Guidelines for visiting Bela Krajina
Bela Krajina is a destination that, together with Slovenia, is sustainably developing tourism. We are extremely proud of our nature, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and safe and healthy environment. 46% of the landscape of Bela Krajina is classified into Natura 2000, a special natural protection regime in Bela Krajina presents the two landscape parks, Lahinja Landscape Park, encompassing 2,6 km2, and the Kolpa Landscape Park. The Kolpa River represents the main tourist attraction in the destination. During the summer months, the river attracts numerous visitors to its shores and is the main motive to come to Bela Krajina. The landscape is predominantly karst and increasingly forested, the central part of the region being a low karst plateau, making the environment particularly vulnerable. In the vision of Bela Krajina tourism, the destination was defined as a Proud and Connected destination for preserved nature and quality authentic offers. Help us and color your visit to Bela Krajina sustainably and green with the help of the guidelines below.
Plan your arrival sustainably
Plan your visit to Slovenia and Bela Krajina with sustainability in mind. According to Green Destination Standards, Slovenia is the first entirely evaluated green country, and the destination Bela Krajina has also received the Slovenia Green label, Slovenia Green. To get to the destination, choose public transport or, with good planning, reduce your carbon footprint. Choose an accommodation provider with a Slovenia Green certificate. In Bela Krajina, you can choose from various types of accommodations that care for the environment and sustainability, have taken measures to reduce their impact on nature and cooperate with the local community.
Explore responsibly
Nature and landscape
Visit protected areas and walk among the rich flora and fauna offered by Kolpa and Lahinja Landscape Parks. You can help preserve the delicate natural balance in protected areas by walking on trodden and marked paths. Every walk off the designated path can cause a biodiversity imbalance. For planning hiking routes, you can contact Tourist information centers in Črnomelj, Metlika, and Semič.
Instead of by car, explore Bela Krajina by bike. For this purpose, there are also marked cycling routes, which are categorized by difficulty and terrain. Driving motor vehicles in nature is prohibited in the Republic of Slovenia! We also try to connect our larger centers through publicly accessible electric bikes, BiKe. Bela Krajina is perfect for exploration on foot, as it has a network of marked hiking trails. Wildflower meadows are pastures for indigenous Slovenian bees, so avoid trampling the grass or picking flowers. Behave responsibly by the rivers, swim only in arranged natural bathing areas, respect the riparian zone, and do not disturb animals. In Slovenia, wild camping is prohibited. In Bela Krajina, you can choose from numerous campsites, tent sites, motorhome stops, and glamping. We are sure that everyone can find their spot in nature here.
Environment and Climate
Feel Bela Krajina as a green home outdoors. Together, we can ensure that it remains clean and tidy. Ensure separate waste collection and take it to designated eco islands. When hiking and mountaineering, we Slovenians have an unwritten but sacred rule: carry your trash back to the valley!
Tap water in Slovenia is clean and drinkable, as the right to clean drinking water is written in the constitution. We recommend that you bring a water bottle that you can fill with clean drinking water at every step.
Help us preserve drinking water by turning off the tap while showering and brushing your teeth!
Help save energy by using towels or bed linen multiple times. Inform your host about this.
Choose soaps, cosmetics, and other cleaning products that are environmentally friendly and have a recognized ecological certificate. If a device breaks or its battery runs out during your trip, take it to a special collection point for electronic devices.
Culture and tradition
Experience the rich and still vibrant cultural heritage of Bela Krajina!
Buy local products with the certificate Belokranjsko. Certified products can be purchased at all three Bela Krajina TICs, and produce and delicacies from the countryside can be bought at the Bele Krajina House of Local Delights, and branches of the Metlika Agricultural Cooperative.
Support local providers In Bela Krajina, you can experience the destination directly from the providers as part of "Open Doors of Bela Krajina" every day of the week!
Taste the cuisine of Bela Krajina through "Tastes of Bela Krajina" and try Bela Krajina dishes in selected local restaurants in a modern way, using local ingredients. Taste the goodness!
Visit Bela Krajina museums, galleries, cultural houses, and collections and contribute to preserving the top works of Bela Krajina culture and art.
Attend traditional events and festivals that will bring you closer to our customs. In Bela Krajina, you must not miss the largest folklore festival, Jurjevanje, which is also rich in cultural and ethnographic heritage from around the world. At the Vinska Vigred event, you can get to know top Bela Krajina wines. Slavic mythology intertwines from Easter, through Jurjevo to Midsummer Night.
Keep Bela Krajina in beautiful memory!
Did you enjoy your time with us and were you impressed by our customs? Encourage sustainable and responsible behavior at home as well. Would you like to give us your opinion and help improve the Bela Krajina experience? With your help, we can further improve our offer! Complete the survey.