Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
During the summer of 2022 we visited many European cities: Paris, Rome, Venice, and Reykjavik, but our favorite city was Ljubljana, Slovenia. This unassuming and lovely town nestled in the center of Slovenia is approachable, friendly, walkable and full of character. We spent one day in Ljubljana as we traveled from Venice to Lake Bled and will share everything we learned about visiting this amazing Slovenian capital.
Below you can find an overview of the city of Ljubljana, a list of 10 things to do in the city and some important things to know to help you plan your visit.
We visitied Ljubljana as part of our 7 Day Slovenia Itinerary.
Overview of Ljubljana
Ljubljana is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe with a population around 300,000. The city is young, fun with a mix of tradition, culture, and delicious food. The city has also become the ‘green’ Capital of a country committed to the environment.
Ljubljana is built around the river Ljubljanica River and many of the best sites are located right along the waterfront. While the city has a history that dates back to the 12th century, legend states that the city was founded by Jason and his companions from the Greek mythological tale about stealing the Golden Fleece from King Aetes. They stopped as a large lake where Jason fought and defeated a monster. Today the monster, or the Ljubljana Dragon is found as a symbol around the city.
Since the city of Ljubljana is small, it is easy to explore on foot and you can get a sense of the town in a single day unlike some of the larger European cities where you truly need multiple days.
How to Get to Ljubljana
Ljubljana is easily reached by airplane or you can drive or take public transportation from one of the neighboring countries. The airport is located about 20 minutes outside the city and connects to most major European airplanes.
You can also travel to Ljubljana by train and bus. The train station is located within walking distance of the city and you can find train schedules online. You can also find the bus schedule online and these buses connect to many local destinations.
We chose to travel to Ljubljana by car as our visit was part of a 2 week trip around Slovenia and Italy. We rented our car in Rome and drove to Ljubljana after spending the day in Venice. From Venice to Ljubljana the drive takes about 3 hours. Crossing the border into Slovenia by car is easy although you should double check with your rental car’s insurance policy. You will also need to purchase a vignette after you cross the border. This allows you to travel on the toll roads in Slovenia.
10 Things to do in Ljubljana
If you’ve decided to spend one day in Ljubljana, you will want to decide on some of the top attractions and activities. While I think one day in Ljubljana is enough time to enjoy the city, you won’t be able to see everything and of you have a few days, you will be able to take your time and enjoy more of what this city has to offer.
Stroll Along the Ljubljanica River
The river is a central element to the city of the Ljubljana and the area along the river is full of restaurants shops, and many of the top attractions in the city. Both sides of the river in the central part of town have a wide pedestrian area. We loved wandering along the river and watching some of the boats go past.
The best way to see the waterfront is with a guided tour of the Old Town.
Metelkova
The Metelkova art commune in Ljubljana is a must visit on your 1 day in Ljubljana. Once a series of military barracks, today this area has been reimagined as an autonomous social and cultural centre. The area is home to art galleries, displays and events.
Find the Ljubljana Dragon Around Town
The Ljublijana dragon come from the legend of the founding of the town, when the mythological figure Jason defeated the dragon to found the town. We loved searching for images of the dragon all around town from bridges to statues.
Visit Tivoli Park
Just to the west of the the city center, Tivoli park is a sprawling urban park full of tree-lined full of statues, benches, and gardens. Based on a park in Paris, give yourself plenty of time to wander around Tivoli Park or grab a snack and sit on a park bench
Eat Slovenian Pastries
Slovenian food is delicious and some of our favorite food in Slovenia were the pastries. There are a few different Slovenia specialties such as gibanica and kremšnita and many small cafes serving pastries for breakfast or throughout the day.
Visit the Central Market
We spent over an hour wandering through the Central Market on the northside of town. The market was buzzing with people and has fresh fruits and vegetables as well as locally made goods. If you visit the Central Market on a Friday, you can also see Open Kitchen where chefs create delicious food from around the world.
Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church
This church feels a bit out of place in Ljubljana, but actually fits the eclectic feel of the town. This Orthodox Church is located in Trubar Park. The outside of the building is interesting, but the inside is truly stunning. The church is free to visit.
Walk Across Triple Bridge
Right in the heart of Ljubljana the Triple Bridge is one of the most recognizable sites in the city. Located directly next to each other, the 2 bridges cross the river forming a large crossing. The bridge connects the Old Town to the modern town. The original bridge was built in 1842 and the the side bridges were added for pedestrians between 1929 and 1932.
