It’s possible to dive in all Slovenian rivers and lakes with an exception of Lake Bohinj. Diving is popular in Lake Bled, Ankaran, Portorož and many other tourist spots in Slovenia. But this time we aren’t talking about normal diving – we are going to talk about special type of diving – cave dive.

Cave dive is a special type of technical diving, where scuba equipment is used to enable the exploration of the caves, filled with water.

Unfortunately, according to professionals, cave diving isn’t for everyone. To be more exact, experts estimate that less than one percent of the recreational divers possess the knowledge, skills, attitude and judgment needed to cave dive safely. But, if you have knowledge, skills, attitude and right judgment, then cave diving can be a great experience.

Since this is a blog about Slovenia, I have to tell you something about cave diving in Slovenia. Cave dive is possible in Postojna cave, Škocjan caves and in a tunnel in Wild Lake (Divje jezero) near Idrija. There are very little information about cave dive in Slovenia on the internet, because there are only few people interested in that (well, many people are interested in that, but most of them give up when they find out what they need for cave diving). If you would like to cave dive in Slovenia, then you can contact Slovenian diving federation (Slovenska potapljaška zveza; Celovška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana; spz@spz.si; telephone number: +386 (0)1 433 93 08) or visit Noriksub’s webpage for cave dive courses (or contact them: telephone number: +386 (0)1 434 07 53; info@skupinanoriksub.si) and ask for details about cave diving in Slovenia.

If diving is yours and your partner’s passion, you can organize an underwater wedding (ask at Noriksub group). You can contact Slovenian diving federation and Noriksub group for diving in Slovenian rivers, lakes and in the sea as well.

As you may already know, Slovenia has more than 85.000 caves and many more are discovered every year. The possibility of discovering stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones, halls, natural windows and many more absorbing underground sights are the reason for Slovenia caves being more and more popular among tourists.

Two most known Slovenian cave systems are described in the articles about Postojna cave and Škocjan caves. In this article I will concentrate on three other, “hidden” caves in Slovenia that are interesting from different perspectives.

Županova jama is located near beautiful foot paths.

Županova jama (in English The mayor’s cave) was discovered in 1926 by the mayor of nearby village. It’s only about 20km away from Ljubljana, near Grosuplje (Dolenjska region) and is interesting because of seven halls with mighty stalactites, connected together in the system of tunnels.

Županova jama is interesting for people who want to see Slovenia countryside besides Slovenia caves as well, owing to walking paths nearby which are part of European foot path E6.  

Županova jama

The cave is opened from May to the end of September at Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The tour starts at 3.00 P.M. (15.00). In March, April, October and November, ca

ve is opened only on Sundays and holidays, at 3.00 P.M. More information is available on zupanovajama.si (unfortunately only in Slovenian language, but you can see some beautiful pictures of the cave) and on the telephone number +386 41 407 705.

Rotovnikova jama has an entrance through cafe

Rotovnikova jama (Rotovnik cave) was discovered by accident in 1978 by Jurij Rotovnik, a local man in a village Skorno near Šoštanj in Štajerska region. Rotovnik, with a plan for new house, started digging on his yard and discovered a cave. He arranged the cave for tourist visits, but he didn’t want to stop building his house. He built a house right at the cave entrance. So, the entrance in the cave is only possible from the cafe in Rotovnik’s house. This facts makes Rotovniko cave one of more intresting Slovenia caves.

Despite the fact that Rotovnikova jama is a smaller cave, it has beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The specialty of Rotovnikova jama are “aragonite formations” or “aragonite urchins”, formations from mineral aragonite (CaCO3), which is present only in two other caves in Slovenia.

Aragonite urchins in Rotovnikova jama

Skorno pri Šoštanju (Skorno near Šoštanj) is easily accessible from highway Ljubljana – Maribor (Via Michelin recommended route). When you arrive at Skorno, the cave can be found with the help of the signs on the road (Skorno isn’t a big village so I think finding the cave will be an easy job).

Kostanjeviška jama near the most beautiful old town in Slovenia

Kostanjeviška jama (Kostanjevica cave) is located in Dolenjska region near the old town Kostanjevica na Krki. The cave is about 2 km long, about 300 m of the cave is opened for tourists. Paths in the cave are appropriate for children and seniors. The cave is interesting because we can see different images in the walls with a little imagination (saber, bear, …). Guided tour lasts approximately 40 minutes.

Kostanjeviška jama is opened for tourist from 15th April to 31st October on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at 10.00 AM (10.00), 12.00, 2.00 AM (14.00), 4.00 PM (16.00) and 6.00 PM (18.00). In July and August cave is opened every day. Phone number of the contact person is +386 (0)41 297 001.

The cave isn’t the only interesting sight in Kostanjevica na Krki. The town Kostanjevica is in my opinion one of the most beautiful old towns in Slovenia. With an old town center on the artificial island on the river Krka, Kostanjevica offers their visitors a relaxed and peaceful environment with unspoilt nature.

