Having been to Ljubljana several times, we can say with certainty that it is one of our favorite cities to visit in Europe. Slovenia’s capital is colorful, compact, very photogenic, and has a charming small-town feel despite sharing many similarities with larger European capitals. Moreover, the city is very pedestrian-friendly making it easy to explore on foot, has a fantastic medieval old town center and hilltop castle, is a recent former winner of the prestigious title of European Green Capital, and is known for its beautiful architecture that mixes Baroque, Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings. And if all of that wasn’t enough, its central location in Slovenia makes it a perfect base from which to explore many of the fantastic attractions, towns and natural wonders the country has to offer. So to help you plan your visit to this beautiful city, we put together this guide on the Best Things to See and Do in Ljubljana.
Disclosure: This page (Best Things to See and Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia) may contain product affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. More details can be found on our disclosure and policies page.
You might also be interested in these pages (coming soon):
Best Things to See and Do in Bled (Slovenia)
Best Day Trips from Bled (Slovenia)
5-Day Slovenia Road Trip Itinerary
Best Hiking and Walking Trails Near Bled (Slovenia)
Ljubljana Location & Map
Ljubljana is located in west-central Slovenia.
How to get to Ljubljana
By Car: Ljubljana is within driving distance of several major European cities Zagreb (2 hours), Salzburg (3 hours), Venice (2h30 hours), Munich (4 hours), Vienna (4 hours), Budapest (4 hours) and Milan (5 hours).
Ljubljana is also less than a 2 hour’s drive from several smaller tourist towns such as Rijeka (Croatia), Udine (Italy), Trieste (Italy), Villach (Austria), and Graz (Austria).
Ljubljana is also a short 45-minute drive from the popular and scenic Lake Bled.
If you need to book a rental vehicle for your travels, we highly recommend using Discover Cars to get the best rates on your rental in Slovenia.
We also highly recommend Airalo (eSIM card) for your connectivity needs when travelling abroad. Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide.
Important: All Slovenian freeways and expressways are subject to tolls. All cars, motorbikes, and camper vans must have purchased a digital vignette online when they plan to drive onto a motorway or expressway. Digital Vignettes with periods of validity of 7 days, 1 month, 6 months or 12 months are available and can be purchased from the Slowenien Vignette website. They are not prohibitively expensive — for instance, the 7-day vignette for cars costs €13.90 (2024).
Arrival by Car & Parking: If you are visiting Ljubljana as part of a day trip, you will probably need to use one of the public car parks (if you are staying overnight, your accommodation will likely provide parking for you). Street parking is capped at 2 hours and therefore isn’t ideal for a full day. There are several Park + Ride lots available, where you can park your car for the day (€1.30 per day) and then ride into town via one of the city’s buses.
If you want to drive straight into town, our favorite car lots are the train station car park (8€ per 24 hours) and the Tivoli car park (€0.80/hour, free on weekends), both of which are a 5-10 minute walk from the city center. They are also rather inexpensive compared to other major European cities.
By Bus: The operator FlixBus provides long-distance bus services to Ljubljana from several of Europe’s major cities, including Salzburg, Munich, Budapest, Prague, Milan, and Zagreb. Schedules and fares can be found on the FlixBus website. The bus station is a 5-10 minute walk from the city center (old town).
By Train: Ljubljana’s main railway station connects the city to many destinations. The Oste railway line connects cities with Ljubljana: Paris, Munich, Salzburg, Villach, Zagreb, Belgrade, and Athens among others. Ljubljana also has great rail connections with Trieste (Italy) and Vienna. The train station is a 5-10 minute walk from the city center (old town).
By Group Tour (from Zagreb): This can be a great option if you only have a day to visit and don’t want to deal with the transit logistics while benefiting from a time-efficient direct route. The following tours are particularly popular and well-rated:
By plane: Several major European cities have direct flights to Ljubljana Jože Pucnik Airport (LJU), including Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, Zürich, Warsaw, Brussels and Istanbul.
