Ljubljana holidays

How to reach Ljubljana

Flight time: Flights to Ljubljana from London and other major UK airports take about 2 hours 15 minutes.

Transfer time:

• From Ljubljana’s Jože Pučnik airport in Brnik, 25km north of the city, the bus takes 50 minutes to reach the centre, or there’s the quicker shuttle bus, which takes around 30 minutes.

Price:

• The regular bus costs €4.50 while the airport shuttle bus costs around €10.

• Taxis cost around €35–40.

Best time to visit Ljubljana

This will depend on what you want to do during your holidays to Ljubljana; some activities are seasonal, and the weather may also affect your decision.

April to June:

• The weather is mild, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C, making it perfect for exploring the Old Town and the city's many outdoor attractions; it’s a good time to hike the local mountains too.

• Expect about 7–10 hours of sunshine, with occasional spring showers.

July to August:

• The city buzzes with energy, hosting a fantastic roster of festivals and outdoor events, plus exciting open-air markets.

• Temperatures average 25°C to 30°C, with lots of sunshine (up to 12 hours a day) and rainfall is minimal.

September to November:

• The temperatures start to cool down, from 20°C to 10°C, but it’s still pleasant enough for sightseeing.

• Expect 6–8 hours of sunshine, with rainfall increasing to 80–100mm as autumn sets in.

December to March:

• The city’s Christmas markets are a highlight, and there’s a good chance of snow, especially in January and February.

• Temperatures can drop to around 0°C to 5°C, with fewer hours of sunshine (3–6 hours), but it’s a magical time to visit.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Slovene is the official language, but English is spoken to a very high level here.

• Local habits and customs: The predominant religion is Catholicism, and respectful attire (no sleeveless tops or above-the-knee skirts) should be worn inside churches and around religious sites. Although tipping is not obligatory, it is polite to round the bill up to a convenient figure in restaurants and when taking a taxi.

• Currency: Slovenia uses the Euro. ATMs are plentiful across the city, and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

• Getting around: Ljubljana is compact and easy to navigate. Buses are cheap and frequent; there are no cash fares, so you must buy an Urbana public transport card (€2), available at tourist information offices, news kiosks and post offices, and top it up with credit for your journeys, which cost €1.20.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard voltage is 230V, and plugs are the European two-pin type. UK travellers will need a plug adaptor.

• Time zone: Ljubljana is on Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT, and observes Daylight Saving Time.

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

• Tivoli Park: Elegant Tivoli Park is an expanse of lawns and tree-lined walkways leading to dense woodland, a lovely retreat from the busy city centre.

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.

Local dishes in Ljubljana

Slovene cuisine draws on Austrian, Italian and Balkan influences, but there’s a native tradition, too, based on age-old peasant recipes, which you may encounter at tourist farms across the country.

Some typical dishes

• Kranjska klobasa (Carniolan sausage): A smoky, juicy sausage, this is best accompanied with a side of mustard, bread and pickles.

• Štruklji: This versatile dish can be sweet or savoury, with variations including cheese, walnut, apple or tarragon.

• Zganci: Once the staple diet of rural Slovenes, this is a buckwheat or maize porridge usually served with sauerkraut.

Meat dishes

• Golaž (Goulash): A hearty, Hungarian-like stew comprising beef, onions and paprika, it’s the perfect winter warmer.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Trout: Slovenia’s rivers and lakes are home to excellent trout, often served grilled with garlic, herbs and a squeeze of lemon.

• Salt-baked fish: Inspired by the coastal regions, this dish involves baking the fish in a crust of salt, which seals in the moisture and flavour.

Street food

• Burek: Street kiosks all over the city dole out this flaky pastry layered with cheese or meat.

Sweets and desserts

• Kremšnita: Also known as the Bled cream cake, this creamy delight is packed with layers of custard and whipped cream sandwiched between crispy pastry. You’ll find variations throughout Slovenia, but it’s especially famous in Bled.

• Prekmurska gibanica: Rich, sweet, and slightly crumbly, this multi-layered pastry features poppy seeds, apples, raisins and walnuts.

• Potica: A rolled pastry filled with nuts, poppy seeds or honey, Potica goes down a treat with a cup of coffee.

Local drinks

• Slovenian wines: Slovenia is known for its excellent wines, with regions like Goriška Brda and the Vipava Valley producing a range of stunning whites and reds. Rebula and Teran are good starting points.

• Medica and borovničevec: Sweet, fruity liqueurs enjoyed as digestifs: Medica is made with honey, while borovničevec is made with blueberries, both offering a delightfully sweet finish to your dining experience.