Best things to do in Postojna

Ride on a double-track railway through the underground tunnels of Postojna Cave and see colorful rock formations, as well as the 100 species that make the caves their home. One of the largest caves in the extensive karst plateau features 21 km (13 mi) of passages, galleries, and chambers illuminated by electric lighting. A historical train takes you to large halls adorned with chandelier-like stalactites and limestone "sculptures," such as "the brilliant," a shiny white limestone formation. Meet the olm, a salamander popularly called the dragon's offspring or the human fish. Archduke Ferdinand I was the first to officially visit the cave in 1819, but several writings on the cave walls date all the way back to the 13th century. Note that audioguides are available in a range of languages.

Perched on a high, rocky cliff for over 700 years, the unconquerable four levels of Predjama Castle were built within a cave mouth. Cross a drawbridge over a rushing river and visit the restored living quarters, chapel, and dungeon to get an idea of how people once lived here. The castle's most famous resident and the subject of many legends was Erazem Lueger, a 15th-century knight who rebelled against the Austrian emperor. See his hiding place called Erazem's Nook and ascend along Erazem's Tunnel. Do not miss the 16th-century treasure chest uncovered in the cellar in 1991. An observation post offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The castle entered the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest cave castle in the world.

Explore the largest known underground canyon in the world at Škocjan Caves, a World Heritage Site famous for its many waterfalls, diverse stalactite formations, and limestone pools. The caves feature 6 km (3.7 mi) of underground passages and one of the largest underground halls. With a total depth of over 200 m (656 ft), this system of limestone caves was inhabited as early as Mesolithic times. On your way through, you will pass a 116 m (380 ft) long tunnel, a dry river bed, a so-called "silent cave" and "murmuring cave." Look out for the huge stalagmites called the Giants and the Organ. The highlight of the trip is crossing over a 45 m (148 ft) high bridge. Bring a light jacket and put on good walking shoes since the paths can be slippery.

A historical monument as well as a place of worship, Hrastovlje Church of the Holy Trinity stands behind a wall erected for protection against Turkish attacks of the 16th century. Possibly dating back to the 12th century, the building features only two windows. Inside, Gothic frescoes from the 15th century include Glagolitic letters, discovered in the 20th century under lays of plaster.

This water karst cave features underground lakes as well as sites with preserved bones of bears. This attraction is a fun and education site for anyone intested in the natural world. It is carefully presented to the public while also being protected and preserved for the future generations. There are guided tours in the area which will take you to this cave as well as other popular attractions.

Anthony's Shaft Mining Museum serves as both an education center and entry point for the mine. The entrance represents one of the oldest preserved mine entries in all of Europe. Professional guides will take you through shafts and lit galleries, where you'll see illustrations of mining jobs and a unique underground chapel. You'll likely get a raincoat at the start of the tour, but do come prepared for cool underground temperatures.

At Pivka Park of Military History, you'll see one of the largest and most diverse collections of military history in Europe. Established in the 2000s, the collections occupy abandoned army barracks and preserve military history of Slovenia, Pivka region, and European technical and political heritage.

From the 13th century, Snežnik Castle remains one of the most romantic and charming historical landmarks in the area, surrounded by unspoiled nature. The four-story structure sits surrounded by a Renaissance wall. The castle did undergo massive renovations in the 19th century, with the majority of inside furnishings now dating to this later period. The castle park grounds feature walking paths, meadows, chestnut trees, and two small man-made lakes.

Planina Cave (Slovene: Planinska jama), formerly also Little Castle Cave (Malograjska jama) after Little Castle in the vicinity of its entrance, is one of the longest Slovenian active caves. It is a huge tunnel and the subterranean bed of the Unica River. It is located in Inner Carniola. Five hundred meters from the entrance into the cave is a confluence of two underground rivers: the Pivka River, flowing from the Postojna Polje through Postojna Cave, and the Rak River, flowing to Planina Cave through Weaver Cave from Rak Škocjan. This is one of the largest confluences of subterranean rivers in Europe.
Entrance into the cave is at the southwestern part of Planina Polje in the gable end valley below 65 high rocks. The length of the cave is 6,656 m (21,837 ft). It has been shown by water tracing that there is a connection between the systems of Planina Cave and Postojna Cave, and the administration of Postojna Cave estimates the connection will also be explored by cavers. The length of the joint system would be over 31 kilometres (19 mi).

Franja Partisan Hospital (Slovene: Partizanska bolnica Franja) was a secret World War II hospital at Dolenji Novaki near Cerkno in western Slovenia. It was run by the Slovene Partisans from December 1943 until the end of the war as part of a broadly organized resistance movement against the Fascist Italian and Nazi German forces.

The wounded treated there were soldiers from both the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers. Although the Wehrmacht forces, which occupied territory that had been annexed by Italy, launched several attempts to find the hospital, it was never discovered. Today it exists as a museum. It has been protected as a cultural monument of national significance.

Take a tour through the grounds, stables, and stalls of Lipica Stud Farm, and meet mares, foals, and stallions of one of the oldest cultural breeds of white horses. The history of Lipica begins in the 16th century and is intertwined with the history of the Habsburgs. The court stud farm was developed in the abandoned summer residence of the Bishop of Trieste. Today the estate is traversed by tree-lined routes fronted by sculptured portals and lined with white wooden fences that separate the horses from traffic. Visit the coach house museum and the arena, where you can watch the horses in training.