Getting to Ljubljana center from the airport: Ljubljana Jože Pucnik Airport (LJU) is 25 km from Ljubljana. There are several ways to complete the journey between the two:
–Taxi – 25 minutes (about €40)
–Bus (no. 28) – 30-45 minutes (about €4) – The bus runs about once per hour, you can find more information and the timetable here.
–Private Transfer – 25 minutes – We have often had great experiences throughout Europe with Welcome Pickups for airport pickups. Similar prices to taxis but without the wait or hassle.
–Shared Transfer – 25-40 minutes – To reduce the cost of planned transfers, GoOpti offers excellent shared transfers throughout Northern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and eastern Austria.
About Ljubljana
Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and largest city, with a population approaching 300,000. It’s known for its large university population (almost 50,000 students per year) and its numerous and expansive green spaces, such as Tivoli Park. The meandering emerald Ljubljanica River, lined with outdoor cafes and leafy banks, roughly divides the city’s old town from its commercial hub. The city’s symbol is the Ljubljana Dragon. It is depicted on the top of the tower of Ljubljana Castle, in the Ljubljana coat of arms, and on the Ljubljanica-crossing Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most).
The city owes much of its present appearance to Italian Baroque and Art Nouveau, which is the style of the numerous buildings erected immediately after the 1895 earthquake. In the first half of the 20th century, much of modern Ljubljana was shaped by Jože Plecnik, a great European architect and a local of Ljubljana. His most notable designs and contributions to the city are the iconic Triple Bridge and the Slovenian National and University Library building, as well as the embankments along the Ljubljanica River. Prior to his work in his native Ljubljana, Plecnik had a successful career aboard in Vienna and in Prague, where he notably renovated Prague Castle after it had become the official residence of the Czechoslovak president.
Plecnik’s architectural imprint on Ljubljana has been compared to the impact Antoni Gaudí had on Barcelona and has led to Ljubljana receiving a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in Human Centred Urban Design. If you are a fan of architecture, you can get a map of Plecnik’s 39 works in Ljubljana from the Tourism Information Centre (link to Google Maps) and go on a self-guided walk.
Ljubljana’s history dates back to Roman times when it was known as Emona – Roman ruins can still be found in the city. In the 14th century, the city came under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty until the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. In the 20th century, the city was heavily damaged during World War II but was rebuilt and has flourished as the capital of independent Slovenia since becoming independent from Yugoslavia in 1991.
To learn more about Slovenia and its rich and interesting history, we highly recommend taking part in a guided walking tour of the city:
The Ljubljana City Card
The Ljubljana City Card is something that might come in very useful during your visit to Ljubljana. It allows you to save money on several attractions and activities throughout the city, including free entry to Ljubljana’s major museums and galleries, along with a boat cruise, bicycle rental, and a funicular ticket to Ljubljana Castle.
You have the option to buy the 24-hour (36 €), 48-hour (44 € ) or 72-hour card (49 €) (2024 prices). The main perks are:
-Unlimited bus rides throughout the city
-Free 45-minute boat cruise on the Ljubljanica River (€14 value)
-Free funicular ride to the Castle (€16.00 value)
-Free admission to the Ljubljana Zoo (€11,50 value)
-Free admission to the Arboretum Volcji Potok (€10 value)
-Free bike rental from the Tourist Information Centre (TIC)
-Free admission to several museums, including the National Museum of Slovenia, The City Museum of Slovenia, the Museum of Architecture and Design, and the National Gallery (and many more museums) (€30+ value)
-Free admission to the Plecnik House (€9 value)
To use the card, you simply need to show it to the ticket salesperson upon entering any establishment for which it provides a free pass. You can purchase the card here:
Getting Around Ljubljana
Ljubljana is a very compact city, and this is particularly true of the historic old center core, making it a very easy city to visit on foot. Unless you are staying outside the city center, you’ll have little need for public transportation within the city. Even the city zoo and the botanical gardens, which are further out from the centre, are both reachable on foot in less than 45 minutes from the old town.