Ride the Funicular to the Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle sits perched on a hill above the city of Ljubljana. Originally built in the 11th century and rebuilt several times, this castle is open to the public where you can tour the castle, visit the Slovenian museum, or do the Escape Castle. The most interesting way to get to the castle is to take the funicular right from town up to the castle. This costs just a few Euros.
See more about the castle and purchase tickets on the official site.
Enjoy a Typical Slovenian Meal
We had an incredible lunch during our visit to Ljubljana. There are many excellent restaurants right along the river. You can simply walk along the river and choose a spot, or consider eating lunch or dinner at Monstera Bistro.
Looking for our Slovenia Itinerary as a printable and downloadable itinerary? You can find our Slovenia Itinerary on our Etsy Shop.
A One Day in Ljubljana Itinerary
With so many things to do, how to do you put together an itinerary for a day in Ljubljana? Since the city is small, most of the main sites are within walking distance making it easy to see a lot in a short amount of time. This itinerary assumes that you either spend the night or arrive early in the morning. We arrived early after driving from Venice early in the morning and spent the day exploring the town.
Grab Breakfast in Town
Start the day with breakfast at one of the many restaurants in town – make sure to try some of the local pastries. If you are driving into town you can park near the park/Old town either on the road or in the parking garage.
Ride the Funicular to the Castle
After breakfast, wander further into town and head towards the funicular. Ride the funicular up to the castle and spend the morning enjoying the view and enjoying the castle. If you have time try to the Escape Room.
Grab Lunch in Town
Head back to the main town and grab some lunch. We ate right along the river near the market. There are several excellent places to eat with outdoor seating and reasonable and delicious food.
Walk Through the Market, Old Town, Triple Bridge and Search for Dragons
Enjoy a walk around town and enjoy the sites. If you have time, do a walking tour, or check out the sites on your own. If it’s warm, grab some gelato.
Choose an afternoon visit to Metelkova or Tivoli Garden and Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church
In the late afternoon, you have enough time to visit one addition site. Consider either a walk through the garden and a visit to the Methodius Church, or enjoy a stop at Metelkova.
Enjoy a Slovenian Meal
Choose a classic Slovenian restaurant for dinner such as Monstera. Other excellent restaurants to consider are Julija, Strelec, or Atelje.
Map of Things to do with One Day in Ljubljana
To use this map, you can save it to your own google drive and edit and add additional sites.
Things to Know about Spending One Day in Ljubljana
Below you can find some more information to help you plan your day trip to Ljubljana.
Where is the Best Place to Stay in Ljubljana?
Below you can find a number of different hotel options, but you can also find a number of apartments and smaller boutique options at booking.com.
Hotel Tresor: A budget option just north of the Old Town but walkable
ONE66 Hotel: This is a mid-range hotel located a bit north of town.
Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel: This is a luxury option with free bikes, a terrace and option for family rooms.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Ljubljana?
Ljubljana makes a good year round destination, but the best time to enjoy the town and parks is during the summer months and shoulder months: April-October. The visited during early July and found the temperature ideal and the city relatively uncrowded.
Visiting during the winter months, especially around the holidays is fun and you will find the city lit up and festive for Christmas.
Day Trips and Things to do Near Ljubljana
While spending a day in Ljubljana is must if you’re in Slovenia, some of the best things to do in Slovenia are outside the city. Several destinations can be visited on a day trip, while other destinations will need at least a night or two. Here are a few nearby options to be visited on a day trip.
Lake Bled: Lake Bled was one of our favorite places in Slovenia. We spent several days in Bled and hiking in Triglav National Park, but you can also visit the area on a day trip. Bled is located about 1 hour from the city and can be reached easily by car or train. If you are visiting Bled for a single day, you will want to make sure to stop at Vintgar Gorge and walk around Lake Bled
Kamnic and Kamniška Bistrica River Valley: Located close to Ljubljana, this is a beautiful valley and a fun town. With just a short drive, you will in the mountains surrounded by stunning lakes.
Predjama Castle And Postojna Cave: This is the world’ largest cave castle. The castle is perched on a cliff almost 400 feet high. The cave is a great place to see some amazing stalactites and stalagmites.
Have you explored Slovenia and Ljubljana? Leave a comment with anything we’ve missed or any questions.
