Once I first visited the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana in 2013, I wrote this in regards to the metropolis:
“Ljubljana continues to be comparatively undiscovered as a significant vacationer vacation spot. I doubt it is going to stay that method for lengthy, although, so go to this place, and go now.”
Ljubljana is a implausible metropolis; one in all my favorite capital cities in all of Europe, in truth (and sure, I’ve visited quite a lot of them!). I assumed that social media and a rising variety of international vacationers would undoubtedly remodel Ljubljana right into a cringey, crowded hotspot earlier than lengthy.
However, a decade after I first shared that plea, I’m delighted to report that Ljubljana has not modified all that a lot, and is simply as charming right now because it was the primary time I visited.
Positive, the town sees a number of extra vacationers nowadays. And positive, you’ll discover some Instagrammy spots and some extra issues within the metropolis geared in direction of guests. However all the things that made me fall in love with Ljubljana on my first go to stays shockingly virtually the identical.
Notice: In case you’re actually confused, Ljubljana is pronounced near “loob-lee-ahn-uh” to non-Slavic-speaking ears.
Causes to go to (and love) Ljubljana
Ljubljana is an previous metropolis, first being talked about in historical past within the 1100s. Earlier than that, although, a Roman metropolis known as Emona stood in roughly the identical spot. Right now, Ljubljana is a contemporary if small European capital, with a inhabitants of simply 285,000 individuals.
First, a number of causes to go to Ljubljana (in accordance with me):
- The structure is gorgeous – With colourful buildings, large streets, outside cafes, and willow-draped riverbanks, Ljubljana is well one of many prettiest cities I’ve ever visited. The structure right here is a beautiful mixture of classical Baroque and Artwork Nouveau.
- The Ljubljanica River – Reducing by means of the town in a canal-like style, life in central Ljubljana revolves across the Ljubljanica River. The riverside eating places in the summertime are one in all my favourite issues in regards to the metropolis.
- It’s pedestrian-friendly – Town middle in Ljubljana is pedestrian-friendly. In actual fact, there aren’t any automobiles allowed in any respect in the primary areas that you simply’re prone to go to.
- It’s so inexperienced – Ljubljana is a really inexperienced metropolis. Not solely actually with its parks and bushes, but additionally environmentally-speaking; Ljubljana was named Europe’s Inexperienced Capital in 2016.
- The environment is nice – Life feels unhurried right here. Locals and vacationers alike soak within the sunshine and spend time outside, and Slovenian persons are typically actually welcoming.
When to go to Ljubljana
Ljubljana is a year-round metropolis, nevertheless it actually comes alive through the heat months of the 12 months, when individuals can spend time outside. Might-September is the very best time to go to in my view, with July-August being the busiest months. I’ve personally visited in each June and July, and cherished it each instances.
Ljubljana has a reasonably delicate and reasonable local weather. July is normally the most popular month, with excessive temps normally hovering round 80 levels F. It could actually rain quite a bit even in summer season, although, so be sure you pack a rain coat or umbrella!
Greatest issues to do in Ljubljana
The beauty of Ljubljana being a small metropolis is that it’s compact sufficient to see/do all the things you possibly can need in simply a few days – and you are able to do all of it on foot! Two days in Ljubljana is greater than sufficient time to do the entire following:
1. Take a strolling tour
The middle of Ljubljana could be very compact and walkable, and there are many pedestrian-only streets (in truth, automobiles have been banned within the coronary heart of the town middle since 2011). You’ll be able to positively discover by yourself, however I’d advocate beginning at the very least someday with a free strolling tour.
The Ljubljana Free Tour affords strolling excursions on daily basis of the 12 months, assembly in entrance of the pink church (the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation) on Prešeren Sq.. The two-hour Traditional Metropolis Tour covers the main websites and historical past round central Ljubljana.
No reservations are required, and the tour is free – although tipping your information is predicted!
2. Cross Ljubljana’s well-known bridges
There are three well-known bridges in central Ljubljana, all inside a brief stroll from each other.
The primary is the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), which connects Prešeren Sq. to the remainder of the town throughout the river. There’s been a bridge on this spot since at the very least 1280, although that authentic picket bridge burned down way back. The central half of the present bridge dates again to 1842, whereas the 2 smaller bridges to both facet of it had been added by famed architect Jože Plečnik in 1929 to be footbridges to keep away from visitors congestion. (Right now in fact all three components of the bridge are pedestrian-only.)
The second bridge you’ll come to is the large Butcher’s Bridge (Mesarski Most), which sarcastically is Ljubljana’s “Bridge of Love,” the place {couples} affix love locks. The bridge is newer (courting again to 2010), and in addition shows a number of sculptures by Jakov Brdar. Cross this one to achieve the town’s Central Market space.
