23 Best things to do in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Let’s dive into the heart of Slovenia and discover its capital, Ljubljana. This city is full of incredible things to do, combining beautiful architecture, picturesque streets, and a lot of truly local gastronomic experiences.

Ljubljana is the city we live in, but it is not our original hometown. We both chose to move to Ljubljana because we fell in love with the city – and this is exactly what we will try to show you through this guide.

Unlike most other travel itineraries that are made by travelers who have only been here once or twice, we want to provide a local perspective. We want to show you the best things to do in Ljubljana from the eyes of someone who lives here and truly knows the city.

Ljubljana is a very unique capital compared to other European cities. It is small, incredibly clean and so pretty it looks like it came out of a book. Let us show you our favorite spots and things you must see in Ljubljana, so you can fall in love with them too.

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23 Best things to do in Ljubljana

Ljubljana may be a small capital but don’t worry because there are plenty of things to do here.

Below, we have put together a list of our favorite things to do in Ljubljana. This list is constantly growing as we keep updating it whenever new things come up.

Let’s get it started.

1. Explore Ljubljana’s Old Town

Ljubljana’s Old Town is the beating heart of the city. Fully converted into a pedestrian-only zone, the Old Town is where you will find most local shops, restaurants, and historical buildings.

One of my favorite things about Ljubljana Old Town is how well-preserved it is. The buildings and streets are in a very good state, which makes the city look even more beautiful.

A few streets I recommend checking out in Ljubljana’s Old Town are Mestni trg, Cankarjevo nabrezje, Breg, and Trubarjeva cesta.

Put on good walking shoes and get lost on the narrow cobblestone streets. On the points below, we’ll walk you through the most important landmarks you need to visit in Ljubljana’s Old Town.

2. Visit Preseren Square, Ljubljana’s main square

Right in the heart of the Old Town is Preseren Square, with its characteristic pink church. If you have ever seen a picture of Ljubljana, chances are that this was the square in the picture since it is the most photographed spot in the city. 

Preseren Square is named after France Preseren, the most famous Slovenian poet who wrote a lot of important pieces, including the Slovenian national anthem. He is the man featured in the statue in the middle of the square.

Behind it, sits the pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. You can step inside to see the beautiful frescoes (it’s free!). 

Fun fact: During the summer months, the city sets up sprinklers right in the middle of Preseren Square as a refreshment for the high summer temperatures. It is the joy of kids and adults alike.

3. Check out Ljubljana’s main bridges

The city center of Ljubljana is crossed by a river called Ljubljanica. As a result, the city has multiple bridges that are each unique in its own way.

The Triple Bridge

The main bridge that connects Preseren Square to Mestni trg is called the Triple Bridge, which, as the name suggests, is in fact three bridges side by side.

Back in the days when cars were allowed in the center of Ljubljana, the middle bridge was used for vehicles and the two side bridges used to be the pedestrian ones. Nowadays, all three bridges are pedestrian-only and they form a very unique sight of the center.

The Dragon Bridge

This is Ljubljana’s most famous bridge because it features four Dragon statues, which is the symbol of Ljubljana.

There are many different theories as to how Ljubljana adopted the dragon as its symbol. According to the most accepted legend, the city of Ljubljana was founded by Jason and the Argonauts, a Greek mythological hero. 

When traveling back home, Jason and his crew were passing through what is now Ljubljana but back then, it was just abandoned swamps, when they came across a dragon. He fought and defeated the dragon, but it stayed as the symbol of the city.

You can see dragon statues and drawings everywhere in Ljubljana, including in the city’s coat of arms. But the ones featured in the Dragon Bridge may be the most symbolic ones.

The Butcher’s Bridge

Also known as Ljubljana Lover’s Bridge, this is a very modern bridge located right in front of the city market. It features very unique statues made by a local artist called Jakov Brdar.

This bridge earned its nickname because it is where people come to put love locks. This is one of the best spots to photograph the sunset in Ljubljana.

Other interesting bridges are:

• Ribja brv: A narrow glass bridge that has the best view of Preseren Square
• Cobbler’s Bridge: One of the oldest bridges in the city center, it was designed by the famous Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik.

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4. Visit the Ljubljana Castle

The Ljubljana Castle is located on Castle Hill and overlooks the city center. You can easily spot it from almost anywhere in the Old Town.

You can go up the castle using the Cable Car at Krekov trg or through one of the many walking paths available.

There is a section of the castle that is free to visit, and you can get incredible views over Ljubljana from the top there. To visit the tower and other internal facilities, there are multiple options for paid tours you can take.

