July 28th, 2023 at 02:17 am
Best Places to Visit in Ljubljana, Slovenia 2023
Are you planning a trip to Slovenia? You wouldn’t want to miss Ljubljana when you visit Slovenia. Here are the top 25 activities and destinations in Ljubljana.
Things to Do
Old Town Walking Tour
The structures in Ljubljana’s old town date back several centuries and are primarily of Roman and Medieval architecture. The city’s tourism economy is supported by its historic center. This can be done independently or as part of a guided tour, which will give you a deeper understanding of the rich history of both Ljubljana and Slovenia as a whole while you explore with a group.
The customary stops are as follows:
- First, Dragon Bridge
- Second, Ljubljana Cathedral
- Next, Town Hall (Mestna hiša)
- Also, Central Market
- Additionally, Triple Bridge
- Lastly, Preseren Square
River Cruise
The most significant body of water in this region of Slovenia is the Ljubljanica River. In the past, during the Roman era, it facilitated trade and commerce in the city. Nowadays, boats ferry visitors who opt to take a river cruise for sightseeing. The leisurely trip takes 45 minutes. For individuals who dislike walking a lot, this is ideal.
Stand-up Paddling
The Ljubljanica River’s tranquil waters are perfect for stand-up paddling, in addition to the cruise, while in the area. Even inexperienced travelers can benefit from this. You will initially receive a briefing on the fundamentals of stand-up paddling before continuing. Your teacher will accompany you while you paddleboard through the city’s heart.
Food Tour
Due to its location in the nexus of the Slavic, Germanic, and Roman cultures, Ljubljana’s food is a flavorful mashup. Pannonian, Mediterranean, Balkan, and Alpine meals are only a few of the many international cuisines available there. If you’re looking for a culinary adventure, the city has plenty of eateries that will make your trip worthwhile.
A guided tour will take you to locations where you may try various foods and wines while hearing tales and facts offered by your local guide if you want to learn more about Slovenia’s culinary scene.
Urban Train
Several electric-powered automobiles are often seen driving around the city’s historic center in Ljubljana. One of them is the Urban, a train that can take you from the Town Hall and Ljubljana Castle to Krakovo and back to Old Town, stopping at the major tourist attractions in the city.
Additionally, each stop on the journey has a pre-recorded narration that provides background information. It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel roundtrip. wish a hop-on, hop-off bus, you can leave whenever you wish and re-board using the same ticket. Only on that particular day is the ticket valid.
Day Trips from Ljubljana
One of the smallest nations in Europe is Slovenia. In fact, you may travel from one end to the other of it in a single day. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is also the preferred starting point for visitors heading to other parts of Slovenia because of its central location. Here are a few Slovenian tourist destinations outside of Ljubljana.
Lake Bled
Lake Bled, which is northwest of Ljubljana, is a well-known tourist site with an island surrounded by historic structures, the most notable of which is the Church of the Assumption from the 17th century. The island offers a view of Bled Castle, which may be found on the lake’s northern shore.
Postojna Cave
One of the longest cave systems in the nation is Postojna Cave, which is situated southwest of Ljubljana. This popular karst cave among visitors is home to a variety of fascinating stalagmites, stalactites, cave “halls,” and other rock formations. Even its own subterranean train exists there!
Predjama Castle
This Renaissance castle, which is also southwest of Ljubljana, attracts visitors since it was constructed inside a cave hole. After demolition, the original castle underwent restoration. The current castle was constructed around 1570.
Skocjan Caves
One of the biggest cave systems in the world is found farther southwest of Ljubljana. As a result of its natural and cultural features, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. It was also included in Ramsar’s Wetlands of International Importance list in 1991.
Places to Visit
Ljubljana Castle
The Ljubljana Castle was built in the eleventh century. One of the city’s most recognizable sights, this massive medieval structure is built atop a hill and is easy to locate. The historic town and the commercial city core are also visible from the castle grounds.
