All about visiting the Ljubljana Castle

Traveling to Ljubljana and not visiting the castle is like going to Paris and missing the Eiffel Tower. The castle is the main attraction of the city and you can see it from almost every corner of the center. In this post, we will cover everything you need to know to visit Ljubljana Castle.

We have lived in Ljubljana for years now and the castle is still one of my favorite places to go in the city. We always recommend first-time visitors to walk up to see the views over Ljubljana and with our guide, you will understand why we think this place is so special.

How to get to the Ljubljana Castle?

There are three ways to reach the castle: by foot, by car, or with the funicular. Let’s take a look at each of them.

PS: We have marked all the suggested options on the map at the end of this section.

Getting to the Ljubljana Castle by foot

The castle is located on the top of Castle Hill and can be accessed from several different spots in the city center. There are multiple paths that lead to the castle. Even though they are all uphill, some are steeper than others which means they have different difficulty levels.

These are the two paths we recommend the most:

• Quickest walking path from the center to the Ljubljana Castle: starting at Študentovska ulica, a small street behind the Ljubljana open market. This path is a straight line up to the castle and it is the fastest but most demanding way up.
• Easiest walking path from the center to the Ljubljana Castle: if you are looking for an easy walk, head to Ulica na Grad, a small street located on the opposite side of the center. This small street will lead you straight into the path that is a bit longer, but smoother.

How long does it take to walk up to Ljubljana Castle?

On average, it should take you around 10-20 min. The length will depend on which path you take and on your pace. The fastest path via Študentovska ulica can easily be done in 10 min, but if you have a slower walking pace, you can add a few minutes more.

The walk up to the castle is not very demanding and it is quite short. If you are worried, we recommend taking the easy path described above via Ulica na Grad.

Getting to the Ljubljana Castle by car

If walking is not your thing, you can also get to the castle by car or taxi. There is a small parking lot at the entrance of the castle, which is free for visitors. This parking lot can fill up quickly during peak season, but if it gets full, people usually park on the side of the road that leads up to the castle.

Since Ljubljana is small, we usually don’t recommend exploring the city with a car, but having the parking lot very close to the entrance is very useful for people with impaired mobility or with a stroller.

Read also: All about driving in Slovenia

Getting to the Ljubljana Castle with the funicular

The funicular is a great and unique way to get up to the castle. This small railway connects the city center with the entrance of the Ljubljana Castle. The ride is very short, it takes only two minutes from start to finish, so if you don’t feel like walking or taking a taxi, the funicular is a great option.

The entrance to the Ljubljana Castle funicular is at the square called Krekov trg, located just behind the Ljubljana open market. As of 2024, the adult ticket costs 6.00 € for a return ride or 3.30 € one-way. They also offer discounted prices for kids or families and bundle options where you get the ticket that includes the funicular ride + your selected activity in the castle.

Visiting the Ljubljana Castle – Tickets & Prices

Now that you know how to get to Ljubljana Castle, let’s cover the ways in which you can explore it.

Visitors are able to enter the Ljubljana Castle for free. You can check the internal courtyard and go up to one side of the wall without paying anything. This is one of our favorite things about Ljubljana Castle, we don’t know any other castle in a European capital that allows visitors for free.

There are some attractions inside the castle that are paid for. Here is a general overview of the paid options:

• Audioguide + visit to the main clock tower
• Time Machine guided tour
• Escape room
• Wine tasting + guided tour
• Exhibitions
• Several tailored tour options

Where to buy a ticket for the Ljubljana Castle?

For the standard attractions (the audioguide, visit of the main tower, and guided tours), you can buy the ticket directly at the booth at the entrance of the castle or online.

For the tailored attraction options, we recommend buying the ticket online. Check all the options here.

Is it worth buying the ticket for the Ljubljana Castle?

If you are interested in learning more about the castle’s history and checking out the exhibitions, it is worth buying a ticket for the Ljubljana Castle.

If your main interest is the view over the city, you can get the same view for free if you visit the bar just outside the castle walls. You will have clear views of the city center of Ljubljana without having to pay any fee or check opening times.

