Bovec is a town of 1,600 people (2020) on the Soča river in northwestern Slovenia. The Soča river is famous for its white-water rafting and kayaking possibilities.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]- From Italy and Austria via Tarvisio (Trbiž) and Predel Pass (1156 m)
- From Kranjska gora via Vršič Pass (1611 m)
- From Italy via Udine (Videm) - Tarcento (Čenta) - Uccea (Učja) - Žaga
- From Nova Gorica - Tolmin - Kobarid
By bus
[edit]Buses run from Ljubljana twice a day during the week, take approximately 3.5 hr and cost €13.60.
By train
[edit]SŽ run trains from Jesnice and via Bled and from Sežana via Nova Gorica to Most Na Soči station. From Most na Soči take the bus the last 40km to Bovec.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Bovec
See
[edit]The site where the 2008 Disney film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was shot on location here.
- 1 Fort Bovške Kluže.
- 2 Virje Waterfall. Fed from a typical karst spring, which means the water does not exceed 5 ºC even in summer. The 20m high waterfall is located some 300 m downstream from the source in a wide hollow below the village of Plužna, which is reached by a steep footpath. Contradictory signs near the waterfall describe the water as great for a refreshing dip on a hot summer's day, but also say "No Swimming".
- Boka Waterfall. Impressive waterfall located a little bit outside Bovec. About 10 minute walk down a trail from the main road to a viewing platform.
- Plužna Hydroelectric Scheme. The Plužna Hydroelectric Scheme captures water from a vigorous spring called Izvir Gijuna in the hills above Bovec, and stores it in an artifical reservoir called Plužna Jezero. From there it follows a concrete culvert along the hill, then down a tailrace to a generating station, where you can see an old turbine/generator preserved outside.
Do
[edit]
There are many companies in Bovec with offers for kayaking, rafting, canyoning or hydrospeed. A kayak trip including all material will cost about €40 per person for a 1-2 hour trip. There are plenty of mountain biking (bike rentals for approx. €20/day) and hiking trails along the mountain that borders the city. Topographical trail maps can be purchased at the tourist information center for €7.
There is a cable car that runs up the Kanin mountain but check the schedule as it doesn't run in the off season. [1]
- Soča Rafting, SI-5230 Bovec, ☏ +386 4 172 4472. Offers whitewater rafting, canyoning, kayaking, hydrospeeding. Discounts available if you choose to do more than one option with them. Very helpful, friendly, English speaking staff.
- Bovec rafting team, ☏ +386 41 338 308. This company has a lot of experience, with excellent staff.
- SočaRider, under Kavarna Cafe house, ☏ +386 41 596104, [email protected]. Focusing more on small group trips and nice familiar atmosphere. Offers Whitewater kayak courses from beginner to advance level, easy Kayak Trips for beginners, and Family rafting trips for families with small kids from the age of 4.
- Nature's Ways, Čezsoča 78, ☏ +386 41 510 405, [email protected]. Whitewater rafting and canyoning outdoor agency that prioritizes safety and environmental awareness. They organize tours only for small groups of people.
- 1 HydroMania - Sports Agency Bovec, Industrijska cona 4, ☏ +386 31 808 075. 08:00 - 20:00. A local sports agency based in Bovec, Slovenia. They provided visitors and guests of Soča Valley with rafting, canyoning and kayak activities. Professional licensed guides with more than 15 years of experiences.
- 2 Alpe Sport Vancar, Trg Golobarskih zrtev 20 (in the center of Bovec), ☏ +386 31635893, [email protected]. 8am-9pm. Offering canyoning, rafting, kayaking and tandem paragliding trips.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Letni Vrt, Trg golobarskih zrtev 1. A popular restaurant with 200 seats. Excellent food, staff speak their languages, and not too expensive.
- Pod Lipco, Ledina 8. Located at the eastern end of the village. Decent pizza and pasta. Covered outdoor terrace. 80's music playing both times we visited. Reservation probably not needed.
- Svinjak Grill and Bar, Trg golobarskih žrtev 49. Right in the village center. Good burgers, plus beers from Zayc brewery. Small place with an even smaller terrace outside. Booking recommended in high season.
- Terramystica Adventures, Trg golobarskih žrtev 25. 8-22 except Mondays. This outdoor activity center also has a restaurant with several breakfast/brunch options, including vegan options.
Drink
[edit]- Jojo Bar, Rupa 7a (80 m from town centre), ☏ +386 5 3896470. 6:30-22:00. A calm location with an astonishing view to the surrounding mountains. It offers a variety of drinks and free internet (WiFi) access.
Sleep
[edit]- Apartments Jojo, Rupa 7a, ☏ +386 5 3896470, [email protected]. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. Comfortable accommodation with parking available in front of the house. Free Wi-Fi. Each apartment has two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom with shower and WC, large living room, cable TV. from €40.
- 1 Camping Liza, Vodenca 4. Check-out: 12:00. Just like the two campsites next door, Liza is crowded with kayaks and rafts. Has a nice bar that also serves pizzas and other food. Free Wi-Fi. €10 per person per night.
- Apartment Kanin, Klanc 37, ☏ +386 5 388-6232. Run by a very friendly older woman, this apartment has 2 comfortable bedrooms, fully equipped bathroom, livingroom and fully equipped kitchen.
- 2 Accommodation Bovec Kot 33, Bovec Kot 33, ☏ +386 41234387, [email protected]. Check-in: after 11:00, check-out: before 11:00. Free parking, free Wi-Fi. Bathroom, shower, kitchen, TV. From €17.5.
- Alp Hotel, 48 Trg golobarskih žrtev, ☏ +386 5 388 40 00, [email protected]. Check-out: 10:00. Nice hotel with rooms with nice views towards the nearby mountains. from €40/night.
- 3 Apartments Casa Alpina, Kot 103 (turn from the main road at florist shop Amak near centre of Bovec, and continue 200 m), ☏ +386 5 3841052. Check-in: 10:00, check-out: 14:00. A comfortable apartment (80 m²) for 6 persons. Quiet location near center of Bovec. Spacious living room with balcony and internet corner, 2 bedrooms, garden. €15/night/apartment.
- Hostel Soča Rocks, Mala vas 120. Fairly typical budget hostel. Inadequate size kitchen, charges €2 for towels, little to no soundproofing between rooms. But probably one of the cheapest options in Bovec.
- Vila Korošec, Čezsoča 45A. Cute guest house located a few km outside Bovec, in Čezsoča. There's no public transport so probably not the best option if you're on foot, but if you have a bike and don't mind the steep climb into Bovec, it's ideal. Kitchen with washing machine and clothes line free to use.
Cope
[edit]There's no public laundrette in Bovec, so either do your laundry before coming here, or make sure that your accommodation has a washing machine you can use.