Ljubljana is probably one of the most underrated European capital, even though it has been on travel itinerary of lots of visitors. If you plan your trip to Slovenia, here are some useful tips on things to do in Ljubljana so you have a better idea where to start upon your arrival.Β
When we travel, we book our hotels throughΒ Booking.comΒ orΒ TripAdvisor, one of the best websites to compare prices.
If you love animals and you prefer going local during your travels, try housesitting, which is an amazing way to travel the world while taking care of the pets whose owners are on vacation. If you useΒ TrustedHousesittersΒ with this link youβllΒ get 25% offΒ Β on annual membership. Do you want to know more about house sittting and become a professional house sitter to travel the world with free accommodation? Check out ourΒ Ultimate Guide to House Sitting!
Always make sure you travel with travel insurance! Be adventurous, but not careless.Β Check out some of the most reliable insurance companies out there:Β True TravellerΒ if youβre European andΒ World NomadsΒ if youβre from elsewhere.
Keen on exploring Italy and Europe via train? Get anΒ InterrailΒ orΒ Eurail pass (for non-European citizens) with convenient deals either you travel around one or multiple countries in Europe.Β
Things to do in Ljubljana
Bike tour in Ljubljana
βWe donβt melt cycling in the rain like sugar does in a cup of teaβ, says Tevz.[/caption]
Alright, it wasnβt as colourful as it would have been on a clear day, but the route we did in Ljubljana introduced us to both the central and suburb parts of the city. We took a two-hour tour with Watermelon bike toursΒ and our guide Tevz literally made our day.
With his informative and funny stories we passed important sites in the city, ventured out of the centre, explored the quiet parts of town, saw abandoned buildings, works of influential architect JoΕΎe PleΔnik, and took enough breaks to listen to the sounds of the places and the stories that Ljubljana hides in her walls and monuments.
One of the picturesque views we got on the bike trip.[/caption]
The city is pretty flat and most of it is super bike friendly. You can choose a long trip that lasts about four hours and costs $29 or a short one that takes half of the time and costs $23. Bikes, helmets and rain jackets are provided. This is one of our most recommended activities in Ljubljana.
Visit Metelkova city
Scary? Not during the daylight![/caption]
This autonomous alternative culture zone is a place that lives vibrantly after the sunset, but you might be impressed (as we were) when you visit during the daylight, and watch rain pouring from painted roofs. Seven buildings that used to be barracks and a prison (now itβs a famous Celica hostel) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are a great place where artists and art lovers come to socialize.
Colours, colours and more colours in Metelkova City.[/caption]
Concerts and events happen regularly here, and sexual and ethnic minorities can meet openly. Quirky, vibrant and hued; a must visit when in Ljubljana. Watch this video to learn more about the story of Metelkova.
Join some of the local tours in Ljubljana:
Β
Ljubljanaβs three bridges from a different angle.[/caption]
Youβre sitting on a beautiful handmade wooden boat, with a roof above your head, blanket on your knees, and a cup of hot tea warming your shaking wet palms. The boat takes you to some of the bridges in Ljubljana (Cobblersβ Bridge, Triple Bridge, Butchersβ Bridge, Grain Bridge & Dragon Bridge) and you pass the Ljubljana Castle and some baroque houses along the way. You pay $9 for 45 minutes ride. For booking and more details about the boat trip, please head over to the official website of Barka Ljubljanica: www.barka-ljubljanica.si
Check out the ruins of Roman Emona in Ljubljana
Going back about 50 BC, the territory of Ljubljana used to be a Roman settlement called Iulia Aemona, or Emona and was fortified with strong walls. These ruins you now can see are not far from the city centre. The ruins are now surrounded by more modern architecture, and a nearby university, which in a way might take away their charm and historical significance.
Cukrarna Factory
A former sugar factory that you can see from Fabiani Bridge is indeed one of the most spectacular industrial building in Europe. Lots of stories lay behind the building and currently there are some attempts to create an art factory there.
Have a break at Ε pica
Ε pica means βspikeβ in Slovenian. This green spot near the Ljubljanica river is best to visit on a sunny day, and itβs interesting to see how the river splits in two via an artificial channel built to avoid floods in the city. From above, the point where the river divides looks like a spike, a piece of land pointing into the river, which is where the name of the place comes from.
Here you can just chill out on wooden platforms and grab a drink from a bar on the boat nearby. Youβll get there in about 15 minutes walking from the centre, just head south.
Get your groceries and local snacks at the Central marketΒ
This public market designed by JoΕΎe PleΔnik stretches from theΒ Dragon BridgeΒ toΒ Triple Bridge,Β between Vodnikov trg and PogaΔarnev trg squares.Β Itβs open daily till 6 pm (till 4 pm in winter time) and you can find there plenty of fresh organic veggies, fruits, mushrooms, herbs, spices and scrumptious local dishes.
Now that you know what to do in Ljubljana, weβd like to suggest where to stay in Ljubljana and where to grab some food & delicacies. While escaping the rain for two days, we found some pretty good spots to dry our jumpers and take a breath before we got wet again.
Where to stay in Ljubljana
Tresor Hostel
Address: Δopova 38, 1000 Ljubljana
This former bank transformed into an original money-themed hostel is centrally located, and within walking distance from the bus & train stations. You can stay either in a cool βbank dormitoryβ or in a double room with a view of the castle and the street. The rooms are decorated with money related quotes, and are quite spacious, clean, and come with a simple breakfast and a shared bathroom. Free wifi.
