Best things to do in Ljubljana
Prosperous and elegant, the Slovene capital gracefully fans out from its castle-topped hill. The city’s museums, galleries and architecture are only part of the picture; above all, Ljubljana is a place to meet people and enjoy the nightlife.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Nebotičnik (Skyscraper): One of Ljubljana’s tallest buildings, this 1930s skyscraper has an observation deck on the top floor from where you can enjoy a coffee and drink in the 360-degree view of the city and snow-capped mountains.
Ljubljana Castle: High above the Old Town, the clock tower affords superlative views of the city below and the magnificent Kamniške Alps to the north.
The best districts
Old Town: Defined by a tangle of narrow streets, handsome orange-and-red-roofed townhouses and neat rows of compact pavement cafés and restaurants, Ljubljana’s fabulous Old Town is for many the most enjoyable part of the city.
Metelkova: The alternative face of Ljubljana, Metelkova is one of the city’s most colourful quarters. A former barracks complex of the Yugoslav People’s Army, its graffitied streets now accommodate a cosmopolitan array of independent societies, underground clubs, bars and galleries.
Trnovo: A quiet, local neighbourhood known for its leafy riverside cafés and green spaces.
Museums
National Gallery: Rich in local medieval Gothic work, although most visitors gravitate towards the halls devoted to the Slovene Impressionists, and in particular the outstanding paintings by Ivan Grohar and Rihard Jakopič.
City Museum: Although mostly devoted to the lives and times of the city’s inhabitants (ljubljancani), do keep an eye out for the usually excellent temporary exhibitions held here.
Parks and gardens
Historical monuments
St Nicholas’ Cathedral: The most sumptuous and overblown of Ljubljana’s Baroque statements was completed in 1706 and decorated with fabulous frescoes painted by Quaglio.
Triple Bridge: The elegant Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) is the city’s most iconic sight and one of many innovative creations by celebrated Ljubljana-born architect Jože Plečnik.
Day trips in the area
Lake Bled: Perhaps the most visited place outside of the capital, this magical lake resort has all the ingredients for a memorable visit – a placid mirror lake with a romantic island, a medieval cliff-top castle and a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Postojna Cave: Hourly trains run the 65km route from Ljubljana to these awesome caves, where a train whizzes you through spectacular preliminary systems for 3.5km before the guided 1.5km walking tour starts.
Škocjan Caves: Even more dramatic than Postojna, the Škocjan Caves are a stunning system of echoing chambers, secret passages and collapsed valleys carved out by the Reka River, which begins its journey some 50km south near the Croatian border.
Activities for families in Ljubljana
Ljubljana is a super destination for families, with a whole stream of outdoor and dry weather activities worth considering.
Boat rides: A terrific little family outing is a guided excursion along the Ljubljanica in summer, setting off from Ribji trg; alternatively, Barka Ljubljanica offers 45-minute river cruises in a gorgeous wooden boat, which departs from Novi trg on the hour.
Puppetry: Slovenia has a long history of puppetry; up at the castle, there’s a superb puppet museum, where children (and adults) can fool around with all manner of shadow puppets, hand puppets and marionettes, while the much-loved Puppet Theatre (Lutkovno Gledališie) offers a regular programme of shows throughout the year that will appeal even to non-native speakers.
Aquariums and zoos: Located on the outskirts of the city, Ljubljana Zoo is a highly regarded conservation centre, home to some 400 animals from all over the world, including red pandas and black storks.
Free things to do in Ljubljana
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Ljubljana holidays without spending much, particularly as it’s such an outdoorsy city.
Free events: There’s a wonderful roster of annual festivals in the capital, none better, or freer, than the Ana Desetnica Festival of Street Theatre when the streets of the Old Town burst into life with a seemingly nonstop programme of wonderful and often wacky street performances.
Visit the markets: There’s a lively food market on Vodnikov trg where you can pick up tasty seasonal produce, while the nearby Market Colonnade is packed with little food shops selling breads, cheeses, sandwiches and the like. Every Friday, the open-air kitchen is great for street food at bargain prices.
Nature and outdoor activities in Ljubljana
Ljubljana lies within close proximity to some of the country's finest mountain ranges, with hiking and skiing the two activities most Slovenians gravitate to.
Walk to Šmarna Gora: The isolated 669m-high hill of Šmarna Gora, 10km northwest of the centre, is extremely popular with locals, many of whom come here after work for a touch of exercise; why not join them? For more challenging trails, head to the Julian Alps, which are within striking distance.
Skiing: Rated as one of the most fashionable centres in Slovenia – and the most popular resort among weekending ljubljančani – is Krvavec, some 25km north of the capital; located at a relatively high altitude, its extensive range of slopes is suitable for skiers of all abilities; moreover, it has a snowboard school, speed-skiing track and a freestyle mogul course.
Water sports: The tranquil waters of the Ljubljanica River are perfect for a spot of kayaking and paddleboarding, and a delightful way to take in the sights from a different angle.