Head here for artist communes, majestic landscapes and homemade schnapps.
“Isn’t that near Russia?”, “Why would you do that?”, and occasionally and incredulously: “What?!”
These are just some of the stunned questions I hear when I tell people I’m moving to Slovenia.
After being a digital nomad in Shanghai, Bangkok and Mexico City, Ljubljana – the capital of Slovenia – is next on my list.
This may not be the most obvious choice for remote workers. However, since I discovered Slovenia for the first time Interrail in Europe in my late teens, I cherished the low-key Balkan nation as my favorite secret retreat.
Ljubljana offers everything a traveler expects from an ancient European city. A fascinating story that dates back to the nights of Antiquity. A rich artistic and musical tradition. And an appealing local cuisine with a sense of identity robust enough to stand on its own and the confidence to welcome the best dishes from its neighbors.
Plus, it’s really not that close to Russia: the two countries’ closest borders are about 1,700 km apart.
But I’m getting ahead of myself; Let’s see why Ljubljana is the ideal city for digital nomads.
Slovenia is a paradise for outdoor adventures
Slovenia is largely landlocked, so access possibilities are limited. beach and work on your tan. But don’t let that discourage you.
With rugged features like the Alps, the Dinaric and Karawank Mountains, the rural beauty of the Pannonian Plains and the majesty of Lake Bled, there is plenty to see and do.
Some of my earliest memories of Slovenia date back to my wandering teenage days. hiking through Triglav National Park, home to the Julian Alps and Lake Bled.
I would take one of the regular daily shuttle services, and in less than an hour I would be transported from my urban digs to the heart of Slovenia’s only city. National Park.
I spent hours walking through the undergrowth hoping to spot creatures like the golden eagle, the griffon vulture or even a Brown bear.
I should be glad I never saw the notoriously nervous and unpredictable grizzly bear. No doubt I would have unwittingly caused a mutilation frenzy.
Ljubljana is a mix of old and new
But I’m not going to live in the woods. I am a digital nomad looking for remote work and flexible writing contracts to earn a living. I don’t want to stalk deer or shoot arrows at unsuspecting alpine marmots to survive.
All I need is decent Wi-Fi, good coffee, and access to the convenience and excitement of a modern European city to get by: enter at Ljubljana.
Ljubljana was first mentioned in historical records in the 12th century, but humans have lived there since 2,000 BCE. And if you look closely, you can see the different influences on the city through its architecture, including Roman and medieval structures, as well as the more prevalent Baroque style.
The mixture of architecture embodies the soul of the city – a curious mix of ancient and modern, rural and urban.
Due to its position as a crossroads of historic trade routes across Europe, Ljubljana has absorbed cultural influences from across the continent. And with locals fluent in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian, communicating is easy.
Slovenia continues the tradition
The Slovenian way of life embraces tradition and modernity in a disarming and charming way. For example, many locals still raise poultry, make cider and spirits, and butcher their own meat.
Make no mistake, these are not self-aggrandizing hipsters looking for a lucrative side hustle selling artisan treats to the masses. They’re just normal people doing what they’ve always done.
Last summer, while visiting my software developer friend, I was welcomed into his very modern home with a lovely glass of pear schnapps prepared in his garden shed and some rather spicy homemade sausages. And we spent a drunken afternoon gutting chickens for a family barbecue the next day.
This kind of random experience, where I I stuffed my face and drunk irresponsibly while somehow learning practical animal husbandry skills, is a large part of the reason we’re moving.
Ljubljana is full of creativity
Artists and culture lovers are spoiled by the level of visual stimulation in Ljubljana.
From the beautiful cobbled streets to the iconic walls of Ljubljana Castle, strolling here on a sunny afternoon is a feast for the eyes.
But this is only the beginning. THE city is full of galleries and museums, including the National Gallery, which houses the most comprehensive collection of Slovenian art in the country, and the Ljubljana City Museum, which houses the world’s oldest wheel.
In addition to this, Ljubljana has a dynamic and active city artistic scene, with striking murals and graffiti in and around the Metelkova Art Center. What started as a modest artists’ squat has become an autonomous cultural and social center supported by the European Cultural Fund.
Slovenia offers a high standard of living
The standard of living in Slovenia for the average person is very good. Even though salaries are not comparable to other major European countries and taxes are relatively high, rent, food and other expenses are relatively weak.
And once you get into the habit of distilling your own alcohol and raising a few chickens, you can increase your income even more.
Although Slovenia does not currently have a digital nomad visa system, it is part of the European Union. This means that EEA and EU citizens can work remotely in the country for three months without restrictions, after which you just need to register your stay.
How to get to Slovenia
Slovenia is well connected to the rest of Europe by form. It has connections to Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary and Italy via EuroCity and InterCity, as well as night rail connections to Germany and Switzerland via EuroNight.
From the UK you can reach Slovenia with two changes on trains operated by Eurostar, Thalys or TGV. Depending on your choice, the journey takes between 16 and 24 hours, with prices starting at around £105 (€123). You can also take a bus from London if you’re feeling frugal, with fares as low as £75 (€88).
Long-haul bus trips are no longer the hell on Earth experiences they once were. In fact, they’re comfortable, with much more legroom than planes, and often include free Wi-Fi as standard.
Ljubljana also has an international airport, with direct flights from London taking just over two hours and costing around £100 (€117).