Ljubljana is one of my favourite cities in the whole world.
Though much less popular with tourists than other European destinations, Ljubljana is up there at the top of my list. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what it is that I love about it… I think it comes down to a combination of a three factors:
The first is that the entire city centre is a pedestrian-only zone. I’ve become increasingly appreciative of car-free living over recent years, and Ljubljana is reflects this lifestyle with cars banished to the outer suburbs in 2008. The lack of vehicle noise in the inner city makes it a peaceful and safe area to walk around.
The second factor is that it sits perfectly between central Europe and eastern Europe. This mix of influences make it fairly cheap, yet it feels comfortable for western tourists on a European vacation. It’s a quirk that only a handful of European cities have, in my opinion (some others being Zagreb, Krakow, and Budapest).
The third factor is that it’s an eco-friendly destination. Ljubljana actually won the title of European Green Capital in 2016! This environmental commitment is obvious when you wander the streets: there are public bins to separate waste items for recycling, plenty of bike paths, loads of green space, infrastructure for electric vehicles, and public buses that run entirely on methane.
I honestly believe that Ljubljana is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe. If you’re planning on visiting Slovenia’s capital, I promise you won’t be disappointed! Here are my suggestions for all the best things to do in Ljubljana.
Quick summary:
Ljubljana is one of Europe’s most underrated capitals, with riverside cafés, historic landmarks and a relaxed, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. This guide covers the best things to do in Ljubljana, from visiting the castle and Dragon Bridge to discovering local food and wine.
Recommended tours & tickets:
🏰 Ljubljana Castle Entrance Ticket – Ride the funicular and explore the city’s iconic hilltop castle and panoramic viewpoints.
🍽️ Slovenian Cuisine Walking Tour with Tastings – Enjoy a tasting experience with traditional dishes and five Slovenian wines.
Where to stay in Ljubljana:
🏨 We based our stay at Barbo Palace in the city centre. This boutique hotel was really fabulous – one of the best rooms I’ve experienced!
Even considering the extra Euros we paid for a top floor ‘castle view’ apartment, it was very reasonably priced and centrally located. The building was actually a mansion built in 1755 and was only recently converted into accommodation. I would definitely recommend it!
Best things to do in Ljubljana
Watch the action in Prešeren Square
Prešeren Square, named for the Slovene poet France Prešeren, is the central plaza in Ljubljana. It’s a perfect place to start your exploration of the city as this is where all the action happens. The square is the place where locals meet up with their friends, where buskers set up to play music, and where tourists come to take photos.
The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation is the most prominent building lining the square. It was originally painted red, but the colour faded over time and the people of Ljubljana decided that they liked it better this way. I think the coral pink colour is totally gorgeous! The church was originally built in the 17th century and is now a Slovenian cultural monument. It’s free to enter, so have a peek inside!
Walk over the bridges
Ljubljana has loads of pedestrian and vehicle bridges crossing the Ljubljanica River, which cuts right through the city. The Dragon Bridge is probably the most famous, with its majestic dragon statues guarding the entrances on either end. A legend tells that the dragons will twitch their tails when a virgin crosses the bridge! Ha!
Another great bridge to check out is the Triple Bridge next to Prešeren Square. This uniquely-shaped stone arch bridge was originally designed to carry cars in the middle and foot traffic on either side, but now the iconic bridge sits inside the pedestrian-only zone.
Wander through Central Market
Central Market is the perfect place to see some of Ljubljana’s residents shopping for fresh produce. There are open-air farmers markets within the square, while a covered market along the river is filled with artisan stalls selling local honey, chocolate, truffles and other Slovenian specialties.
🍽️ If you’d like to learn more about the local food scene, I’d recommend joining a Slovenian Cuisine Walking Tour with Tastings. It’s a great way to get your bearings in the city while sampling traditional dishes and Slovenian wines from different regions of the country.
This market is also a place where you can sample unpasteurised milk. Have you ever wondered what milk tastes like before it’s processed through machines? It seems like a crazy idea and is actually illegal in some countries (including my home country of Australia), but not in Slovenia! There’s a vending machine at the edge of the market where you can pop in a few Euros and have fresh, unpasteurised milk poured straight into a glass bottle.
Go up to Ljubljana Castle
Perched on a hill overlooking the Old Town, Ljubljana Castle is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The main reason to visit is for the panoramic views over Ljubljana’s red rooftops, with the Julian Alps visible in the distance on a clear day.
To reach the castle, you can either walk up through the leafy parkland or take the funicular from the north side of the hill. Even if you don’t buy a ticket, you’re free to wander around the courtyard and enjoy some of the viewpoints.
🏰 If you want to make the most of your visit, I’d recommend booking a Ljubljana Castle Entrance Ticket. It gives you the funicular ride plus access to the castle’s museum and exhibitions, and the Viewing Tower for some of the best views in the city.
Once you’ve finished exploring, there are several walking paths leading back down into the Old Town, making for a scenic end to your visit.
Get sunset views from the skyscraper
Nebotičnik Skyscraper has arguably the best views in Ljubljana. From the rooftop terrace cafe, there are uninterrupted views of the castle. You don’t have to pay an entrance ticket, but it’s good form to order something from the cocktail bar or some coffee, cake, or snacks from the restaurant. The prices are a little higher than other venues in Ljubljana, but still are way better than what you’d pay in the west! Gotta love eastern Europe.
Admire the graffiti in Metelkova
Metelkova is a commune of artists and activists, which has resulted in the area being covered from top to toe in graffiti. It was formerly used as military headquarters before the Slovenian independence in 1991, then in 1993 squatters moved in to the abandoned buildings and transformed the area into an artistic haven.
I walked through Metelkova in the middle of the day to admire the colourful walls, but apparently the evenings are when it really comes alive.
Drink wine by the Ljubljanica River
Ljubljana is all about al-fresco drinking and dining, even in the winter. Just look for some of the many outdoor bar tables that line the Ljubljanica River and take a seat – you can even use the provided blankets to cover your lap if you get cold! Ask your waiter to recommend a Slovenian wine, then enjoy your drink while watching the mix of locals and tourists enjoying the riverside.
Eat pizza
Slovenia is one of the best places to eat pizza! The proximity to Italy really shows in the city’s pizzerias. We got a Margherita (Rob’s fave) from Ljubljanski dvor – a basement restaurant with authentic Italian vibes. The menu offered a ‘large’ size which we ordered to share between the two of us, but this monstrosity of a pizza was just too big! We’ll admit we failed to finish it, though it was delicious.
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