Cerknica is home to one of the region’s most remarkable sights, the disappearing Lake Cerknica, but there is a lot more to the municipality than that. The town itself is home to a defensive Tabor complex that protected the town from the raiding Ottomans in the 15th century. Only two of its five towers remain, but these are in remarkable condition and today one is home to the tourist information centre. The town itself also plays host to one of Slovenia’s most entertaining carnivals. The Pust celebrations take place every February, with a vast array of bizarre characters laying siege to the town. Even this is something of an understatement.
It might just be the incredible biodiversity of the region that is the real draw however. Rakov Škocjan is nearby, a stunning former cave that has left behind two natural rock bridges and the sort of aesthetics that landscape photographers dream about. A variety of flora and fauna fan out over the area, continuing this theme. Everything always comes back to the lake however, and for good reason. Lake Cerknica is the largest intermittent lake in all of Europe, a truly unique phenomenon that is as stunning in winter as it is in summer and for completely different reasons. A true must-see in the Green Karst.