5 Slovene habits you need to hear about!

The story of Slovenia is inseparable from the story of its people—their customs, habits, and way of life. If you’re a foreigner who visits often, or perhaps even lives here, you’ve likely already noticed the unique ways Slovenians go about their daily lives. Some of their habits might strike you as interesting, others perhaps a bit unusual—depending on where you’re from..

With that in mind, here are five Slovene habits that people from other countries might find strange—or even amusing!

1. Spending holidays on the Croatian coast – season after season

Slovenia shares land borders with four countries—Croatia, Hungary, Austria, and Italy. Among them, Croatia’s 1,800 km coastline, dotted with islands and lapped by the turquoise Adriatic, is a well-known holiday destination. So is Italy’s. Still, year after year, most Slovenes choose to spend their summer holidays in Croatia.

Most Slovenes don’t seem to mind waiting for hours in long car queues under the scorching 35-degree sun just to cross the border into Croatia. High accommodation prices—often higher than those in resorts in Italy, Spain, or Portugal—don’t deter them either. Not even the feeling of being undervalued or overlooked compared to German, British, Dutch, and other tourists is enough to make them reconsider their holiday plans for the following year.

Who wouldn’t like to have neighbours like this, right!

2. Having a closet full of slippers

If you’re from Slovenia, chances are you have at least a dozen pairs of slippers tucked away in your closet—various sizes, colors, and patterns ready for any guest. Many foreigners find this both odd and amusing, but for Slovenes, it’s no laughing matter. They take warm feet and clean carpets seriously, and they expect their guests to feel the same.

Wearing shoes indoors? Not in Slovenia. Guests are expected to take them off at the door—no exceptions, no debate.

3. The importance of having a good car

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that, for many Slovenes, a car is more than just a vehicle—it’s a status symbol, far more than simply a means of transportation.

The relationship between a Slovene and their car is, in fact, quite fascinating. Come spring, you’ll see crowds of people out cycling, rollerblading, running, or hiking—as if everyone’s training for a mountain expedition. Yet, for many Slovenes, the idea of running errands on foot or walking even short distances is almost unthinkable. And using public transportation? That’s often seen as a last resort.

To afford their ‘steel horse,’ many people in Slovenia turn to various cost-saving measures. German brands like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Volkswagen are especially popular—symbols of both reliability and status.

4. Watching skiing and ski jumping on TV whole winter 

Slovenia offers some of the best-value skiing in the Alps, nestled among the majestic peaks of the Julian Alps that surround several charming, picturesque ski resorts. It’s no wonder that Slovenia has produced some of the world’s top winter athletes. Every winter, whether it’s skiing or ski jumping competitions, Slovenes gather around their TVs, cheering passionately throughout the entire season.

Knowing the names of Slovenian skiing or ski jumping champions will quickly earn you a special place in the hearts of Slovenes.

Planica: That’s How We Fly in Slovenia! – (letsgoslovenia.si)

5. Climbing its highest mountain is a MUST

After hearing about Slovenia’s hiking and mountaineering spirit, this next fact might not come as a surprise: if you’re a true Slovene, climbing Mt. Triglav—the country’s highest peak—is a must at least once in your lifetime.

To be honest, it’s truly a remarkable life adventure. In Slovenia, we see this tradition as a powerful expression of our national identity and deep love for our country—something our ancestors dreamed of for centuries.