Europe & Britain | Destination Guides

The essential Ljubljana travel guide to read before you go

Recently updated on November 27th, 2023 at 04:14 pm

From stunning gardens to ancient castles, the fairytale city of Ljubljana is a wonderful place to explore. If you’re dreaming of a trip to the capital of Slovenia, read our Ljubljana travel guide for everything you need to know on the top things to do in Ljubljana.

Best things to do in Ljubljana

Take a sightseeing tour

Baroque façades Ljubljana Old Town

Join your LjubljanaTravel Director for a tour around the most iconic sights of Slovenia’s capital. Stroll through the Baroque facades of the Old Town and see the Gothic-style Town Hall. Cross the Three Bridges Square and admire the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, with its 18th-century frescoes.

Relax in Tivoli Park

Explore the green lungs of Ljubljana at Tivoli Park, where a maze of paths takes you through the lush gardens. You can see two historic mansions, the botanical gardens, a fish pond, and a glasshouse with tropical plants. Head to the heart of the park to find the Jakopič Promenade, where large photographs are displayed year-round.


If you’re up for some action, there’s mini-golf, tennis courts and even a bowling alley. You can also follow the web of trails leading into Rožnik Hill. When you get hungry, visit the bars and cafés throughout the park, or bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic in the sun.

Visit Ljubljana Castle

Ljubljana Castle night

Head to the top of Castle Hill by foot or tram to see the grand Ljubljana Castle. Take a guided tour through the ancient rooms dating back to the 12th century and learn about the six most important periods of Ljubljana’s history. Climb up the 19th-century watchtower, with striking views over the city. After your tour, you can relax in the sunny courtyard café and restaurant.

Explore the museums and galleries

Don’t miss out on Ljubljana’s fantastic museums and galleries. Our favourites include the National Museum of Slovenia, housed in a neo-Renaissance palace dating back to 1885. The museum has a remarkable collection of treasures including thousands of Roman paintings, statues and stone monuments. You’ll even find a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal flute, thought to be the world’s oldest musical instrument.

The same building is home to the Slovenian Museum of Natural History. It features a superb collection of the world’s biodiversity, including one of Europe’s best-preserved woolly mammoth skeletons.

If you’d like to learn more about the traditional culture of Slovenia, visit the Slovenian Ethnographic Museum. It’s located in a former barracks complex in Ljubljana. The museum’s ethnographic collections date back to 1821 and showcase Slovenia’s traditional handicrafts like pottery, weaving, beekeeping, blacksmithing and glass-painting.

Take a boat ride down Ljubljanica river

canoeing Ljubljanica river

Take a romantic boat ride for the best views of the pretty Ljubljanica river. You’ll cruise the glittering waters under the famous Triple Bridge, Shoemaker’s Bridge and Dragon Bridge. You’ll also pass by gorgeous houses built in Ljubljana’s Baroque style.

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Ljubljana, you can also go stand up paddling down the Ljubljanica river. It’s becoming a popular activity and is a fun way to see the city. After your trip down the river, spend some time wandering the riverbank of Ljubljanica. There are plenty of cafés where you can take a break and admire the beautiful views.

Best day trips from Ljubljana

You can spend days exploring Ljubljana, but there are plenty of treasures close to the city. Our Ljubljana travel guide includes the top spots that can be found less than an hour away from Ljubljana.

Lake Bled

blue water lake bled slovenia

Journey to the exquisite turquoise waters of Lake Bled, one of the most enchanting places in Europe. Surrounded by alpine forests and snowy peaks, you can take a ‘Pletna’ boat trip on the lake’s dazzling waters.

You’ll see Bled Island and the mystical Church of Assumption. You can also explore the ancient interior of medieval Bled Castle, perched on the cliffs overlooking the lake. It’s over 1,000 years old and thought to be the oldest castle in Slovenia.

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Lake Bohinj

clear water lake bohinj slovenia

Lake Bohinj is the alpine jewel of Slovenia, with glittering glacial waters surrounded by stunning mountains. You’ll drive past emerald rivers, dense forests and charming mountain villages to reach the lake. You can admire the ornate 13th-century frescoes of St John’s Church on the shores of the lake.

Postojna Caves

Venture deep below the Slovenian Karst to discover an underground world of limestone caves. You’ll travel by electric mini-train through the maze of ancient corridors, before exploring the huge caverns on foot.

Radovljica

traditional houses Radovljica Slovenia
Image credit: Johann Jaritz / Wikimedia Commons

Radovljica is one of Slovenia’s most beautiful mountain villages, with medieval houses dating back to the 15th century. You can wander the pretty cobbled streets, or enjoy a meal at a traditional Slovenian inn. You might even get to watch a performance by local musicians.

Visit the famous Gingerbread museum, where you’ll discover the traditional Slovenian art of lectarstvo. You can watch a gingerbread making demonstration in the museum, housed in a centuries-old inn. Don’t forget to sample the freshly-baked treats!

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What to eat in Ljubljana

Good food and great company are never far away in Ljubljana’s thriving food scene. Our Ljubljana travel guide includes some of our favourite dishes to try in the city.

Slovenian cream cake (kremna rezina)

slovenian cream crake kremna rezina
Image credit: Paul Bonugli / Flickr

These creamy slabs of joy originated from Lake Bled, but they can also be found everywhere in Ljubljana. The cakes are made from thin and crispy puff pastry filled with custard cream and a wedge of whipped cream. They’re topped with icing sugar and are quite messy to eat, but everyone walks away with a big creamy grin. You’ll quickly become obsessed!

Štruklji

Štruklji are boiled dumplings made from dough and stuffed with all kinds of fillings. A mix of cottage cheese, spiced apples, and prunes or raisins are the most popular filling. Moji Štruklji Slovenije is the best place to try this dish in Ljubljana. You’ll find over 20 flavours including sweet, fruity, savoury and gourmet varieties, as well as the traditional štruklji.

Potica

potica slovenian dessert
Image credit: Michael R Perry / Flickr

Found in bakeries and cafes across Ljubljana, Potica is a beloved Slovenian dessert. This traditional yeast-dough cake is baked in a special mould called potičnik. It’s made with a variety of fillings and there are more than 80 known fillings including sweet and savoury options. The most popular is a mix of walnut, tarragon, hazelnut, poppy seeds and pumpkin seeds.

Open Kitchen Market

Open Kitchen Market is one of the best things to do in Ljubljana if you’re keen to meet the locals, eat great food and soak up the city’s atmosphere. It’s open every Friday from spring to autumn and serves up some of Ljubljana’s best local treats.

You’ll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to tasty street food, along with international delights. Wineries and breweries also come from all over the country come to serve their creations.

What are your favourite things to do in Ljubljana? Let us know in the comments below…

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