Lastly is the well-known Dragon Bridge (Zmajski Most). This bridge is flanked on every finish by two dragons, that are a significant image of Ljubljana. Legend has it that the Greek hero Jason (of Jason and the Argonauts) whereas on his mission to acquire the Golden Fleece handed by means of the Ljubljana Swamp. He killed an important monster there that was terrorizing the native individuals, and thus the dragon tales started.
All three of those bridges are proper in a row throughout the Ljubljanica River, and you’ll cross all of them in just some minutes.
3. Store on the Central Market
If you happen to begin in Prešeren Sq. and cross any of those bridges, you’ll be close to Ljubljana’s Central Market. There’s each an indoor and outside part to this each day market through the hotter months, with the indoor portion discovered contained in the market corridor usually known as Plečnik’s Coated Market because it was designed by Jože Plečnik.
Indoors, you’ll discover a fish market, outlets, and eating places. And outside, yow will discover issues like contemporary produce and flowers on the market. There are additionally merchandising machines alongside Vodnikov Sq. meting out contemporary native objects together with eggs, cheese, and even milk!
Even in the event you don’t purchase something on the market, it’s an important place to get a way of native life in Ljubljana, as that is certainly not a kitschy vacationer market.
4. Go to Ljubljana Citadel
One other must-do is to go to Ljubljana Citadel, which sits on a hill in the midst of the town. There’s been a fortification on this hill since medieval instances, although the present citadel buildings are just a little more moderen, largely from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (and naturally they’ve all been reworked and modernized since).
You’ll be able to hike as much as the citadel on foot, however a way more enjoyable (in accordance with me, anyway) method to arrive is to take the Ljubljana Citadel funicular to the highest. The journey on this glass-enclosed funicular railway is fast (simply a few minutes), and affords up some cool views as you ascend.
You should purchase citadel tickets that embrace the funicular journey from the underside funicular station at Krekov trg 4.
As soon as at Ljubljana Citadel, there’s quite a bit to discover. You’ll be able to go to a museum-style exhibit on Slovenian historical past, the Citadel Chapel of St George, and several other different shows and exhibitions just like the jail and the Museum of Puppetry. There’s additionally a restaurant and wine bar on the citadel grounds, in addition to extra issues you’ll be able to pay for just like the “Citadel Escape” recreation expertise.
The most well-liked factor to do at Ljubljana Citadel is to go to the Viewing Tower, although. It does require climbing some additional steps, however from right here you get the best possible view over Ljubljana.
Finances 1-2 hours to see all the things on the citadel.
5. Go to a church (or two)
Again down at city-level, it’s price visiting one in all Ljubljana’s grand church buildings. You’ll be able to go contained in the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation (AKA the pink church) on Prešeren Sq. without spending a dime, whereas it is going to price 2 Euro to go to the Ljubljana Cathedral (AKA the Church of St. Nicholas).
I extremely advocate visiting the Cathedral, because the Baroque inside is gorgeous!
6. Dine alongside the riverfront
Particularly through the hotter months, eating outside alongside the riverfront is a should in Ljubljana. There are eating places and cafes with outside terraces on either side of the Ljubljanica River, although you’ll discover a bigger variety of them alongside Cankarjevo Nabrezje.
Whether or not you need to have a full meal or simply get pleasure from a drink, hanging out to do some people-watching alongside the willow-draped riverbank is quintessentially Ljubljana in the summertime.
7. Loosen up on the river
You may get on the Ljubljanica River, too, through a sightseeing boat cruise on the Ljubljana Vacationer Boat. Cruises on this enclosed, glass-topped boat final about 45 minutes. You may get tickets on the dock, which is simply beneath the Ribja Bridge, or book ahead online here.
For the extra adventurous, you too can uncover the river on a paddleboard. A pair firms supply stand-up paddleboard (SUP) excursions by means of the center of Ljubljana, which provide up a brilliant distinctive vantage level of all these well-known bridges. And for the reason that river is so calm, that is one thing you’ll be able to strive even in the event you’ve by no means been paddleboarding earlier than. (Book a paddleboard tour here.)
8. Spend time in a museum
There are some distinctive museums to go to in Ljubljana, relying in your pursuits. Just a few I’d advocate embrace:
- Metropolis Museum of Ljubljana – This small museum has displays on the lengthy historical past of Ljubljana, and even shows the world’s oldest picket wheel with a picket axle!
- Nationwide Museum of Up to date Historical past – This museum in Tivoli Park covers Slovenia’s more moderen historical past, from WWI by means of WWII and the years when it was a part of Yugoslavia. The museum displays are very properly carried out, and it’s an important place to go to if you wish to perceive Slovenia as a contemporary nation.
