Last Updated on April 10, 2024
If you’re taking a look at taking a visit to Ljubljana, make sure to try this checklist of one of the best issues to do in Ljubljana.
Ljubljana is certainly one of Europe’s hidden gems, and it’s really one of the underrated locations within the area. It’s not an enormous metropolis, which makes it simple to navigate and ideal for a weekend journey!
Slovenia’s capital metropolis has a captivating historical past and a wealthy tradition of artwork and structure. You can see the whole lot from a 60,000 yr previous Neanderthal flute to trendy artwork and imaginative murals scattered all through Ljubljana. You may even spend the evening in jail (by selection)!
If you’re planning on doing a Slovenia highway journey, Ljubljana will most likely be your beginning/ending level. It offers you an incredible introduction to the nation and makes for a wonderful base. To assist you to higher perceive town, these are the 15 greatest issues to do in Ljubljana.
15 Best Things to do in Ljubljana
1. Wander via Prešeren Square
Prešeren Square is the very coronary heart of Ljubljana. Several of town’s streets lead you straight to it. Because it’s so central, that is the place most individuals meet up.
I like grabbing a drink right here as a result of the environment is all the time enjoyable and full of life. You can hearken to a bunch of various avenue musicians and take within the views of close by structure. You can see canals, the pink Franciscan church, the Triple Bridge, and extra.
Prešeren Square can be a wonderful place to begin your day by grabbing a espresso and pastry in one of many close by bakeries. After you’ve had breakfast, there’s a free strolling tour of town that begins within the sq.. There’s additionally a vacationer workplace right here in case you will have any questions on Ljubljana.
2. Cross the Dragon Bridge
From Prešeren Square, you may see the Triple Bridge. It’s a bunch of three bridges which might be proper subsequent to one another, they usually’re a landmark in Ljubljana. They’re adorned with distinctive stone railings and lanterns.
The unique bridge, the central one, was in-built 1842. The different two have been added in 1930 by Jože Plečnik, a well-known Slovenian architect. Near the bridges you may see a ravishing flower store in addition to town’s Central Market.
Not removed from the Triple Bridge is the Dragon Bridge. Four dragons stand on every nook of it, which have been taken from the Slovenian coat of arms. This bridge opened in 1901 and is important as a result of it’s one of many first strengthened concrete bridges in Europe.
3. Try Local Goods within the Central Market
Jože Plečnik, who designed the Triple Bridge, additionally designed Ljubljana’s Central Market. It’s proper between Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge, so it’s tremendous simple to get to. I like strolling via native markets since you by no means know what you’ll discover.
In Ljubljana’s central market, you may see an enormous number of herbs and spices, handmade arts and crafts, and native produce. There can be fairly a couple of stalls that promote native baked items and meats. Make certain you go hungry!
The market is open Monday via Saturday, so you may select once you go to. It tends to be busier within the mornings when the whole lot is recent. I’d suggest permitting about an hour and a half to stroll via the market. That approach you may take your time and see (and check out!) the whole lot.
4. Grab a Drink close to Robba Fountain
The Robba Fountain could seem like “just another sculpture” in Ljubljana, nevertheless it’s removed from it. The fountain is a well-known image of town that exhibits three males pouring water from jugs. Each man represents the three rivers of the area: the Ljubljanica, the Sava, and the Krka.
The statue that’s there now is definitely a reproduction of the unique, which could be discovered within the National Gallery. The design is impressed by Rome’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi and the Baroque interval.
There are a bunch of bars and eating places close to the fountain, so I’d counsel coming within the night to get pleasure from a meal or seize a drink. My favourite restaurant close to the fountain is Robba. For a simple meal, you may as well try Pop’s Place Burger Bar.
5. Taste Slovenian Wine
While you’re in Ljubljana, I undoubtedly suggest doing a wine tasting! Even in the event you’re not a wine connoisseur, it’s nonetheless a enjoyable method to spend a pair hours with your mates.
This wine tasting expertise I did was in a 300-year-old wine cellar. We obtained to strive seven completely different wines whereas the knowledgeable talked about Slovenia’s completely different wine areas. It lasts about two hours and is the right method to get pleasure from some wine and study in regards to the native wine custom. Book your wine-tasting tour right here.
After you end the tasting, you may even get a certificates that claims you’re an envoy of Slovenian wines. It gained’t assist you to turn into a sommelier, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly a cool memento!
