Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and one of the most pleasant surprises we’ve found anywhere in Europe. As one of Europes smallest capital cities (population 293,000) it is hardly ever crowded and a great place to beat the crowds. The city itself is pristine and features an incredible central river that cuts through the main part of the city, providing beautiful waterfront scenery throughout the tourist areas of the town.
Aside from the many bars, cafes and restaurants that line the Sava (Ljubljianica) River, the city features a stunning castle, many gourmet restaurants, a fantastic market, a unique museum of illusions and a wonderful view of it all from atop Slovenia’s only skyscraper.
Where To Stay in Ljubljana
Grand Hotel Union – A gorgeous hotel, in the perfect location, just a block from the center of town. They provide ample parking in case you’ve driven your own car and have some great restaurants and bars on the premises.
Best Things to Do in Ljubljana
Explore the City Center
Within the city center you’ll undoubtedly walk through Prešeren Square. The main square in Ljubljana takes its name from the 19th-century poet France Prešeren whose work “Zdravljica” (“A Toast”), became Slovenia’s national anthem. His statue can be found gracing the square adjacent to the Central Pharmacy. He stands across the square from his unrequited love, Julia Primic. He is the most famous Slovenian poet and supposedly the first person to show that Slovenian could be used in poetry. The bright pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation dominates the square and provides for the best photo backdrops in town. Inside you can find a number of beautiful frescoes.
Attached to this square is Ljubljana’s famous Triple Bridge. The central bridge of the triple is much older than the two that flank it. Built in 1842 this bridge was designed for road traffic. Nearly a hundred years later the two adjacent bridges were added to provide a safe walkway for pedestrians.
In addition to the famous Triple Bridge, Ljubljana also boasts a number of other picturesque bridges, the Dragon Bridge (adorned with fierce dragons, the city’s protectors) and the Butcher’s Bridge (considered Ljubljana’s lover’s bridge, adorned with love locks as well as the unique statues of Jakov Brdar).
Through the middle of Ljubljana’s vibrant and colorful old town flows the Sava (Ljubljianica) River. Lining both sides of the river are an abundance of cafes, bars and restaurant. This is the hub of social life in Ljubljana. This is the perfect spot to start your day in Ljubljana as there are ample cafes and breakfast spots spelling out into the streets. Make sure to try Slovenia’s famous coffee while here. Slovenians drink massive mugs of Turkish style coffee often brewed with sugar and milk.
One block off the river are three historic pedestrian streets, complete with mini squares and a ton of restaurants, bars, cafes and boutique shops. Make sure to walk through the three commercial streets of Mestni Trg, Stari trg, and Gornji trg in this area.
Escape from Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle is one of Europes most well maintained medieval castles. It is also the site of one of the most unique activities you can do in a medieval castle. Inside Ljubljana exists Europe’s only Escape Game built within a medieval castle. Rather than simply touring the castles many rooms, you can engage in an escape room/scavenger hunt game as you explore the castle. After booking your time slot, you tasked with completing various puzzles in order to help you save the dragon. You will be given five challenges that lead you through the many rooms of the castle and lead you ultimately to the dragon. The challenges are somewhat easy and geared towards children, but it is still a fun activity for adults.
You can visit their website here. Here you can book your time slot at the Castle Escape Game, learn more about ongoing exhibits or make reservations at the castle restaurant. To get up to the castle you can either take the funicular or simply walk up to the castle entrance.
Do a Wine Tasting
Our friend Boris does the best wine tastings anywhere, let alone in the tiny country of Slovenia. He has some of the best Slovenian Orange Wines you’ll try anywhere on earth. He has wine tasting experiences in both Ljubljana and Lake Bled as well as tours that can be booked to Slovenian Vineyards. Please check out his website HERE. This is a can’t miss experience and Boris is one of the most fun, lively and lovely people you will ever meet.
Do a Food Tour
We took a wonderful food and wine tour with our friend Jasmina. Check her out on her personal website HERE and book a 3-4 hour food tour. She’ll take you to a number of places in Ljubljana’s Old Town and finish with a lovely dessert atop Slovenia’s only skyscraper.
Visit Nebotičnik
Slovenia’s only skyscraper isn’t much of a skyscraper by world standards. It’s only a 13-storey tower built in 1933. It remains the tallest building in Slovenia and to this day gives you the best views in Ljubljana and the surrounding mountains to the north. When you enter the building from street level, simply take the elevator up to the 12th floor where you’ll find a restaurant and terrace with great views. If you take the beautiful Art Deco spiral stairway to the top you’ll find a cafe/nightclub sitting above the restaurant.
From the terrace you can see these fantastic views as well as the photo above of Ljubljana Castle. And, you can enjoy one of the most delicious cakes in town.
Museum of Illusions
Tucked away in a townhouse off Congress Square is an offbeat museum, a perfect place to take your kids, that is dedicated to optical illusions. While the museum is undoubtedly geared towards children, adults that want to get a cool instagram photo will also enjoy stopping in here for a few min.