Best Things to See and Do in Ljubljana – Old Town
One of the best things to do in Ljubljana is to stroll through its scenic and colorful old town (Staro Mesto), which is filled with gems and hidden treasures. Although it’s compact, a leisurely stroll through it with a few stops can definitely keep you busy for at least half a day. It’s also a vehicle-free old town, meaning you can truly let yourself wander without having to worry about incoming traffic.
1) Prešernov Trg (Prešernov Square)
Prešernov Square is the heart and soul of Ljubljana’s old town (Google Map link), the centrepiece of the city’s architectural aesthetic. The square is a popular meeting point and serves as a link between the Old Town and the city’s business district.
Notable sights around the square include the Prešeren Monument that depicts one of Slovenia’s most famous poets, the 17th century pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation was built in the 17th century (which is protected as a cultural monument of national significance of Slovenia), several bourgeois palaces such as Frisch House (Frischova hiša) and Seunig House (Seunigova hiša) and good examples of Art Nouveau refurbishment of early 20th century such as the Hauptman House and the Urbanc House.
At the southern end of the square, you’ll find one of Ljubljana’s most famous landmarks: Jože Plecnik’s iconic Triple Bridge.
2) Ljubljana’s Famous Bridges
Of the bridges that cross the Ljubljanica River, three are particularly worthy of your attention, with the most notable being the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje – link to Google Maps), which connects the historical medieval town on the southeastern bank of the river with the central Prešeren Square on the northwestern bank.
Dating back to the 13th century, the Triple Bridge stands as the oldest bridge in Ljubljana, which was later redesigned and expanded in the 1930s by Jože Plecnik. He added two pedestrian side bridges and furnished all three with stone balustrades and lamps, all of which forced an obvious name change.
Other notable bridges include Šuštarski Most (Cobblers’ Bridge – link to Google Maps) and Zmajski Most (Dragon Bridge – link to Google Maps). The current incarnation of Cobblers’ Bridge was also designed by Plecnik. The name stems from the Middle Ages this was a place of trade and a tolled gateway that led to the town. Craftspeople worked and lived on bridges (in this case shoemakers) to catch the traffic and avoid paying town taxes.
The Dragon Bridge is adorned with famous dragon statues (one on each corner). Constructed at the turn of the 20th century, it was at the time Ljubljana’s first reinforced concrete structure and one of the largest bridges of its kind to be built in Europe – and it was the first structure in Slovenia to be paved with asphalt.
Though not as architecturally meaningful, there’s a fourth bridge with an interesting history. Mesarski Most was formally known as Butchers’ Bridge (link to Google Maps) – you guessed it because it stands near the location where there once stood an old medieval bridge with butcher shops on it. Today’s version was built in 2010 and is a simple pedestrian footbridge filled with love padlocks.
All four bridges are really close to each other in the heart of Ljubljana – you walk between them all in about 15 minutes.
3) The Ljubljanica River Embankments
The beautiful Ljubljanica River meanders through Ljubljana’s old town. We’ve covered some of the bridges that span over the bridges, but the river embankments and landscaped tree-lined riverside walkways that you see today are also the work of architect Jože Plecnik. Today, much of Ljubljana’s social scene is found along the river embankments, where a wide range of lively cafés and restaurants with ample outdoor seating are found on either side of the Ljubljanica River.
Another way to enjoy the city from a different perspective is from the water level and, more specifically by taking a Ljubljanica River cruise. The cruise lasts 45 minutes, takes place on a boat that holds at most 32 people, is heated during the winter months and costs only €14 for adults (reduced fees for children – and free for anyone with the Ljubljana City Card). The boats depart from the Ribji trg pier (link to Google Maps).
If you would prefer a more hands-on or athletic experience, you can also take part in a SUP or kayak tour along the river.
