The 13 essential things to do in Ljubljana

Are you leaving for a road trip to the Balkans or just in Slovenia? Discover the 11 essential things to do in Ljubljana!

The capital of Slovenia independent of the former Yugoslavia since 1991, the economic and cultural centre of Slovenia of about 280,000 inhabitants, the city of Ljubljana is a crossroads of cultures due to its geographical position – between Western Europe and the Balkan countries of Eastern Europe – and coveted all empires from the Roman period to the Habsburg of Austria-Hungary, passing through the 1991-45 Federation. Slovenia, border Italy , of Austria , Hungary and of Croatia truly constitutes a door to Western Europe. Despite the traumas experienced through its history, Ljubljana has preserved an intact historic centre, a culture influenced by the Austrian and Italian heritage and an unavoidable architectural heritage.

We had been there in 2015 during a road trip in the Balkans (Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia) and had been seduced by the tranquility of this city, especially on the banks of the Ljubljanica River. You will not miss things to do when you come to visit Ljubljana, but you were created a mini-guide of things to do in Ljubljana, in case you were in the impasse.

1. The historic centre

An opera decor is unveiled by visiting the paved alleys of the historic centre: it is believed to be Vienna under the Habsburg empire. Everything is organized, clean, maintained and colored. Take a look at the Baroque City Hall and its 18th-century clock tower in Gornij Trg and the fountain, at the Fontaine aux Trois Rivières Carnioliennes – for the Italian touch – at the Palais des Chevaliers de la Croix. On the docks is the Triple Bridge ( Tromostovje ) in a mixture of baroque architecture and new art.

2. The castle of Ljubljana

Coming to visit Ljubbljana without seeing his castle is blasphemous! Great fortress of the 12th century – its local name is Ljubljanski grad - the castle is a must-see. It houses a museum and a panoramic view of the city from the tower. Perched at the top of the city centre hill, the castle has been built on a inhabited area for 1200 years before our era. You can access it on foot – for a beautiful urban walk – or by a funicular.

3. The docks of Ljubljanica

The river is a tributary of Save , falling into the Danube, and irrigating Ljubljana, especially the old center. You know what to do in Ljubljana? It is pleasant to walk on its docks, under the three bridges of the central square. You can navigate on it in canoe and in SUP (Stand up paddle), to see the city other than on earth.

The river is sprinkled with many terraces where it can be arranged in the shade of spring to autumn: beer, coffee, ice, in a lung of greenery away from cars! For the most greedy, it is here that you will be brought to taste local delicacies such as ravioli, Tolminc cheese, cognac or cold meats with a sandstone three-hour gastronomic tour on the river.

4. Central market

What to do in Ljubljana? What if we took advantage of this visit to taste the best products of Slovenian farmers? Breaking in the colorful stalls of this typical market makes Ljubljana a pleasant city to live.

The Central market is located on the opposite bank of the Ljubljanica, where the Preseren square stands. Don’t miss getting inside the covered market, a place very appreciated by the locals and little frequented by the tourists. There are butchers, bakers, cheesemakers, florists, fishermen, charcutters... To access it, you must enter the huge building located in the center of the market by a small door.

5. The Dragon Bridge

Appeal Zmajski most , Dragon Bridge is located northeast of Vodnik Square, and is a historic monument of the city. Built between 1900 and 1901 for the jubilee of the Emperor François-Joseph I of Austria, he was renamed "Dragon Bridge" because of the four statues that adorn his corners. He was one of the first bridges built in reinforced concrete in Europe and is today a true emblem of the city.

6. The Railway Museum

You know what to do in Ljubljana? Do you like the train and the history of rail transport? Make the Railway Museum ( Železniški muzej ), located 1.5 kilometres from the city centre.

Here you will find about 15 steam locomotives, as a witness of an ancient time. You will climb the steps leading to the cockpit, imagined to be the driver 150 to 100 years ago... Other locomotives are exposed outside, in large abandoned warehouses. Note that the museum is not well maintained.