The castle is accessible in three different ways:
- First, hiking
- Second, using Urban tourist train
- Lastly, funicular
Ljubljana Cathedral
The Cyril and Methodius Square is graced by the Ljubljana Cathedral, which draws attention with its twin belfries and green dome. The Town Hall, Central Market, and Ljubljana Castle are all close by and offer views of it.
Its earliest recorded history is from the 12th century when the original Romanesque-style church was built. After a fire destroyed the previous one, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The 18th century saw the construction of the current Baroque style. Italian Baroque painter Giulio Quaglio created painted frescoes for the inside. Its sculptured bronze doors are another noteworthy feature.
Town Hall (Mestna Hiša)
The Ljubljana City Municipality’s Town Hall serves as its headquarters. It has a grand staircase, a Venetian facade, and four display halls or galleries. The Baroque building is situated in the Town Square, which also features an obelisk and a Robba Fountain replica. Visit the National Gallery if you’d want to see the original fountain. The 15th century is when the Town Hall first appeared.
Triple Bridge (Tromostovje)
The broader center bridge (main bridge), which was first built in 1842, was formerly a medieval timber bridge. Today, the main bridge is flanked by two shorter bridges, one on each side. One of Ljubljana’s most well-known monuments resulted from the inclusion of these side bridges, which were built with pedestrians in mind.
The Ljubljanica River divides the modern business district from the historic core, which is connected by the Triple Bridge. The bridges connect Preeren Square (downtown side) with the Central Market (old town side).
Prešeren Square
The main square in Ljubljana is called Preeren Square. Prior to being turned into a square in the 19th century, it was a busy intersection. This plaza with an oval form is both a popular gathering place and a no-parking area. Additionally, this is where free walking tours typically meet.
It welcomes visitors who cross the Triple Bridge on their way to or from the ancient town. The nation’s national poet, France Preeren, is honored with a monument there. Grand structures like the historic palaces and the scarlet Franciscan Church of the Annunciation from the 17th century surround the area.
Dragon Bridge (Zmajski Most)
The 1901-built Dragon Bridge is a technical landmark and is recognized as the most beautiful bridge in the Vienna Secession style. This reinforced concrete arch bridge primarily serves cars in accordance with its design and construction elements.
The four massive dragon statues that became one of the city’s distinguishing landmarks gave rise to the name of the bridge.
Central Market
The Central Market will give you more than you are ready to barter for if you want to get a taste of Ljubljana’s culture through its local goods. The market, which includes an outdoor market, an indoor market, food stalls, and stores surrounding the river banks of Ljubljanica’s old town, extends between the Dragon Bridge and the Triple Bridge.
Every week from March through October, chefs prepare and serve a variety of world cuisines during an open-kitchen event. This occurs every Friday at the Pogaarjev trg Square vicinity of Central Market.
House of Illusions
More than 40 interactive exhibits are set up by the museum with the intention of deceiving visitors. Holograms, puzzles, and the Rotated Room will all be there. The Playroom’s logical games will test your ability to solve puzzles. The Mirror Room, Vortex Tunnel, and Anti-Gravity Room are a few further attractions.
Park Špica
Park Pica is a river embankment of the Ljubljanica River that was once a beach location before it was turned into a park and situates south of Ljubljana Castle. Nearby, harbors a lengthy footbridge designed for both bikers and pedestrians. Both locals and visitors draw to the park by its tranquil mood and stunning vista.
Botanical Garden
You can access the University of Ljubljana Botanical Garden by crossing the footbridge from Park Pica. It claims to possess the oldest and most significant botanical garden in Slovenia established in 1810. Also known as “The Green Soul of Ljubljana” it supports more than 4,500 kinds and subspecies of plants and trees. In addition, it offers a glasshouse and a tea house where you may unwind after a cool walk.
