16 Best Things to Do in Ljubljana
(Ultimate Travel Guide)
Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana is often overlooked amongst its more famous neighbours, yet it’s easily one of my favourites in Europe. The city is small enough to explore on foot, feels very safe and welcoming and has lots of incredible day trip options. Here are 16 things you can’t miss when visiting Ljubljana!
I have now visited Ljubljana quite a few times, both during my own travels and as part of my tour guiding job, and honestly been falling more in love with the city each time I visit.
It has a certain “small town” charm to it, that most capitals in Europe don’t, and feels less stressful and overwhelming to explore. On top of that, Slovenia offers some of the most gorgeous nature, and many day trips from Ljubljana will give you a glimpse into just how beautiful the country is.
Here are 16 of my must-do things while in Ljubljana, including tips on where to eat, where to stay and what daytrips to book!
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Planning your trip?
How to get to Lljubljana:
Slovenia actually has 3 international airports, with Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) being the biggest and closest to Ljubljana. From there you can get a bus to the city centre for just 4.60€. You pay either in cash on the bus or via the website.
Ljubljana is also very well connected by train and bus to many other European countries. I’d recommend checking the local train websites for your origin country for tickets (e.g. Bahn.de for Germany or MÁV-csoport for Hungary). For buses, the main one is of course Flixbus, though there are other local operators like Arriva/Nomago in Slovenia.
Where to stay in Ljubljana?
Overall, I’d recommend trying to stay close to Old Town and the Ljubljanica river, as from there most tourist attractions are easy to get to, there’s lots of restaurants and it’s super safe.
Best hostels and hotels in Ljubljana:
🛏️ AdHoc Hostel – super central location, decent rooms
🏬B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park – good location, clean, quiet
🏩Grand Plaza Hotel – 5-star hotel with insane views from the higher floors
Activities to check out:
Top things to do in Ljubljana
1. Check out the Dragon Bridge
While the dragon bridge was originally built as a tribute to Emperor Franz Joseph I, it quickly embraced the city’s mythical history and turned the dragon into its symbol. It was built in 1901 in art nouveau style and the dragons seem to almost come alive in the right light.
But why are dragons so important in Ljubljana? Well, it’s said to come back to the Greek Legend of ‘Jason and the Argonauts’, who were in search of the Golden Fleece. They came down the river Ljubljanica on their expedition, where they ended up defeating a dragon living by the riverside.
While there are many different versions of this mythical story, the end result remains the same. The dragon is to this day the symbol of Ljubljana, standing for strength, courage and protection.
The bridge is one of the coolest photo spots in the city too, with the castle and river in the background.
2. Enjoy the views from Ljubljana Castle
Getting up to Ljubljana castle can be a little bit of a hike (15 minutes semi-steep uphill) or a 5-minut funicular for 3.30€ one-way or 6€ return. Either way, it is more than worth it for the stunning views over the city and mountain ranges in the distance.
The castle itself has been there in some form for centuries, marking an important defensive point for the city, but also a vantage point for visiting royals. Nowadays, it’s a fun place to explore with a Slovenian history museum, Puppet museum and more, and often hosts events like the dragon festival in May and September.
3. Go souvenir hunting at the Central Market
The central market is just across the dragon bridge and hosts a variety of stands selling anything from food to clothing to handmade items.
It consists of the big square full of produce and food stands, as well as the street running along the river, which is home to covered stalls selling local delicacies such as honey, pumpkin seed oil and little dragon souvenirs.
It’s generally open Monday-Saturday from around 7am to roughly 4pm, though I’d come earlier rather than later to get the full experience.
4. Wander around the beautiful town centre
Ljubljana’s Old Town is a beautiful puzzle of different time periods, empires and most importantly, the works of architect Jože Plečnik.
You will find many squares full of statues and lined with gorgeous houses, lots of local shops, restaurants and more. Wandering the cobblestone streets of Ljubljana is honestly my favourite past-time here, and you’ll always discover a secret gem or shop you love!
The reason Jože Plečnik is so synonymous with the architecture of the city is a combination of timings, such as the big earthquake of 1895 destroying most of the city and the necessity of creating a new identity post WW1 when Slovenia needed a true capital. He focused on making the river the centre of the city, and meshing its history smoothly with modernity in a human-centric design. It’s honestly a beautiful feat of city design!
5. Enjoy the peace of Tivoli Park
Speaking of human-centred design, Tivoli park is a fantastic example. It’s a huge park full of open-air galleries, playgrounds, lakes, fountains and so much more.
The park is a real nod to Ljubljana’s focus on sustainability and the great outdoors. Tivoli Castle and Cekin Mansion are also both still in the park and worth checking out!
6. Try some local Slovenian Food
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Slovenian food, but it’s honestly such a delicious mix of Alpine, Mediterranean, Pannonian, and Balkan traditions, full of hearty meals and delicious cakes and pastries.
Would highly recommend trying Štruklji (I had a vegetarian version at Gostilna Sokol and it was delicious), Bled Cream Cake, Carnolian Sausage, potica and much more.
