careful with the road during wintertime. Temperatures get really low and you won’t be driving on a highway. Ice and snow are everywhere, so make sure you have winter tires and that there has not been a snowstorm during the night. as the snowplows may not yet have cleared the road.

Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city

Ljubljana is really cute. Unlike other European cities, it does not have a world-class tourist attraction. Instead, it has a really beautiful old town, with little alleys, restaurants, and bars. A great castle with a great view over the city, and a lot of photography opportunities.

Its most known photo spot is the triple bridge, but I would recommend getting lost in the old town and the nearby neighborhoods. I have devoted a full article to the places to photograph in Ljubljana, where you can find more tips and detailed spots, such as the one depicted below.

These are the best Slovenia Photography spots I got to visit during my time in this fantastic country. Any photography lover will enjoy their time in Slovenia and get back home with unforgivable photos and memories. If you have any questions or doubts, DM me on Instagram (@aniolvisuals) or message me through the contact form. For any other inquiries, send an email at hello@aniolvisuals.com.