Skiing, hiking and the sunny side of the Alps are just some of the things that come to mind when one thinks of Slovenia. An underrated country in Central Europe, Slovenia spans from the Asiatic Ocean to the foothills of the Julian Alps and has many hidden gems to offer, with many splendid places to live.
Given its relatively small size and its Slavic language, it can be tough figuring out where to situate yourself in this splendid country. Slovenia is a pioneer in sustainable tourism and is also one of the safest places to live in Europe. Let us show you some of the best places to live in Slovenia.
Next Read: Read about the best places to live in Hungary, Slovenia’s neighboring country.
Best Places to Live in Slovenia for…
- Expats: Koper
- English Speakers: Ljubljana
- Digital Nomads: Velenje
- Solo Travellers: Maribor
- Couples: Bled
- Groups: Kranj
Top 10 Places to Live in Slovenia
1. Koper
Best Place to Live for Expats
Cost of Living: $$$
Koper is one of the oldest cities in the country and the biggest along the coastline and offers excellent food and a high quality of life.
Tip: If you love the sea, then this is the place to be! Koper offers excellent beaches for swimming in the summer months.
Who Would Like to Live There: Expats
Pros:
- Clean, green city with little pollution and good drinking water
- Better climate than northern regions
- Good healthcare
Cons:
- It can be expensive to live here
- There is little in terms of entertainment
- Traffic jams are a problem, so getting around can be an issue
2. Ljubljana
Best Place to Live for English Speakers
Cost of Living: $$$
Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital city and its cultural hub. The city was awarded the places to live in Hungary It has excellent job opportunities for foreigners and is a diverse and open-minded city.
Tip: The city is an excellent place for discovering the cultural and natural gems on offer so take a guided day tour to get to know it better.
Who Would Like to Live There: English Speakers and Expats
Pros:
- Plenty of job opportunities
- Great nightlife
- English is widely spoken here
Cons:
- Relatively high cost of living
- It gets very cold in winter
- Bustling city with few places to relax
3. Velenje
Best Place to Live for Digital Nomads
Cost of Living: $$
Velenje is one of Slovenia’s most beautiful cities, situated amongst the Kamnik–Savinja Alps and the Pohorje Mountains. Known as “Slovenia’s sunniest town,” it is peaceful with pleasant weather and many outdoor experiences.
Tip: Velenje Beach was awarded the best bathing site in Slovenia in 2016.
Who Would Like to Live There: Digital Nomads
Pros:
- One of Slovenia’s most prominent economic hubs
- Plenty of outdoor activities
- Pleasant weather
Cons:
- English is not widely spoken here
- Locals are not always the friendliest
- Coal mines give the town a foul odor
4. Maribor
The Best Place to Live for Solo Travelers
Cost of Living: $$
Maribor is the second-largest city in Slovenia and is a peaceful wine region with beautiful ancient buildings and a nearby ski resort for winter sports lovers. Maribor offers a little bit of everything and is not too remote.
Tip: The Pohorje mountain range provides great skiing in the winter months and beautiful hiking trails in the summer.
Who Would Like to Live There: Solo Travelers
Pros:
- Affordable rent and living
- Not too far from the capital city
- Plenty of bars and cafes
Cons:
- English is not widely spoken here
- Few job opportunities
- No international schools
5. Bled
Best Place to Live or Couples
Cost of Living: $$$
Bled is a small, romantic, picturesque town that offers stunning scenery like Lake Bled, plenty of outdoorsy summer and winter activities, and lots of restaurants and cafes.
Tip: In 2019, Bled was selected as the second-best place in sustainable development in Europe as part of the Green Destinations international non-governmental project.
Who Would Like to Live There: Couples
Pros:
- English is widely spoken here
- Low crime and no traffic
- Easy to access other countries via train
Cons:
- Small job availability
- High cost of living
- Not much nightlife
6. Kranj
The Best Place to Live for Groups
Cost of Living: $
Kranj is one of the best cities to live in in Slovenia. This city is conveniently close to the capital, has incredible views, and offers a diverse culinary scene and a wide range of outdoor activities.
Tip: Kranj is the capital of the Slovenian Alps and is estimated to be 6 000 years old.
Who Would Like to Live There: Groups
Pros:
- Cheap living
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Very Safe
Cons:
- Slow internet
- Poor quality of hospitals
- Locals are not always that friendly
7. Celje
The Best Place to Live for History Buffs
Cost of Living: $$
Celje is Slovenia’s fourth-largest city. The town has a vibrant history with beautiful historical sites and activities to match.
Tip: Celje was built by the Romans in the first century AD, and was once home to one of the most important royal families in Europe, the Counts of Celje.
Who Would Like to Live There: History Buffs
Pros:
- English is widely spoken here
- Good hospitals and healthcare
- Plenty of outdoor activities
Cons:
- Pricey living
- Few job opportunities
- Relatively secluded
8. Piran
The Best Place to Live for Art and Culture Enthusiasts
Cost of Living: $$$
Piran is a quaint coastal town along the Mediterranean sea. It offers plenty of museums, coastal galleries, and Venetian architecture.
Tip: The local Tartini theater was inspired by Piran-born violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini.
Who Would Like to Live There: Art and Culture Enthusiasts
Pros:
- Walkable city
- Plenty of cafes and seafood eateries
- Lots of diverse entertainment
Cons:
- Crowded and densely populated
- Costly living
- Cold and windy in the winter
9. Novo Mesto
The Best Place to Live for Wine Lovers
Cost of Living: $
Nova Mesto is situated amongst wine-growing hills and is close to the border of Croatia. It is quickly becoming a modern economic and cultural center and a wonderful place to live in Slovenia.
Tip: The hills surrounding Novo Mesto produce the unique Slovenian Cviček wine.
Who Would Like to Live There: Wine Lovers
Pros:
- Relatively inexpensive living
- Various growing job opportunities
- Plenty of food and wine-tasting adventures
Cons:
- English is not widely spoken
- A small and secluded city
- Not much in terms of nightlife entertainment
10. Cerkno
The Best Place to Live for Active Explorers
Cost of Living: $$
Cerkno is situated in the Alpine region of Slovenia. It offers excellent cycling and hiking destinations, and in winter, it boasts the most modern ski slope in Slovenia.
Tip: Cerkno is home to the world’s oldest musical instrument.
Who Would Like to Live There: Active Explorers
Pros:
- Clean and green city
- Diverse and exceptional cuisine
- Rich cultural culture
Cons:
- Very small and secluded
- English is not widely spoken here
- Little to do in terms of entertainment