As mentioned, I really enjoyed Gostilna Sokol in Ljubljana, and have heard great things about Slovenska hiša Ljubljančanka.
7. Check out the many secondhand shops
You cannot go to Ljubljana and not check out some of the secondhand shops. Trust me!
I have found some of my favourite pieces here, often for less than 5€ (my record is a T-shirt for 1€). Stores to check out would be:
- Any Humana store
- Textile House Second Hand
- RELAY OF YOUTH VINTAGE
- Divas Vintage Store
8. See Ljubljana from the water with a river cruise
Ljubljanica River is nowadays the centre of Ljubljana and runs right through the middle. For a whole new perspective of the city, I always love joining a river cruise.
The one shown below also includes a really informative guide, telling you more about Ljubljana’s fascinating history:
9. Check out the street art of the Metelkova neighbourhood
AKC Metelkova mesto is an urban cultural centre featuring street art from local artists, exhibition, club nights, art performances and more. It was original taken over by 200 volunteers in a sort of “Art Squat” to prevent the demolition of this building, which was once Austro-Hungarian and then Yugoslavian military barracks.
It can seem a little unruly of sorts when visiting as a tourist, but if you keep an open mind, you will find a really fascinating corner of Ljubljana.
The surrounding area is also full of street art, making it an interesting place to explore.
10. Make friends at a pub crawl
Ljubljana has one of my favourite pub crawls, featuring fun guides, games, shots and karaoke. It’s honestly a really great way to meet new people and explore the nightlife of Ljubljana in the safety of a big group. Would recommend!
11. Hop on a bus to Lake Bled
Lake Bled is only a 1 hour bus ride away from Ljubljana, that will set you back 7.10 €. In other words, it’s a real bargain that is 100% worth a visit.
Yes, Lake Bled is one of the most touristy parts of Slovenia, but it’s also super easily accessible via public transport, absolutely gorgeous and fun to see in any weather (trust me on this, I’ve been there in pouring rain).
Whether you get on a traditional boat to visit the island, hike up to one of the famous viewpoints, visit the Castle, go for a dip in the lake or have a slice of Bled Cream Cake, it’s an incredible day trip.
Tickets can be bought online or at Ljubljana bus station, and buses leave every 30 minutes to an hour.
12. Visit the famous Postojna Cave
Postojna cave is one of the largest in Europe and the only karst cave with a railway, which is over 140 years old. The tour on this railway takes you through the karst tunnels, explaining its history and legends.
One of said legends is that a dragon used to live in this cave, and his offspring are the so called human fish, the only European underground vertebrate which can live for up to 100 years.
Most day trips will include the cave as well as Predjama Castle, which is built into a cliffside and the largest cave castle worldwide. Truly an incredible daytrip!
13. Join a day trip to the stunning Soča Valley
The Soča Valley is easily of one the most beautiful parts of Slovenia, near the western border to Italy. It is often referred to as the Emerald Beauty, because of the colour shining through everywhere here.
The Soca Valley is quite large, and best explored as part of a roadtrip. Famous for e.g. the below mentioned Triglav National Park, but also the adventure hub of Bovec and fascinating adventures on the Soča River.
That being said, there are also plenty of tours that head there for a daytrip, which is a great way to experience some of the highlights in a short time.
14. See the quieter Lake Bohinj & Triglav National Park
Lake Bohinj is often called Lake Bled’s less touristy neighbour, and it’s a fitting description. The glacial lake is in Triglav National Park and a little further from Ljubljana (around 1.5 hours).
It is well worth the trip though, especially if you enjoy quiet mountainscapes, nature adventure and a focus on sustainability.
Triglav national park is Slovenia’s only national park and honestly truly breathtaking. From the backdrop of the Julian Alps, to the emeral Soca River, there is something here for everyone.
15. Head up the Nebotičnik Skyscraper for a drink
If you want to enjoy a coffee or cocktail with incredible views over Ljubljana and the castle, Nebotičnik is the place for you.
The 13-story skyscraper is located right near the city centre and features a 10th floor restaurant and 12th floor café and terrace. Going up is free and drink prices are okayish for the view.
16. Marvel at the beautiful Triple Bridge
The Triple Bridge for me marks the centre of Ljubljana and is a gorgeous crossroads over the river and towards the castle.
The middle bridge has been there since 1842, whereas the two on the sides were added around 1930, once again by Jože Plečnik. It makes a super unique architectural feature and photo spot that I love visiting day and night.
You may also be interested in:
How many days do you need in Ljubljana?
I would recommend a minimum of two full days to see the city and potentially fit in a daytrip. If you can spare more time, it’s so worth it and you could explore more of this beautiful city and country!
Is Ljubljana worth visiting?
I have heard some people say they were underwhelmed by Ljubljana, and I really think they just didn’t really experience the city. In my opinion and experience, Ljubljana is SO worth visiting.
There’s lots of things to do (as seen in this article), amazing day trips but even just wandering around the city and sampling cafes is gorgeous in Ljubljana. So yes, it’s worth visiting!
Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
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