Slovenia is one of the most
water-rich countries in Europe. It has 27,000 km of
rivers,
streams and other
watercourses. It also has numerous
thermal springs and
mineral springs, and a large number of
aquifers.
Many people are used to drinking
tap water in Slovenia, as it is
clean and
uncontaminated. Bars and restaurants often serve tap water, for instance alongside coffee. In recent years many establishments have ceased to do so, offering bottled water instead, but this is no reflection of the quality of the water.
The quality of the drinking water varies from region to region, as there are
over a thousand water systems. Much of Slovenia’s drinking water is hard, i.e. it has a higher content of harmless limescale.
If you like drinking bottled water, the choice in Slovenian shops, bars and restaurants is wide. Two Slovenian sparkling mineral waters that enjoy an international reputation are
Radenska Three Hearts and
Donat Mg.
Rivers
Slovenia prides beautiful and clear rivers offering numerous water sports and fishing. The sources of several rivers are considered a natural site well worth visiting and the same applies to the numerous river valleys. The Valley of the
Soča River and
River Kolpa are both European Destinations of Excellence – EDEN – in Slovenia. You can admire the unstoppable power of Alpine rivers across the country, the temperate flatland rivers and the mystery of the Karst disappearing streams that have helped shape the diverse Karst underground, creating numerous caves. Some rivers and streams have shaped interesting natural bridges and riverbeds on the surface and natural river dams from tuff, which are a peculiarity of the
Krka River in the Dolenjska Region.
Lakes
Lakes are a constituent element in the exceptional level of water resources in Slovenia.
Lake Bled is the most famous lake in Slovenia. It was formed 14,000 years ago and boasts an island, complete with a church.
Lake Cerknica is the biggest lake in Slovenia. When the Cerknica field is flooded, it boasts an area of 2,500 hectares, but this dries out in May or June. Etched between the mountains of Bohinj,
Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia.
Seven lakes are spread across the valley below Triglav, which is commonly referred to as the Seven Lakes Valley. The deepest lake in Slovenia is
Lake Velenje, which was formed due to the mining of coal and reaches a depth of 54 meters.
Waterfalls
There are over 300 enchanting waterfalls in Slovenia. Many of them are listed as sites of natural interest. They are most numerous in the
Soča River area and in
Triglav National Park. The highest waterfall,
Čedca, above Jezersko, is 130 metres high, while the most frequently visited is the
Savica fall by Lake Bohinj.
Thermal springs
Numerous thermal springs in Slovenia were discovered in ancient Roman times and their soothing and healing effects can be experienced in the numerous natural spas and thermal resorts that emerged along their sources. The largest is in
eastern Slovenia, while they were also discovered in other parts of the country, for example in Bled Lake. Among the springs, a special healing spot is reserved for the
Radenska mineral waters spring in
Radenci and
Donat Mg in
Rogaška Slatina. The healing mud along the springs is used in the spas to prepare wraps as part of various balneo therapies.
