Is Postojna Cave Worth It? Everything You Need to Know - Welcome to Zimmin Around the World

Visiting Postojna Cave was the main reason I visited Slovenia. A visit to Postojna Cave felt less like a typical sightseeing stop and more like stepping into another world.

Postojna Cave is huge! imagine boarding a small underground train, taking it for fifteen minutes and beginning an hour walk in the cave. We passed limestone tunnels, towering columns, and giant chambers.

If you are planning a trip to Slovenia and wondering whether Postojna Cave s worth adding to your itinerary, the short answer is yes, absolutely!

In this guide to Postojna Cave, I’ll break down everything you need to know for a first-time visitor from booking tickets to what to expect. Whether your are visiting from Ljubljana or road-tripping through Slovenia, you can’t miss Postojna Cave.

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Table of Contents

Where is Postojna Cave

Postojna Cave is located in southwestern Slovenia near the small town which shares the same name, Postojna.

Postojna Cave is in the heart of Slovenia’s Karst region, an area known for its limestone landscapes and extensive cave systems

Postojna Cave is in a convenient location, so it’s easy to reach from places like Ljubljana and Lake Bled. It’s only about a 10 minute drive from Predjama Castle, which is also a must visit attraction in the area.

Distance from Major Destinations

Distance from Predjama Castle: 10 km (6.2 miles), 15 minute drive
Distance from Lake Bled: 104 km (64.6 miles), 1 Hour 15 minute drive
Distance from Ljubljana: 50 km (31 miles), 45 minute drive

Postojna Cave Tickets & Tours

Postojna Cave is open daily, even during holidays, and inclement weather.

It is best to visit the official Park Postojnska Jama website for the latest tour times and ticket information.

You can find the latest tour times and tickets here.

You can book tickets through the official website. You can book a ticket just for Postojna Cave or a combined ticket that includes Predjama Castle, which I recommend doing and I’ll have more on Predjama Castle later in the post.

If you would rather book a guided tour that includes transfer from Ljubljana I’d recommend booking a day tour from Ljubljana through Get Your Guide or Viator.

Below are tours that I recommend:

✅ Ljubljana: Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle Tickets and Tour

✅ Ljubljana: Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle Tour

✅ Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle: Small Group Tour from Trieste

✅ Slovenia in One Day: Lake Bled Postojna Cave, and Predjama Castle

Cave Terminology to Understand

I figured since this post is on caves, I’d provide some useful and recognizable terms along with what it is to help you better understand caves and what you are looking at.

Stalactite – An icicle like structure made of calcium salts deposited by dripping water in a cave that hangs from the ceiling. (“c” for ceiling or “tite” as in holds tight to the ceiling.)
Stalagmite – The opposite of a stalactite. These form from the ground up. (“g” for ground or Might reach the ceiling)
Column (Pillar) – When a stalactite and stalagmite meet and form as one.
Chamber – A large open space inside a cave.
Karst – A landscape formed from dissolving limestone. Karst landscapes are known for caves and sinkholes.

What to Expect at Postojna Cave

I found that everything from booking our tour to the actual visit of Postojna Cave was well organized. The experience included a somewhat thrilling underground train ride and walk through the giant cave systems.

The train ride alone was about 10-15 minutes and we spent about an hour in the cave walking about 1.5 kilometers.

Between the train ride and walking around Postojna Cave, here is exactly what you can expect.

The Underground Train Ride

One of the most iconic parts of visiting Postojna Cave in Slovenia is the train ride that takes visitors deep into the cave.

Just to get a sense of how big Postojna Cave is, you take a 3.5 km train ride to the beginning of the 1.5 km walking trail. You basically see 5 km of the cave.

Upon entering the cave, we sat on the open-air train, watch your head! Seriously, there are spot where you come close to the cave ceiling or walls.
The train ride lasts about 10-15 minutes.
The journey is 3.5 km.

The train ride is exciting, it goes through narrow tunnels and giant openings, you’ll get your first glimpse of the cave’s scale. It almost feels like an amusement park but it’s entirely natural.

Guided Walking Tour

In order to visit Postojna Cave, you have to book a guided tour. But the tour was informative and our guide spoke clear English. They pointed out things within the cave we would otherwise miss.

We ended up walking about 1.5 km within the cave, it’s kind of a loop.
The trail is well maintained. It’s flat, paved, and easy to walk. But keep in mind it can be slippery or uneven in spots.
Tour Duration: About 1 hour of walking. You don’t have to be an athlete to walk the cave, but at the same time, some physical demand is necessary.

The guide did a great job explaining the caves history, formations, unique features, and shared interesting facts.

Temperature & Conditions

If you’ve toured the inside of a cave before, you could probably guess many of them have similar climates and features. The cave is cool, damp, and dark.

