Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Looking for the very best things to do in Ljubljana? I’ve rounded up the city's highlights and hidden gems in this comprehensive guide to Slovenia’s capital.
Ljubljana is the most quaint European capital you may not know about. Criminally underrated and remarkably charming, Ljubljana has repeatedly been voted the “Greenest Capital City” in Europe, even beating out Scandinavian cities. After spending five days exploring the city, Ljubljana gained a permanent place in my heart as one of the best capital cities in Europe. Armed with this list of the best things to do in Ljubljana, I guarantee you’ll become enchanted with the Slovenian capital.
why responsible travelers love Ljubljana ↴
Ljubljana won the coveted title of European Green Capital for 2016. Even before they earned themselves the green capital award, they’ve proved themselves to be a forward-thinking bunch. Ljubljana was the EU’s first capital city to come up with a zero-waste strategy. You might notice the old town is completely pedestrianized and the city’s layout revolves entirely around its rivers and green spaces.
For a city of its size, Ljubljana is surprisingly filled with social enterprises, .vegan food, locally-led tours, and eco-conscious boutiques. No matter what you’re into, there is something exciting for every responsible traveler to do in Slovenia’s capital.
In my honest opinion, Slovenia has it all. Green as far as the eye can see, spotted with piercing blue lakes. I truly believe that Ljubljana and Slovenia as a whole are ridiculously underrated.
how to get to Ljubljana ↴
Getting into Ljubljana is easy thanks to public bus No. 28, which operates between Ljubljana bus station in the city center and Ljubljana airport, and runs every hour from 5 AM to 8 PM. The journey takes 45 minutes and the cost is €4.10. You can buy your tickets directly from the bus driver. Taxis are also available from the airport. Taxis typically cost between €30 and €50, depending on your drop-off destination.
getting around Ljubljana ↴
Part of Ljubljana’s charm is how accessible most things on foot. The No. 28 bus can get you from here to there, but it’s easier to explore on foot, not to mention you’ll likely see more of the sights and its the most economical option.
best time to visit Ljubljana ↴
Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, experiences a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Because Ljubljana is still a highly underrated European destination, you don’t need to plan your trip at a specific time of year to avoid crowds. I traveled to Ljubljana during the summer, which was warm but not uncomfortable. Crowds were non-existent, which was a bonus! Ljubljana is said to have a wonderful Christmas market, so don’t count out a wintertime visit! Just come bundled up and prepared for the cold.
Spring (March to May) | Spring is a lovely time to visit Ljubljana as the city starts to bloom with colorful flowers and greenery. The temperatures begin to warm up, ranging from around 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F) in March to May. It's an excellent time for outdoor activities like hiking, exploring the city's parks, or enjoying the cafes and outdoor seating areas.
Summer (June to August) | Summer is the peak tourist season in Ljubljana, but the crowds are non-existent. The weather is warm without being uncomfortable, with temperatures averaging between 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). The city comes alive with festivals, events, and outdoor concerts. The days are long, providing plenty of time for sightseeing and outdoor adventures. Remember that accommodation and activity prices might be higher during this time.
Autumn (September to November) | Like many destinations in the autumn, Ljubljana has incredible fall foliage. Temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F) in September and gradually drop to 0°C (32°F) by November. It's a great time to explore the city's museums, enjoy seasonal foods, and take scenic drives to admire the autumn colors in the surrounding countryside.
Winter (December to February) | Winter temperatures in Ljubljana often dip below freezing. Snow is common, especially in the surrounding mountains, which creates a beautiful backdrop for the city’s charming Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and cozy cafés. If you enjoy winter sports like skiing or snowboarding, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several ski resorts near Ljubljana.
where to stay in Ljubljana ↴
Hostel Celica | My nights in Ljubljana were spent in a 19th-century prison cell. Yes, you read that right. Quirk meets comforts at Hostel Celica, where the city’s old prison has transformed into environmentally and socially conscious accommodation within walking distance from Ljubljana’s city center. I was a guest of Hostel Celica and spent my evenings in a private cell where quirk met comfort.
Vander Urbani Resort | The Vander Urbani Resort sets itself apart from the city’s other hotels with unique perks like early check-in and late check-out, a free welcome drink, and a rooftop pool. The contemporary rooms include everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Grand Union Hotel | It doesn’t get much more luxurious than the Grand Union Hotel!