Plečnik House
Ljubljana has Joe Plenik if Barcelona has Antoni Gaudi. As a native Slovene, he played a crucial part in influencing the city’s architectural landscape and left his stamp on numerous old buildings that are extremely important to Slovenian culture. His impact expanded to Vienna and Prague in addition to his hometown.
He created many structures and locations in Slovenia, including the Triple Bridge, Central Market, embankments along the Ljubljanica River, the Slovene National and University Library, squares, etc.
You can glimpse inside both his personal and business lives at Plenik House. Many of his artifacts and works, including his designs and ideas, remain there. Additionally, the home remains well-preserved and keeps its original appearance.
Križanke Church and Monastery
The 13th century to the 18th century saw numerous construction and reconstruction projects at the Krianke Church and Monastery. It ceased functioning as a monastery in 1945 and transformed into a cultural location, especially for the Ljubljana Festival.
The complex includes the Krianke Church, the Devil’s Courtyard, the Knight’s Hall, and an outdoor theater inside a disused monastery.
Congress Square
The Kongresni Trg (Congress Square), one of the important squares in Ljubljana, is next to the ancient Cobblers Bridge. The site where the Capuchin monastery stood, has constructed in the 19th century. Although the original square was smaller, it nevertheless serves as a location for significant gatherings and ceremonies today. In actuality, the historic Ljubljana Congress is where it earned its name. Park Zvezda (Star Park) is located in the square.
Republic Square
The Trg Republike (Republic Square) lies a short distance west of Congress Square. The largest square in the city and a representation of contemporary Ljubljana is built in a modernist design. The most famous square in Slovenia was the site of the declaration of the country’s independence in June 1991.
Tivoli Park
Tivoli City Park is the biggest park in the city, covering five square kilometers in the center of Ljubljana. The idea developed in the first five years of the nineteenth century by French engineer Jean Blanchard. It remains dotted with statues and fountains, and paths wind through the luxuriant vegetation.
The Tivoli Sports Hall, Tivoli Castle, National Museum of Contemporary History, and Jakopi Promenade—a picturesque outdoor gallery created by renowned Slovene architect Joe Plenik—all tucked away from inside the park.
Krakovo
Near St. James Bridge and Krianke, on the left bank of the Ljubljanica River, is the historic neighborhood of Krakovo. Although it sprawled out on the river’s urban side, the area still keeps a medieval-era feel to it, where fishing and gardening remain the main sources of income.
The district is a product of the union of the old and the new. Fresh food delivers to the Central Market from this area.
Metelkova Mesto
A group of intellectuals and artists known as the Metelkova Network converted the complex into a different art and cultural hub to prevent the old military base from dismantling.
Various activities and events take place at the facility, and an eclectic mix of people attends them. One of the coolest locations to be is here. The major train station in Ljubljana is about three blocks away from Metelkova Mesto.
National Museum of Slovenia
The National Museum of Slovenia remains the oldest in the nation and situates next to the Russian Embassy next to Tivoli Park. It remained inside a Neo-Renaissance palace from the nineteenth century and shares a roof with the Slovenian Museum of Natural History. It possesses a wonderful collection of ancient antiquities on exhibit.
Prehistoric Treasures of Slovenia, Roman Stories from the Crossroads, and The Roman Lapidarium are permanent displays.
National Gallery
The National Gallery is also close to Tivoli Park and the National Museum of Slovenia. The museum established in 1918, moved from Kresija Palace to its current host structure from the 19th century.
The museum has the greatest permanent collection of art in Slovenia, with almost 600 works dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Here, the Fountain of Three Carniolan Rivers, the ancient Robba Fountain, remains conserved and maintained.
Top Apartments & Hotels in Ljubljana
The best hotels in Ljubljana seen below.
- Apartments Maria
- Adora Apartments and Rooms
- AB Ljubljana – The Princess Castle Triplex
- Apartment Megapolis
- Urban Hotel Ljubljana
- Apartment Nuk
- Hotel Mrak
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