Make sure you dress appropriately for the cave.

Wear a light jacket or hoodie.
Good and comfortable walking shoes.

Photography

Taking photos within Postojna Cave is allowed. I don’t think tripods are allowed though. You don’t want to hold up the group, so take your photos and move on.

Flash photography might be restricted. Although dim, I got enough light in portions of the cave to get decent shots.

Here are some manual camera settings that I use for cave photography.

Lighting is important. Try and take photos in decently lighted areas or close to a light source.
Use a low ISO, although for this experience, I set mine on Auto ISO because I didn’t want to hold up the group. Many of the photos were grainy, but good enough.
Manual focus was key. Because of the dim lighting situation, my camera had a tough time focusing on subjects.
A lot of the photos I took, I ended up making brighter using Lightroom.

Postojna Cave Highlights

With a 3.5 km train ride and 1.5 km walk, there were several highlights in Postojna Cave that I feel are not to be missed! Most of the major sites, the tour guide will point out.

The whole time I was in the cave, I was amazed by the sheer scale of the cave. From the massive underground halls to the delicate formations, these highlights are what make Postojna Cave one of the most impressive caves I’ve visited.

Brilliant: The Symbol of Postojna Cave

Located toward the end of the cave tour is “Brilliant,” a giant white stalagmite. This famous formation is the symbol of Postojna Cave. Don’t forget to get your photo in front of the “Brilliant” formation.

Concert Hall

Concert Hall is a massive underground chamber. It’s called Concert Hall because its incredible acoustics.

Symphonies, orchestras, and private events have been held here. Surprisingly the Concert Hall is big enough to support 10,000 people.

Big Mountain Hall

Big Mountain Hall was one of my favorite sections of Postojna Cave. It’s an open space with towering ceilings that is filled with massive columns and stunning formations. You can look down or up at the path to see the full scope of its mass.

Spaghetti Hall

Spaghetti Hall is a section of the cave that is famous for its thin and delicate formations hanging from the ceiling. I’ve heard this formation being called cave bacon as well.

Olms (Baby Dragons)

You can purchase a ticket that includes The Vivarium (Olm Exhibit). It’s an exhibit outside the main cave area and you can learn more about the Olms or Baby Dragons.

I did not add the Vivarium to my ticket. Lucky for you though, at the end of the cave tour there is a large display with a few Olms for everyone to enjoy.

Based on a sign at the cave, here are a few facts about these cute little Baby Dragons that I just found fascinating.

Olms can live up to 100 years.
They can survive without eating food for several years, up to 10 years!
They are blind and live in complete darkness.
They reproduce slowly and mate on average once every 12 years.
When visiting their exhibit in the cave, please be very quiet and don’t tap on the glass.

Tips for Visiting Postojna Cave

A visit to Postojna Cave is pretty straightforward, but here are a few general tips that can help make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.

✅ Book tickets in advance
Postojna Cave is one of Slovenia’s most popular attractions and it can be very busy especially during peak season.

✅ Wear a Jacket and Warmer Clothes
Even during the summer, the cave temperatures staya round 8-10°C or 46-50°F.

✅ Wear Comfortable Shoes
The paths are well maintained, but the trail can be uneven and even slippery.

✅ Arrive Early for your Tour
Timing is important, arrive about 15-30 minutes early. If you are to early, there is a nice cafe and gift shop.

✅ Consider a Guided Tour from Ljubljana
If you don’t have a car then booking a day trip is one of the easiest ways to visit. Below are two recommended tours from Ljubljana.
Ljubljana: Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle Tour
Ljubljana: Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle Tickets and Tour

✅ Get a Combo Ticket that includes Predjama Castle
Since you are already in the area, don’t miss out of Predjama Castle. It’s one of the most unique castle’s I’ve ever visited.

Is Postojna Cave Worth it?

In my opinion, Postojna Cave is a must-visit attraction in Slovenia and the main reason I visited this underrated country.

Postojna Cave is one of the most unique experiences in Slovenia and it’s pretty accessible from other cities and towns around Slovenia.

For most travelers, especially first-time visitors to Slovenia, Postojna Cave is 100% worth it! I promise you won’t regret it, so add the cave to your Slovenia itinerary.

Conclusion

Visiting Postojna Cave is one of those travel experiences and attractions that truly lives up to the hype. From the train ride at the very beginning and end to the walk through the amazing chambers, I absolutely loved my visit here.

If you are traveling in Slovenia, it’s well worth adding to your itinerary and I highly recommend combining a visit to the cave with Predjama Castle.

Have you visited Postojna Cave? If so, what did you think? Any recommendations to share in the area? Let me know! Safe Travels!!

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Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇸🇮

Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖

For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com

Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁

Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.

In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘

I recommend checking with Rental Cars.