Every year during May, the slopes of Golica and the meadows in the villages beneath the Karavanke Mountains transform into a true floral fairy tale. Sometime in mid-May—or toward the end of the month—stunning white daffodils begin to bloom. This breathtaking natural spectacle is unique and well worth seeing in person. However, it is important to prepare for your visit and hike, as in recent years it has become a major tourist attraction. Read on to find out everything you need to know if you want to see the daffodils in 2026..
When will the daffodils bloom in 2026?
The blooming of daffodils beneath Golica depends on weather conditions and the length of the winter, but these beautiful white flowers usually begin to bloom toward the end of May. The article notes that the Daffodil Festival program is scheduled on weekends in May, while also stressing that blooming itself is highly weather-dependent, so visitors should check current conditions before visiting.
The festival weekends listed in the article are:
- 9–10 May
- 16–17 May
- 23–24 May
During this period, visitors can enjoy a rich cultural and entertainment program that combines natural beauty with local tradition. Because the flowering depends strongly on weather conditions, visitors are advised to check the latest information with the Jesenice Tourist Information Centre (TIC Jesenice) or on the official event website before setting off.
How to reach the starting point
Due to the increased number of visitors, a special traffic regime will be in place during the festival period. Visitors will still be able to reach the village by private car, and parking will be available in designated parking areas for a fee of €10, payable in cash only at the info point. The same regime will also apply in Javorniški Rovt, where certain restrictions for buses will be in force. A new feature mentioned in the article is a free shuttle service on the route Soteska Vintgar – Planina pod Golico – Vintgar, which will make access to the event easier.
A rich cultural program and the 62nd Miss Daffodil selection in Planina pod Golico
In Planina pod Golico, special events linked to the traditional blooming of the daffodils will take place over three May weekends, weather permitting. The highlight of the program will be on 16 May, when the 62nd Miss Daffodil selection will take place, accompanied by a lively entertainment program and a traditional village celebration. There will also be a dedicated children’s program starting at 2 p.m., including a magician’s performance, an inflatable slide, and various circus workshops such as juggling and spinning plates.
Where can you find the most daffodils?
If you are starting from Planina pod Golico, the article recommends taking the trail via Suha Saddle (“čez sedlo Suha”), as daffodils are most common there and can be found in the greatest numbers. The views are also described as fantastic.
In addition, daffodils can also be found around:
the area around Javorniški Rovt
Jekljevo sedlo
Mala Golica
Jesenice mountain pasture (Jeseniška planina)
More than just flowers
The article also mentions that during the flowering season in May, organized hikes and guided village tours with a tourist guide will be available. This makes a visit to Golica more than just a flower-viewing trip — it becomes a full-day nature and cultural experience.
More about the hike to Golica
Starting point: Planina pod Golico (980 m)
Destination: Koča na Golici (1582 m)
Time of walking: 1 h 30 min
Difficulty: easy marked way – family friendly hike (kids aged 6 and more can hike this by themselves)
Altitude difference: 602 m
Access to starting point:
From highway Ljubljana – Jesenice we go to the exit Lipce (possible also Hrušica) and follow the road ahead in the direction of Jesenice, and there signs for Planina pod Golico point us on an ascending road (turn-off is marked and is located at health center in Jesenice). The relatively steep road soon brings us in the mentioned village, where we can in May on surrounding meadows admire blooming of daffodils. From Planina pod Golico we drive ahead to the next crossroad, where we notice numerous signposts. Here we continue right and we drive good 50 meters to the parking lot below Savske jame.
Click HERE for the map to the starting point.
Path description:
At the beginning of the parking lot, we notice the signposts, which point us to the left on an asphalt road upwards. After a short ascent, the path brings us to agrotourism Betel and behind it to a crossroad, where we continue right in the direction of Golica. After additional few minutes of walking on the road, we get to the cottage Pri Fencu. Here we need to pay attention, because only few steps further wide marked path branches off to the right, which leads on Golica.
The path ahead ascends through a shorter meadow after which we come into a pleasant shade, on which the path continues. After approximately half an hour of walking, we step on a macadam road which we follow to the right, but only to the bottom station of the cargo cableway.
From the cableway we continue in the direction of the mountain hut Koča na Golici on the path which is relatively steeply ascending through a thinner forest. After a good hour of walking, the path brings us out of the forest on unvegetated slopes from which in front of us we already see the mountain hut. And only a little ahead we come to a crossing, where we continue left (right Struška and Markljev and Pusti Rovt). This in the last part quite steep path we follow to the mountain hut.
Source: hribi.net /hike.uno
