11 Incredible things to do in Ljubljana, Slovenia's lively capital

Where is Ljubljana

Situated in the heart of Slovenia and home to only 300.000 people, Ljubljana is the country’s small, yet lively capital city, as well as one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. 

But despite that Ljubljana is rather compact in size, it’s extremely vibrant, with plenty of trendy cafes and restaurants, scenic cobblestone alleyways, and no shortage of captivating architecture dotted throughout the city centre. 

Encircled by the Dinaric Alps, Ljubljana is also considered the least populated capital city in Europe, which to me, adds a special touch to this already amazing place.

Where to stay in Ljubljana

When it comes to accommodation, Ljubljana has no shortage of excellent options, catering to any budget and travel preferences.

Since Ljubljana is compact in size, most properties are situated in the old town, which is a great way to experience its authentic, medieval atmosphere. 

Here are some of my personal favourites:

+ Stella Sky | Located right in the middle of Ljubljana’s old town, this super trendy apartment is well-priced, fairly spacious, fully equipped with a kitchen, and also has a lovely rooftop terrace with a pool.

Booking.com | Hotels.com

+ Hotel Cad | Situated on the edge of Park Tivoli, about 2 kilometres from the city centre, the stunning Hotel Cad has been designed in an utterly stylish way, with fascinating details throughout.

Booking.com

Hotel Cubo | Another surprisingly affordable option, Hotel Cubo is situated only a stone’s throw away from all the best things to do in Ljubljana and offers modern rooms with fantastic breakfast included.

Booking.com | Hotels.com

Atik Rooms | If you’re looking for a super comfortable apartment, without paying a fortune, look no further. With spacious rooms, a comfy bed, and its excellent location in the heart of the city, this option is great for those spending a few days in the city.

Booking.com | Hotels.com

1 | Meander at the old town’s incredible architecture

Defined by its quaint Art Nouveau and Baroque architecture, charming cobblestone laneways, and iconic bridges, Ljubljana is without question one of the most attractive towns in Europe.

While the old town itself is relatively compact, it has become my favourite part of town, given there’s no shortage of astonishing architectural highlights dotted throughout its narrow laneways.

These characteristic streets and alleyways are best explored first thing in the morning when the streets are nearly empty and the gloomy morning fog slowly reveals the town’s medieval charm.

Though it would be fair if I split out all that the old town has to offer as separate highlights, I decided to sum it up so you can easily tick them off all at once, if you’d like.

Below are my favourite places to find Ljubljana’s finest architecture.

Preseren Square | Located at the heart of the city and home to the impressive 17th-century Franciscan Church, the monument of poet France Prešeren, and the white-washed Triple Bridge that connects the old with the new, the Preseren Square is arguably one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.

Mestni Trg square | Adjacent to Preseren Square is Mestni Trg square, a spacious medieval square where you’ll stumble upon the Ljubljana Town Hall and the famous Robba Fountain.

Stari Trg and Gornji Trg  | Only 5 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Preseren Square, the Gornji Trg Square might be a more quiet alternative, but it’s equally as charming, with fine Baroque architecture and plenty of charming cafes and boutiques.

2 | Have a burger at Pop’s Place

As a burger enthusiast by heart, I have to admit; my first stop in Ljubljana was Pop’s.

Nestled on the banks of the Ljubljanica river, Pop’s Place is a trendy burger joint, offering a wide range of mouthwatering gourmet burgers, as well as an excellent selection of Slovenian, regional, and international craft beers.

My burger of choice was the classic bacon cheeseburger; a 200g locally sourced beef patty with aged English cheddar, Pop’s signature sauce, and maple bacon jam on a perfectly toasted homemade brioche bun – it was outstanding.

If you’re not feeling like eating a burger, Pop’s Place also serves authentic barbecue dishes, including slow-cooked smoked ribs, Asian-style chicken wings and grilled Spanish peppers with Maldon sea salt to name but a few.

All in all, Pop’s is a place of excellent vibes and flavours, making it a must-visit for any burger enthusiast spending time in Ljubljana.