Pro tip: Visit the castle at sunset time for the most incredible views over Ljubljana.

5. Check out the impressive buildings around Congress Square

Congress Square is rarely featured in most Ljubljana travel guides, but I think it’s a pity. This square is not only one with significant importance to the city’s history, but it has one of the best views of the Ljubljana Castle.

The Congress Square is often associated with the independence of Slovenia as it was where mass events happened throughout history, culminating first in the independence from the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and later, from the former Republic of Yugoslavia.

Here, you can find the National Philharmonic and the stunning building that is the headquarters of Ljubljana University.

Throughout the year, the city of Ljubljana organizes many different events in this square, including free concerts during the summer and Christmas time. It’s worth stopping by to see if there is something happening while you are visiting Ljubljana.

6. Walk beside the Ljubljanica River

The river is an important part of the city, and it is surrounded by many bars and restaurants. It is worth taking the time to walk around the river so you can really feel the city.

If you want to experience Ljubljana like a local, walk by the river until Spica, a bar located a bit outside the city center. During the summer months, this area is usually crowded with Ljubljana locals who come here to enjoy the time outdoors.

You will also spot a lot of kayaks and boats as the starting point of many boat tours is just nearby. Speaking of which, let’s jump to the next item on the list of the best things to do in Ljubljana.

7. See the city from the river with a boat cruise or stand-up paddle tour

The best way to experience Ljubljana from a different angle is to do so from the Ljubljanica River.

You can go on a boat tour of the city center. The boat cruises are quite quick and you get to see the city from another perspective. Book a boat ride here.

If you are feeling adventurous, another great option is to go stand-up paddling in Ljubljanica River. This is a very popular activity during summer and one I recommend because it is quite unique. You can book the stand-up paddling tour here.

8. Try Slovenian food in one of Ljubljana’s best local restaurants

There is no way I can talk about visiting Slovenia without including a stop for food.

One of the best things to do in Ljubljana is take the time to try Slovenian food. Our favorite restaurants for that are:

• Vodnikov Hram: Our ultimate favorite restaurant for eating Slovenian food, their goulash is simply incredible.
• Slovenska Hisa: We prefer the one located at Gosposvetska Cesta. Their menu is quite comprehensive and the atmosphere during summer is great.
• Hisa pod Gradom: A more high-end experience with incredible quality food.
• Julija: Located in the heart of the Old Town, Julija is a great place to go for a meal with the family or couple.
• Gostilna Sokol: Located right beside the City Hall, this restaurant has an incredible selection of Slovenian delicacies. I recommend sitting inside for the full experience.

Read also: 10 Slovenian traditional dishes you need to try

Pro tip: If you are a food lover like us, you can also book a food tour with Ana, who is an amazing local sommelier and guide. She lives in Ljubljana and she knows the city super well, so she’ll be able to take you to the most local spots to try authentic Slovenian cuisine. We did this exact tour and we loved it! Book it below.

9. Go to the local market to try local delicacies

Open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, the local city market is a great place to visit in Ljubljana.

The open market happens at Vodnikov trg and is where you will find fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers, and a few food trucks. For coffee lovers, I recommend trying the coffee from the Tri Marije food truck that is always parked at the corner of the market.

To check out the selection of fresh cheese, charcuterie, and fish, walk inside the closed part of the market located at the start of Dolnicarjeva ulica. You will often get samples to try and a great selection of local delicacies.

Visiting the market is one of my favorite things to do in Ljubljana and I recommend it to everyone who likes getting to know the local culture and habits.

10. Go for a walk at Tivoli Park

Tired of the city vibes? Head to Tivoli Park, the largest park in Ljubljana.

Tivoli Park is especially beautiful during the summer and autumn seasons when the trees and flowers are in full bloom. Whenever the weather is good, it is a popular hanging spot for families and young people.

When you walk in through the main entrance to Tivoli Park, you will immediately see the Modern Museum at the end of the path. 

If you walk to the left, you will come to Čolnarna, which is one of my favorite coffee spots in Ljubljana. This coffee spot is located by a small Greenhouse Botanical Garden owned by the University of Ljubljana.

11. Eat at the Open Kitchen

One of the best events that happen in Ljubljana is the Open Kitchen, held at Pogacarjev trg.

The Open Kitchen is an event that happens every Friday from May to September or October. The schedule varies slightly every year, but as long as the weather is good, the Open Kitchen is working.

The Open Kitchen is a great place to try different foods because the best restaurants in Ljubljana have food stalls there, serving smaller portions and different selections of dishes. They often have live music and it is a great place to spend a Friday evening. 

