Last Updated on March 22, 2024
If you’re looking at taking a trip to Ljubljana, be sure to check out this list of the best things to do in Ljubljana.
Ljubljana is one of Europe’s hidden gems, and it’s truly one of the most underrated places in the region. It’s not a huge city, which makes it easy to navigate and perfect for a weekend trip!
Slovenia’s capital city has a fascinating history and a rich culture of art and architecture. You can see everything from a 60,000 year old Neanderthal flute to modern art and imaginative murals scattered throughout Ljubljana. You can even spend the night in prison (by choice)!
If you’re planning to do a Slovenia road trip, Ljubljana will most probably be your starting/ending point. It gives you a great introduction to the country and makes for an excellent base. To help you better understand the city, these are the 15 best things to do in Ljubljana.
15 Best Things to do in Ljubljana
1. Wander through Prešeren Square
Prešeren Square is the very heart of Ljubljana. Several of the city’s streets lead you straight to it. Because it’s so central, this is where most people meet up.
I love grabbing a drink here because the atmosphere is always fun and lively. You can listen to a bunch of different street musicians and take in the views of nearby architecture. You can see canals, the pink Franciscan church, the Triple Bridge, and more.
Prešeren Square is also an excellent place to start your day by grabbing a coffee and pastry in one of the nearby bakeries. After you’ve had breakfast, there’s a free walking tour of the city that starts in the square. There’s also a tourist office here in case you have any questions about Ljubljana.
2. Cross the Dragon Bridge
From Prešeren Square, you can see the Triple Bridge. It’s a group of three bridges that are right next to each other, and they’re a landmark in Ljubljana. They’re decorated with unique stone railings and lanterns.
The original bridge, the central one, was built in 1842. The other two were added in 1930 by Jože Plečnik, a famous Slovenian architect. Near the bridges you can see a beautiful flower shop as well as the city’s Central Market.
Not far from the Triple Bridge is the Dragon Bridge. Four dragons stand on each corner of it, which were taken from the Slovenian coat of arms. This bridge opened in 1901 and is significant because it’s one of the first reinforced concrete bridges in Europe.
3. Try Local Goods in the Central Market
Jože Plečnik, who designed the Triple Bridge, also designed Ljubljana’s Central Market. It’s right between Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge, so it’s super easy to get to. I love walking through local markets because you never know what you’ll find.
In Ljubljana’s central market, you can see a huge variety of herbs and spices, handmade arts and crafts, and local produce. There is also quite a few stalls that sell local baked goods and meats. Make sure you go hungry!
The market is open Monday through Saturday, so you can choose when you visit. It tends to be busier in the mornings when everything is fresh. I’d recommend allowing about an hour and a half to walk through the market. That way you can take your time and see (and try!) everything.
4. Grab a Drink near Robba Fountain
The Robba Fountain may look like “just another sculpture” in Ljubljana, but it’s far from it. The fountain is a famous symbol of the city that shows three men pouring water from jugs. Each man represents the three rivers of the region: the Ljubljanica, the Sava, and the Krka.
The statue that’s there now is actually a replica of the original, which can be found in the National Gallery. The design is inspired by Rome’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi and the Baroque period.
There are a bunch of bars and restaurants near the fountain, so I’d suggest coming in the evening to enjoy a meal or grab a drink. My favorite restaurant near the fountain is Robba. For an easy meal, you can also check out Pop’s Place Burger Bar.
5. Taste Slovenian Wine
While you’re in Ljubljana, I definitely recommend doing a wine tasting! Even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, it’s still a fun way to spend a couple hours with your friends.
This wine tasting experience I did was in a 300-year-old wine cellar. We got to try seven different wines while the expert talked about Slovenia’s different wine regions. It lasts about two hours and is the perfect way to enjoy some wine and learn about the local wine tradition.
After you finish the tasting, you can even get a certificate that says you’re an ambassador of Slovenian wines. It won’t help you become a sommelier, but it’s definitely a cool souvenir!
6. Hike up to Ljubljana Castle
An absolute must-see spot in Ljubljana is the castle. You can see it from most of the squares in the old town, but it’s worth actually going up the hill to visit it. Don’t worry though – if you don’t feel like hiking up to it, you can take a train to the top for a couple Euros.