3 | Explore vibrant street art at Metelkova

If finding the dopest street art in an unexplored city gets your blood pumping, I’m pretty sure you’ll take lots of joy wandering through the vibrant neighbourhood of Metelkova.

Metelkova, with its unusual and somewhat atrocious appearance, is considered one of the best-known centres of independent artistic activity in Europe.

Situated in the heart of Ljubljana, Metelkova is a former military barracks turned cultural hub and is packed with vibrant street art, extravagant graffiti murals and contemporary art galleries, which makes it one of the more unique things to do in Ljubljana.

At night, Metelkova turns into a bustling place for those after a party, with underground raves, reasonably priced drinks and live Dj sets from both Slovenian and international DJs.

Not to mention, that you’ll find one of Ljubljana’s most unique accommodations in Metelkova; hostel Celica, a former Yugoslavian prison that has been transformed into a trendy hostel – talking about unique travel experiences.

All of this is discovered at just a 10-minute walk from the lively city centre, so make sure you pay a visit to this Ljubljana sightseeing gem!

4 | Admire modern art at Moderna Galerija

Set within a stunning 1930s building designed by Edvard Ravnikar; one of Slovenia’s most notable architects, the Ljubljana Museum of Modern Art is fully dedicated to the works of modern artists.

At present, visitors to the Moderna Galerija can lay their eyes on some of Slovenia’s finest modern artworks, with an extensive collection of fascinating paintings, sculptures, photographs and graphic art on display.

Some of my favourite works in the museum are the acrylic paintings of the collection: Abstract Art and Visual Art Theory by Marijan Trsar. 

The works that are on display represent the final stage of his explorations of abstract art, with a clear focus on colours that he admired from works of impressionists and post-impressionists. 

Other highlights include the paintings of Tone Kralj and Stane Kregar, the graphics of France Mihelic and the sculptures of Jakob Savinsek.

So, if you have time to add a museum to your list of things to do in Ljubljana, I’d highly recommend spending some time at the Museum of Modern Art.

5 | Take in the views from the Nebotičnik Skyscraper

To get a better perspective of Ljubljana, make your way to the panoramic observation deck on the highest floor of the Neboticnik Skyscraper. 

Build in 1933, this imposing building in neoclassical and art-deco style was once the tallest building in Yugoslavia and offers an extraordinary bird’s eye view of the city.

From atop, you’ll see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Ljubljana Castle, the Franciscan Church, and the Dragon Bridge. On a clear day, you can even see the majestic Julian Alps in the distance.

But it’s not just the views that make the Neboticnik Skyscraper one of the best things to do in Ljubljana.

No, another great part of the skyscraper (and somewhat of a hidden gem), is the extremely beautiful art-deco-style spiral staircase, which is truly one of the building’s most remarkable features.

There’s also a restaurant, bar and cafe set on the 12th floor, perfect for lunch or sunset drinks.

6 | Grab a coffee at Stow

In my humble opinion, Stow Coffee is clearly the best place to get your caffeine fix in Ljubljana. 

With a clear focus on freshly roasted speciality coffee, Stow opened its doors in 2015 to bring unique flavours into its visitors’ cups, by acquiring hand-harvested beans directly from farmers, before roasting them into perfection in their in-house roastery.

Tucked away in the City Museum of Ljubljana, this trendy cafe serves rocket-fuel espresso, a distinctive range of filter and cascara coffee, as well as freshly baked sweet and savoury pies.

During my time in the city, I enjoyed a fair share of caffeinated goodness, which I mostly drank at Stow – my favourite was clearly the Samii Bensa Lot #1; a rich espresso from Ethiopia with notes of mango juice, papaya, sweet lemon, honey.

The cafe itself is light and spacious with a robust cobblestone floor, large floor-to-ceiling windows and a vibrant, yet soothing atmosphere, as mellow jazz tunes echo in the background.

If you’ve gone head over heels for one of the flavours, Stow also has a small store where you can buy freshly roasted beans, coffee blends, and barista equipment.

