The Best Campsites and Glampsites in Slovenia

Lake Bled, with its castle-topped island and teal waters, is one of Slovenia’s most photographed locations. On its southern shore is this well-heeled, family-friendly glampsite, stocked with luxurious wooden cabins, e-bikes for hire and a swish farm-to-table forest restaurant that specialises in Slovenian wine pairings. Pedal or paddle around the lake but leave time to swim in the outdoor pool and lounge by the firepit after dark.

This huddle of 10 substantial canvas tents sits around a wooden sun deck and an emerald, eye-shaped pool, naturally cleaned by plants – all at the foot of pine-forested Slovenian slopes. The vibe is earthy meets glam: herbs grown on site influence everything from hearty cuisine to fragrant spa treatments, and rooms have safari-style front decks with outdoor seating as well as steaming hot tubs. Better still, it’s in a rural ski region that’s famous for year-round eco-spa resorts.

The Bela Krajina region in the far southern reaches of the country is worth a visit for its hiking trails, farm culture, folklore and clean, swimmable river Kolpa. When not relaxing at this 14-room resort, you’ll be cycling along riverside trails trimmed by silver birches, or tasting regional wines at rustic restaurants. Back at base, you will find chic wood and canvas cabins, a chlorine-free bio swimming pool, and rental kayaks for riverine adventures.

This back-to-basics campsite, surrounded by pines, rocky clearings and powder-blue pools branching off the Nadiza River, is firmly geared towards young families. As well as a log-built play area and shallow natural swimming spots, it has plenty of space for you to bring your own clan-sized tent or campervan. A low-key cafe-restaurant serves crowd pleasers from lunchtime into the evening. The area, situated in the far northwest near the Italian border, is home to quaint villages, historic architecture and a river with supposed healing waters.

At the tip of the Seca Peninsula, Slovenia’s under-the-radar coastline, this large-scale campsite is a bring-your-own affair, with shower and bathroom blocks, a playground and volleyball and tennis courts to stretch your legs. Little ones will love playing on the shingly beach, riding bikes along the waterfront, bouncing on trampolines and playing mini golf. Take a family stroll to the mirror-like Sečovlje salt pans, where you can watch a killer sunset.

Treehouses with hot tubs and dining decks brush up against the trees at this zero-waste ecohotel. Close to the must-see Lake Bled, they have kooky cabin interiors with bunk beds and space-saving wall hooks, and there’s a shared sauna where you can sweat out the toxins from your break. Though cabins are cosy, you’re hardly slumming it – wifi is speedy and there’s a glam restaurant serving à la carte breakfasts.

Set amid vineyards in the Slovenian wine region of Styria, this spacious complex is spread across a hillside with lovely views of emerald forest. Choose from low-tented cabins or treehouse-style structures, some with gorgeous sun-drenched decks to dine on. Simmering hot tubs and outdoor massages add a touch of spa serenity. The hotel’s historic wine press – the oldest in Europe – is a must-see, and it’d be rude to leave without partaking in a tasting of the chateau’s wine cellar.

This quirky, affordable base sits on the man-made Lake Blosko, an hour’s drive south of the capital Ljubljana. Kids will love its bear totems carved from chubby tree trunks, as well as a waterslide and gingerbread house-feel lodges with peaked roofs and log beds. It’s simple and rustic rather than sophisticated, but perfectly located for lakeside walks and cycles, fishing excursions and great lungfuls of fresh country air.

With hippyish campfires and hammocks strung around a crystalline river, this is barefoot family camping at its best. Adrenaline junkies can try their hand at rafting, paragliding, canyoning and climbing; chefs will love the challenge of cooking local ingredients in the log-built open kitchen and on rustic outdoor grills. Low-impact wooden huts and tents with mattresses and linen provide a range of sleeping options – and DIY tent pitches are available too.

>You’ll be welcomed at this camp site in the gardens of a rural house in western Slovenia with a carafe of local wine and shown around the shower blocks, power points and bike-rental station that you can take advantage of during your stay. You can have breakfast in the main house (for an extra charge), where you can try the local cheeses, bread and jams. Most guests arrive in their own camper vans, but you can rent a room in the main building if you prefer.

Less than 45 minutes’ drive from capital city Ljubljana, this green riverside resort at the foot of the pure-aired Kamnik Alps is log built and low key. Deer amble past as you trot between the handsome lodge-style restaurant and rocky riverbank. Huts and cottages have modern kitchenettes and plump sofas. A small pool and donkeys to pet enhance the cute factor even more.