Wondering about what to see and perform in Ljubljana?
Ljubljana, the biggest city in Slovenia, is among the greenest European capitals. It’s a compact, quickly walkable town filled with historic architecture, charming coffee shops, numerous art galleries and some fantastic principle shops. To make your journey to the capital of Slovenia more pleasurable, here is Culture Traveler’s Ljubljana travel guide with locations you shouldn’t miss out on in Ljubljana.
What to see & perform in Ljubljana
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Each time I remained in Ljubljana, I visited it on a day journey from Zagreb. Nevertheless, it’s likewise quickly obtainable by airplane or train from numerous other European cities.
Among the important things I like the most about Ljubljana is how green it is. The city has an exceptional balance with nature. And all over you look, you’ll identify mountains, trees or a green river Ljubljanica.
Found on the borders of the Alps, you can frequently see the snow covering peeks of the surrounding mountains, even in the middle of the summertime. That wonderful coexistence with nature makes Ljubljana so liveable.
The city is likewise reasonably little and compact, so it’s simple to walk around and explore it on foot. The majority of its city centre is a pedestrian location, making it extremely walkable.
Although a town, there are numerous things to see in Ljubljana. To assist you arrange your journey to Ljubljana a bit much better, here are a few of my pointers about what to see and perform in Ljubljana.
1 – Walk around Ljubljana city centre
Well, this is among the apparent things to do in Ljubljana, right? Nevertheless, Ljubljana city centre is filled with lovely patched streets and lovely architecture. The city was constructed and restored a couple of times throughout history, so you’ll discover structures from various durations standing beside each other.
You’ll frequently find some fantastic street art, public statues and charming regional stores. So, if you are questioning what to see in Ljubljana, reserve a great deal of time for roaming around its city centre.
My preferred location to walk is together with the Ljubljanica River. It’s a charming boardwalk from where you’ll have lovely views of the surrounding structures.
⤷ SUGGESTION: If you’d like to discover more about this city throughout your check out, join this Ljubljana city centre and Ljubljana Castle assisted trip.
2 – Check Out Ljubljana Central Market
The city’s grocery store is constantly a fantastic location to feel the regional culture, join residents and attempt some standard food. Ljubljana is house to a wonderful market, located in a structure constructed by the most well-known Slovenian designer Jože Plečnik and situated beside the Ljubljanica River. Attempt common Slovenian food in dining establishments there or simply explore it and purchase regional fruit and vegetables.
I delighted in having a coffee with the river view in among the coffee shops at the marketplace. And purchased tasty chestnut honey from among the stands. If you’d like to explore it, put Central Market on your list of locations to see in Ljubljana.
3 – Get a funicular flight to Ljubljana Castle
Opened in 2006, the electrical funicular quickly turned into one of the touristic highlights of Ljubljana. The flight is set up every 5 minutes, and it will rapidly get you up the hill on which Ljubljana Castle lies. You can take pleasure in some wonderful views of Ljubljana and its environments from there.
⤷ Learn More: The majority of intriguing European misconceptions and legends
4 – Check Out Ljubljana Castle
Found on a hill above the city, Ljubljana Castle is among the most recognisable signs of that Slovenian town. Its building began throughout the Middle Ages as the house of the Dukes of Carniola. Nevertheless, it was restored and broadened on many celebrations later. That’s why you’ll discover parts of the castle having Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance functions.
Today it’s house to a couple of museums, and you can likewise check out a few of the castle’s previous spaces and galleries. I specifically liked the Museum of Puppetry and the Watching Tower. Nevertheless, there are loads to see and do there, and you can quickly invest hours checking out Ljubljana Castle.
⤷ SUGGESTION: Purchase your Ljubljana Castle online ticket on this link.
5 – Check Out the National Gallery of Slovenia
The National Gallery of Slovenia is the prominent art museum in the nation and among the very best museums in Ljubljana. It shows the works of arts from the 1200s up until today day. Besides the long-term collection, it periodically arranges intriguing short-term exhibits. It’s a must-visit in Ljubljana for all art lovers.
⤷ SUGGESTION: Get the National Gallery of Slovenia online ticket on this link.
6 – Try to find the dragons around Ljubljana
Ljubljana is called the City of Dragons, and you’ll discover its images and statues all around the town. There is even one in the main Ljubljana’s coat of arms.
The legend states that the ancient Greek hero Jason wound up someplace around Ljubljana on among his experiences. This is where he butchered the monster beast, which in later stories ended up being a dragon. The popular Greek misconception quickly turned into one of Ljubljana’s most well-known legends.