6. Hike as much as Ljubljana Castle
An absolute must-see spot in Ljubljana is the citadel. You can see it from a lot of the squares within the previous city, nevertheless it’s value really going up the hill to go to it. Don’t fear although – in the event you don’t really feel like mountaineering as much as it, you may take a practice to the highest for a pair Euros.
The Ljubljana Castle is about 900 years previous however has advanced since then. You can see the early stone and wooden used to construct it, together with navy buildings added within the sixteenth century. You may even go as much as the watchtower (it’s a must to pay although) to look over the entire metropolis of Ljubljana.
You can go to the principle courtyard of the citadel free of charge. There’s a restaurant, nightclub, galleries, and a restaurant you may go to. If you wish to see extra of the grounds, you may take a guided tour of the citadel and study its historical past.
7. Check out Street Art in Metelkova Mesto
After studying about Ljubljana’s previous on the citadel, you may head to the Metelkova Mesto Alternative Center to see a totally completely different aspect of town. Metelkova Mesto is an previous military barracks that has been remodeled into an artist enclave. It’s additionally not too removed from the middle of Ljubljana, so chances are high you’ll be close to it in some unspecified time in the future anyway.
You can come throughout the day to take photographs of the murals and graffiti that cowl the partitions. It’s fairly quiet throughout the day, so visiting could be a good method to escape the hustle and bustle in the remainder of town. It’s undoubtedly value coming again at evening too although.
Metelkova Mesto actually comes alive as soon as the solar goes down. There are bars and golf equipment throughout and you’ll find stay music and DJs in most of them. If you come throughout the summer time, there are additionally a number of outside live shows.
8. Spend the Night in Prison (Really!)
After an evening out in Metelkova Mesto, you may spend the evening in jail…by selection! Not removed from the bars and golf equipment, you’ll find Hostel Celica. It’s a colourful and quirky hostel that was once a Yugoslav jail.
Today, it’s a snug place to remain. I actually prefer it as a result of it has stayed true to its previous. Some rooms nonetheless resemble previous jail cells with bars!
Local and worldwide artists designed every of the rooms too. That’s why I like to recommend staying right here for not less than one evening. It’s a really Slovenian method to expertise Ljubljana! Check charges right here.
9. Learn Slovenia’s History on the National Museum
Slovenia has a really lengthy historical past and the National Museum is the place you may see all of it. It has two buildings: one close to Tivoli park and the opposite in Metelkova. The foremost constructing close to Tivoli park has prehistoric artifacts and the Metelkova location has extra trendy items.
There are so many cool issues to see in each areas. In the principle constructing, there’s a fraction of a Neanderthal flute that’s round 60,000 years previous. You may discover Ljubljana’s Roman origins by taking a look at cash, fashions, and watching animated movies.
If you’re a historical past buff, the National Museum is unquestionably value trying out. It’s not too massive, however I’d nonetheless enable a couple of hours to stroll via it. Allow slightly additional time if you wish to stroll via each areas.
10. Relive the Past at Congress Square
Another method to expertise Slovenia’s historical past is to go to Congress Square. So many historic occasions have taken place right here. You can undoubtedly really feel a particular vitality within the air!
This is the place Slovenia declared its independence and the primary free protest in Slovenia passed off. Bill Clinton additionally visited and recited a part of the Slovenian nationwide anthem right here.
Outside of its historic significance, it’s good to ust stroll across the completely different buildings close to Congress Square. You can see the Slovenian Philharmonic, the previous authorities buildings, and even some palaces.
11. Bring Out Your Inner Child on the House of Illusions
Located proper in Congress Square is certainly one of Ljubljana’s lesser-known websites – the House of Illusions. This is the right place if you wish to take a break from exploring Slovenia’s historical past. It’s undoubtedly extra for teenagers, however adults can nonetheless have a very good time too.
The home has completely different illusions in every room. There are 40 completely different reveals, and every of them play together with your senses otherwise. It’s not the most important place although, so you need to be high quality spending about an hour and a half right here.
Some of the reveals embrace an anti-gravity room, a vortex tunnel, and an upside-down room. It’s solely about $10.00 to get in ($5.00 for teenagers aged 5-15), so it’s a reasonably low-cost method to hold the household entertained. There’s a present store in the home if you wish to take a few of the illusions dwelling with you too.
12. Discover Slovenian Art on the National Gallery
Another common attraction in Ljubljana is the National Gallery. It exhibits Slovenia’s historical past via artwork, from medieval occasions to now. If you want artwork, I’d enable fairly a little bit of time to stroll via right here – there are over 600 items.