12. Explore the art district of Metelkova mesto

Step into a different cultural scene in Ljubljana’s art district of Metelkova.

Comprised of a small quarter, this is where you will find the most unique graffiti pieces and art installations in town. It is a very unique and alternative area of town, that showcases different collections of arts and styles.

In the evening, Metelkova is an alternative party hub with popular bars and clubs. It is my favorite area to go out to enjoy Ljubljana’s nightlife scene.

13. Experience Ljubljana’s strong coffee scene

We take coffee culture pretty seriously in Slovenia, and Ljubljana is no exception.

You will see a lot of incredible cafes around town. If you are a coffee lover, make sure you stop checking out some of Ljubljana’s cafes. Some of the places that are worth checking out are:

• Vrt Lily Novy
• Kavarna Moderna, located inside the Modern Gallery of Art
• Stow 2 go
• Pritlicje

14. Visit one of Ljubljana’s incredible museums

Ljubljana has many museums and art galleries you can visit. From cultural history, modern art, alternative expression, and natural history, there is a little bit of everything here.

Some of the most interesting museums in Ljubljana are:

• National Museum of Slovenia: the place to go if you want to dive deeper into the history of Slovenia.
• Museum of Natural History: a great option for nature lovers, this museum features an almost complete skeleton of a mammoth, which is truly impressive.
• Cukrarna Gallery: the newest museum of Ljubljana, this contemporary museum is located in an old sugar refinery.

Pro tip: All the museums in Ljubljana are free on the first Sunday of the month and on May 18^th and December 3^rd.

15. Go to Ljubljana’s Botanical Garden

The Ljubljana Botanical Garden is a famous attraction in the city. Established in 1810, it is the oldest cultural, scientific, and educational institution in the country.

You may think it sounds odd to refer to the Botanical Garden as a scientific and educational institution, but the Ljubljana Botanical Garden is used and maintained by the University of Ljubljana. They play a very important role in protecting Slovenia’s original species.

They host more than 4.500 different species in a very impressive collection. A visit to the Botanical Garden can also be a very romantic date idea when visiting Ljubljana.

16. Check out the flea market

Every Sunday in Breg street, there is a flea market that brings together the most unique collection of items.

You will find all sorts of things, from household items to vinyl disks, But, what makes Ljubljana’s flea market a must-see in the city is the collection of ex-Yugoslavia memorabilia you will find. 

Going for a stroll at the flea market is one of Fe’s favorite Sunday activities.

17. Visit the Cathedral of St Nicholas

Also known as the Ljubljana Cathedral, this is the main church of Ljubljana (maybe side-by-side with the one at Preseren Square).

It is located in the heart of the Old Town and you can easily spot its twin towers from almost anywhere in the city center.

I recommend walking inside to see the beautiful frescoes and interior. Another highlight goes to the main door which shows the history of Slovenia. These impressive bronze doors were added in 1996 when Ljubljana received a visit from Pope John Paul II.

18. The Union Beer Experience

Another unique thing to do in Ljubljana is to go to the Union Beer Experience.

Union is one of Slovenia’s main national beers, and its factory is located very close to the city center. The Experience is a guided tour of the beer factory, where you will not only taste Union beer but learn all about the process of making it.

The Union Brewery also has a great restaurant, which is a great place to go for lunch or dinner.

19. Have the best view over Ljubljana from the Neboticnik skyscraper

The most famous and traditional rooftop bar in Ljubljana is located in the Neboticnik skyscraper.

From the top of the building, you will have front-row seats to the city center of Ljubljana and the Castle right in front of you. It is truly the most incredible view you can get. I recommend going up for a coffee or drink at sunset time for the best views.

Pro tip: Intercontinental Hotel also has an amazing rooftop bar with similar views over the city and a more high-end selection. Their restaurant is also located on the top floor, where you can dine with the same views above Ljubljana.

20. Spend a night at a former prison

Have you ever thought of sleeping in a prison? Not in a bad way, of course!

Hostel Celica is one of the most interesting accommodation places in the city. Located in a former military prison, they kept a lot of the interiors when renovating it and turning it into a hostel.

This is one of the most unique experiences you can have in Ljubljana, for sure!

21. Find the marks of the old Yugoslavian times

Slovenia was part of the Republic of Yugoslavia and you can still see marks of those times around the city.

The Brutalist Architecture that was common in communist times can be seen vividly at Republic Square. On one side, you have the Parliament building, and on the other, two concrete towers which are great examples of Brutalist architecture.