This is a little sneak peek of the view you have from the castle:

Ljubljana Castle: Opening times and working days

The Ljubljana Castle is open every day of the week according to the following working hours:

• From May to September: 9.00–22.00
• From October to April: 9.00–19.00

The funicular has the same working hours as the castle. However, the ticket booth and the souvenir shop close a bit before the general closing time.

Restaurants inside the Ljubljana Castle

Want to make your visit to Ljubljana Castle even more unique? Schedule a special dinner in one of the restaurants!

Inside the castle, you will find two restaurants: Strelec and the Gostilna na Gradu. 

Restaurant Strelec is by chef Igor Jagodic, who holds a Michelin Star. It is a special fine dining experience, with a beautiful setting. We recommend making a reservation if you intend on dining at Strelec.

Gostilna na Gradu is featured on the 2022 Michelin Guide and also provides incredible fine dining. We have been there recently for Restaurant Week (an event that happens yearly in Ljubljana) and had amazing wine with a three-course menu. The pictures below are from our lunch at Gostilna na Gradu.

Besides these two options for fine dining, you will also find a Café and a Wine Bar & Shop.

PS: The restaurants have different working hours than the castle itself.

The history of Ljubljana’s Castle

The Ljubljana Castle has been a part of Slovenia’s history for over 900 years and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the country. Located on a hill overlooking the city center, the castle is not only an important cultural center, but it also holds a very interesting past.

The castle and the fortress were first mentioned in the 12th century as “castrum Laibach”, which is Ljubljana in German. At the time, the castle was most likely just a wooden building and served as a noble home. Over the years, it has changed hands many times and was rebuilt and rearranged based on the current needs. The one part of the castle that is best preserved is the Chapel of St George, which dates back to the 15th century and is accessible from the inner courtyard.

The Ljubljana Castle also faced dark times, especially during the 19th century when it was used as a penitentiary after the period of Napoleon’s Illyrian Provinces. During WWI and WWII, the Ljubljana Castle also served as a prison, even when it was under the domination of the Italian and later German troops.

Only in 1964, the Ljubljana Castle started being renovated, gaining the shape that we see today. The funicular was later built in 2006, making the entire visit to the Ljubljana Castle even more special.

Is it worth visiting the Ljubljana Castle?

Absolutely! The Ljubljana Castle is the perfect place to get a feel of the city’s thousand-year history and learn more about it. It is also the best place to get incredible views over the city center and take some amazing pictures.

Whenever we have friends or families visiting us here in Ljubljana, we always recommend they take the walk up to the castle. In our opinion, it is the best way to experience the castle and take in the views.

Pro tip: the best time of the day to walk up to the castle is at the end of the afternoon so you can see the sunset over Ljubljana. It is the best view in town!

How long do you need to visit Ljubljana Castle?

The Ljubljana Castle itself is not very large so you should save around 2h for the visit. However, the castle does offer a lot of additional activities as you have seen above, so this can easily be extended if you plan on joining any or multiple of them.

If you want to go up to the castle only for the views over Ljubljana, you would need around 1h in total.

Visiting the Ljubljana Castle: events worth mentioning

Throughout the year, there are a few events taking place in the castle that are worth mentioning in case you will be visiting at the right time of the year.

• The film Under the Stars: Open-air cinema in the Castle’s inner courtyard. Happens every year during the summer, between July/August. Check the specific dates and schedules here.
• Restaurant week: A short period where the best fine dining restaurants throughout Slovenia offer a set menu for 20-25 EUR. It happens on different dates every year and there is no guarantee of which restaurants will participate, but the castle’s restaurant Gostilna na Gradu has taken part in the event in the past. Website of the event.
• Jazz club: Held inside the castle walls, the Ljubljana Castle Jazz Club hosts events during the winter season. Official website.

We hope this post has helped you plan your visit to Ljubljana Castle. We love seeing people interested in visiting the city we call home, so if you need any additional recommendations that we didn’t cover in this post, drop them in the comments below!