The Republic of Slovenia is located in southern Central Europe. It is part of the European Union. Ljubljana, the proposed host city lies in the center of Slovenia, which is known for its diverse landscape and nature.
Both its residents and numerous visitors perceive Ljubljana as a city built on a human scale. Despite the fact that it ranks among the mid-sized European cities, it has preserved its small-town friendliness and, at the same time, has everything that all the larger capitals have.
European Green Capital
Ljubljana was the European Green Capital 2016. It is a city with a green soul and a sustainable vision of development. It has excellently preserved green spaces and nature even in the heart of the city center.
Modern services
FREE WIFI
The WiFree Ljubljana wireless network allows visitors to Ljubljana city centre to use free wireless internet for up to 60 minutes a day. The holders of the Ljubljana Tourist Card can enjoy 24-hour free access to the WiFree Ljubljana network.
CLEAN DRINKING WATER
Ljubljana is a city which can be proud of its clean drinking water. While rambling the streets of Ljubljana, you can quench your thirst for free at public drinking fountains, which operate from April to October.
BICIKELJ
The BicikeLJ bicycle-sharing system offers hiring bikes from self-service terminals located across the wider Ljubljana city center. Hiring of BicikeLJ bikes is free of charge if you return a hired bicycle to the nearest docking station within an hour.
CAR SHARING
Several car sharing systems with their vast fleet of electrical vehicles is available throughout Ljubljana. Some also have a drop-off/pick-up location at the Ljubljana airport.
KAVALIR
Ljubljana’s four electric-powered vehicles named “Kavalir” (eng. gentleman) are a free city centre public transport option friendly both to people and the environment. Kavalirs run around the pedestrianized historical city center at a speed slow enough to allow you to hail them anywhere on the street.
ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
Electric scooters and electric bicycle hiring systems are becoming very popular in Ljubljana as an affordable and green transportation around the city.
Safety
Slovenia is one of the safest countries in the world. It is safe to walk anywhere in Ljubljana at any time of the day and night. At worst, there are occasional incidents of purse snatching and pickpocketing in the tourist areas, but
even these occur at a much lower rate than in other capital cities.
Tours
Slovenia, albeit only spanning 20,273 sq. km, is very geographically varied, from the seaside in the south, the Karst region with vast UNESCO-protected underground caves, the Alps (highest peak Triglav; 2,864m) and idyllic mountainous
lakes in the north, to the Pannonian plains in the northwest. Ljubljana is located in the very middle of the country and tours from Ljubljana offer different and interesting possibilities, at most an hour’s drive away. The country
has a rich history and boasts an array of medieval castles scattered across it.
A list of recommended tours can be found on page
excursions.
Climate/Season
September marks the transition from summer to autumn in Slovenia. The weather in mid-September is generally mild. While the days are still relatively warm, the evenings and nights become cooler. In September, the average daily temperatures in Slovenia range from around 12°C to 23°C. The coastal regions usually experience slightly higher temperatures compared to the inland areas. The average high temperature in Ljubljana is 21.6°C and the average low temperature is 11.5°C, making it a pleasant time to explore the city and its surroundings. In terms of rainfall, September is a relatively dry month in Slovenia. The country experiences an average of 6 rainy day during the month, with an average precipitation of 100mm.
Gourmet Experience
The culinary offering of Ljubljana has always been wide and diverse. Slovenia and Ljubljana are situated at the crossroads of different culinary worlds. Slovenian cuisine primarily reflects influences from Mediterranean, Alpine, and Pannonian cuisines, and, in recent years, has also been influenced by Balkan and some international cuisines.
The culinary art of Ljubljana is also marked by the diversity of its ingredients. Some of the most notable are vegetables grown in the city’s suburban gardens. Meat is also indispensable, particularly beef and poultry produced by the farms of Central Slovenia, while the meat of different game birds can also appear on the table. Since Slovenia is also a Mediterranean country, fish and seafood are always to be found on the menu.
The contemporary approaches of today’s chefs have only refined and upgraded the old traditions. If you pay a visit to the Open Kitchen (Odprta kuhna) or visit one of the quality restaurants in Ljubljana, you might encounter contemporary variations of once popular dishes.
Even though Central Slovenia is not a wine-growing region, Ljubljana has been awarded the international title of a “City of Vine and Wine”. That is no coincidence. Apart from having a large number of wine bars and shops, Ljubljana hosts several wine fairs and event.
Slovenia is a country of good wines valued for their remarkably natural tastes. The choice of Slovenian wines, either sweet or dry, can cater for all tastes and palates. The local wines may not be among the best known in the world, but they often win prestigious international awards.
Excursions
Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj
The alpine lake Bled has been a world-renowned paradise for centuries, impressing visitors with its natural beauty, wealth of legend, and special powers to restore well-being. You can visit its island, the only one in Slovenia, on a traditional “pletna” boat. Also in the vicinity is lake Bohinj, the largest freshwater lake in the country. Bohinj and Bled are an excellent starting points for short or long alpine hiking trips to the peaks of the Julian Alps.
