The 'sweetest' town in Europe is the perfect place for a foodie break

Home to some of Europe’s finest chocolate, honey and sweet wines, this region remains under the radar (Picture: Shutterstock) ‘Ooh, that one please.’ I point at the salted caramel praline peering at me from behind the glass counter, willing me to pick it. Shop assistant Isabel places the perfectly formed treat in a box that seems a little excessive for a single chocolate. But in this shop, in the medieval town of Radovljica, northern Slovenia, each piece is treated with reverential respect. I feel it between my thumb and forefinger, breathe in its aroma, then slip it into my mouth, allowing it to melt on my tongue. The intricate tapestry of flavours dances on my taste buds. I’m in heaven at Radolška čokolada — hands down, the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted. The taste is almost as incredible as the story behind it. Europe’s best chocolate shop? When the world came to a stop in spring 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, owners Gregor and Nataša Mikel — furloughed from their desk jobs — turned their attention to learning about sweet stuff. The outstanding Radolška Čokolada is renowned for handmade chocolates (Picture: Radolška čokolada) They had been fascinated by it ever since their involvement with the Radovljica Chocolate Festival. Launched in 2012, the festival attracts around 20,000 international visitors over two days. Not bad for a town with just 6,000 inhabitants. Unlike many sweet treats, the production of chocolate requires in-depth knowledge and skill. It’s not something you can learn online. And neither Gregor and Nataša had any experience. @unpackedwithcat Save this small town gem for your next Slovenia trip! Thank me later. 🥰 I closed my eyes, pointed to a nearby town on the map… and ended up in Radovljica, a 14th century Slovenian village I’ll never forget. From the pastel streets to the stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, it’s these spontaneous side trips that always turn out to be some of favorite memories. I had the most delicious Ferrero Rocher and Dubai chocolate gelato at a little shop called Kepca, wandered cobblestone alleys that looked straight out of a storybook, and even visited the Čebelarski muzej Radovljica, a museum dedicated to apiculture and Slovenia’s beloved Carniolan grey bee. 🐝🍯 The exhibit is located inside the historic Radovljica Manor and the entire experience made my trip that much sweeter. Literally. If you’re visiting Bled, Slovenia this little town is just a short drive away and so worth the visit. #slovenia #sloveniatravel #sloveniatrip ♬ Slovenian Lovers Waltz – Walter Ostanek & His Band Scratching their heads, the couple got in touch with an acquaintance, Samo Osmanchevich, one of Slovenia’s first chocolatiers, and absorbed every bit of knowledge they could. Following four months of intensive work, they took educational trips to Zagreb, Croatia, further cementing their expertise. But it wasn’t until they met Riccardo Magni, one of Italy’s master chocolatiers, that the idea of independently producing their own truly formed in Gregor’s mind. ‘After ten years of organising the biggest chocolate festival in Slovenia, the town still didn’t have its own chocolatier,’ Nataša tells me. ‘Gregor and I were so passionate that we invested every hour, day, week and month into creating truly good chocolate.’ Chocolate-making is an art form (Picture: Sabi Phagura) The couple began producing chocolate in their home, perfecting their recipe before opening Radolška čokolada as a family-run chocolatier. Fast forward to today and the shop — located at the entrance to Radovljica’s old town — attracts chocolate lovers from around the globe. Tastes of northern Slovenia Radovljica, a medieval town set at the foothills of the Julian Alps and a stone’s throw from the seductive shores of Lake Bled, has long had a reputation as the ‘sweetest town in Slovenia’. And not only for its chocolate. Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s top tourist destinations, and an easy detour from Radovljica (Picture: Getty Images) It’s astonishing that a country of just two million people has around 10,000 beekeepers producing 2,000 tonnes of honey each year. Beekeeping is one of Slovenia’s oldest traditional crafts and an important part of the economy — so much so that it is the only EU member state to have protected its native bee, the Carniolan bee. I don’t have to look far to find further evidence as I step inside Gostilna Lectar. This traditional restaurant, inn, bakery and gingerbread workshop is housed in a building more than 500 years old. Warm, rustic and full of cosy charm, it’s decorated with Slovenian folk art and bright handicrafts that look like something from a fairytale. The gingerbread workshop and bakery, originally opened by Jakob Krivic in 1766, remain in operation today. Radovljica’s preserved old town features 16th-century architecture (Picture: Sabi Phagura) My visit is well timed, and I join a group tour to learn how lects — traditional gingerbread hearts — are made. The honey-based dough, typical of Slovenia and decorated in vibrant colours, was traditionally given as a token of love from men