After the capital, the coastal region of Primorska and the mountain district of Gorenjska are the next most expensive places to buy real estate in Slovenia. Both include some of the most visited tourist destinations (e.g. Bled, Bohinj, Kranjska gora in Gorenjska and Portoroz and Piran on the seacoast) which offer an opportunity of a solid rental income. Another good thing is that both regions are within an hour drive from Ljubljana.
Primorska includes the Slovene coast and its hilly hinterland. The warm Adriatic Sea enables a lively tourist industry, saltworks, and commercial fishing. The Port of Koper is the center of the region and Slovenia’s maritime gateway to the world. Due to its Mediterranean climate and fertile soil, the hilly hinterland is important for producing Mediterranean crops such as vegetables, wine, and olives.
Notranjska is a predominantly hilly region, covered with karst phenomena and extensive forests. Farmers are mainly occupied with stock breeding, and the forests have encouraged the development of wood processing industries. The karst region boasts outstanding tourist attractions: the intermittent Cerknica Lake, karst caves (Postojna, Kriz, and Skocjan), and rich cave fauna such as the “human fish” (Proteus anguinus). Postojna, the center of the region, is the home of the most frequently visited karst cave in Europe and the Karst Research Institute of the Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Gorenjska is a highly developed alpine region with outstanding natural beauties. Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps, is one of Slovenia’s national symbols, and the mountains of Gorenjska are the most visited in Slovenia. The warm alpine lakes of Bled and Bohinj are very attractive, and the winter resort center of
Kranjska Gora is inviting in every season. Planica hosts world championship competition in ski jumping and ski flying. Kranj, the natural center of Gorenjska, is an important industrial town.
Ljubljana area includes the central part of the Ljubljana Basin and the surrounding hills. Major European transportation routes intersect here near the Sava River and routes from the Pannonian Plain to the Adriatic pass through the Ljubljana Gate. Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is home to its parliament and governmental institutions, a university, and the Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts. In recent decades, Ljubljana has also become Slovenia’s largest business center.
Dolenjska extends south from Ljubljana to the Kolpa River that marks the border with Croatia. This hilly karst region of numerous small settlements opened to the world after the construction of the Ljubljana-Zagreb highway in 1958. The regional center Novo mesto is today a notable industrial center (automobiles, pharmaceuticals). Beyond the Gorjanci mountain range spreads the sunny region of Bela Krajina with its numerous natural attractions and interesting folklore (music, dances, customs).
Savinjska embraces the watershed of the more than one-hundred-kilometer length of the torrential Savinja River that runs from the high Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke Mountains to the flat Savinja Valley. The mountain world is distinguished by the glacier-carved valleys (Logarska dolina, Matkov kot, Robanov kot) that form a major tourist attraction, while the Savinja Valley is famous for its hop plantations of the “Savinja golding” variety. In the Zalek Valley, the largest lignite coal mine in Slovenia fostered industrialization and the development of the planned town of Velenje. The center of the region is Celje, once the Roman town Celeia, the seat of a principality in the 15th century, and today the third largest city in Slovenia.
Pomurje covers Slovenia’s largest plain along the Mura River between Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. To the north the plain is bordered by the hills of Goricko, and to the south by the hills of Slovenske gorice. The region is called Slovenia’s breadbasket.
The capital Ljubljana is for most investors the most obvious place to buy property. This is because of the great investment potential which the city offers, although the prices are the highest there. Moreover, rents in Ljubljana are also highest in the country. But climatically, culturally and otherwise, these two are indeed quite different places. Gorenjska is snowy and usually very cold through the winter, full of favorite Slovenian ski destinations. The coast, on the other hand, is a typical Mediterranean area with almost no snow and of course a natural choice for summer holidays for many. There are quite different and less busy parts of Slovenia on the eastern and south-eastern side of Ljubljana, in the regions like Stajerska, Pomurje, Dolenjska and Notranjska. The prices of real estate in these regions are lower, sometimes considerably. On the other hand, apart from the cities like Maribor or Celje (2nd and 3rd largest after Ljubljana), these regions do not have so high rent prices and also the demand (for renting at least) is not as great as in and near Ljubljana. Yet, buying a home in one of these areas has several other advantages than just a lower price. Tempo of living is not at such a stressful level as in Ljubljana, tourism is much lower (if present at all) and people are frequently described as more friendly in these regions (although Slovenians are highly friendly in general).Whether you invest in more expensive areas, buy ski apartment or holiday homes in places like the Julian Alps, urban areas apartments or go for the more traditional country house with land.
What are the most important factors for you:How close is the property to facilities such as schools, shops and leisure facilities such as restaurants, cinemas, sports or other recreational opportunities?Condition of neighbouring properties.Is there a lot of passing traffic near the property?Is the area noisy?How far is the nearest bus/train station?What is the view from the house