The Ljubljana Castle is about 900 years old but has evolved since then. You can see the early stone and wood used to build it, along with military buildings added in the 16th century. You can even go up to the watchtower (you have to pay though) to look over the whole city of Ljubljana.
You can visit the main courtyard of the castle for free. There’s a cafe, nightclub, galleries, and a restaurant you can visit. If you want to see more of the grounds, you can take a guided tour of the castle and learn about its history.
7. Check out Street Art in Metelkova Mesto
After learning about Ljubljana’s past at the castle, you can head to the Metelkova Mesto Alternative Center to see a completely different side of the city. Metelkova Mesto is an old army barracks that has been transformed into an artist enclave. It’s also not too far from the center of Ljubljana, so chances are you’ll be near it at some point anyway.
You can come during the day to take photos of the murals and graffiti that cover the walls. It’s pretty quiet during the day, so visiting can be a good way to escape the hustle and bustle in the rest of the city. It’s definitely worth coming back at night too though.
Metelkova Mesto really comes alive once the sun goes down. There are bars and clubs all over and you can find live music and DJs in most of them. If you come during the summer, there are also a lot of outdoor concerts.
8. Spend the Night in Prison (Really!)
After a night out in Metelkova Mesto, you can spend the night in prison…by choice! Not far from the bars and clubs, you can find Hostel Celica. It’s a colorful and quirky hostel that used to be a Yugoslav prison.
Today, it’s a comfortable place to stay. I really like it because it has stayed true to its past. Some rooms still resemble old jail cells with bars!
Local and international artists designed each of the rooms too. That’s why I recommend staying here for at least one night. It’s a very Slovenian way to experience Ljubljana!
9. Learn Slovenia’s History at the National Museum
Slovenia has a very long history and the National Museum is where you can see it all. It has two buildings: one near Tivoli park and the other in Metelkova. The main building near Tivoli park has prehistoric artifacts and the Metelkova location has more modern pieces.
There are so many cool things to see in both locations. In the main building, there’s a fragment of a Neanderthal flute that’s around 60,000 years old. You can also explore Ljubljana’s Roman origins by looking at coins, models, and watching animated films.
If you’re a history buff, the National Museum is definitely worth checking out. It’s not too big, but I’d still allow a few hours to walk through it. Allow a little extra time if you want to walk through both locations.
10. Relive the Past at Congress Square
Another way to experience Slovenia’s history is to visit Congress Square. So many historic events have taken place here. You can definitely feel a special energy in the air!
This is where Slovenia declared its independence and the first free protest in Slovenia took place. Bill Clinton also visited and recited part of the Slovenian national anthem here.
Outside of its historical significance, it’s nice to ust walk around the different buildings near Congress Square. You can see the Slovenian Philharmonic, the old government buildings, and even some palaces.
11. Bring Out Your Inner Child at the House of Illusions
Located right in Congress Square is one of Ljubljana’s lesser-known sites – the House of Illusions. This is the perfect place if you want to take a break from exploring Slovenia’s history. It’s definitely more for kids, but adults can still have a good time too.
The house has different illusions in each room. There are 40 different exhibits, and each of them play with your senses in a different way. It’s not the biggest place though, so you should be fine spending about an hour and a half here.
Some of the exhibits include an anti-gravity room, a vortex tunnel, and an upside-down room. It’s only about $10.00 to get in ($5.00 for kids aged 5-15), so it’s a pretty cheap way to keep the family entertained. There’s a gift shop in the house if you want to take some of the illusions home with you too.
12. Discover Slovenian Art at the National Gallery
Another popular attraction in Ljubljana is the National Gallery. It shows Slovenia’s history through art, from medieval times to now. If you like art, I’d allow quite a bit of time to walk through here – there are over 600 pieces.
Remember Robba Fountain? This is where the original sculpture is stored, so that’s definitely worth taking a look at. In addition to Robba’s sculpture, you can see pieces from Slovenian artists like Rihard Jakopič and Matija Jama.
The National Gallery is really easy to get too from most places in Ljubljana. It’s between Tivoli Park and Prešeren Square. I recommend visiting the National Gallery and the National Museum on the same day since they’re so close together.