4) Stari trg, Mestni trg, & Gornji trg
We have grouped these three old town streets as they share similarities and are all located in the medieval portion of the old town, beneath Ljubljana Castle. Technically they are considered town squares, but all three rather have the appearance of wide pedestrian streets that are lined with various shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
Mestni trg is mostly known as the first of the Old Town’s three squares and is dominated by the imposing Town Hall building (Mestna hiša), one of Ljubljana’s oldest buildings dating from the 15th century, along with the bright-white Robba Fountain in the square center. Though the Town Hall was originally built in a Gothic Style, it received a significant Baroque facelift in the early 18th century.
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The square eventually leads into Stari Trg, the liveliest of the three squares and lines several 19th-century wooden storefronts and cobblestone passageways, this is the heart of the Old Town. The southernmost of the squares, Gornji Trg is a bit quieter and is home to some pleasant shopping and popular dining establishments, and the Jože Plecnik-renovated Church of St Florian.
Without stopping, you can talk through all three squares in less than 10 minutes (link to Google Maps), but you will no doubt want to stop often.
5) Ljubljana Castle
Built in the Middle Ages on Castle Hill, Ljubljana Castle has long been a fixture on the city’s skyline. Although it originally dates from the 11th century, its current shape dates from the 15th century and most of the buildings you see today date from the 16th and 17th centuries.
In the early 20th century the castle was bought by the Municipality of Ljubljana on the explicit wish of the mayor, who planned to establish a city museum in it. The plan was however not carried out and, instead, the city decided to settle poor families into it, until the 1960s, when important restorative work began on the castle. Since the 1990s, the castle courtyard has been used as a venue for weddings and cultural events, and today the castle houses two restaurants (Gostilna na Gradu and Strelec), a coffee shop, a jazz club, a wine bar, a puppet museum and an escape room experience.
Some of the historical places you can still visit today include the Chapel of St George, an open-air prison, and a gunpowder room, but some of the main draws to the castle are the jaw-dropping views of the city one gets from the lookout tower and the castle ramparts.
You can see most of the castle sights in about an hour. But that can easily be stretched to 2-3 hours if you also take part in the guided tour (more details below) and attentively visit all of the exhibitions. Other reasons to stick around longer include the two castle restaurants, the wine bar and the castle café.
How to Reach Ljubljana Castle
The most frequent means to reach the castle is via the Castle Funicular Railway. Installed in 2006, the funicular lifts up to 33 visitors from the old town up to the castle in about a minute, and makes about 15 ascents per hour. The cost of the funicular is included in several castle ticket options presented below and comes out to about €4 (return trip included) more than the price without.
The lower funicular station (link to Google Maps) is located just south of the Central Market (more on the market below) and the Dragon’s Bridge (Zmajski Most).
From the Central Market, the castle can also be reached by footpaths that depart from the roads on either side of the road leading to the funicular station. From the Central Market, expect about a 10-minute uphill walk. The are footpaths also departing from Gornji trg and Stari trg on the opposite side of the castle, which will lead you to the castle in about 15 minutes.
Ljubljana Castle Entrance Fee and Operating Hours
Ljubljana Castle is open year-round, including all public holidays.
May to September: 9 am – 10 pm
October to April: 9 am – 7 pm
*Some places and exhibits, such as the Castle Cafe and Gift Shop close up to two hours before the listed times above.
There are several ticket options, here are the most popular (2024 adult prices):
-Castle Ticket: €15
-Castle Ticket + funicular (return trip): : €19
-Castle Ticket + funicular (return trip) + audioguide: €23
-Castle Time Machine Ticket (guided tour): €19
-Castle Time Machine Ticket (guided tour) + funicular (return trip): €23
-Castle Ticket + Escape Castle Experience: €23
The Castle Ticket + funicular (return trip) package is free with the Ljubljana City Card.