Soča River Valley
The Soča river with its distinct emerald green colour, is considered to be one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. Its water flows across waterfalls, small waterfalls, and cascades as well as through narrow rocky gorges, and along the way it has carved surprising canyons and pools. The river excites the lovers of natural beauty and seekers of adventurous water sports, such as wildwater kayaking, rafting, canyoning etc.
Goriška Brda
Proclaimed the 2015 European Destination of Excellence, the Goriška Brda hills offer countless opportunities to spend a romantic or active vacation. The area is a famous wine region. Slovenian wine makers from this region are considered to be among the world’s best wine producers.
Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle
This natural cave extends over 24 km and it is the most visited tourist cave in Europe. The tour starts with a train and is followed by a spectacular walk among the stalagmites and stalactites to the great hall. Predjama Castle is located close to Postojna Cave and is the largest cave castle in the world.
Škocjan Caves
Škocjan Caves have been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1986. The underground canyon in the Škocjan Caves made by the Reka river is the largest known underground canyon in the world. It consists of a complex system of cave passages, which are 6.2 km in length, and reach a depth of 223 metres at their lowest point.
Lipica Stud Farm
The Lipica Stud Farm is the cradle of all Lipizzaner horses in the world. In the picturesque Karst setting, the breeding and selection of this outstanding and noble breed of horse has been going on for more than 400 years.
Piran
Piran is considered one of the most beautiful historical towns on the Adriatic coast. Picturesque buildings which reflect the influence of the Venetian Republic, the mighty medieval town walls, romantic narrow winding streets and the scent of salt give a unique charm to every corner of the town. This very salt gave Piran its unique mark. Its development was closely related to salt harvesting, and even today Piran salt remains one of the most distinctive symbols of the town.
Golf Courses
The golf courses of Slovenia are among the most beautiful in Europe. They are set in typical landscapes on the edge of the Pannonian Plain, among vineyards and rolling hills, below Alpine summits, and in the idyllic karst landscape.
Natural Spas and Health Resorts
Slovenia is renowned for its natural spas and health resorts. Its thermal and mineral springs are located all over Slovenia, from Pomurje to Dolenjska and from the Alps to the Mediterranean. You will be welcome to fifteen state verified natural spas and thermal spas, which provide comfortable accommodation in hotels, apartments, vacation houses and camps.
Visas
Slovenia is a member state of the European Union and part of the Schengen area. The area mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. There is no border control within the area.
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is set by the European Union. If someone other than a European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss citizen wishes to enter the Schengen Area, they must have a visa or be a national of a visa-exempt country. If you need a visa to enter Slovenia, you can obtain one from the Slovenian consular mission in your country. If there is no Slovenian consular mission in your country, contact a consular mission of any Member State of the Schengen Area. A visa issued by one Schengen Member State is also valid for the other Member States. In other words, this means that you can visit several countries which are in the Schengen Area.
We encourage you to contact Slovenian consular mission or consular mission of any Member State of the Schengen Area about visa as soon as possible due to lengthy procedures and vacation period. If you need a letter of invitation or some other document for your visa application, you can request it over email at pc-chairs-2026@automl.cc once your registration fee is paid.
Citizens of the Russian Federation
Due to complex and lengthy visa procedures we regret that we cannot provide guarantee and invitation letters to holders of Russian passports.
Value added tax
The value added tax (VAT) in Slovenia is 22% with a reduced rate of 9.5% for food, water, books, etc. For a VAT refund, the seller must provide the visitors from other countries with a special form, which is completed by the seller. As you exit the EU Member State, you must get the form certified by the customs authorities at the border crossing. At the same time, you must present the original receipt of purchase. You must take the purchased goods out of the country before the end of the third month from the date of purchase. The tax is refunded to you by the institutions indicated on the tax-free purchases form. VAT refund cannot be requested for mineral oils, alcohol and alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products.
Alcoholic beverages
There are no specific restrictions on alcohol purchase and consumption. The general restriction is that alcohol is not served to underage or obviously intoxicated customers. Alcoholic beverages are freely sold in general stores.
Medical help
Citizens of EEA countries and Switzerland can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), issued free of charge, to receive medical treatment free or at a reduced cost, if that treatment becomes necessary during their visit (for example, due to illness or an accident), or if they have a chronic pre-existing condition which requires care, such as kidney dialysis. For citizens of other countries, tourist health insurance is recommended.
Ambulance transportation is free in emergency cases, so patients do not have to pay any additional amount for the overall cost of transportation.
Ljubljana and major towns in Slovenia have duty pharmacies that provide a 24-hour service.
Language, currency, and prices
The official currency in Slovenia is the Euro (€) and the official language is Slovenian. Practically everybody speaks at least one foreign language (mostly English).
For quick orientation: the price of a large beer in Ljubljana is 3.5 EUR, coffee costs 2.5 EUR, and a good meal at lunchtime in the city center is between 10 and 18 EUR (some restaurants offer daily menus). The organisers will take care of coffee breaks and lunch during the school at the premises of UL FRI.
Local tourism bureau support
The public institute Ljubljana Tourism is a tourist organization under the auspices of the City of Ljubljana. They have expressed their support to this bid. They will provide free-of-charge maps of Ljubljana, brochures, and other promotional material. They will arrange for all the delegates to have unlimited free public transportation (city buses) upon showing their AutoML badges.