- Plečnik Home – The previous residence of famed architect Jože Plečnik. His physique of labor in Slovenia is now acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and taking a tour of his home could be very attention-grabbing if you wish to study extra about him.
There’s additionally the Nationwide Museum of Slovenia, Museum of Fashionable Artwork, Nationwide Gallery, the Museum of Up to date Artwork Metelkova, the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, and Slovenian Museum of Pure Historical past. Loads of choices in the event you run right into a wet day!
9. Stroll by means of a metropolis park
Slovenia is an extremely inexperienced metropolis, each environmentally talking and due to the variety of metropolis parks and inexperienced areas.
The most important metropolis park is Tivoli Park, which covers 2 sq. miles and has strolling trails, sport courts, playgrounds, a mini golf course, and extra. Different noteworthy inexperienced areas embrace the Ljubljana Botanic Backyard, which dates all the way in which again to 1810, and the Volčji Potok Arboretum north of city.
The Žale Cemetery can also be a really stunning inexperienced house, with well-kept websites and several other struggle memorials. The cemetery is related to the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship (also called the Inexperienced Ring, or POT), which is a 20-mile-long recreation path that encircles Ljubljana alongside the road the place barbed wire surrounded the town throughout World Conflict II. (Be taught extra about WWII history in Slovenia here.)
10. Have a neighborhood beer at Union Brewery
Slovenia – like most international locations in Central Europe – has been making beer for hundreds of years. In Ljubljana, beer making dates again to at the very least the 1500s, and you’ll study a bit about it at Union Brewery (Pivovarna Union). The brewery affords a guided tour a number of instances per day, and the Union Expertise could be very extremely rated – and naturally ends with a beer tasting!
Or, if you wish to skip the tour, you too can simply strive their beer at Union Pub on the brewery, which has a small outside beer backyard.
11. Strive conventional Slovenian meals
Talking of Slovenian food and drinks, there’s quite a bit to strive in Ljubljana!
Just a few conventional belongings you positively have to eat/drink embrace:
- Kranjska Klobasa (Carniolan Sausage)
- Štruklji (rolled bread dumplings)
- Gibanica (a layered strudel-type cake with fillings like nuts, apples, and cottage cheese)
- Cockta (a neighborhood cola-style soda)
And some must-try Ljubljana eating places I’d advocate embrace:
- Slovenska Hiša Figovec – For unimaginable conventional Slovenian dishes. There’s virtually at all times a line right here, and it’s price ready for.
- Druga Violina (Second Violin) – One other spot serving conventional meals, however this one is exclusive in that it offers employment alternatives to individuals with particular wants.
- My Dumplings (Moji štruklji) – To strive some Slovenian dumplings.
You can even discover Ljubljana’s historical past and meals scene collectively on a guided food tour like this one. (I like meals excursions, and would positively advocate making an attempt this in the event you’re spending greater than only a day in Ljubljana.)
12. Get pleasure from a drink at Nebotičnik skyscraper
Lastly, no metropolis information could be full with out a great spot to go for rooftop cocktails… proper? Nicely, Ljubljana has a kind of, too!
The Nebotičnik constructing (Nebotičnik actually simply means skyscraper) dates again to 1933, and has a restaurant/cafe/bar up on its high ground (which is the twelfth ground). It consists of some indoor seating close to the bar, in addition to an outside terrace that goes all the way in which across the constructing.
You’ll be able to go up for a espresso through the day, or strive for a desk to get pleasure from a sundown drink. It could actually get busy, nevertheless it’s a singular spot to get pleasure from.
The place to remain in Ljubljana
Slovenia is so compact that there aren’t actually many unhealthy locations to remain across the metropolis middle. Locations I personally advocate embrace:
Find out how to get to Ljubljana
You’ll be able to fly into the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, which has direct flights from a number of locations throughout Europe.
The airport is roughly half an hour away from the town, although, and in the event you’re not selecting up a rental automotive on the airport, I like to recommend pre-booking a shuttle switch into the town. There are taxis accessible, too, however they’ll quote you an outrageous worth for the journey! Guide forward with GoOpti Airport Transfers – you will get into the town for about 15 Euro.
You can even arrive in Ljubljana by prepare on the Ljubljana prepare station, although there aren’t a ton of direct or handy prepare routes. Notably, the prepare station has a baggage storage room in case you want someplace to maintain your baggage for a number of hours – simply bear in mind that the lockers listed below are coin-operated solely.
What number of days in Ljubljana is sufficient?
On my first journey to Slovenia, I spent 3 days in Ljubljana and spent one in all them going a day journey. On my second go to, my buddy Ashley and I spent 2 nights in Ljubljana and nonetheless ticked all the things off our must-see listing.
So that you want.at the very least 2 days in Ljubljana, and three days would even be nice!
Have you ever been to Ljubljana? If not, would you want to go to?
