Dive into Slovenia's waters of wellbeing

Nestled between Italy and Croatia, Slovenia has just over 28 miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea, where endless coastal views and hidden beaches await. Home to some of the region’s most beautiful and ancient towns, the Slovene Riviera stretches from the northernmost cape of Debeli Rtič, by the Gulf of Koper; before winding down south along stunning shoreline to village of Sečovlje, by the Gulf of Piran.

The Sečovlje salt-flats have been the site of traditional salt production since the Middle Ages. As mountain rivers meet the Adriatic Sea, fresh and salt water combine to create this uniquely preserved saline landscape supporting rich biodiversity. Classified as one of the most important natural heritage sites in Slovenia, the special ecological conditions at Sečovlje are home to incredibly rare plant and animal species.

The sea that laps the Slovenian shoreline is full of natural substances and its products – mud and sea water - have been used for therapeutic purposes for generations. At Lepa Vida Thalasso Spa, these products are used in thalassotherapy treatments to help relieve various health conditions. The salt pan mud and brine pools are recognized by the Slovene Ministry of Health as having natural and energizing healing properties for the skin and body.

Whether taking in the glorious view from Hill Peč, floating on its surface in the hot summer months, or hiking around its edge in the cooler seasons – Lake Bohinj is a year round attraction for locals and visitors alike. Located at the heart of Triglav National Park, it is the country’s largest permanent lake and is surrounded by mountains. The limestone-rich green waters of the lake’s tributary rivers make it one of Slovenia’s most beautiful and untouched nature reserves.

Slovenia's numerous lakes and rivers are a natural attraction for wild swimmers, and for those simply wanting to relax in nature and cool-off away from the city. Stunning summer weather and easily accessible lakes make it easy to take a refreshing and restorative swim – and offer a unique way to discover the country.

Just one-hour from the city of Ljubljana is Slovenia's watersports playground – where calm lakes and fast-flowing rivers attract windsurfers and paddleboarders for aquatic adventures. Rent a paddleboard and discover hidden shores, or a kayak with friends to float away the day.

Slovenia is overflowing with waterfalls – named ‘Slap’ in Slovene - from large thundering cascades to delicate and calming cliff-side stams, most can be found in the Julian Alps. These magical spots, such as Slap Virje pictured here, offer a refreshing dip or fairytale-like woodland hideaway.

Filtering through layers of rock from the Julian Alps, high quality drinking water flows straight into the capital city of Ljubljana, where public water-fountains dot the city, and locals fill-up their water bottles straight from the source. The Ljubljanica River is the city’s main waterway, and is steeped in history. Once a major trade route, you can now paddleboard along the river, or take in the atmosphere from one of the riverside café’s.

Since Roman times, the therapeutic qualities of Slovenia’s waters made it one of Europe’s most respected spa destinations. The spa of Rogaška Slatina, is home to Donat MG drinking water, known for its high magnesium content. The therapeutic benefits of the mineral rich water has been praised for for centuries, with the earliest written record of this dating back to 1141.

For centuries the entire town of Rogaška Slatina has been dedicated to preserving its magnesium-rich drinking water, Donat Mg. Crafted by Slovenia’s unique topography, the famous drinking water comes from deep underground and is enriched by years of mineral filtration. At the Rogaška Slatina Medical Centre, visitors are prescribed a drinking therapy ‘ritual,’ where a glass of Donat Mg water must be consumed at least three times a day.

In the east of the country, is Moravske Toplice - home to the famous ‘black gold’, a geo-thermally heated mineral water from a deep underground spring in the Mura-Zala basin. Named as such for its dark color, naturally-occurring elements give the water its distinctive shade and therapeutic properties. Taking a dip in the ‘black gold’ has been known to soothe achy joints and relieve some skin diseases.