Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle and Piran Day Tour from Ljubljana
Overview
This shared day tour from Ljubljana links the underground and the seaside: Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle in its cliff, and a scenic stop at Piran on the Adriatic coast. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide, and pickup is from designated locations in Ljubljana. Entry tickets for the cave and castle are not included; they are bought separately at a discounted rate that we arrange for guests on this tour, so you can choose what to enter. The day lasts about ten hours.
Highlights
- Postojna Cave, one of the largest show caves in Europe, with its underground train
- Predjama Castle, built into a 123-metre cliff face
- Scenic stop at the Piran City Walls with views over the old town and the Adriatic
- Discounted entry tickets for the cave and castle, bought separately
- English-speaking driver-guide and air-conditioned vehicle
- Pickup from designated locations in Ljubljana
- A long day that shows mountains, caves and coast
Full Description
Postojna Cave and its underground train
Postojna Cave is the biggest attraction of the Karst region, with more than twenty kilometres of known passages. A small electric train carries visitors deep inside, and the guided walk that follows passes through halls of dripstone, including the huge Concert Hall. On this Postojna Cave tour from Ljubljana your driver-guide gets you to the entrance and explains the ticket choices before you go in.
The cave is about ten degrees all year, so bring a jacket in summer and shoes with grip. Entry is not included in the tour price; it is bought separately at a discounted rate, so you decide whether to visit the cave only or add the castle. The visit itself takes about one and a half to two hours.
Predjama Castle, the castle in the cliff
Predjama Castle is a Renaissance-era fortress built into the mouth of a cave under a 123-metre cliff. The story of Erasmus of Predjama, a knight who is said to have held out here during a long siege in the fifteenth century, gives the place a legend that visitors enjoy. The castle sits about nine kilometres from Postojna.
Many people ask whether Predjama Castle is worth visiting if they have already seen the cave. The answer is yes, because the setting is so different, with rooms, a well and secret passages. Your guide explains the ticket choices, including entering the castle or admiring it from the outside for photos. Predjama Castle opening hours change by season.
Piran, the Adriatic old town
Piran is a small town on a peninsula in the Adriatic, with narrow lanes, Venetian-style houses and a church tower that resembles the campanile in Venice. Tartini Square is the heart of the town, named after the violinist Giuseppe Tartini, who was born here in 1692. This Piran day trip from Ljubljana includes a scenic stop at the City Walls, where views spread over the terracotta roofs and the sea.
The old town is closed to most cars, so the vehicle stops nearby and you walk in. Entry to the walls is optional and is not included. The Slovenian coast is only about forty-six kilometres long, so a short stop shows a big part of it. Bring sunglasses in summer, because the sea reflects strong light.
The route: Ljubljana to the Karst and the coast
The day follows a loop: from Ljubljana south-west to Postojna, on to Predjama, then down to the coast at Piran and back over the Karst plateau. Piran is about an hour and a half from Ljubljana, so the drive is long, but your guide gives commentary on the landscape, history and Slovenian life.
Anyone asking how to get to Piran from Ljubljana will find that buses run, but combining the cave, castle and coast on public transport in one day is not practical. This guided day trip does it in about ten hours, leaving from the morning and returning in the evening. It is a full day, so wear comfortable clothes.
Itinerary
- Pickup in LjubljanaAt around 08:30 your driver-guide collects you from a designated location, confirmed after booking.
- Postojna CaveTrain ride and guided walk inside the cave; entry is bought separately at a discount, about two hours in all.
- Predjama CastleVisit the castle in the cliff, or photograph it from outside; about one hour.
- Drive to the coastTravel through the Karst towards the Adriatic with commentary.
- PiranScenic stop at the City Walls, then free time in the old town to walk and take photos.
- Return to LjubljanaDrive back, arriving in the evening after about ten hours in total.
What's included
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Scenic stop at the Piran City Walls with views of Piran and the Adriatic Sea
- Access to discounted tickets for Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle
- Pick-up from designated locations in Ljubljana
Not included
- Entry tickets to Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle (bought separately)
- Entry to the Piran City Walls
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
Not suitable for
- Guests who cannot walk on uneven ground and stairs for a few hours
- Wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, unless you first check with us
- Travellers who want tickets included in the price, since entry tickets are bought separately
Meeting point
Pickup is from designated locations in Ljubljana at around 08:30, and we confirm your exact point and time after booking. Please be there ten minutes early. Drop-off is at a designated location in the city at the end of the day.
Important information
- Entry tickets for Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle are not included; they are bought separately at a discounted rate.
- Entry to the Piran City Walls is optional and is not included either.
- Bring a warm jacket for the cave and comfortable shoes with grip.
- Meals, drinks and personal expenses are not included.
- Opening hours of the sights change by season, so the order of stops may change.
- In summer, bring sun protection and swimwear if you want to swim at the coast, though there is no set swimming stop.
- Tips for the guide are optional.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Postojna, Predjama and Piran tour cost?
The price depends on the option and on the number of adults and children. The booking panel on this page shows the current tour price for adults and children. Entry tickets for the cave and castle are bought separately.
Are the entry tickets included?
No. Entry to Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle is bought separately at a discounted rate, so you can choose which sights to enter. Entry to the Piran City Walls is also separate.
Is hotel pickup included?
Pickup is included from designated locations in Ljubljana. We confirm your exact point and time after booking.
How long is the tour?
About ten hours, starting at around 08:30. Driving adds up to roughly four hours over the day, with stops.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, for children who can cope with a long day. Children aged 3 to 9 have a child fare, and the booking panel shows the age bands.
What should I wear and bring?
A jacket for the cave, comfortable shoes, sunglasses and sun protection for the coast, and money for tickets and lunch.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on free seats. Choose your date in the booking panel to see if the tour is open.
Can I skip the castle interior?
Yes. Because tickets are bought separately, you can choose the cave only and see the castle from outside. Your guide explains the options.
Is Piran worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the prettiest towns on the Adriatic, with a walkable old town, a square and sea views, and it makes a good contrast with the caves.
Can I swim in Piran?
There are public swimming spots on the coast in summer, but the tour has only a short stop, so it is not planned as a swimming trip.