All tickets include access to the Museum of Puppetry, Viewing Tower and Virtual Castle, and the Exhibition of Slovenian History. Guided tours (Time Machine Tickets) are only available at one of three different time slots (11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm) and last up to one hour, however, they do not take place every day. We recommend checking the guided tour schedule to see if some will be available on the day of your visit.
The escape room experience will have you try to solve the five puzzling knightly trials in different spaces within the castle walls.
We recommend consulting the official castle website for up-to-date schedules (including the castle restaurants). Though not required, you can purchase tickets online ahead of time. However, it is recommended that you do so if you plan to sign up for the escape room experience as there is limited availability.
6) Kongresni Trg (Congress Square)
Congress Square (link to Google Maps) is one of the largest squares in central Ljubljana. It dates from 1821 when it was built to host the Congress of the Holy Alliance, convened by Austria, Prussia, Russia and Naples.
Today the park square is adjacent to a large green space (Park Zvezda) and is surrounded by many of Ljubljana’s most important buildings, including the rectorate of the University of Ljubljana, the Slovenian Philharmonic building and the early Baroque Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity (Cerkev Sv. Trojice), and the pink Casino Building (which historically served as Ljubljana’s high society’s social club, but today houses various institutes and archives). It’s also a great vantage point from which to admire the hilltop Ljubljana Castle towering above the city.
Park Zvezda (next to the square) is a quiet green oasis in the heart of Ljubljana. You will also find at the southern end of the park the remains of an old well from the time of the Roman city of Emona.
7) The National and University Library
Built in the late 1930s and considered by many to be Jože Plecnik’s most important architectural achievement, the National and University Library (link to Google Maps) stands on the site of a former Baroque palace that was destroyed in the 1895 earthquake. Parts of the library are open to visitors, but only on certain days of the week.
Monday to Friday: 10 am – 6 pm – You can see the central staircase with the lobby and the current exhibition in the Exhibition Hall (free)
Saturdays: 2:30 pm – 6 pm – You can also visit the Grand Reading Room in addition to the other rooms listed above (€5)
From the vestibule, a door leads to the famous magnificent central staircase with 32 pillars of black marble. The top of the staircase leads to the Grand Reading Room (unfortunately we never visited during Ljublana on a Saturday and therefore never managed to go inside). The reading room’s most outstanding features are the stunning chandeliers and glass walls allowing light to reach wooden reader desks.
8) The Central Market
Ljubljana’s Central Market consists of two sections: an open-air farmers’ market and a covered market. You’ll find plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants in the farmers market.
The covered section, designed of course by Plecnik, is conceived as a two-storey range of riverside market halls following the curve of the river. Here you’ll find shops offering a variety of Slovenian products including cured meat, freshly made bread, pastries and local cheeses.
To reach the central market (link to Google Maps), simply cross the triple bridge towards the castle and then turn left. You will first pass the covered market that follows the riverside before eventually reaching the large open-air market.
Open-air section schedule: Weekdays 6:00-18:00 and Saturdays 6:00-16:00 during summer; from Monday to Saturday 6.00-16.00 in winter.
Covered section schedule: Weekdays 7:00-16:00, Saturdays 7:00-14:00.
Every Friday from mid-March until the end of October, the Central Market hosts Open Kitchen, where chefs of Slovenian restaurants prepare and offer local and international specialties cooked on-site (cancelled in bad weather).
9) Ljubljana Cathedral
Although not overly impressive from the outside, a trip inside is definitely worth it. Also known as the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, Ljubljana Cathedral has exquisite frescoes that adorn the walls and ceiling. The cathedral is located right next to the central market (link to Google Maps) and is hard to miss with its imposing twin bell towers. Though a church has stood in this place since the 13th century, the cathedral dates from the early 18th century.
Best Things to See and Do in Ljubljana – Outside of the Old Town
1) The Skyscraper (Neboticnik)
Built in 1933 on the model of American skyscrapers, the Neboticnik building (“The Skyscraper”) was the tallest building in the Balkans and the ninth tallest building in Europe at the time of its construction. Although today the building doesn’t seem all that impressive, there is one great reason to visit the Skyscraper: for the stunning views it affords from its top three floors, which house a nightclub and café, a restaurant and an observation deck.