13. Have a Picnic in Tivoli Park
Tivoli Park is the perfect place to take a break from sightseeing. It’s a huge park with lots of green space and gardens to relax in. If you’re an outdoorsy type, there are also some nature trails you can explore.
When the weather is nice, I love picking up some food at the Central Market and taking it to Tivoli Park for a picnic. It’s easy to find a spot to sit and I could spend hours people watching. After you finish your picnic, you can stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens and walk by historic mansions.
I also recommend walking by the Jakopič Promenade to see if there are any exhibits on. It’s an open-air outdoor venue that sometimes has photography exhibits. The Promenade is open year-round and it’s in the middle of the park, so be sure to check it out!
14. Admire the St. Nicholas Cathedral
Another spot I suggest you check out while you’re close to Tivoli Park is the St. Nicholas Cathedral. It’s across the river from the park and located right next to the Ljubljana Castle. It’s not the most striking building from the outside, but the inside is mindblowing.
You’ll be in awe as soon as you walk through the door. The art is all from the Baroque period, and the details in the pieces show important moments in Slovenia’s history. No matter where you look, you see ornate statues and engravings in gold and bronze.
I always recommend visiting the St. Nicholas Cathedral to people visiting Ljubljana. It’s a bit of a hidden gem because it’s so easy to walk right by it. You won’t need to spend very long in there (around 15-30 minutes), so it’s the perfect place to stop in while you’re heading to the park or castle.
15. Cruise Down the Ljubljanica River
Cruising along the Ljubljana River is one of my favorite things to do in Ljubljana. I suggest leaving this for the end of your trip because it’s a good way to wrap everything up.
The boat trips usually last around an hour and there’s a tour guide on board to point out the different sites. If you missed something or ran out of time, this is the best way to cram everything in!
If you want something a little more active, you can also rent a canoe or paddle board to make your own journey on the river. This lets you move at your own pace, but you’ll miss out on the commentary. No matter which you prefer, I definitely recommend doing at least one of these activities on the river before leaving Ljubljana.
Things to Do Near Ljubljana
16. Head into the Postojna Cave
Just 45 minutes outside Ljubljana, you’ll find the impressive Postojna Cave. The 24,120 m (79,130 ft) long karst cave system is the second-longest cave system in the country. Admire the stalactites and stalagmites, and walk alongside giant formations that resemble folded curtains. Entrance to the cave is 23,90 €. Book tickets online to avoid waiting.
17. Marvel the Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle is only a short drive away from Postojna Cave. The impregnable medieval marvel has been perched in the middle of a 123-metre-high cliff for more than 800 years. I definitely suggest going inside the castle to learn about its history (it was built in the 13th century!). It’s open every day from 10am to 5pm, and entrance costs 11,90 €. Book your tickets here.
The castle and cave are pretty isolated, so I don’t recommend staying in a hotel here. After you’ve finished your day of sightseeing, I recommend driving just 1 hour to Bled.
While I was there, I met some people who had joined a small guided tour, and they were really impressed with their live tour guide. This guide gave them detailed info in English about Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. They said their tour was planned to last around 6 hours with only 15 people in the group, so it wasn’t crowded, and the organization went smoother with fewer people involved. It was just a 30-minute drive from Ljubljana, and they all said it was great. While some complained about the lack of provided food and drinks, the majority had come prepared with water and a few sandwiches. Book your tickets here.
Ljubljana Travel Guide
How to Get to Ljubljana
When you’re planning a trip to Ljubljana, the first step is figuring out how to get there. The main ways to get to Ljubljana are by air, train, or car. The easiest way is to fly into Ljubljana airport. If you are planning to do a Slovenia road trip, it’s best to rent a car to explore the country. Search for car rentals in Ljubljana here!
Even though it’s not very big, the Ljubljana airport has quite a few international connections. You can fly to Ljubljana from New York City in about 11 hours (around $700 return) and Los Angeles in 17 hours (around $800 round trip).
If you’re already in Europe, Ljubljana has direct connections to major cities like London (2 hours), Paris (2 hours), and Frankfurt (70 minutes). If you time it right, you can get a cheap flight with a budget airline like EasyJet. Search for flights here.