Tivoli Park
Just a few blocks away from the river is Ljubljana’s most famous park. Tivoli Park extends for almost a mile, filled with elegant gardens and beautiful mansions, interspersed with dozens of nature trails.
Central Market
Built along the river, between the Dragon Bridge and the Triple Bridge there is a lovely market that is open every day except Sunday where you can buy local food, wine, crafts and other items.
Check out the Graffiti and Art of Metelkova Mesto
Built within an abandoned army barracks from the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is a freestanding urban art installation featuring alternative means of expression like graffiti and murals. They also occasionally host live bands and DJs.
Union Beer Experience
A must for beer lovers, tour the Pivovarna Union Brewery, learn about their modern production process and enjoy a glass of beer at the end of the tour.
Have a Traditional Slovenian Evening
Enjoy an evening of traditional Slovenian food, wine, dance and music. Check out their website HERE to book your experience.
What and Where to Eat in Ljubljana
Drawing inspiration from nearby Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, restaurants in Ljubljana take advantage of local products. We’re talking about artisan meats like prosciutto and pork, incredible fruits and vegetables including some of the world’s best wild mushrooms and uber-fresh seafood from the Adriatic.
Štruklji – dough, rolled up and filled with sweet fillings like apple, or savoury ones like walnuts or cheese. Stop by Moji Štruklji Slovenije which serves some of the best Štruklji in town.
Kranjska Klobasa – Slovenian smoked sausage. Check out Klobasarna for a delicious taste of this Slovenian delicacy.
Ljubljana’s Best Restaurants
Gostišče Grič – Just click HERE and check out our entire write up on the restaurant that we’ve called our best meal of all time. It’s about 30-40 min outside of the city, but it’s well worth the trip. You can take a car or use Slovenia’s ample bus system to get to the restaurant.
JB – Acclaimed Chef Janez Bratovż puts his best dishes on display at Ljubljana’s groundbreaking JB Restaurant. This is a white tablecloth, Michelin Star fine dining experience featuring 6-9 courses of incredibly unique dishes in a vaulted ceiling dining room. The ricotta and pistachio ravioli stuffed with meat sauce, foie gras and pear gelee were life changing. Click HERE to see our photos from our meal at JB.
Strelec Restaurant and Gostilna Na Gradu – Both of these restaurant offer Michelin Star quality dining experiences inside Ljubljana Castle.
Slovenska Hiša – The best spot in town for traditional Slovenian Food and wine.
Manna – Local, contemporary Mediterranean cuisine set in a colorful little house in one of the prettiest areas of the city. One of only 7 Slovenian restaurants listed in the prestigious Gault-Millau guide.
Luda Restaurant – A modern style bistro which utilizes its close proximity to the Central Market by serving a seasonal menu based on the best products available at the market on that particular day. Luda offers 3- and 5-course meals that provide a tremendous amount of value based on the price for what you get.
Most – Located near the Butcher’s Bridge, this Mediterranean restaurant serves traditional Slovenian food.
Spajza – A brother-sister tandem of chefs offers high-class cuisine in a rustic, old world dining room.
Monstera Bistro – Experimental dishes made from local and seasonal ingredients. They have a vegetarian option as well.
Bistro Ek – A great spot for brunch
Ljubljana’s Best Cafes
Črno Zrno – Locally roasted Colombian coffee
Kararna Cacao – The cities best cafe for ice cream lovers. The scoops are huge so beware, 2 is more than enough for an average person.
Lolita Cafe – Nominated for Best International Interior in the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. An instagrammers dream as far as interior decor goes, this cafe, with its vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls offers great coffee, cake and gourmet chocolates.
Stow – Located at Ljubljana’s City Museum
Zvezda – Strong coffee and insane desserts including cakes, pies, cream pots, meringues, croissants and tarts. They even offer vegan, raw and diabetic cakes for the health conscience dessert lovers. Kavarna Moderna – Located in the Museum of Modern Art Next to Tivoli Park
TOZD – Riverside cafe with an Australian vibe, serving beans roasted by Escobar, a Slovenian roasters
Ziferblat – Interesting concept that charges you by the hour (all you can eat and drink) rather than per cup or per plate. Also has board games, a piano and free wifi.
Ljubljana’s Best Bars
Cafe Čokl – a gret cafe and beer spot near the Central Market and the funicular
Movia – An impressive wine bar with a vast selection of wines from private vineyards in Slovenia’s Primorska region. They have locally sources pancetta and cheese to pair with your wines.
Wine Bar Šuklje – An elegant wine bar with a fantastic collection of local wines as well as wines from other countries such as France and South Africa.
Cutty Sark Pub – Traditional Irish Pub with a fun twist. Wednesday features standup comedy, Thurday’s feature local musicians playing live music and Fridays and Saturdays are dedicated to dancing.
Jazz Club Gajo – Small cozy jazz bar, perfect for grabbing a drink and enjoying live jazz music.
AS Apertivo – Chic upscale cocktail bar with intriguing architecture.
Day Trips From Ljubljana