The Skyscraper is located on Štefanova Street (link to Google Maps), about a 5-minute walk (northwest) from either Prešeren Square or Congress Square. Just hop into the elevator and get out on the top floor to reach the restaurant’s observation deck/outdoor terrasse. Although you can enjoy the views for free, we recommend getting a table to order a drink to go along with the amazing views of the city.
2) Tivoli Park
Walk another 5 minutes from the Skyscraper and you’ll end up in Ljubljana’s biggest park, which no doubt played a big role in Ljubljana being voted European Green Capital by the European Commission in 2016.
Tivoli Park (link to Google Maps) measures about 5 square km (2 square miles) and features beautiful tree-lined walkways, fountains, statues and an open-air gallery designed by Jože Plecnik. You will also find within the park several cafés and the Ljubljana Zoo, which sits in the southwestern part of the park. You can easily spend several hours wandering around the park.
3) Metelkova Mesto
Metelkova Mesto is in some ways Ljubljana’s answer to Copenhagen’s Christiania. Though not as well-known or visited as its Danish counterpart, Metelkova Mesto is also an autonomous social and culture zone located in between the old town and the city train station (link to Google Maps), about a 10-minute walk from the old town.
Formerly an army garrison and barracks that were abandoned after the breakup of Yugoslavia and soon after taken over by squatters in the 1990s, Metelkova Mesto became a haven for artists and today is a fascinating open-air art gallery of sorts, with eclectic artwork (including statues, art installations and tile mosaics) and impressive graffiti displayed all over the neighbourhood.
4) Trg Republike (Republic Square)
A short 5-minute walk from Congress Square in Ljubljana’s old town, Republic Square (link to Google Maps) feels a world apart. This plaza was designed to showcase socialist modernist architecture in the 1960s. The pedestrian square, which until a little more than a decade ago was just a large car park, is surrounded by the imposing TR2 and TR3 triangular towers, with the Slovenian parliament building across the street. Although there isn’t much else to see or do here, it’s definitely an interesting contrast with the rest of Ljubljana.
5) Plecnik house
Located a 15-minute walk south of Congress Square, Plecnik house (link to Google Maps) showcases the architect’s home exactly as it was in his lifetime. There’s also a permanent exhibition showcasing his work throughout Ljubljana, including the National and University Library in Ljubljana, the Ljubljana Central Market, and plans for buildings that never saw the light of day.
Open Daily from 10 am – 6 pm (closed on Mondays). The adult entry fee is €9 (2024) – free with the Ljubljana City Card.
6) Museums
While there may not be many internationally renowned museums in Ljubljana, the city nonetheless has many of them to choose from to please history and art aficionados. The most popular include the following (many of which are free with the Ljubljana City Card):
The National Gallery – the gallery hosts the best and the largest collection of art from Slovenia, from the early Middle Ages to the first half of the 20th century. Its permanent collection stretches over a complex of three buildings and 25 exhibition halls.
National Museum of Slovenia – the museum is the oldest in Ljubljana and Slovenia having recently celebrated its 200th anniversary. It stores rich collections of archeological and historical objects from around the world (including ancient Egyptian artifacts).
City Museum – this museum showcases 4000 years of Ljubljana’s history. From the Roman settlement of Emona, through the compact medieval town, to today’s modern capital.
Ljubljana’s railway museum – only located 1.5km from the heart of the city centre, this museum houses around fifteen steam locomotives that are over a century old.
7) Other Ljubljana Activities and Attractions
Cooking Classes
Traditional Slovenian cooking class
Sovelnian Wine Tasting Tour in Ljubljana
Botanical Gardens
The Ljubljana Botanic Garden (established in 1810) is Slovenia’s oldest cultural, scientific and educational institution operating uninterruptedly since its foundation. The garden is not noted for anything in particular to our knowledge, but it can be a pleasant and relaxing activity when spending a few days in the city. The Botanic Garden is located just southeast of the old town (link to Google Maps). The entry fee is €2.80 for adults (2024) – free with the Ljubljana City Card.