Škocjan caves are under UNESCO protection

Škocjan caves (“Škocjanske jame”), the series of limestone caves are the second most known cave system among Slovenia caves (the first one is Postojna cave) and are located in southwestern Slovenia. Škocjan caves and surrounding Regional Park are under UNESCO protection since 1986.

Škocjan caves are located 1.5km from highway Ljubljana-Koper. Nearest town is Divača, which is about 5km away. Divača has train and bus station as well. 

Škocjan caves have been popular among tourist since 18th century and are getting more and more visitors every year. Tourists can enjoy on 3000m of tourist trails and around 500 stair steps. Elevator to Velika dolina is available since 1986. 

Several million years of nature hard work

The cave system was created by the river Reka (by the way “reka” means “river” in Slovene language) which springs below the plateau of Snežnik. When Reka reaches Karst (limestone surface) it still flows on the surface for few kilometers. When the river disappears underground, its journey on the surface ends with a beautiful waterfall. The river comes back on the surface more than thirty kilometers away near Adriatic coast.

The Škocjan caves system is 6.2 km long. Depth from surface to the lowest point is 223 m; average temperature in the caves is 12°C. There are 26 waterfalls in the cave system. One of the Škocjan caves specialties is an underground canyon of the Reka River (2600m long, 10m-60m wide and up to 146 high). Another interesting sight in the caves is one of the largest underground chambers in Europe, called Martel Chamber (2.2 million m3) two natural bridges, one between Velika and Mala dolina and another in Mala dolina. A natural window in the Mohorčič cave is an attraction as well.

Tourist guides 365 days a year

Škocjan caves, as second most popular Slovenia caves system) are opened for visitors every day in the year. All visits are guided and lasts about and hour and a half. Owing to lower temperatures in the caves and slippery trails warm sweater and sports footwear are recommendable.

Škocjan caves

At the start of the guide, guides will separate you in five groups, according to your language.
The tour starts at Globočak valley and leads through artificially built tunnel into natural cave, called Silent cave (Tiha jama). The passage at the entrance is interesting because of beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and flow stones. Tour proceeds through Labyrinth into the Great Hall (Velika dvorana). Then you see Müller Hall, cross Cerkevnik Bridge and enter Svetina Hall. You will reach the lowest point of the tour (144m below surface) and move away from the river and climb up to the Rimstone Polls’ Hall (Dvorana ponvic). Dayligh is seen again in the Schmidl Hall with beautiful view on up to 165m high walls of Great valley (Velika dolina). At the bottom of Great valley you will see river Reka for the last time and 10m high waterfall. Then you go up to the lift that takes you back on the surface. 

Postojna cave vs. Škocjan caves?

Well, I can’t say which one is better, because that depends on your expectations and many other subjective circumstances. But, Škocjan caves are much cheaper than Postojna cave and are offering everything that Postojna cave does (or even more with natural bridges, windows …), except train ride in the caves. So, my opinion and opinion of many others is that among Slovenia caves Škocjan caves are offering the most for the price paid. But, the decision is up to you. Definitely, both cave systems will impress you; the big difference is only in the price.

For more information about Škocjan caves (prices, guided tours timetable), visit their official website.

Postojna cave, in Slovenian language called “Postojnska jama” is second greatest Slovenian tourist attraction (first place belongs to Bled). Postojna cave is a name for a system of caves, typical for unique Slovenian landscape called Karst (Kras). The caves were hollowed out by the river Pivka. Postojna cave is with its 20.570 m also the longest cave system known in Slovenia and the most visited tourist cave in Europe. Postojna cave was opened to the public in 1819.

Postojna cave is important because of the special natural environment, giving home to the endemic olm, the largest trogloditic amphibian in the world (In Slovenian language it is called “Človeška ribica”, which in direct translation means “human fish”).

It is time to focus on the tourist side of Postojna cave. You are probably wondering, how it looks like when you come to Postojna cave. Considering its length (20.570 m), you may think your sightseeing might look like very long underground hike. Don’t worry! The whole Postojna cave is not opened to the public and the part that is opened to the public has an underground train, driving you around the cave. So, you will just sit and enjoy, listen to the tourist guide informing you about many important details about the cave.

So, by now you are probably asking your self “Is the Postojna cave the right place for me to visit on my Slovenia holidays?”. I believe it is, because it is an experience you won’t forget (train ride, unique water made sculptures, olm, …).

But, you must know that Postojna cave system is only one part of 8500 Slovenian caves. So, if you don’t want to pay (let face it) high price for visiting Postojna cave, you can still see other Slovenian caves. They aren’t as long as Postojna cave (but many of them are longer than you can walk in one day) and train won’t drive you around, but they are beautiful and they will reveal you many secrets about Karst.