Remember Robba Fountain? This is the place the unique sculpture is saved, in order that’s undoubtedly value having a look at. In addition to Robba’s sculpture, you may see items from Slovenian artists like Rihard Jakopič and Matija Jama.
The National Gallery is very easy to get too from most locations in Ljubljana. It’s between Tivoli Park and Prešeren Square. I like to recommend visiting the National Gallery and the National Museum on the identical day since they’re so shut collectively.
13. Have a Picnic in Tivoli Park
Tivoli Park is the right place to take a break from sightseeing. It’s an enormous park with numerous inexperienced area and gardens to chill out in. If you’re an outdoorsy sort, there are additionally some nature trails you may discover.
When the climate is sweet, I like selecting up some meals on the Central Market and taking it to Tivoli Park for a picnic. It’s simple to discover a spot to sit down and I might spend hours individuals watching. After you end your picnic, you may stroll via the fantastically landscaped gardens and stroll by historic mansions.
I additionally suggest strolling by the Jakopič Promenade to see if there are any reveals on. It’s an open-air outside venue that typically has images reveals. The Promenade is open year-round and it’s in the midst of the park, so make sure to test it out!
14. Admire the St. Nicholas Cathedral
Another spot I counsel you try whilst you’re near Tivoli Park is the St. Nicholas Cathedral. It’s throughout the river from the park and positioned proper subsequent to the Ljubljana Castle. It’s not probably the most putting constructing from the skin, however the inside is mindblowing.
You’ll be in awe as quickly as you stroll via the door. The artwork is all from the Baroque interval, and the small print within the items present essential moments in Slovenia’s historical past. No matter the place you look, you see ornate statues and engravings in gold and bronze.
I all the time suggest visiting the St. Nicholas Cathedral to individuals visiting Ljubljana. It’s a little bit of a hidden gem as a result of it’s really easy to stroll proper by it. You gained’t must spend very lengthy in there (round 15-Half-hour), so it’s the right place to cease in whilst you’re heading to the park or citadel.
15. Cruise Down the Ljubljanica River
Cruising alongside the Ljubljana River is certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Ljubljana. I counsel leaving this for the tip of your journey as a result of it’s a great way to wrap the whole lot up.
The boat journeys normally final round an hour and there’s a tour information on board to level out the completely different websites. If you missed one thing or ran out of time, that is the easiest way to cram the whole lot in!
If you need one thing slightly extra lively, you may as well hire a canoe or paddle board to make your personal journey on the river. This permits you to transfer at your personal tempo, however you’ll miss out on the commentary. No matter which you like, I undoubtedly suggest doing not less than certainly one of these actions on the river earlier than leaving Ljubljana.
Things to Do Near Ljubljana
16. Head into the Postojna Cave
Just 45 minutes outdoors Ljubljana, you’ll discover the spectacular Postojna Cave. The 24,120 m (79,130 ft) lengthy karst cave system is the second-longest cave system within the nation. Admire the stalactites and stalagmites, and stroll alongside large formations that resemble folded curtains. Entrance to the cave is 23,90 €. Book tickets on-line to keep away from ready.
17. Marvel the Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle is simply a brief drive away from Postojna Cave. The impregnable medieval marvel has been perched in the midst of a 123-metre-high cliff for greater than 800 years. I undoubtedly counsel going contained in the citadel to study its historical past (it was constructed within the thirteenth century!). It’s open each day from 10am to 5pm, and entrance prices 11,90 €. Book your tickets right here.
The citadel and cave are fairly remoted, so I don’t suggest staying in a resort right here. After you’ve completed your day of sightseeing, I like to recommend driving simply 1 hour to Bled.
While I used to be there, I met some individuals who had joined a small guided tour, they usually have been actually impressed with their stay tour information. This information gave them detailed data in English about Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. They mentioned their tour was deliberate to final round 6 hours with solely 15 individuals within the group, so it wasn’t crowded, and the group went smoother with fewer individuals concerned. It was only a 30-minute drive from Ljubljana, they usually all mentioned it was nice. While some complained in regards to the lack of supplied meals and drinks, the bulk had come ready with water and some sandwiches. Book your tickets right here.
Ljubljana Travel Guide
How to Get to Ljubljana
When you’re planning a visit to Ljubljana, step one is determining methods to get there. The foremost methods to get to Ljubljana are by air, practice, or automobile. The easiest method is to fly into Ljubljana airport. If you might be planning on doing a Slovenia highway journey, it’s greatest to hire a automobile to discover the nation. Search for automobile leases in Ljubljana right here!