Even the chapel in Ljubljana Castle is committed to Saint George. He was a saint who, according to the story, butchered the dragon. So you’ll discover the dragon signs on every corner in Ljubljana.
7 – Check out Ljubljana bridges
Although Ljubljanica is a reasonably little river, it has numerous bridges crossing it. A walk together with the river is among the very best methods to take pleasure in lovely Ljubljana architecture. Nevertheless, you can likewise check out a few of its bridges while strolling beside it.
Among the most well-known amongst them is the Dragon Bridge. Integrated in 1901, it’s embellished with 4 big statues of dragons. And it’s one of the most lovely examples of the Vienna Secession bridge architecture.
Another bridge you must check out in Ljubljana is the Triple Bridge. It lies beside the main Prešern Square and includes 3 bridges embellished with stone balustrades.
⤷ SUGGESTION: Prešern Square is absolutely worth checking out, too. It was called after among the most well-known Slovenian poets, Franc Prešern, whose statue lies in the middle of the square. You’ll acknowledge it by the well-known red-facade Franciscan Church of the Annunciation constructed throughout the 17th century in the Baroque design. A design of the city situated on the square will likewise offer you a much better concept of how the city centre of Ljubljana looks from above.
8 – Have lunch in among the dining establishments beside the Ljubljanica River
The boardwalk beside the Ljubljanica River is most likely the most attractive part of the town. If you’re going to Ljubljana throughout the warmer part of the year, have lunch or a coffee in among the dining establishments there.
They all have charming balconies where you can sit, take in some sun and take pleasure in the view of the river, sensational architecture and Ljubljana Castle.
9 – Search For Jože Plečnik’s architecture in Ljubljana
Jože Plečnik is the most crucial Slovenian designer and an individual who mostly formed the look of Ljubljana in the 20th century. A few of the structures he made in Ljubljana are the Triple Bridge, the Ljubljana Central Market, and the embankments of the Ljubljanica River.
⤷ SUGGESTION: You can examine 10 Jože Plečnik’s work of arts in Ljubljana on this link.
10 – Check Out a few of Ljubljana’s art galleries & principle shops
While roaming around Ljubljana, I was amazed by a a great deal of fantastic art galleries and principle shops. Numerous art galleries lie on the river bank. They have substantial windows, so you can peek inside and see which type of exhibits they are presently hosting. Throughout my last see to Ljubljana, I found an old printing store called tipoRenesansa, where you can see historic printing presses and purchase some prints made in an old-fashioned method.
If seeking to purchase some keepsakes while in Ljubljana, then principle shops might be a fantastic location to go. You’ll discover some wonderful works of Slovenian artists and designers in them. A few of the very best principle shops in Ljubljana are Smile and Petlja, however you’ll discover much more in the narrow streets of its old town.
Some more pointers for checking out Ljubljana
⤷ Get Ljubljana Card – If you’re preparing to check out a couple of tourist attractions throughout your journey to Ljubljana, it might be useful to obtain Ljubljana Card. With it, you’ll have complimentary admission to numerous museums, Ljubljana Castle and endless usage of public transportation. Examine this link to see all the discount rates and complimentary entries, and get your Ljubljana Card.
⤷ Have coffee in Nebotičnik – If you’d like to have a coffee with a view in Ljubljana, then go to Nebotičnik. The name of this structure indicates the ‘high-rise building’ in Slovenian. It’s seventy metres high, including thirteen floorings. When it opened in 1933, it was the highest structure in Europe. The coffee shop and dining establishment lie on the leading flooring, where you’ll have a wonderful view of Ljubljana.
⤷ Check Out Metelkova – If you’d like to check out a little bit of an underground art scene in Ljubljana, check out Metelkova. It was developed in 1993 when 7 previous Austro-Hungarian barracks were changed into art galleries and bars. The area was self-proclaimed as a self-governing location and ended up being the alternative art center of the city.
⤷ Attempt Prekmurska Gibanica – if you’re questioning what food to attempt in Ljubljana, then make certain to put Prekmurska Gibanica on your list. It’s a cake made from various layers of cheese, walnuts, apples, poppy seeds, and other tasty active ingredients. You’ll discover it in numerous bakery in Ljubljana.
Ljubljana is among the most lovely European capitals and the city I like going to over and over once again. Ideally, this Ljubljana Travel Guide will assist you arrange your journey to that charming town. Do you have anything else you’d like to contribute to this list of things to see in Ljubljana? Let me understand in the remarks!
This post consists of some affiliate links.
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