Here, the most authentic and interesting souvenirs to bring back from Slovenia
I find it increasingly difficult to find original souvenirs to bring back from your holiday. With globalisation and the deployment of the same chain shops in all the major European cities, the range on offer has become much more uniform. Fortunately, in Slovenia, a bit of searching, knowing the secret shops and pushing open the doors of the right places can lead to some great finds. This article will guide you towards authentic souvenirs.
8 souvenirs to bring back from Slovenia
Souvenir No. 1: Piran salt
For centuries,the Piran salt marshes were the salt granary of Venice. They have been in existence for 700 years! You’ll find Piranske soline shops in Ljubljana’s Old Street, in the central Tartini square in the magnificent little coastal town of Piran and in Portoroz.
They sell salt and products from Piran’s salt marshes.
A whole range of beautiful local products can be found in these three little shops, but they are a little expensive. It’s a great souvenir to take home, though.
Tip: Buy Piran salt from the Mercator supermarket chain rather than the Piranske soline shops. You’ll pay less, and despite this, the packaging on the salt packets is beautiful. For souvenirs or gifts for friends and family, buy 1 kg of fine Piran salt for €1, and coarse salt or a small jar of fleur de sel for around €5.
For a great day out : Visit the salt marshes by bike along the magnificent Parenzana.
Souvenir to take home: Piran’s delicious fleur de sel
Piranske Soline Store in Piran
- Address: Tartinijev trg 3, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
- Google Maps Link: Piranske Soline Store, Piran
Piranske Soline Store at Portorož Marina
- Address: Cesta solinarjev 8, 6320 Portorož – Portorose, Slovenia
- Google Maps Link: Piranske Soline Store, Portorož Marina
Piranske Soline Store at Sečovlje Salt Pans Park
- Address: Seča 115, 6320 Portorož – Portorose, Slovenia
- Google Maps Link: Piranske Soline Store, Sečovlje Salt Pans
Souvenir no. 2: Pumpkin seed oil
Bucno olje is Slovenian for pumpkin seed oil. You’ll find it at the splendid Ljubljana market and in all Slovenian supermarkets. You’ll also find it on the table in every Slovenian restaurant as an accompaniment to salads.
This rather expensive black oil will give a highly original flavour to your salads and soups.
You can also mix it with grated raw cabbage or surprise your guests by serving it over vanilla ice cream. A delicious and truly original dessert! Give it a try!
Souvenir No. 3: Traditional wooden objects
In Ljubljana’s best souvenir shops, you’ll find plenty of traditional Slavic-style wooden objects (above: Krmelj costals). Slovenians make many wooden objects, which you will also find at one of the vendors at Ljubljana’s large market. It takes place every morning.
Slovenian honey: Don’t forget to buy a small, rounded wooden stick so you can easily pour Slovenian honey onto your toast.
Souvenir No. 4: Delicious Slovenian honey
Slovenia is the land of bears, but also of honey. You’ll find top-quality honey in shops, markets, supermarkets and in the countryside.
When you’re on the road, stop when you see a MED sign in front of a house (Med means honey).
Take some home for yourself and your family, but make sure that the jar doesn’t open in your luggage during the journey (it happened to me and it’s hell).
What to do : Talk to the seller, who will often be the producer of the honey. Beekeeping is a national passion in Slovenia. He’ll explain how he makes his honey and let you taste the different varieties he produces.
Souvenir no. 5: A trip to the Ljubljana flea market
The one you’ll make on a Sunday morning as you stroll along the river and rummage through the stalls of antique dealers and the Ljubljana flea market. Artifacts from the former Yugoslavia are great souvenirs to bring back home. In my opinion, this market is the best place to bring back an original and unique souvenir from Slovenia. In particular, you can buy cheap old postcards that you can then send to friends and family.
Look to the left of the photo, this lady is selling a portrait of Hitler, so I wouldn’t really recommend bringing it back as a souvenir to decorate your living room.
Souvenir no. 6: A bottle of good Slovenian wine
You can find good Slovenian wine either at Dvor in the centre of Ljubljana or by doing your shopping at E.Leclerc in Ljubljana. Since 2014, there has been a very fine cellar with almost all Slovenian wines. Make a stop there if you’re heading east in Slovenia (you won’t be far from the hypermarket). The problem with Slovenian wine is that it’s expensive. You need to spend at least €10 to enjoy a good bottle. In general, white wine is better than red.
Traditional woollen products
Slovenians make many products from the wool of their sheep, including socks, hats and boiled wool slippers (which my mum, who has been using them for several years now, says are very comfortable to wear). They are mainly found in the mountains.
A designer chair
This chair, designed by Niko Kralj in 1956, is his masterpiece. It’s folding and you’ll see it just about everywhere in Slovenia. Very comfortable, you could take it home as a souvenir of your trip, but it costs over €400– the price of a quality object that lasts.
For example: chairs by Niko Kralj in the excellent Specialka café in the converted ROG building.