Slovenia is a small country in Europe famous for its picturesque landscape. What do you know about it? Today, in our vacation series, we will take you to beautiful Slovenia. What cities to visit? What Slovenian escape rooms are worth your attention?
Slovenia is a small country on the Adriatic Sea, neighboring Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Italy. It is rarely the first choice of a vacation destination, but we hope to convince you in this article why it is worth going to Slovenia, which cities are a must-visit, and, of course, which Slovenian escape rooms to play in!
The article was written in cooperation with Nataša Potočnik, co-founder and creative director of the Slovenian escape room company Enigmarium and president of the Slovenian Escape Room Association.
Slovenia - the underrated pearl of Europe
Slovenia occupies a relatively small territory - in an area of about 20,000 square kilometers, a little over 2 million people live. It is also one of the most underrated countries in Europe. What is so captivating about this country? First of all, the diversity. Slovenia is a place where nature is intertwined with development and technology. In Slovenia, we will conquer alpine peaks, walk along the seashore, visit breathtaking natural caves, take a boat ride on crystal clear lakes, and see monuments from previous centuries.
The capital of Slovenia is Ljubljana, a city of 284,000 inhabitants. This city has much to offer - both architecturally and culturally. There are 50 museums and art galleries, and numerous monuments, among which you can't miss the Celtic castle, the Bridge of Dragons, and park Tivoli. And escape rooms, about which more later in this article.
Slovenia's second-largest city is Maribor, known for centuries for its wine production. What is worth seeing in Maribor? Our list would not be complete without the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, a synagogue, and a walk through the Jewish quarter, combined with a tasting of local wine.
How to travel in Slovenia?
The best way to travel around Slovenia is by car. The country is small and has a well-maintained road network, making it easy to reach different cities and attractions. Alternatively, Slovenia also has a reliable public transportation system, including trains and buses, which connect major cities and tourist spots efficiently. For a more eco-friendly option, you can also consider cycling, especially in the scenic areas around Lake Bled and the Julian Alps.
The Slovenian Tourist Organization has prepared a site with all the handy travel information and links to book tickets: Slovenian Tourist Organization
The Escape Room Market in Slovenia: A Flourishing Playground
The escape room market in Slovenia may be small, but it is bursting with creativity and innovation. Approximately ten years ago, the first escape room opened in Slovenia. After a period of rapid growth, which was momentarily interrupted by the pandemic, the market has stabilized with around seventy different gamified experiences.
Pioneering Innovations
One notable aspect of Slovenia's escape room industry is its propensity to "think out of the room." This mindset led to the creation of the first Escape Igloo® made of real snow at the ski resort in Kranjska Gora. Although the igloo melted in the spring, the project received the Snovalec award for innovation in tourism from the Ministry of Economy in Slovenia. This recognition spurred further innovations in gamified experiences.
Slovenians have developed unique gamified concepts for castles, museums, and even city center tours. Enigmarium, a leading escape room provider, has pioneered games fully immersed in local history. For example, in the house where the first beer mug was brewed in Slovenia, they created a room with a brewing theme that tests participants' taste senses as part of the challenge. Enigmarium escape rooms are available in ten cities across Slovenia and have been consistently nominated for the TERPECA list of best escape rooms since 2020.
Collaboration and Standards
The Slovenian escape room industry is characterized by collaboration among providers to ensure a thrilling adventure for visitors. In 2016, Slovenians were the first in the world to establish the Association for Escape Room Activities GIZ ER.SI, which sets safety standards and promotes escape room activities. More information about their activities can be found on their website.
Challenges and Creativity
Due to the small market size, Slovenian escape room creators may not be able to invest as much money in individual escape rooms as seen in countries like the Netherlands or Belgium. However, their creativity, innovation, and the unique incorporation of local myths and legends make the experiences in Slovenia truly special.
And here’s another interesting fact: Given that only about two million people speak Slovenian, escape room puzzles and tasks in Slovenia are designed to be language-independent and operate on a symbolic level, ensuring that visitors from around the world can enjoy the challenges without a language barrier.
Slovenia's escape room market is a testament to creativity and innovation, blending local history and myths into engaging gamified experiences. Despite its small size, the market offers unique and thrilling adventures that attract visitors from all over the world. So, if you're looking for an extraordinary escape room experience, Slovenia is definitely worth a visit!
Which cities to visit and which escape rooms to choose?
Which cities in Slovenia are worth visiting during your vacation in Slovenia and which escape rooms to look out for? Here are Nataša's recommendations!
- Ljubljana – the capital city is known for its beautiful old town, Ljubljana Castle, and vibrant cultural scene. The most popular escape room center, Enigmarium, features games immersed in local legends. At Ljubljana Castle, an exciting adventure game with elements of an escape room awaits you, giving you an opportunity to delve into history while having a great time and maybe even rescue a dragon.
- Maribor – as previously mentioned, is a city famous for its wine culture and the oldest vine in the world. One of the most popular escape rooms here is "Omega Virus," which consists of multiple spaces, not just one or two hidden rooms.
- Bled – known for the stunning Lake Bled and its picturesque island and castle, Bled offers a unique e-bike gamified tour. Embark on the outdoor escape adventure, learn about the legends of Bled, and have incredible fun!
- Piran – A charming coastal town with Venetian architecture and beautiful seaside views, perfect for chilling and relaxing (and escaping from all the escape games).
- Kranjska Gora – A popular destination for winter sports and hiking, featuring a unique game that takes place in Kekec's Land, located in the heart of Triglav National Park. It’s an escape room without walls or electricity, offering the most stunning views of the Alps!
“Beer lovers shouldn't miss Laško and the "The Brewer's Gold" escape room game, and wine lovers should visit Goriška Brda, the "Tuscany of Slovenia," where you can enjoy an escape room with vineyard content. Tasting challenges included!” adds Nataša. And we're putting it on our list of must-visit places in Slovenia!