7 | See the iconic Dragon Bridge

The enchanting Dragon Bridge, connecting Ljubljana’s medieval centre with the modern part of town, is an absolute icon. 

Marked by four copper dragon statues, the bridge reflects the story of Jason and the Argonauts, who according to a local legend had killed a dragon that lived near the source of the Ljubljanica river.

Designed by famous Italian architect Jurij Zaninović, the iconic bridge was built in 1901, and is considered one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture worldwide.

Since it has become a symbol of the city, hundreds of people flock here every day, so it’s best to visit the bridge first thing in the morning, especially if you’re keen to get some awesome photography.

But it’s not the only bridge worth seeing in Ljubljana. Other attractive bridges in Ljubljana include the Butchers’ Bridge, Triple Bridge, and Shoemaker’s Bridge.

8 | Get creative at TipoRenesansa

If you’re after unique places in Ljubljana and admire the art of letterpress, calligraphy and graphic design, make sure you stop by TipoRenesansa, a small nonprofit studio that’s specialised in the above-mentioned crafts.

As a graphic designer graduate with a specialisation in typography myself, I was pretty excited when I first read about TipoRenesansa – unfortunately for me, the studio was closed during my time in the city.

However, this guide to the best things to do in Ljubljana is all about delivering you my personal recommendations – so I still desired to share this authentic spot with you here.

Founded in 2010 by graphic designer and calligrapher Marko Drpic, this studio is the last place in Slovenia where you can experience the art of traditional printing before modern technology took over.

It’s a place where typography lovers and letterpress enthusiasts alike will gain lots of inspiration, but also a place where you’ll find one-in-a-kind souvenirs.

Since TipoRenesansa is a small, independent studio, opening hours might differ, so make sure you contact Marko on his Instagram just to be sure.

Marko also offers printing workshops, where you’ll learn about his art, the printing techniques he uses, and where you’ll eventually make your custom prints to take back home.

9 | Sample Ljubljana’s best ice cream at Cacao

If you’re in for a sweet treat, a good cup of joe, or just want to enjoy the excellent views over the Ljubljanica river, look no further.

Located along the promenade of the Ljubljanica river, Cacao is a trendy Kavarna (coffee shop) that specialises in artisanal ice cream, freshly baked cakes and desserts, and great coffee.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that I take my gelato seriously, so when I stumbled upon Cacao, I knew I had to stop by to sample a scoop of creamy goodness.

As always, I sampled a scoop of lime (which is my all-time favourite) – plus a scoop of Rafffaelo and both tasted exceptionally good. The flavours were balanced out perfectly and it was easy to notice that only the best ingredients made the cut.

If you’re not quite sure which flavours to choose, the friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help and you can even ‘taste before you buy’, which is awesome (but will make it slightly more difficult too).

10 | Visit the Ljubljana Castle

To me, the Ljubljana Castle was a little too boring for my liking, but despite my underwhelming experience, I still believe it’s worth your time since the fortress played a pivotal role in the history of Ljubljana.

Nestled high on the hill above Ljubljana, overlooking the tangerine-coloured roofs of the old town is the Ljubljana Castle, a medieval castle that dates back to as far as the 11th century.

Getting to the castle is pretty straightforward, simply follow a 20-minute hike from the old town, or opt for a one-minute funicular ride from Krekov Trg instead.

Once you arrive at the castle walls, you’ll be welcomed by some of the most spectacular views of Ljubljana, as well as the Kamnik Alps in the distance.

Though the courtyard is free to enter, you can also choose to join the “Time Machine” tour, which includes access to the watchtower of the castle. 

While I can imagine that the views from there are stunning, I don’t necessarily believe you miss out if you decide to skip the guided tour.  

Additionally, the castle houses a cafe, art gallery, restaurant and even an escape room, which is actually quite cool if you ask me.

11 | Take a stroll along the Ljubljanica river

Running straight through the heart of the city, the Ljubljanica river is without question the heart of all things social life in Ljubljana.

Every day, locals and tourists alike come here to gather in one of the many trendy cafes and restaurants that are dotted along its vibrant riverbanks.

