I've read through several pages of posts in this forum looking for information and recommendations on Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave. There is very little mention of either. The photos of the castle make it look absolutely stunning. Both can be done in a single day trip from Ljubljana either through public transportation or as a tour. We are a group of active seniors that love castles and this one looks like it is right up our alley.
Am I missing something??
Thanks
Neil
Neil, I don’t think you’re missing anything. Postojna Caves and Skocjan Caves are almost always mentioned in guidebooks as attractions to see while in Slovenia. Photos of Predjama Castle are published in guidebooks covering Slovenia. I think Slovenia is just overlooked by Americans going to Europe and the pandemic the last couple years has eclipsed it even more. American military members stationed in the region know Slovenia as a great place to vacation with their families. Most Americans, however, I think couldn’t point out where Slovenia is on a map.
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Hi, Neil. I made a stop at Predjama Castle on a drive with a guide from Ljubljana to Piran. I just looked at the outside of the castle (very impressive) and listened to my guide's story about it, which was interesting. I did not go inside. I had other things that were higher priority for me on that day -- like Škocjan Caves and the not-in-the-tour-guides but excellent Park of Military History at Pivka. Rick says the interior is not very impressive; while I like Rick's guides, I definitely don't consider his opinions gospel truth. You may want to consider that Rick has been in a lot of castles, so his perception of impressive and unimpressive may not match your perception. It sounds like his perception does not match the Trip Advisor reviews? If castles are high on your list of things to see, you may find it wonderful.
One word on caves. You have two choices. Postonja Cave is often packaged with Predjama Castle because of their close proximity. Postonja Cave comes with a train ride into the cave and is more of an attraction with a nature bent than a true natural experience. Škocjan Caves is a little further out, but very much a natural experience that requires quite a bit of walking. My original plan was to hit both caves, but I found so much in Slovenia to see that I had to narrow things down to just one. I chose Škocjan Caves and had zero regret. The Slovenians were pleased with my choice, too. I've written this elsewhere, but toward the end of the tour, I walked through an enormous cavern where it was hard not to do my best Gandalf impression, slamming an imaginary staff into the path and shouting "YOU... SHALL... NOT... PASS!"
If you haven't found it, here's my 2019 trip report on 25 days in Slovenia... https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/25-days-in-slovenia
I toured the inside of Predjama Castle in September and found it fascinating - but I like places made of old stone and rock. There were quite a few stairs involved in seeing it all and my friend chose not to climb them all - which is one reason we chose the castle over Skocjan Caves, which would have been my choice of caves. I think the cave would have been even more than she wanted to do. However, as a “senior” and not hugely active, I climbed all the steps and really enjoyed it. I would like to go back for the caves and more Slovenia.
Edit: we had a car so I can’t help with how either a tour or public transportation would work. But I can say that driving in Slovenia was easy.
In early April I took a day tour to both of these with To Do Slovenia (they are listed in the Rick Steves book, or google them). It was an inexpensive way to get to both places without having to deal with public transportation (they pick you up at/near your Ljubljana hotel and return you there), the guide/driver provided some interesting commentary and information during the drive, and it included tickets to both places. I enjoyed the day - the Caves are very interesting and there's a good English tour that you are given. The Castle is interesting to look at, and the interiors are sparse but interesting to at least see. I urge you to check out the To Do Slovenia site - it was definitely worth it!
You can get a train to Postojna but the bus station is closer to the caves. Therefore easy to get to from Ljubljana for a day trip
When i was last there in 2014 you could get a combined ticket to the caves and castle including transfer between the two
Another interesting place a bit to the north of Postojna is the Franja Partizan Hospital but i don't think you can get there using public transport