Read more | Ljubljanas Hostel Celica Sleeping In A Prison Cell In Slovenia
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
where to eat in Ljubljana ↴
Skuhna | Skuhna is the brainchild of a Zimbabwe-born man. This social enterprise employs recent immigrants from the global south. Because of the ethnic diversity in staff, the menu is constantly rotating between world cuisines. Bangladesh, Syria, India, Tunisia, and Colombia are just a few of the many countries with national dishes that have been featured for patrons. It’s also very affordable {a main dish with a side salad runs around €8}. Plan to eat on a Friday for live music and a five-course tasting that will only set you back €15.
Veganika | Veganika is a small, fully vegan eatery with a seasonal menu. It’s open daily for lunch and dinner and features some of the most delicious vegan desserts you’ll find in Ljubljana. Don’t miss the brownies and the apple pie.
TINK superfood café | TINK is a fantastic vegan café in Ljubljana whose menu is packed with delicious superfoods. The interior is sleek with whitewashed exposed brick and open, industrial-style shelving. TINK’s interior is as modern as its menu and well worth the stop for plant-based peeps.
Moderna | This sleek café lives within the walls of the Modern Art Museum {mentioned later on in this post}. The café itself is as contemporary as the art housed in the museum. You’ll find a great iced cold brew to sip while you flip through the trendy design magazines they have for patrons.
Monstera Bistro | Just a short walk from the triple bridge on Gosposka ulica is Monstera Bistro, a casual eatery focused on using seasonal produce sourced from local vendors. The restaurant is not fully veggie, but it’s a great place to go for those traveling with others who aren’t plant-based.
Café Čokl | For the very best coffee in Ljubljana, go to Café Čokl. This small café was personally recommended to me by Ljubljana local, Peter, the leader of the Lju-beer-ljana Tour I was the guest of, and it did not disappoint. The café serves fairtrade coffee, much of which is roasted in-house. It’s a can’t-miss for the coffee-obsessed like me!
Črno Zrno | Črno Zrno translates as ‘black bean’ and this hole-in-the-wall spot is a temple to just that. Alexander Niño Ruiz sources coffee beans from his native Colombia, roasts them at renowned Slovenian roaster Stow, then serves the resulting brews in his perfectly formed coffee shop. The space is enveloped in blue and white Valencian tiles – chat with local coffee geeks over a meticulously prepared pour-over inside, or sit in the sun next to painted wooden shutters. Alexander’s niche is cold brew: try it on the rocks in a wine glass, or as an addition to a funky non-alcoholic cocktail made with Ruiz’ grandmother’s elderflower syrup.
best things to do in Ljubljana ↴
check out the art at Smetumet
Smetumet, roughly translated into “trash art”, is a social enterprise that makes art out of rubbish, furthering the progressive identity of Ljubljana by addressing the global plastic problem. If you time your visit right, you might be able to stop in the boutique for one of their hosted workshops on recycling and thoughtful consumerism. Smetumet sells bags, jewelry, and stationary made from up-cycled materials. Spending money here is a thoughtful way to contribute to the local economy and more sustainable consumerism.
shop secondhand at Stare Roba
“Stare Roba, Nova Raba” is a social enterprise that employs homeless individuals to manage and run charity shops throughout the city. This organization also employs homeless individuals to write and design newspapers about local events and current affairs. Stop by a Stare Roba charity shop if you’re looking to shop and help support the more sustainable option of secondhand goodies {instead of High Street shops like H&M} and the overall work of the organization. These charity shops are a bit on the outer edges of the city, so they might be the one thing you utilize public transport for!
refill your water bottle at the city’s famous fountains
What might seem like a silly suggestion actually kept us entertained all afternoon. Luke and I downloaded a FREE app onto our phones that helped navigate us to the closest fountains near wherever we were while exploring the city. It meant we were never dehydrated during our summer visit and let us see Ljubljana’s various fountain sculptures, like the kangaroo fountain pictured to the left.
Find fountains by downloading the app now!
attend the Open Kitchen Food Market
If you’re a foodie and you happen to be visiting between March and October, you’re in luck! Ljubljana hosts Odprta Kuhna, or Open Kitchen, every Friday from 10AM- 9PM in Pogacarjev Square. At Open Kitchen, there are around 50 restaurants from Slovernia’s list of top 100. The market-type food extravaganza showcases a bevy of the countries best food and modern takes on Slovenian classics.
learn about the city + its brews on Peter’s Lju-beer-ljana Tour
The craft beer tour in Ljubljana was a highlight of my stay. During what turned into a four-hour tour around the small city, I learned about the history, architecture, and unassuming beer scene of Ljubljana.
Read more | Lju-beer-ljana: a locally-led craft beer tour of Ljubljana, Slovenia
support locally made wine with a glass at Dobrote Dolenjske
Head to Dobrote Dolenjske for a pre-dinner tasting of locally produced liqueurs, cheeses, and wines. Much of the wine that you can taste is from the southeast Posavska wine region of Slovenia, one of only three wine regions in the country.
