Top Things to do in Ljubljana

Ljubljana might be one of Europe’s tiniest capitals, but somehow it manages to feel both cozy and alive. A river winds through the city, crossed by beautiful bridges, while Ljubljana Castle overlooks the whole city, and you can even see Julien Alps from the top on a clear day. Here are our favourite things to do in Ljubljana.

Visit Ljubljana Castle

Ljubljana Castle is a medieval fortress located on a hilltop in the center of Ljubljana. The castle offers panoramic views of the city and you can see as far as Julian Alps on a clear sunny day. It has a rich history, dating back to the 11th century, and has been used as a fortress, a prison, and a residence for the city’s governors. Today, the castle is a popular tourist destination, with several museums and exhibitions showcasing the castle’s history and culture.

To get to the castle, you can walk up the steep hill, or take the convenient option of the Ljubljana Castle Funicular, a cable car that runs between the city center and the castle. The cable car ride is a quick and it’s an easy way to get to the castle.

You can purchase tickets on the spot, or just book them online so you don’t have to wait in line.

Ljubljana: Castle Entry Ticket with Optional Funicular Ride

Book your entry ticket to Ljubljana Castle and explore it at your own pace. Take an optional ride on the funicular to Castle Hill.

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Take a walk along the Ljubljanica River

The Ljubljanica River runs through the city center and is surrounded by beautiful bridges. Take a walk along the river and admire the architecture and views of the city. Make sure to stop at one of the many outdoor cafes or restaurants for a drink or a bite to eat. Slovenian people love their coffee breaks so you will see a lot of people enjoying themselves even in the winter.

Explore the Old Town

Ljubljana’s Old Town is a maze of charming streets, old buildings, and historic landmarks. Take a stroll and admire the city’s rich cultural heritage. The Old Town is also home to several museums, art galleries, and churches, including the Ljubljana Cathedral.

Visit Preseren Square

Preseren Square is the main square in Ljubljana and is surrounded by some of the city’s most important landmarks, including the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation and the Triple Bridge. The square is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, and is often used for outdoor events and festivals. You will find here people playing music, enjoying food and wine outside, just having their best.

Visit the Dragon Bridge

The Dragon Bridge is one of Ljubljana’s most famous landmarks. It was built in 1901, it was among Europe’s first concrete bridges and showcases eight dragon statues. Legend says Jason and the Argonauts killed a dragon here when founding the city. And locals believe the dragons wag their tails when a virgin crosses—yeah, the mythology still lives strong.

Take a boat ride on the Ljubljanica River

A boat ride on the Ljubljanica River is a great way to see the city from a different perspective and admire the views of the Old Town. The boat ride can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to explore the city and its surroundings, and is a great way to cool down on a hot summer day. The boat will take you all the way to the outskirts of the city, where you will see boats as home for some people.

Find the Faces on Locksmith Street

This is one of the weirdest things I saw, but you definitely should visit it. On Ključavničarska Ulica (Locksmith Street), a narrow alley in the Old Town, you’ll find 700 bronze faces embedded in the gutter along the pavement. Individually sculpted by Jakov Brdar, each face shows a different emotion—happy, sad, confused, detached.

Fun fact: Ljubljana is one of the few European capitals with very high quality drinking water. Water from the tap is completely natural as it is not processed with any prior chemical treatments and is safe to drink. So when you see a fountain on the street, it is safe to drink!

Enjoy good food

Ljubljana is quickly becoming a culinary destination. There are some amazing restaurants and cafés by the river missing you shouldn’t miss. Here you can try amazing local dishes, some balkan food, even amazing italian. Here are a few stops we always look forward to:

Pop’s Pizza
Pop’s Burger
Gostila Sokol – local food
Sister Kroštula – sweet pastry
Čevapdžinica 10 v pol – balkan food
Cacao – for deserts and ice cream

How to Get Around Ljubljana

The city is easily walkable so all you will need is good shoes. If you are arriving by car, there is a great garage to park at Kongresni trg. From there you are right at city center.

You won’t need public transportation as the city is not that big, you can walk anywhere, even to the hill to Ljubljana Castle.

The city is also super bike-friendly, there are bike rentals everywhere, and the city center is closed off for cars.

Best Time to Visit Ljubljana

Ljubljana is amazing all year round. I think we visited Ljubljana at every season at least twice, and there is always something fun to do, and different to see.

During spring and autumn, the weather is nice, you can walk in light jacket and enjoy the stroll along the river. Even if you are sitting outside at a restaurant or a cafe, they have the heaters so it’s comfortable.

During summer the boat cruise will cool you down, and it’s a perfect excuse to get the ice cream from Cacao.

And in winter, there are heaters and blankets in all restaurants and cafes along the river, so you won’t get cold. Also, it’s a perfect excuse to get this delicious cinnamon covered dough at Sisters Kurtoš.

Half Day Trips from Ljubljana

As Ljubljana is situated the center of the country it’s a great starting point for exploring the country. If you’re looking for half-day trips from Ljubljana, here are some great options:

Visit Lake Bled: Lake Bled is located about an hour and a half from Ljubljana and is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist destinations. The lake is surrounded by picturesque mountains and is home to a small island with a church that can be reached by traditional wooden boats called “pletnas”. You can also hike or take a cable car to the top of nearby Bled Castle for panoramic views of the lake and its surroundings.

Explore the Postojna Cave: The Postojna Cave is located about an hour from Ljubljana and is one of the largest and most visited caves in Europe. The cave features an underground railway, which takes you on a tour of the cave’s many chambers, galleries and halls. The tour includes a number of unique cave formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites.
Explore the Triglav National Park: Triglav National Park is located about two hours from Ljubljana and is home to Slovenia’s highest mountain, Mount Triglav, as well as a variety of other peaks, lakes and valleys. You can hike to the summit of Mount Triglav, take a boat tour on one of the park’s many glacial lakes, or explore the park’s many valleys and gorges. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including brown bears and golden eagles.

Ljubljana may be compact, but it’s full of personality. Whether you’re here for the food, art, or quiet charm, you’ll leave feeling a little mesmerized.

Until next time, be mesmerized! 🧡