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Predjama Castle Visit before opening hours & Motorail Question

My trip is in May 2022. I have a full day to drive from Matavun to Kamnik. I would like to see Predjama Castle and get a few photos but need to see it before it officially opens at 10:00 AM. Is this possible or is there a gate into the parking area?

The car train or Motorail between Most na Soči and Bohinjska Bistrica sounds too interesting for me to pass up. Has anyone had an issue with "no room on the train" even if I get there 45 min to an hour early? I am planning on the 14:45 train after I visit the mercury mining museums in Idrija.

I would appreciate any advice or thoughts!

Posted by
2300 posts

I don’t recall any gate at Predjama Castle. There are a couple parking areas, with restaurants and houses nearby. You should have no problem stopping for some pictures before it opens. You can use google earth to view the area.

Posted by
3809 posts

The Motorail is great! I rode in the direction from Most na Soči to Bohinjska Bistrica in 2019. I rode in the morning. Just a few cars got on the train, but a bunch got off the train. I arrived about an hour early to scope out how things work. When I was there, cars parked in spaces to the left of the train station right beside the ramp/road that led up to the the train. The car in the space closest to the ramp/road got the front spot on the train.

Posted by
12 posts

Thank you travel4fun and Dave! I appreciate your feedback! I will plan photos at Predjama and using the Motorail!

Posted by
470 posts

Pity you haven't got time to visit the Franja Partizan Hospital
I did see the Motorail train when i took a steam special from Nova Gorica to Bed and back. It wasn't fully loaded

Posted by
12 posts

rogerbrownwarwick, thank you! Another amazing place to visit in Slovenia! I am a nurse so this hidden gem is right up my alley and I will have to decide between the Mercury Mining Museum in Idrija and the hospital before I head to the motorail. I am rethinking if I should even make the drive to the Lipica Stud Farm or stay around Idrija.

Posted by
3809 posts

I agree that Franja Partisan Hospital is a great stop. Mercury mine vs Franja Partisan Hospital? Tough call. UNESCO World Heritage Site vs site that was very important to the lore of Yugoslavia. I did both! But I had 25 days in Slovenia.

Posted by
12 posts

Dave, I am amazed at all there is to see and do in Slovenia and I must return! I have several great options and may let weather and driving conditions determine what I should do this time. Cerkev sv Trojice looks too good to pass up also with the "Danse Macabre" frescoes.

Posted by
470 posts

I first went to Idrija in 1964 on a cycle camping trip when i was 16 with my brother and a friend
We caught an overnight train to Villach in Austria before crossing the Wurzen Pass into what was Yugoslavia

Posted by
3809 posts

I saw the Dance of the Macabre, too. It was pretty interesting. I would rank the mercury mine and the partisan hospital above it, though. Of course, it all depends on your interests.