A single bed in 10-bed dormitory room: $10.
A twin room with shared bathroom: $52
Book your room on Booking.com or Tripadvisor.
Celica Hostel
Address: Metelkova 8, 1000 Ljubljana
As mentioned above, this hostel is a part of alternative Metelkova City. The rooms are designed with a prison theme, with iron and wooden furniture and bars on the windows. Walking distance to the centre and main bus & train stations. Wifi available.
A bed in 12-bed dormitory room: $16
A double or twin room with shared bathroom: $38
Book your room on Booking.com or Tripadvisor.
Bed & Breakfast Atticus
Address: Poljanska cesta 6, 1000 Ljubljana
Centrally located, this new cozy hotel has a/c, free wifi, and private bathrooms in some rooms. Simple and modernly furnished.
Twin room: from $38
Double room: from $49
Book your room on Tripadvisor.
Where to eat in Ljubljana
Druga Violina restaurant
Address: Stari Trg 21
Homemade traditional dishes, nice atmosphere and at a very reasonable price. We got a typical Slovenian βstrukliβ made of cooked dough with different fillings. Some of the staff in the restaurant have mental disabilities, so by dining there youβll also support a good cause and help to establish an equal employment policy.
Cha Tea House
Address: Stari Trg 3
After two hours in the rain, we couldnβt be happier ending up in this cozy & warm place where they serve a good cup of rooibos and pu-erh tea!
Cacao Kavarna
Address: Β PetkovΕ‘kovo nabreΕΎje 3
If you are an ice-cream lover (as we are!), then head straight to Cacao. We were told to taste this delicacy by our dear Couchsurfing host Lena. And⦠man, she was so right! Heavenly good taste and we got a beautiful sunny day so we could enjoy it on the river bank in the centre.
Scrumptious burek at Ajda
This traditional leafy dough pie is filled with minced meat, cheese or spinach and is really addictive. We had a few of them while waiting for a bus at the main bus station. A bistro is located just across the road from the station. Look for a green sign βAjdaβ. Recommended: cheese version.
Skuhna
A very unique restaurant where you can taste Asian, Africa, and South American cuisines thanks to their diverse team in the kitchen. They also organize cooking workshops and concerts, so make sure you check out the place when visiting Ljubljana.Β
These are the places that we would like you to experience. Whether in the rain, mist, snow or heat, Ljubljana will show you how independent and less explored in terms of tourism she is. This makes her even more attractive. Her cobblestone streets, terracotta roofs and cozy feelings amidst varied architectural styles will put you at ease.
Maybe itβs not a city for those who look for a typical western metropolitan experience but we hope she will continue to keep her wild innocence and tranquil homey feeling.
Hopefully youβve got inspired to visit Ljubljana and make your way throughout the cityβs major monuments on foot or on two wheels. Enjoy!
Note: A big thanks goes to Tevz Cernigoj from Watermelone bike tours. The boat trip and our stay in Tresor hostel was provided by Visit Ljubljana. All opinions, suggestions and cravings for ice-cream in Cacao are our own.
16 thoughts on “Things to do in Ljubljana: Tips on Culture, Food and Outdoor”
Guys you are making me miss tnis incredible city so much, we loved it and I can see us returning there at some point. I’d have loved to spend more time at Metelkova city, next time perhaps! π
Now you are just one border apart, Franca, so it can be done π And I’m sure you guys will love Metelkova!
I loved my time in Ljubljana. Just beautiful city. I want to go back there soon.
Hope you’ll enjoy it also next time!
Ah Ljubljana, what a fantastic city! I only spent a day there last year but fell head over heels in love with it – I can’t wait to go back!
Hi Lizzie, yes, Ljubljana deserves more days to get know her better. Hope you can travel there soon!
YAAAY, so happy you enjoyed exploring “our” Ljubljana π It is just too bad that you had bad weather, as Ljubljana is even more beautiful when sun is shining. Welcome back π
Thanks for dropping by, Nina. Yes, the weather wasn’t on our side but we got a bit of sun on our last day, so we indulged in Cacao’s ice cream in style: on a bench near the river π
Glad you enjoyed, even in the rain. π I’ve been based in Ljubljana for most of the past decade, and have come across many visitors who leave with very positive impressions. For your next visit, I suggest late spring.
Hi Rob! Wow, a decade! Ljubljana knows how to allure travellers π Next time we’ll need to catch up there. Cheers!
Ivana, I have got to get to Ljubljana…even if it does rain! Great tips!
Thank you, Corinne! Ljubljana is indeed a gorgeous place in Europe, and with so many outdoor places to travel to around, it’s definitely worth of visit π
Never heard of this place. Looks interesting. Looking for this on my world map…. i love to have a physical copy of it. π
https://classyfyd.wordpress.com/2016/04/09/things-to-do-at-singapore-airport/
Ljubljana is an awesome place to explore, as well the whole country. You might want to check our posts on some off the beaten places there π
https://nomadisbeautiful.com/?s=Slovenia
Enjoy your travels, Khushbu π
Great post! Thanks so much for all your tips!! What company did the boat tour? Where did it pick up?
Hi Gretchen, thanks a lot for reading! The link of the “Boat Trip” on the blog is clickable, but I guess it wasn’t so obvious. I’ve updated it now π
Here is the official website of the company we booked the boat ride with all necessary details: http://www.barka-ljubljanica.si/en/kontakt.html
Cheers and enjoy Ljubljana!
Comments are closed.