Along with all the socially responsible businesses and tours you can support {listed above}, I thought I’d go ahead and include some of the quintessential Ljubljana must-sees so that you have the most well-rounded trip to the beautiful Slovenian capital.
grab locally-sourced goods at Central Market
Staying in Ljubljana for an elongated period of time? Why not source your dinner with produce from the central market. Central Market has flowers, veggies, and fresh milk from a vending machine poured directly into a glass bottle. There are beautiful handicrafts sold at stalls closer to the river. Don’t miss the secondhand clothing vendors in the very back booths— there are some good deals.
kick back on the banks of Petkovšek Embankment
The Ljubljanica River surrounded by restaurants and bars on either of its banks, making the Petkovšek Embankment a great place to enjoy a beer as the sun sinks down on the city.
walk across the Dragon Bridge
Although not a thrilling to-do, it’s one encapsulated by folklore. Legend says that if a virgin walks across the bridge, the dragon figures come to life and wag their tails. Head towards the Central Market, over the bridge with a lover to see firsthand if lore holds true.
take a river cruise
As mentioned previously, the city’s layout is setup to highlight its river and bridges, that’s why it’s a great idea to take a river cruise. The Barka Ljubljanica cruise only costs €8 and lasts approximately 45 minutes. It’s a calm and relaxing ride along the waters of Ljubljana that I suggest jumping on at sunset. This is a pretty standard #tourist thing to do in Ljubljana, but it’s relatively cheap and will make you look at the city in a whole new light.
Eco-note: I have since read that river cruises aren’t great for the river water and create a negative environmental impact. However, I’ve done my research and discovered that river cruising is problematic for three main reasons: 1) large ships {think, Danube cruises} creating over-tourism issues and disrupting natural river ecosystems, 2) only a few cruise companies having a monopoly over the entire market creating less distribution of wealth, and 3) cruise ships being a hotbed for plastic straws and waste. The river cruise I mentioned is held on a small boat, run by a local company, and is eco-minded {i.e. doesn’t serve anything that could later be waste}. It’s also not an overnight/multi-nation cruise. Think of it as a simple ride along the river. Ideally, you want any river cruise you take {whether its a full cruise or just a 45-minute jaunt through Ljubljana} to align itself with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 12: Responsible Production and Consumption and 14: Life Below Water.
climb to the castle for unbeatable city views
From the center of Ljubljana’s old town, it’s easy to walk up to the hilltop castle. Admission into the castle will cost you, but the views from its entrance are free to the public! Start the day with a hike to the top and snap the most beautiful pictures of Ljubljana’s center and its many orange roofs.
visit the Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art on the edge of the city is absolutely worth the €5 admission fee. What I thought would be a few rooms with modern art pieces revealed itself to be a near labyrinth of exhibits that boasted some of my favourite modern art I’ve gotten the chance to experience.
wander around the Metelkova District
Metelkova Mesto is an alternative cultural district that was developed from former army barracks. In 1993, 200 volunteers squatted in the barracks as a way to prevent them from being pulled down. Since then, it’s become a creative complex for free-thinkers and artists. It is a mecca of sorts for these artists to practice and hold events. It’s also known for featuring a revolving list of DJs, welcoming Ljubljana’s LGBTQIA+ community, and having quite the nightlife.
dive into the diversity of Slovenia at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum
The Slovene Ethnographic Museum is the country's primary ethnological museum that houses artifacts used in the preservation and study of Slovenia’s social and spiritual culture. The photo exhibit that was on while I visited showed stunning portraits of Indigenous people of the area.
enjoy a picnic at Tivoli Gardens
The green spaces in Ljubljana never disappoint. Tivoli Gardens is a 1,260-acre park with tree-lined pathways that make it the perfect setting for a picnic during the warmer months of the year.
where to next ↴
day trip to Lake Bled
One of my favourite days during my 2019 summer Euro trip was spent at Lake Bled. Luke and I hiked up to the viewpoint on Ojstrica Hill, a fave among visitors thanks to its famous view of the chapel in the middle of the lake. We treated ourselves to Lake Bled’s cherished cream cake and then took our rented wooden rowboat out for a spin. The Lake water was refreshing in the Slovenian summer, which made it an amazing send off to a perfect day.
Read more | The perfect day in Lake Bled, Slovenia: how to get there + 5 fun things to do
map ↴
Find everything you need for the ultimate travel guide to Ljubljana, Slovenia on the map below.