Another very interesting thing to do is the walk around Ljubljana called the “Trail of Remembrance and Comradeship”. This trail is 33 km in total and makes a full circle around the city of Ljubljana. The path follows the place where a barbed wire fence was erected by the Italian fascists around Ljubljana to prevent them from communicating with the partisan forces.

Interested in learning more about the post-communist time in Ljubljana? Take a private walking tour!

22. Go for a hike on Smarna Gora and see Ljubljana from above

If you are into hiking and want to experience Ljubljana like a local, I highly recommend doing the hike to Smarna Gora.

Smarna Gora is a small hill located outside of Ljubljana. The start of the trail can be reached using bus line 1 from the center. The hike up is steep but short, it takes around 40 min to complete it.

This is the place that locals go to. I rarely see tourists in Smarna Gora. Once you get to the top, you will have open views over the city of Ljubljana and the whole valley around it. At the top of Smarna Gora, there is a small church and a bar where you can have a drink and snacks.

For the full Slovenian experience, I recommend trying their strudels (the blueberry strudel is my favorite) and schnapps. Ask what they have, but good ones to try would be the pine or the blueberry ones.

23. Go on a day trip from Ljubljana

One of the best things about Ljubljana is that it is centrally located. It is very easy to get almost anywhere in Slovenia from here.

Take the opportunity to go on a few day trips and explore some other incredible destinations in Slovenia. Our favorite day trips from Ljubljana are:

• Lake Bled: The most picturesque location in the country
• Lake Bohinj: Amazing destination for outdoor lovers
• Postojna Caves: The largest cave system in Slovenia
• Explore the Soca Valley
• Visit the Triglav National Park

Need help to book a day trip from Ljubljana?

Map of the best things to do in Ljubljana

Now that you have gone through the list, let us help you organize everything. We have marked every place mentioned in this article on the map below, you can simply save it and use it for your trip.

Want to upgrade this map to all the special places in Slovenia? Get the Slovenia Map here!

Best things to do in Ljubljana with kids

While most of the Ljubljana must-see attractions listed above are kids-friendly, there are a few other things that I would suggest considering if you are visiting Ljubljana with kids.

• Ljubljana Castle Escape Game: Visit the Ljubljana Castle with an interactive escape game that will make everything much more interesting
• Museum of Illusions: This interactive museum located in Congress Square is always a hit with the kids

Do I need a car to visit these attractions in Ljubljana?

No, you can visit almost all the items on this list on foot as they are all located within walking distance from the city center. The only exceptions are numbers 22 and 23 of the list.

If you will be staying far away from the city center, you can use Ljubljana’s public transport to get around town.

We recommend renting a car in Ljubljana only if you will be traveling to other parts of the country. To explore the city itself, the car is not needed and finding parking in the center can be quite a hassle.

Read also:

• Renting a car in Ljubljana
• Renting a car in Slovenia
• Driving in Slovenia as a foreigner

How many days do you need to visit Ljubljana?

Ljubljana is a small city, so you can easily walk the entire city center within one full day.

However, if you want to truly experience the city, and go to the museums, coffee shops, markets, etc… then you will need two or three full days.

I recommend planning 3 full days in Ljubljana where you use the first two to explore the city and the last one to do a day trip to Postojna Cave. If you want to explore other destinations as day trips, you can extend your stay.

Where to stay in Ljubljana?

One of the best things about Ljubljana is that you can explore everything on foot in the city center. To do that, the best area to stay is close to the center.

Here are my top recommendations for places to stay in Ljubljana:

• Hisa pod gradom: Not only are they one of the best restaurants in town, but they also have an excellent BnB. Their location makes them a great alternative for people traveling by car since they are outside of the pedestrian zone but very close to all the attractions you must see in the center of Ljubljana.
• Intercontinental: Looking for comfort? You can’t go wrong with Intercontinental. Located on the edge of the city center, this hotel has everything you may need, including an incredible spa and amazing views over the city.
• Hostel Celica: This is not only a budget-friendly alternative, but one of the most unique places to stay in Ljubljana.

Read more: Our complete guide about where to stay in Ljubljana

We hope this guide has helped you with ideas of the best things to do in Ljubljana! We love this city and we hope you get to experience it and have a great time here as well.

Other guides for traveling to Slovenia

• Visiting Lake Bohinj
• Exploring the Tolmin Gorge
• Pericnik Waterfall, the most unique waterfall in Slovenia
• Hiking in Logar Valley
• Ljubljana vs Bled: which city should you stay at?