7. Tivoli Park

The area of this lung of greenery is larger than that of the city centre: if you no longer know what to do in Ljubljana, the green capital of Europe 2016, go northwest to find this gigantic Tivoli Park and its forest. On the top of one of the ski jump springs in the park, you will admire a wonderful view of the city. Take the small paths to get out of the beaten paths!

8. The zoo in Ljubljana

The Zoological garden Ljubljana is located south of Tivoli Park, in the protected natural area Rožnik. It is only twenty minutes’ walk from the city centre. It allows to see animal species from all continents and allows to be in very direct contact with animals, for example by feeding them, which is rare for a zoo.

9. The National Gallery of Slovenia

By visiting Ljubljana, enjoy doing the National Gallery of Slovenia , a painting museum allowing to see works dating from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. If you like the history of art, it is a must-see passage. If not, it’s a museum to see if you don’t know what to do in Ljubljana, going to Tivoli Park.

10. Neboticnik

Built in 1933 by Vladimir Šubič, the skyscraper Neboticnik was the highest building in the Balkans and the 9th highest in Europe. It's a little over 70 metres high. This is not the Top of the Rock neither Empire State Building , but it allows a beautiful 360° view of the city.

11. The Union Brewery

Do you like beer? You don't know what to do in Ljubljana? Come visit the brewery Union , near Tivoli Park. The microbrewery produces the majority of litres of beer swallowed in the country. You can taste several popular beers, and see the museum dedicated to the world of this drink. The collection Pivovarna Museum presents all stages of production, storage of raw materials to the bottle, including label design, marketing and transport.

And if you like beer and dating, know there are some pub tours organized, through which visitors and locals trinquent to the best addresses of Ljubljana! *

12. Metelkova

High cultural place of the city, the district Metelkova is one of the most amazing of Ljubljana. A former Yugoslav military barracks transformed into an alternative cultural centre, today it welcomes the majority of the city’s artistic events where concerts and exhibitions portray an underground site. It is here, in this place very appreciated by the Slovenian youth, that locals and visitors are dying with a discreet and yet so promising alternative scene.

13. Lake Bled

It is one of the country’s jewels. Located 1h30 from Ljubljana, Bled and its lake could be compared to Lac d’Annecy . From the small seaside town to the beautiful medieval heritage it hosts, to the beautiful lake surrounded by the surrounding mountains, Bled raises the veil on one of the most beautiful faces of the country. If the premises come there for a weekend, visitors also like to stroll around this place where sometimes time seems to have stopped.

From the heart of town to the uncontourable Castle of Bled Perched on its island, let yourself be guided by the many treasures that Bled hosts and its surroundings. Also enjoy a hike to go to the country Osojnica which, together with Ojstrica, offers a breathtaking viewpoint on Lake Bled.

How to get to Ljubljana?

Going to Ljubljana is very easy: by car, passing the Tunnel du Mont-Blanc crossing Italy (Turin, Milan, Venice, Trieste) through the highway. It takes less time to make Lyon-Ljubljana by car than it takes to do Marseille-Brest or Nice-Lille!

By plane, scheduled flights from Paris are carried out by the company Adria or Air France. We can also choose rates low-cost to Venice, then rent a car to go to Ljubljana. Whatever your city of departure, think to take a look at the site to rate partner Skyscanner , flight specialist at the best price.

Finally, be aware that it is possible to go to Ljubljana by train with the Interrail pass that offers several options.

Where to stay in Ljubljana?

It is recommended to target the historic centre for staying in Ljubljana , and enjoy a central position. Close to Tivoli Park, you can rent an apartment in a quiet, green residential area. The north of the Trnovo district, when at it, offers residential areas close to the city centre. Apartments, hotels or hostels: in terms of accommodation, Ljubljana enjoys several types of feet on the ground. See, according to your activities and desires! For an atypical and local side you will find small beads on Airbnb . And if you choose a hotel, this Compare hotels will know when to offer you the offers most adapted to your criteria but also and above all, to vote budget.