But taking a stroll around Cankarjevo Nabrezje (the car-free street that lines the river), will not only take you past dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars, but it will also give you a good feel for the city and its people.

So whether you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience, in need of a coffee break, or simply want to sit and watch the world go by, the banks along the Ljubljanica river will easily charm you with its inviting atmosphere.

It’s also likely to be the starting point of all your explorations in Ljubljana – and that’s a good thing!

If you’re looking for something a little different, you can also choose to see the city from a whole nother perspective by joining a Ljubljana river cruise.

Best time to visit Ljubljana

To be fair, I firmly believe that anytime is a good time to visit Slovenia, as it’s stunningly charming at any time of year.

Of course, summer (June to September) is a big thing here in Europe, as it brings excellent weather and long days. But unfortunately, this is also the time when you’re elbow to elbow with lots of other visitors.

For that reason, I believe that the absolute best time to visit Ljubljana is during the shoulder months of April to May, or September to November, when pleasant weather and thinner crowds provide the perfect weather to go out and about. 

If you’re strictly visiting Slovenia for a city trip, Ljubljana is also an amazing place during the winter months, when there’s a magical wintery vibe and plenty of festivities.

I visited Ljubljana on a road trip through Slovenia in October, which I found just perfect.

How to get to Ljubljana

BY PLANE | If you’re planning a trip to Ljubljana from overseas, you likely enter Slovenia via plane through the Joze Pucnik International Airport in Ljubljana, as it hosts the majority of European and international airlines.

For flights to Ljubljana, I would highly recommend checking out Skyscanner, since their website is user-friendly, holds a great variety of airlines and grants the possibility to find great deals.

From the airport, make sure you take bus 28, which takes you to the city centre in roughly 50 minutes. Tickets cost €4,10 one-way and the bus leaves every 30 minutes, starting from 05:00 on weekdays and 07:00 during the weekend. More information here.

BY CAR | If like me, you’re planning to do an epic road trip through Slovenia, I would advise sorting out a rental in advance, so you have all the freedom to visit wherever, whenever suits you.

For both of my recent trips to Slovenia, I rented a car for the entire journey (including my time in Ljubljana) and was quite satisfied with the flexibility that it provided.

Since car rentals are quite affordable in Slovenia, I’d recommend renting a car for the duration of your time in the country, given a shuttle or taxi to the city will most likely cost you more than having the car for additional days.

However, do make sure you book accommodation with free parking in Ljubljana as parking prices can add up very quickly.

If you have not yet sorted out a rental car, make sure you explore the options at Rentalcars.com, as they have a wide selection of cars on offer, and provides excellent service as well as extra insurance options.

Once you’ve picked up your rental car, it takes only 20 minutes to drive to the city centre.

To see prices and availability, check rentalcars.com here

BY BUS | Whether you’re travelling exclusively within Slovenia, or plan to visit from one of the neighbouring countries, Ljubljana is extremely well-serviced by public transport.

There are quite a few international bus routes that make a stop in Ljubljana, including those that depart from cities such as Venice, Zagreb, Vienna and Munich.

For international bus journeys to Ljubljana, I’d highly recommend the green FlixBus coaches.

Local bus connections in Slovenia are brilliant too, which means that Ljubljana is easily reached from the most popular places, including Lake Bled, Bohinj, Maribor and Koper.

If you’re looking to travel through Slovenia by bus, make sure you check out the Ljubljana Bus Station website for relevant timetables and information.

BY TRAIN | It is also possible to travel through Slovenia by train, which is an affordable, convenient and scenic way to explore the country. 

If you’re already in Slovenia, it is easy to get to Ljubljana by train as there’s an excellent connection with some of the country’s most places, including Lake Bled, Bohinj and Koper.  

It is worth mentioning that you should buy your tickets in advance. For relevant timetables, tickets and the latest information, see here.

For those travelling around Europe, Slovenia is also well connected to popular cities of the neighbouring countries; Belgrade, Budapest, Munich, Zagreb and Zurich to name a few.

For international train connections to Ljubljana, make sure you visit interrail.