Located in the Soča Valley, this small town has a 13th-century castle and hosts the annual Metaldays festival. The nearby Tolmin Gorge draws visitors with its turquoise waters and limestone walls.
Tolmin sits where the Soča and Tolminka rivers meet in northwestern Slovenia. You can swim in the blue-green waters of the Tolminka gorge, explore the 11th-century ruins on Kozlov rob hill, or join thousands of music fans at summer festivals like MetalDays and Punk Rock Holiday. The town's location between the Julian Alps and Soča Valley puts you within an hour's drive of both mountain hiking trails and river rafting spots.
Getting to Tolmin
You can drive from Ljubljana to Tolmin in about 2 hours through the Julian Alps. Buses run regularly between Ljubljana and Tolmin, taking 2.5 hours. The town is 40 kilometers from Bovec and 77 kilometers from Lake Bled.
Exploring Tolmin Gorges
The Tolmin Gorges are the southernmost entrance to Triglav National Park. A 2-kilometer circular path takes you through limestone canyons where the Tolminka and Zadlaščica rivers meet. Along the way, you'll pass five main spots: the river confluence, a thermal spring, the Bear's Head rock formation, Devil's Bridge, and Dante's Cave. The trail includes steep sections and dark tunnels that can be slippery, so bring sturdy walking shoes. Entry costs €6-10, with higher prices during July and August.
Music Festivals
Since 2004, MetalDays (formerly Metalcamp) has brought around 10,000 heavy metal fans to Tolmin each summer. The riverside festival grounds also host Punk Rock Holiday and Overjam reggae festival between June and August, with camping areas along the Soča River.
Historical Sites
The wooden Javorca Church stands on a mountain slope in the Tolminka Valley. Austro-Hungarian soldiers built it during WWI to remember their fallen comrades, and it now carries the European Cultural Heritage designation. In town, you'll find the parish church of the Assumption of Mary, while the ruins of an 11th-century castle sit on top of Kozlov rob hill.
Getting Around
Rental cars start from $25 per day. During summer, a shuttle connects the town center with Tolmin Gorges. You can walk to most places in the center, but reaching the gorges requires either transport or a 15-minute walk through Zatolmin village.