Ljubljana Zoo
The Ljubljana Zoo is a 20-minute walk northwest of the city center (link to Google Maps) and is surrounded by a natural forest and meadows within Tivoli Park. The zoo focuses on animals typical of the area lying at the intersection of the Alpine, Pannonian and Mediterranean worlds. What is particularly unique about the Ljubljana Zoo is that visitors can take part in several different workshops during which they can be in close contact with animals, including guided tours and feeding sessions. The zoo is typically open between 9 am and 5 pm, with longer evening hours during the spring, summer and early fall. Entry fee is €11.50 for adults (2024) – free with the Ljubljana City Card.
House of illusions
This “museum” offers around 70 exhibits, optical illusions and holograms. It can be a fun and educational experience, where you can test the limits of perception. The main attractions include an anti-gravity room, an infinity disco room and a vortex tunnel. The House of Illusions is open every day from 9 am to 9 pm. The adult entry fee is €13 (2024). The museum is located next to Congress Square (link to Google Maps).
Tour the Union Brewery
Beer has been brewed here since 1867 and, if you are a beer enthusiast, you might want to schedule a visit to tour the brewery museum, where you will get to see how beer is made and learn about the history of brewing in Ljubljana. The adult entry fee is €15.50 (2024), and you need to book an appointment from Tuesday to Saturday (11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, or 5 pm) (see the official website for details).
Best Time to Visit Ljubljana
The best time to visit Ljubljana depends on what you want to do and how you feel about crowds and weather. We are fans of visiting during shoulder season (April to early June, September, and October), which maximizes your chance of having good weather with fewer crowds.
The winter can also be a great time to visit with fewer crowds and lower accommodation costs. While Ljubljana does get some snow, it rarely gets significant amounts. However many of the nearby mountains have snow throughout winter and offer great skiing opportunities. The Christmas holidays are also a great time to visit Ljubljana when it hosts several Christmas markets throughout town (typically from December 12th to January 1st)
Where to Stay in Ljubljana
There are multiple accommodations to choose from in Ljubliana if you would like to base yourself here during your time in Slovenia, and we highly recommend that you do. Ljubliana is centrally located between several great destinations that you can visit on a day trip.
In or very near the city center:
Occidental Ljubliana – Located near the center of the city this trendy hotel is known for modern amenities and stylish Scandinavian-inspired look.
Hotel Heritage – one of Ljubljana’s most popular boutique hotels offering an authentic stay in a historic old townhouse from the 16th century.
NEU RESIDENCES Smart Stay – offers 55 serviced stylish apartments that are perfect for an extended stay or for those who prefer self-catering options. The rooftop pool is quite impressive as well.
Outside the City Center (a 45-minute walk or a short bus ride)
Austria Trend Hotel Ljubljana – offers some of the largest and most comfortable rooms in Ljubljana. Also features a spa, a wellness center and on-site restaurants.
ONE66 Hotel – offers a variety of vibrant, stylish rooms and apartments. Also features a fitness centre, a lounge and a large terrace.
Best Day Trips From Ljubljana
Ljubljana’s position within the country makes it an ideal base from which you can explore several fantastic destinations located within about an hour’s drive or less. These destinations include impressive scenic alpine plateaus, one of the world’s largest underground canyons, small towns with historic medieval centers, caves filled with impressive stalagmites and stalactites, medieval castles, vineyards, and beautiful alpine lakes such as Lake Bled. We describe all these destinations in greater detail in our guide on the Best Days Trips from Ljubljana.
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
Travel Insurance
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e-Sim cards
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Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
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Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our guide on the Best Things to See and Do in Ljubljana and that it will prove useful for planning your trip.
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