How to Get Around Ljubljana
Once you’re in Ljubljana, it’s really easy to get around. The best way is by foot since everything is centrally located. However, taxis and buses are also an option if you want to save some time.
Another popular option is cycling. Check out BicikeLJ or look for one of the stations dotted through the city. The first hour of your rental is free, so this is perfect if you’re on a budget.
If you fly into the Ljubljana airport, you have the option to take a taxi or bus to the city center. A taxi takes around 30 minutes and will cost you about 35 Euros. The bus takes about 45 minutes and costs just under 5 Euros.
Where to Stay in Ljubljana
Budget: Hostel Celica Art
Experiencing staying in prison for the night at this unique design hostel. The rooms and dormitories in this hostel have been individually designed by different local and international artists and reflect the history of this former prison. We stayed here and found it a fantastic experience! Check the rates here.
Mid Range: Courtyard Under The Castle
Situated just 800 m from Ljubljana Castle, this beautiful 1-bedroom apartment has a great location, as well as an outdoor terrace and modern furnishings. Perfect for a young couple or family with toddler. Check the rates here.
Luxury: Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel
Perched over the Ljubljanica River, this historical hotel is lauded as the best hotel in Ljubljana. Rooms have gorgeous views of the river, as well as vaulted ceilings and tastefully designed decor. Check the rates here.
Where to Eat in Ljubljana
There are so many small restaurants, bars, and cafes in Ljubljana that it can be hard to choose where to eat. I definitely recommend trying some of the local cuisine while you’re here no matter where you eat. Here are some of my suggestions.
For a fine dining experience featuring local dishes, you can check out Restavracija Strelec. It’s a bit expensive, so it’s a good place to go for a splurge meal. You can try the tasting menu and wine pairing for a full Slovenian culinary experience. Read reviews here.
For a more moderately priced meal, I always go to Landerik. The food is all sourced from within Slovenia and it’s absolutely delicious! Read reviews here. My top spot for a cheap meal is Kodila Gourmet – be sure to try the bujta repa! Read reviews here.
Cost of Travel in Ljubljana
Slovenia is more affordable than Western European countries, like France and Germany. Travelers should budget around $125 to $150 per day, including hotel and travel expenses.
Hotels usually cost between $30 per night for a hostel to over $300 per night for a luxury hotel. Meals in restaurants can range anywhere from around $8 for a basic meal to $20-$25 for a full meal with drinks.
Public transportation is cheap and hotels are reasonable in Slovenia. The country is also relatively small, so traveling by car isn’t very expensive in terms of gas.
Travel Insurance for Ljubljana
Travel insurance is essential for any length of travel, whether it’s a week or a month in Ljubljana. It provides coverage for unexpected mishaps and emergencies. Check out my travel insurance guide for further information.
Safety Wing stands out as the go-to travel insurance company for COVID-19 coverage. I personally opt for their Nomad Insurance plan, which treats COVID-19 like any other illness, provided it wasn’t contracted before your coverage begins. Their rates are fair, and their customer service is exceptional.
Further Reading on Ljubljana, Slovenia
I hope this article has helped you plan your ultimate trip to Ljubljana. There is so much to do and see in the city, so it’s definitely worth a visit. Whether you’re an outdoorsy type, a history buff, or just want to learn something new, Ljubljana has something for you.
If you’re planning to visit Ljubljana, I definitely recommend giving yourself at least 3 days. Some of the activities on this list take more time than others. A full 3 days should be enough to allow you to do everything you want to though.
I love Ljubljana and can’t wait to go back. If you go and find an activity that’s not on this list, let me know so I can add it!
Here are more articles from Europe for those who are planning to travel around the region:
- 10-Day Slovenia Itinerary
- White-Water Rafting in Bled, Slovenia
- Czech Republic Itinerary: 1 Week Czechia Road Trip
- Best Things to Do in Germany
- Traditional German Foods
- Easter in Poland
- Ski Slovakia with Kids
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. I’ll get a small commission when you book anything through my links, at NO extra cost to you. I only recommend companies I have personally used and enjoyed.
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