A perfect day in Ljubljana, Slovenia: Top things to do and see

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, a small country in Central Europe bordered by Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary.  Its central location makes it a popular destination for travellers exploring Europe.  It’s also a great base to start exploring Slovenia, as from Ljubljana, you’ll have easy access to Slovenia’s alpine scenery, sparkling lakes, historic castles, and famous caves.

Ljubljana is a compact capital, making it easy to see the highlights in just one day.  However, if you want to delve deeper into the city and explore the museums or nearby attractions, you could easily spend 2-3 days here.  Once you’ve explored the capital, you could do some brilliant day trips to the gorgeous Lake Bled, Predjama Castle, or Postojna Cave.

Getting around in Ljubljana is a breeze. The city centre is compact, pedestrian-friendly, and easily explored on foot.

We found it easy to explore, but if you want to discover more about the city’s history you could take a guided walking tour with a local guide.

Here is a map of Ljubljana, with all the best attractions and things to do for you first day.  You can use this when planning your own itinerary.

Dragon Bridge, Central Market, Ljubljana Castle, and Preseren Square

The dragon, symbolizing strength and courage, is the emblem of Ljubljana, earning the city its nickname, “The City of Dragons”.

So, what better place to start your day than at the iconic Dragon Bridge?   Known for the four striking dragon statues guarding each corner, this Art Nouveau masterpiece is one of the top places to visit in Ljubljana.  Built in the early 20th century, it was the city’s first reinforced concrete bridge, an impressive feat of engineering at the time.

No visit to Ljubljana is complete without snapping a selfie with one of its legendary dragons—an unforgettable way to kick off your day in this enchanting city!

After a photo with the dragons, cross the bridge and head to Ljubljana’s Central Market.  This bustling open-air market sells a variety of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, clothes, and Slovenian-made gifts and is one of the best things to do in Ljubljana if you’re looking for an authentic local experience.

After exploring the market, make your way to Ljubljana Castle, a striking medieval fortress perched on a hill overlooking the city.

You can hike up to the castle for free, or buy a ticket for the funicular railway, a far quicker and easier way to get up.  The ticket office is by the entrance to the railway and offers options for single or return journeys.  We chose a one-way ride up, leaving us free to enjoy a scenic walk back down.  If you want to skip the queue, you can purchase a combo funicular and castle ticket in advance.

Built over 900 years ago, Ljubljana Castle is one of the city’s most popular attractions.  If you want full access to all the exhibitions and museums at the top, you will require a ticket.  However, you can still see many of the highlights, including the courtyard, prison, and chapel without.

Once up the top, be sure to climb the Outlook Tower, which offers some of the best panoramic views of Ljubljana and the surrounding hills.  After soaking in the views,  descend from the castle following the path into Ljubljana Old Town.

Once you’re back down in the Old Town head to the Butcher’s Bridge (Mesarski Most), a pedestrian footbridge adorned with Ljubljana’s love padlocks and mythological sculptures from the artist, Jakov Brdar.  Cross the bridge to reach the Petkovšek Embankment.

Obviously, you could explore this side of the river whilst you’re here, but I planned our route to cross all three of Ljubljana’s famous bridges.

The Petkovšek Embankment on the opposite side of the bridge is a brilliant place to stop for food and drinks with views of the river.  It’s a vibrant area, packed with cafés, bars, and restaurants.  We stopped for a drink, before strolling along to Prešeren Square.

Another way to enjoy the river is on a river boat cruise.

Prešeren Square is one of Ljubljana’s most beloved landmarks.  At the heart of this vibrant square stands the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, famously known as Ljubljana’s pink church.  Its striking candy-pink Baroque façade makes it one of Ljubljana’s must-see attractions and a favourite photo spot for visitors.

In front of the colourful church, you can see the statue of France Prešeren, Slovenia’s national poet.

In the centre of the square, you’ll find water jets, which are a big hit with little kids who like to run through the water.  Don’t be surprised if it suddenly starts raining – Prešeren Square has its own quirky micro-climate, which can be quite refreshing on a hot day!

Ljubljana’s riverside Petkovšek Embankment is packed with restaurants offering a range of cuisines, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

We headed to Dvor Pizzeria, a highly recommended spot for delicious wood-fired pizzas.  The pizzas are enormous, so this is a budget-friendly option for lunch, if you don’t mind sharing!  If you’re anything like us, it might take some time to decide on your toppings though!

Ljubljanica River, Old Town, Tivoli Park

After lunch, cross the famous Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), a unique set of three side-by-side bridges, designed by renowned Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik.
From here, you can continue to explore the Old Town at your leisure.

Once in the Old Town, pay a visit to St. Nicholas’s Cathedral (officially known as Saint Nicholas’s Church), easily recognizable by its green dome and twin bell towers.

This impressive Baroque cathedral features beautifully painted walls and ceilings. Keep an eye out for the ornate bronze doors at the entrance, which depict scenes from Slovenian history along with portraits of Ljubljana’s bishops.

Just a short walk away, you’ll come across Mestni Trg, Ljubljana’s charming cobbled town square, with its pastel-coloured historic burghers’ houses.

At the heart of Mestni Trg, you’ll find the Baroque-style Town Hall and the Robba fountain, two of the most beloved Ljubljana landmarks.  This lively piazza gives a true glimpse into the city’s historic charm and is one of the top places to see in Ljubljana.

From here, wander over to Locksmith Street, one of Ljubljana’s quirkiest streets.

This narrow, cobblestone lane has a unique art installation, a series of bronze faces embedded in the pavement’s central gully.  Each face is individually crafted, some whimsical, others grotesque, making this one of the most unusual and memorable streets in the city.

In the afternoon, treat yourself to a scoop (or two) of gelato at Vigò, which I have on good authority is one of the best ice cream spots in Ljubljana. This gelateria offers a variety of delicious flavours, plus a fun option of a topping from their chocolate fountain.

End your afternoon with a visit to Tivoli Park, Ljubljana’s largest and most beautiful green space.   With tree-lined paths, flower gardens, and a small playground, it’s a great place to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.  We stopped by the park’s small café, Čolnarna, which overlooks the lake, before taking a stroll around the park.

It’s only about 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre to Tivoli Park , taking you past the shopping centre, Opera and several museums.  If you have time, stop at Opera Café, hidden in the gardens of the opera.  They serve food, but it’s best to reserve, as it’s popular with locals and gets very busy.

If you’re flying to Slovenia, you will land at the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU), sometimes known as the Brnik Airport.  This is Slovenia’s largest, busiest airport and is situated 25 km outside of the capital in the little village of Brnik.  It takes about 20 minutes by road.  We hired a car at the airport, but you could take a taxi or bus to get into the city.

If you are driving, Ljubljana is easily accessible from many other European cities, such as Italy, Croatia, and Austria.  You could also get the train from many neighbouring countries.

There is plenty of choice of accommodation in Ljubljana to suit all budgets.  Here are some popular suggestions.

• Luxury:  AS Boutique Hotel
• Mid-range:  Occidental Ljubljana
• Budget:  Holiday Inn Express

We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton.  This 4-star hotel is about 3 miles from the city centre, but has an indoor pool and is very good value.  Although we couldn’t walk to the centre, driving in Ljubljana is much easier than in other capital cities and parking is cheap.  In fact, on Sundays it is free!

Here are some of the websites we use when planning our trips:

• Discover accommodation to suit all budgets at Booking.com or Hotels.com
• Get some of the most affordable prices on flights with Expedia
• Compare the price of rental cars with Discover Cars.
• Look at some of the most popular tours and trips in Slovenia.

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