Experience Slovenia: 10 good reasons to visit Ljubljana

Rome, Paris, Prague, and Stockholm are popular destinations for travelers at any time of year. Yet few people visit the charming city of Ljubljana in Slovenia . This may be because it's one of Europe's smallest capital cities. Yet it combines a Mediterranean lifestyle with Alpine charm—a mix that stems from its rich history.

Today, Ljubljana (which, by the way, is pronounced Jubeljana) is known above all for its relaxed, urban atmosphere: trendy cafés and restaurants along the lively waterfront promenade invite you to linger.

Not convinced yet? We present ten good reasons to visit the Slovenian capital.

Ljubljana Castle, also known as Laibach Castle, is one of the city's most important landmarks and can be seen from afar. For over 900 years, it has stood majestically on a hilltop, offering unparalleled views over Ljubljana and the surrounding area. You can reach the castle hill either on foot or by cable car.

The castle towers majestically above Ljubljana.

Source: Getty Images

The castle itself invites exciting exploration: In addition to the observation tower, there are exhibitions on Slovenian history, an escape room, and the Michelin-starred Strelec restaurant. The best view of the castle is from the Nebotičnik skyscraper: On the top floor, there's a café open until midnight.

Ljubljana's Old Town, which stretches along both sides of the river, is perfect for exploring on foot. It boasts a charming atmosphere and is also a paradise for those looking for special souvenirs. Unlike many European city centers, you won't find large chain stores here. Instead, small boutiques, craft shops, delicatessens, and all sorts of curiosities dominate the scene.

Ciril Metodov trg in the old town of Ljubljana.

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The most magnificent historic buildings are located around Mestni ulica and Stari trg Square. Prešeren Square, with its pink-red Franciscan Church, is also beautiful and can be reached via the "Three Bridges." With its colorful, geometric decorations, the building of the Cooperative Economic Bank on Miklošičeva ulica boasts perhaps the most unusual facade in the city.

The cooperative bank building, also known as Vurnik House.

Source: IMAGO/imagebroker

A fantastic way to sample Slovenian dishes is at Ljubljana's street food market. Odprta Kuhna (translated: Open Kitchen) takes place every Friday from May to October. Between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., there's food, drinks, music, and outdoor seating.

The best place for street food is Odprta Kuhna.

Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images

At the stalls, you'll find a wide selection of regional delicacies and modern international cuisine, including vegan and gluten-free options. True to the motto: "You don't need a silver fork to enjoy good food." A must-visit!

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Ljubljana is the center of the queer scene—and not just since same-sex marriage was recognized in Slovenia in 2022. In fact, Europe's first LGBT film festival took place in Ljubljana in 1984. Even today, numerous events are still held by the committed community: among the most important are the feminist arts festival Red Dawns in March, the colorful Pride Parade in June, and the queer film festival in November.

The Parada ponosa is the most important event of the LGBTIQ community in Ljubljana.

Source: IMAGO/Gasper Lesnik

The city also has several bars and clubs for the LGBTIQ community, including Klub Monokel, Kafetarija Lan, and the cultural center Klub Tiffany, which hosts parties, cabaret shows, and film screenings. The K4 disco also regularly hosts queer parties called "Roza."

A river with a very similar name runs right through Ljubljana: the Ljubljanica. The river is 85 kilometers long, about 20 kilometers of which run through underground caves. A boat tour is a wonderful way to discover the city from a new perspective: the river banks are lined with magnificent old buildings as well as lively bars, cafés, and restaurants. Twelve bridges span the river in the city, among the most beautiful are the three connected Tromostovje Bridges.

A boat trip on the Ljubljanica is particularly beautiful at dusk.

Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime

A popular spot on the river is the Špica. Located right next to the Botanical Garden, it's the ideal retreat. Here, you can relax with a coffee and watch the quiet activity on the water. If you prefer to explore the river on your own, you can also rent a SUP board.

In addition to the Roman bridges and magnificent Art Nouveau buildings, Ljubljana has another side: In the alternative Metelkova district, street art meets party culture. The area consists of several occupied buildings that were once part of a military barracks of the Austro-Hungarian army. In recent years, Slovenian artists have redesigned the facades, creating a creative urban space.

The Metelkova district is an insider tip for going out.

Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images

Metelkova is now home to several music clubs, with DJ sets and live concerts from jazz to heavy metal from Thursday to Saturday. Here, you'll find a diverse crowd of students, locals, and tourists. Artistic performances and exhibitions are also presented, and festivals occasionally take place on the grounds. You can find information about current events on the initiative's website .

Fans of the HBO series "Game of Thrones" and others won't be the only ones who will notice the astonishing number of dragons while strolling through the Slovenian capital. The dragon is not only the emblem of the city's coat of arms, but also the distinctive symbol of the Dragon Bridge, the Zmajski Most. Built around 1900, it is now one of the city's most famous landmarks. It's said that anyone who hasn't had their photo taken with one of the stone dragons has never truly been to Ljubljana.

The famous Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most) in Ljubljana.

Source: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Museum visits are a good idea, and not just on rainy days, especially in Ljubljana. The National Gallery houses Slovenia's most important art treasures created between the 13th and 20th centuries. Works by artists of the 20th and 21st centuries can be admired at the Metelkova Museum of Contemporary Art (MSUM). Another destination for modern art is Cukrarna: The gallery was opened in a former sugar factory.

If you're more interested in interior design classics, you shouldn't miss the Museum of Architecture and Design. It's one of the oldest design museums in Europe and is housed in the Renaissance Fužine Castle. The House of Illusions, meanwhile, is all about optical illusions: This original, interactive museum is definitely worth a visit.

Like everywhere in Slovenia, nature plays a major role in Ljubljana – the university city is rich in parks and green spaces that invite relaxation. Particularly impressive is Tivoli Park, which, at approximately 500 hectares, is even larger than Central Park in New York.

Tivoli Park is the green lung of the city.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

The extensive grounds combine well-kept gardens, wooded areas, and sports fields – there's even a small ski jump. The baroque Tivoli Palace is located in the center of the park. There are numerous paths for joggers, walkers, and cyclists. Families with children will enjoy the playgrounds and animal enclosures. It's not without reason that Ljubljana has been named the "greenest city in Europe."

If you want to see more of Slovenia's impressive landscapes, Ljubljana is a great starting point for day trips. Here are our top 5:

Bled: The small town of Bled combines everything you'd hope for in a picture-perfect day trip: an emerald-green lake with an island and church, surrounded by dense forests and an impressive mountain backdrop. And best of all: The journey there by train or bus takes only an hour.

You will find a postcard idyll in Bled.

Source: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Triglav National Park: In the heart of the Julian Alps, visitors can expect a spectacular mountain landscape: rugged peaks, clear mountain lakes, green alpine meadows, and breathtaking views. Triglav National Park, 60 kilometers away, is a paradise for hikers and Alpine enthusiasts. It can be reached by bus in just under two hours, or faster by rental car.

Soča Valley: The Soča Valley is one of the most impressive natural regions in the country. The emerald-green river originates in the heart of the Julian Alps and is not only a scenic highlight – it also attracts active holiday enthusiasts with rafting, kayaking, canyoning, or whitewater swimming. The valley, about an hour and a half away, is best reached by rental car. Alternatively, you can book a guided day tour.

The turquoise Soča River winds its way through the densely forested valley.

Source: IMAGO/Zoonar

Predjama Castle: This medieval fortress from the 13th century is one of Slovenia's most popular attractions, as it looks like something out of a fantasy film. Behind the historic walls lies a natural cave with a secret tunnel, once used by the robber baron Erasmus von Luegg as an escape route. You can reach the castle by bus in two and a half hours, or by rental car in under an hour.

The medieval rock castle of Predjama.

Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia

Portorož: If you want to combine your city trip with a seaside retreat, a trip to Portorož is a great option. This popular resort on the Adriatic coast offers sandy beaches, promenades, and a Mediterranean flair. You can reach the coastal town in just over an hour by rental car, or just under three hours by bus.

Ljubljana is easily accessible from Germany: There are direct flights from Düsseldorf, Munich, and Frankfurt am Main to Ljubljana Airport, which is only about 25 kilometers outside the city center. Those flying from Berlin, Hamburg, or Cologne can reach their destination with one transfer.

Ljubljana is also served by long-distance buses. The journey from Munich takes just under six hours, and from Berlin it takes about 14 hours. An alternative is the somewhat faster journey by train.

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