Capital cities usually make you think of large sprawling cities with boxy buildings, busy business centres and at time, crazy traffic. Not Ljubljana. Ljubljana to me seemed like a fairytale in summer! Although it is a name that is difficult to spell, and even pronounce [Lub – Leee – aa – nuh]. And even if you only have one day in Ljubljana, you are guaranteed to see a lot! Colourful buildings with street art over some of them, the lovely Ljubljanica river flowing through the city, cute cafes with people chatting, an unhurried vibe all make it adorable.
Ljubljana is only a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Zagreb. So it was easy to combine this and the nearby Lake Bled into our 2-week Croatia and Slovenia itinerary. We had rented a car in Zagreb and drove to Ljubljana to spend a perfect day in this charming city. It is one of the smallest capital cities in all of Europe, yet the largest city of Slovenia.
How to Move Around Ljubljana
The city centre in Ljubljana is pedestrian only, so we parked next to the local train station and explored the main sites on foot. There are other parking lots outside the old town area as well. The city is not too big to explore all the main attractions on foot, so I suggest you do that, even if you reach Ljubljana by other means.
If you are flying into Ljubljana, then you can take a 30-minute taxi ride from the airport to reach the city. There is also a cheaper bus option to take from airport to reach city centre. The local speak English and are warm and friendly, so you wouldn’t have any issue at all.
A Perfect One Day in Ljubljana Itinerary
Morning
It was late morning by the time we reached Ljubljana city centre from Zagreb. The compact size of Ljubljana makes it possible to see the highlights of the city in one day.
One of the popular attractions here is the Ljubljana Castle. It stands above the city and its ramparts offer beautiful views. The castle can be reached by funicular railway. This funicular ride is a big hit if you are visiting Ljubljana with kids. For the fit and adventurous, there are a couple of trails that you can take to climb to the castle.
There is a paid parking area, only for 40 cars, should you take your car to the castle. Ljubljana is all for sustainability and do everything to promote electric trains, walking and cycling. It’s free to wander around the castle grounds. You have to pay to go inside the castle and see if any exhibitions are on.
Lunch at the Castle
After exploring the castle grounds and its towers, depending on the time of the day, you can enjoy coffee and a delicious dessert at Café Lolita inside the castle. Or indulge in Slovenian culinary heritage for lunch at Gostilna Na Gradu. This is one of the 2 restaurants with a pleasant ambience behind the castle walls (the other one opens only for dinner).
Afternoon
After seeing the panoramic views from Ljubljana Castle, I recommend walking around the historic city centre to spend the afternoon. You will come upon riveting flower markets, bridges, street art, and pretty buildings on your stroll. If you stroll along the riverside, you will come upon several beautiful buildings and bridges. Many buildings have a mixture of styles between Baroque, Art Nouveau, and modern style.
Bridges of Ljubljana
Do walk to the Dragon Bridge, adorned with famous dragon statues, is one of the most photographed images of Ljubljana. The dragon is Ljubljana’s symbol and is seen elsewhere as well. The popular myth for this beloved bridge is that the dragons wag their tails whenever a virgin crosses the bridge but that no one has ever seen it happen!!
Then there is the Triple Bridge – 3 bridges that meet – which is quite unique. It is located by the Preseren Square. The Triple Bridge is 3 different bridges side by side connecting the two parts of old town of Ljubljana.
We also crossed a Lover Locks bridge near the city market. There are hundreds of love padlocks here left by lovers professing their love and throwing the key in the river. Also known as Butcher’s Bridge (WHY would a lovers lock bridge be named thus!) Definitely quirky!
Beautiful Architecture and Sights
The Preseren Square is the centermost location of the city. You can indulge in people watching at this square and see the Ljubljana Castle looming above the city from here. The Ljubljana Central Market is located close to the square. There is both an outdoor section and indoor markets. If you have not eaten at the castle, there are plenty of cafes around the square and the central market.
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas is located just after crossing the Triple Bridge. This Ljubljana Cathedral was initially a Gothic-style church. It was later converted to Baroque style in the 18th century. It is free to enter the cathedral.
You can see Ljubljana’s salmon-coloured, Pink Church (Franciscan Church of the Annunciation) at this square. This was once a monastery and home to Augustine monks. The church is free to enter. If you have the time, peak inside at the beautiful painted ceiling and the main altar.
You could also visit the home of architect Jože Plečnik, who designed many of the beautiful buildings and bridges you see in the town.
You can opt for a guided walking tour to learn more about the Slovenian history, culture and influences from other regions. If you need a break from your sightseeing, there are plenty of cute cafes for specialty coffee and ice-cream parlours. You don’t want to miss out on them.
Alternative option for afternoon: Food Walk Tour in Ljubljana
An alternative way to see the city in a relaxed way and hear local stories is to do a food walk tour. We chose to do a food tour in Ljubljana with Ljubljanajam. Our guide had chosen small eateries for us to taste both traditional and modern Slovenian cuisine. On our walk, she entertained us with local stories, Slovenian history and culture. Upon walking from one restaurant / café to another, we also managed to see quite a bit of the city centre.
We passed by Ljubljanica river that flows through the city, Triple Bridge, Butcher’s Bridge, and some colourful local markets. It is also possible to take a 1-hour cruise floating down the Ljubljanica river that will take you through the old town.
Slovenian food has heavy influences from German, Austrian, Italian and Hungarian cuisines. We tried some traditional food dishes like Jota (traditional cabbage stew) and Struklji (dumplings with different fillings). And Potica that is part of Slovenian food heritage. The walking food tour ended with a taste of modern cuisine based on our individual preference of vegetables, fish and meat. We also had pumpkin seed oil and craft beer that is produced in the country. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the cutest European city I have visited.
Night in Ljubljana
The city has many quality bars and clubs, mostly located in the city centre. If you are spending the night in Ljubljana and want to have fun, you could step out to enjoy the nightlife here.
We had a different plan after spending the day exploring this charming city. We drove further to a lovely villa at Lake Bled and had a peaceful night. Lake Bled and the adjoining town of Bled is a stunning area, only at about 55 km from Ljubljana. The lake and its castle in the centre look something out of a fairytale. It is a major natural tourist attraction of Slovenia and can be visited in any season.
Best time to visit Ljubljana
Summer is the best time to enjoy Ljubljana. Winter months are quite cold in the city. May and early June and late September / October would be cheaper and less crowded than peak summer months.
Conclusion
Ljubljana is a great small city to explore. It is charming in so many ways and has a relaxed vibe. I loved walking around the old town and admiring the quaint buildings and the lovely architecture there. The central market with its fresh produce was a riot of colours.
Author Box: Shweta has always been passionate about travel and immersing in new experiences. Having been to over 45 countries, she writes to bring family-friendly itineraries and tips, destinations, and luxury stays to her readers. Her belief in family travel needn’t be boring and one can do a mix of local culture & food, adventure activities and relaxation, all with family.
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