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Cave · Divača, Obalno-kraška
Škocjan Caves
The underground canyon of the Reka River, over 100 meters high, crossed by a narrow bridge above the water, and one of the largest underground chambers in Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Škocjan Caves
The Škocjan Caves (Škocjanske jame) are near Divača, in the Karst. There the Reka River, which rises on the slopes of Mount Snežnik, sinks into the limestone and runs underground for about 34 km before reappearing at the Timavo springs near the Adriatic in Italy. As it entered the rock, the river carved an underground canyon roughly 2.6 km long and more than 140 meters high in some places.
The guided tour covers about 3 km, with many steps. It begins in the Silent Cave, with dry galleries full of stalactites, and reaches the Reka canyon, where the sound of the water rises from the depths. The Cerkvenik Bridge crosses the canyon about 45 meters above the river. The Martel Hall, with some 2.2 million cubic meters, is among the largest underground chambers in Europe. In the canyon section, photography is not allowed during the guided visit.
On the surface, an educational trail open year-round skirts the large sinkholes, such as the Velika dolina, more than 160 meters deep, and passes the village of Škocjan on the rock, with exhibitions about the caves’ research. During floods the Reka has risen more than 100 meters inside the canyon.
The caves were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986 and are open all year, with fewer visiting times in winter.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour and a half for the guided route; adding the educational surface trail, two to three hours.
Best time
Open year-round; in summer there are tours every hour and, outside summer, at more spaced times. Arrive early in high season. Inside, the temperature is similar to Postojna; bring a jacket.
How to get there
About 5 km from Divača, with a visitor center in Matavun and parking. From Divača train station it’s about a one-hour walk along a marked trail, or reachable by taxi. By car, take the Divača exit from the A1.
Tip
Wear footwear with good grip: the path is wet and has many steps. After the tour, walk the surface trail to the viewpoint over the Velika dolina.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Škocjan Caves
How long is the visit to the Škocjan Caves?
About one and a half hours, over approximately 3 km with many steps.
Can you take photographs in the Škocjan Caves?
Not in the canyon section during the main guided tour. Yes on the surface and along the educational trail.
Are the Škocjan Caves a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Yes, since 1986.
How to get to the Škocjan Caves without a car?
By train to Divača and then about a one-hour walk along a marked trail, or by taxi.