Ljubljana, Slovenia – Big City with Small City Charm
Written by Jason Green
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and even though there are over 300,000 residents the city has the charm of a much smaller city. Ljubljana is one of the more colorful cities in the Balkan region and here are my tips for things to do Ljubljana.
River going through Old Town
There is a river that flows through the city and you definitely want to check out the old part of Ljubljana. Here you can see many old buildings and churches and it is the part of the city where there is the most shopping as well as dining and nightclub attractions are located. This part of the city is located right below the city castle and across from the Triple Bridge. There are many narrow lanes with tons of shops, great cafes, quaint restaurants, and happening nightclubs.
The Triple Bridge is actually 3 interconnected bridges leading to the center square where the town hall is located. In the square there is the statue of France Prešeren, who was Slovenia’s greatest poet. Near the Triple Bridge is Old Ljubljana, a great open-air market, and you can even catch a train to the castle.
The Ljubljana Castle, up from the old town, can be reached by hiking up the steep hill or taking the Funicular Railway. Entrance to the Castle Courtyard, Chapel and Gift shop is free of charge, but there is a charge for access to the tower. I would definitely suggest paying to check out the tower, as you can see all of Ljubljana as well as the Sava River and Kamnik Alps off in the distance. At the castle there is also a 3D Movie of the history of Ljubljana from a pre-historic settlement to the Roman Empire to modern times.
View of Castle from Old Town
If you are a museum buff then Ljubljana has you covered. There are many great and fascinating museums, many of which are located near the old town. Just some of the museums you should check out are The National Gallery, Museum of Modern Art, Ljubljana, National Museum of Contemporary History, and the Tivoli Gallery – International centre of Graphic Art.
Other attractions in Ljubljana include the Ljubljana Zoo, Tivoli Park, Water City of Atlantis (thermal baths), and Laguna Fun & Spa.
In the old part of Ljubljana you can find many restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs. There are tons of eating options from authentic Slovenian food to fantastic pizzas and everything in between. There are some romantic quaint restaurants tucked in many of the small lanes in the old part of town. There are tons of cafes, but I would suggest finding one right on the river, as it makes it a relaxing time. Ljubljana, is known for its nightlife, as besides all the nightclubs in the city there are also may huge concerts with some of the biggest music acts in the world that play in the city. Just walking around the old part of town is a great way to spend the day.
Considering that Ljubljana is a big city there are many hotels available, as well as pensions, and private accommodations. Near the city’s main university, located near the old town, there are many small pensions that are very reasonable priced.
Ljubljana is one of the more beautiful, and especially colorful, cities in the Balkan region. If you are anywhere near Slovenia, you should check out the capital, as it is a city that is full of life.
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I visited Ljubljana a few years ago and was blown away by its cosmopolitan and lively feel along the river and the interesting and narrow laneways. A fantastic place to visit.
[...] team has already whetted my appetite to visit Slovenia with articles about Lake Bled, Maribor and Ljubljana. Church of the Assumption, Lake [...]
One of the highlights of this delightful little city are the many art nouveau buildings built after the city suffered a devastating earthquake. A new excitement around almost every corner of the central area. Cafe culture lives and breathes here and the general ambience is one of relaxation and pleasure in living. A real must-visit place!