to women. A small mirror was often added, revealing the face of the person they wished to court. With a restaurant on site since 1822, you can enjoy a hearty meal without breaking the bank. Gingerbread is a centuries-old tradition in this part of Europe (Picture: Sabi Phagura) I peruse a menu that features cured meats from local farms, soup served in bread bowls, black pudding, sauerkraut, and dishes showcasing staple ingredients such as potatoes and buckwheat. Much of Slovenia’s land is unsuitable for large-scale cereal crops like wheat and corn. Buckwheat, however, thrives in smaller plots. This nutritious, low-cost crop grows quickly, reseeds itself, and is commonly used in dumplings, breads, or as a side dish. There’s also a tempting dessert menu, including the 2025 Gold Award–winning gibanica, a rich layered cake. But it’s the traditional slow cooked lightly spiced leg of lamb, served with sautéed potatoes and sauerkraut, that truly captures my attention. The menu claims it serves two, but when the platter arrives, it could easily feed four. Best of all, it costs less than €29 — and it’s one of the best lamb dishes I’ve ever eaten. Alternative destinations to visit in 2026 ‘Prague’s ugly sister’ is a walkable gem with £2 pints The underrated ski destination with hay baths and €5 cocktails The ‘whimsical’ UK town that’s great for a quirky weekend break The ‘Mile High City’ ideal for wheelchair-friendly travel The coolest European cities you can reach by train from London Old Town magic Slovenians take great pride in preserving traditional crafts, from pottery, woodworking and forged iron to bobbin lacemaking in Idrija and textiles. You don’t have to travel far before encountering an artisan practising skills many might assume have long disappeared — and they’re often happy to share their knowledge with visitors. Wandering through Radovljica’s old town, lined with majestic 16th- and 17th-century buildings, I stumble upon what appears to be an ordinary house. Pottery displayed outside draws me in. The old town has cobbled streets and a Michelin-starred restaurant (Picture: Shutterstock) At first glance, the pieces seem decorative, but closer inspection reveals a display of plant pots, ceramic owls and frogs, as well as functional bowls and plates for sale. With the front door ajar, I step inside to find even more captivating creations. Sitting at a table in what feels like a living room is the woman behind it all, with a guide dog resting by her side. She introduces herself as Nada Jazbec, a 66-year-old local who lost her sight at the age of 20 due to diabetes. ‘My life turned upside down overnight,’ she tells me. ‘Within two weeks, I lost the sight in both eyes due to capillary bleeding.’ Ceramics are another drawcard for artsy Radovljica (Picture: Sabi Phagura) Having learned basic pottery at school at the ages of 15, Nada was determined to rebuild her life, creating pottery using her mind’s eye. Working with clay gave her strength and a renewed sense of purpose. Today, she sells her work from her home, which also serves as her workshop, attracting visitors from around the world. Deep rooted traditions Nada isn’t alone in finding solace through traditional crafts. A day-care centre for adults with special needs also produces ceramics and artwork in the old town. Woodcraft is another deeply rooted Slovenian tradition, particularly in Škofja Loka, around 30 miles from Radovljica. It’s here that I meet another remarkable artisan, Matija Hiršenfelder, who creates everything from simple forms to complex, technologically demanding pieces. ‘Originally, my work was mostly made from whatever materials were at hand,’ he tells me. ‘But the unique smell of each wood species completely consumed me.’ After leaving secondary school, he began an apprenticeship in woodturning and wood binding to polish his skills. An established craftsman and recipient of the Zlata Vitica Award for Special Handicraft Achievements in 2010, talented Matija has restored 450 window frames and 30 doors at the Government Building and the President’s Office in Ljubljana. Master craftsman, Matija Hiršenfelder (Picture: Sabi Phagura) Today, he runs regular school holiday workshops for children. ‘It’s encouraging to see students become absorbed in woodcraft,’ he says. ‘They’re learning new skills, and it’s often the only time they put their phones away. Many tell me how much better they feel mentally after a workshop. I hope some will carry these skills into adulthood.’ There’s no doubt Slovenians are deeply proud of their traditions and committed to preserving centuries-old crafts. Yet, they’re equally open to embracing new ideas and evolving with the times. Radolška čokolada is a perfect example — and proof that, in Radovljica, life really is very sweet. Getting to Radovljica British Airways, easyJet, and Wizz Air all fly direct from London (mostly Gatwick, sometimes Stansted) to Ljubljana, both seasonally and year-round. From Ljubljana, it’s a 35-minute taxi or hour-long bus to Radovljica. Direct trains run hourly and take around 50 minutes. Private rooms in pensions and walking hostels start from around £70 per night. Double rooms in boutique hotels start from £177, according to rates on Booking.com.