Even although it’s not very massive, the Ljubljana airport has fairly a couple of worldwide connections. You can fly to Ljubljana from New York City in about 11 hours (round $700 return) and Los Angeles in 17 hours (round $800 spherical journey).
If you’re already in Europe, Ljubljana has direct connections to main cities like London (2 hours), Paris (2 hours), and Frankfurt (70 minutes). If you time it proper, you may get an inexpensive flight with a finances airline like EasyJet. Search for flights right here.
How to Get Around Ljubljana
Once you’re in Ljubljana, it’s very easy to get round. The greatest approach is by foot since the whole lot is centrally positioned. However, taxis and buses are additionally an choice if you wish to save a while.
Another common choice is biking. Check out BicikeLJ or search for one of many stations dotted via town. The first hour of your rental is free, so that is excellent in the event you’re on a finances.
If you fly into the Ljubljana airport, you will have the choice to take a taxi or bus to town middle. A taxi takes round Half-hour and can price you about 35 Euros. The bus takes about 45 minutes and prices slightly below 5 Euros.
Where to Stay in Ljubljana
Budget: Hostel Celica Art
Experiencing staying in jail for the evening at this distinctive design hostel. The rooms and dormitories on this hostel have been individually designed by completely different native and worldwide artists and replicate the historical past of this former jail. We stayed right here and located it a improbable expertise! Check the charges right here.
Mid Range: Courtyard Under The Castle
Situated simply 800 m from Ljubljana Castle, this lovely 1-bedroom condo has an incredible location, in addition to an outside terrace and trendy furnishings. Perfect for a younger couple or household with toddler. Check the charges right here.
Luxury: Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel
Perched over the Ljubljanica River, this historic resort is lauded as one of the best resort in Ljubljana. Rooms have beautiful views of the river, in addition to vaulted ceilings and tastefully designed decor. Check the charges right here.
Where to Eat in Ljubljana
There are so many small eating places, bars, and cafes in Ljubljana that it may be exhausting to decide on the place to eat. I undoubtedly suggest attempting a few of the native delicacies whilst you’re right here irrespective of the place you eat. Here are a few of my solutions.
For a high quality eating expertise that includes native dishes, you may try Restavracija Strelec. It’s a bit costly, so it’s a very good place to go for a splurge meal. You can strive the tasting menu and wine pairing for a full Slovenian culinary expertise. Read opinions right here.
For a extra reasonably priced meal, I all the time go to Landerik. The meals is all sourced from inside Slovenia and it’s completely scrumptious! Read opinions right here. My high spot for an inexpensive meal is Kodila Gourmet – make sure to strive the bujta repa! Read opinions right here.
Cost of Travel in Ljubljana
Slovenia is extra reasonably priced than Western European international locations, like France and Germany. Travelers ought to finances round $125 to $150 per day, together with resort and journey bills.
Hotels normally price between $30 per evening for a hostel to over $300 per evening for a luxurious resort. Meals in eating places can vary wherever from round $8 for a primary meal to $20-$25 for a full meal with drinks.
Public transportation is affordable and resorts are cheap in Slovenia. The nation can be comparatively small, so touring by automobile isn’t very costly when it comes to fuel.
Travel Insurance for Ljubljana
Travel insurance coverage is important for any size of journey, whether or not it’s per week or a month in Ljubljana. It supplies protection for surprising mishaps and emergencies. Check out my journey insurance coverage information for additional data.
Safety Wing stands out because the go-to journey insurance coverage firm for COVID-19 protection. I personally go for their Nomad Insurance plan, which treats COVID-19 like some other sickness, supplied it wasn’t contracted earlier than your protection begins. Their charges are honest, and their customer support is phenomenal.
Further Reading on Ljubljana, Slovenia
I hope this text has helped you intend your final journey to Ljubljana. There is a lot to do and see within the metropolis, so it’s undoubtedly value a go to. Whether you’re an outdoorsy sort, a historical past buff, or simply wish to study one thing new, Ljubljana has one thing for you.
If you’re planning to go to Ljubljana, I undoubtedly suggest giving your self not less than 3 days. Some of the actions on this checklist take extra time than others. A full 3 days ought to be sufficient to permit you to do the whole lot you wish to although.
I like Ljubljana and may’t wait to return. If you go and discover an exercise that’s not on this checklist, let me know so I can add it!
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Disclaimer: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks i.e. I’ll get a small fee once you ebook something via my hyperlinks, at NO additional price to you. I solely suggest corporations I’ve personally used and loved.
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