Slovenia may be hot, but is it also warm?

13 May, 2019

Slovenia is on the rise as a holiday destination. And rightly so: this small country between Austria, Croatia and Italy has impressive mountains, trendy cities and beautiful family campsites. Reason enough to travel to South-eastern Europe for a wonderful camping holiday. But of course you’ll first want to answer one of the most important camping questions: what is the weather like in Slovenia, and what is the best time of year to visit this beautiful country?

The climate in Slovenia

Slovenia has three different climate zones. In the southwest, Slovenia borders the Adriatic Sea. In that area there is a Mediterranean climate and the temperature is very pleasant all year round. The summers are dry and sunny and the winters mild and wet.

Are you going more inland? Then you have to deal with a moderate oceanic temperate climate. The temperature differences in this climate zone are not very large. There are four seasons, but summer is not extremely hot and winter is not extremely cold, just like in the UK. In general, the temperature here is slightly lower than on the Mediterranean coast and the chance of rain in the winter is greater.

The higher and more mountainous northwest and north of Slovenia borders with Austria. A temperate continental climate prevails here. This means that the summers are warmer and the winters cooler. And of course, the higher you go in the mountains, the cooler it gets.

The best time to visit Slovenia

The best time to visit Slovenia are the months of June, July and August. The summers in Slovenia are generally very pleasant. The sun shines often, and the temperature is between 25 and 30 degrees. In the northeast and the west, the temperatures are highest. In these areas you’ll find campsites with large outdoor swimming pools and water parks, perfect for days of fun in the water and sunshine! Well-known holiday destinations include Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. In the summer, you can certainly expect warm days here.

Spring is a great time to visit Slovenia if you’re looking for a more active holiday. It’s a bit less warm and rains less than in the summer. Perfect if you’re planning on long walks, mountain biking or cycling trips.

Rain

Slovenia is a beautiful green and water-rich country. That means that it can sometimes rain. It is therefore useful to pack some rain gear in addition to your summer and swimming clothes and to take into account that your caravan, tent or motorhome must be able to withstand a shower. That certainly applies if you’re going camping in the higher mountain areas. Like anywhere in the mountains, the weather can be more erratic there. During a short week in the Soča Valley, I experienced all weather conditions – from a sunny 30 degrees to an impressive thunderstorm. But don’t let that stop you from exploring this beautiful area.

Winter sports

You can of course visit Slovenia in the middle of winter. There are various winter sports areas in the north of Slovenia. They are a bit smaller and less well-known than the winter sports areas in Austria, but as a result they also have their own charm. Well-known winter sports destinations include Kranjska Gora, Mariborsko Pohorje and Vogel.

Read more about Slovenia

Esther tells you all you need to know about Slovenia in a nutshell.
Jeroen tells you where you can find great glamping accommodation in Slovenia.
Joyce writes about thermal springs.