Things to do in Ljubljana: the castle, the river and Plečnik's town
Ljubljana is Slovenia's small, green capital, and it is easy to like: a pedestrian old town on a river, a castle on a hill and a long run of cafes on the water. Two days is enough for the city itself. The one thing to know: most people use it as a base for Lake Bled and the caves, so give it a night either side.
The short answer
- First trip
- Walk the old town and the river, take the funicular to the castle, and eat at the market. Then take a day trip.
- Where to stay
- The old town for atmosphere, Center and Tivoli for calm, Metelkova for value.
- How many days
- Two days for the city. Three to four if you add Lake Bled and Postojna.
- Best time to go
- May to June and September for terraces. December for the festive lights and market.
- Book ahead
- Postojna Cave in summer, a table at a gostilna on a weekend, and December rooms.
- From the airport
- A public bus or a shuttle to the center takes about 45 to 50 minutes. A taxi is quicker and costs more.
Where to stay in Ljubljana, in brief
Old town (Stari Ljubljana)
atmosphere on foot
Car-free lanes along the river, with the castle above. You are in the middle of everything, but the riverside terraces are loud on warm nights.
Center and Tivoli
quiet and parks
Calmer streets west of the old town, close to Prešeren Square and the big park. Good for a first stay and for families.
Station area and Metelkova
trains and value
Rooms and hostels near the bus and train stations, ten to fifteen minutes from the old town. Plain, practical and cheaper, with a lively arts quarter beside it.
Things to do in Ljubljana
Ljubljana Castle
The hilltop castle above the old town, with views over the roofs, a courtyard, a chapel and a small museum. Walk up the path from the old town in about 15 minutes, or ride the funicular.
Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square
The meeting point of the city. Three bridges cross the Ljubljanica side by side, with the pink Franciscan church and the poet's statue beside them.
Dragon Bridge
An early twentieth-century bridge with four dragon statues, the city's symbol. Quick to see on the way to the market.
Central Market and the Plečnik colonnade
Open-air produce stalls in the old town, backed by a riverside colonnade designed by Jože Plečnik. Go in the morning for fruit, cheese, honey and bread.
Odprta kuhna (Open Kitchen)
A food market on Pogačarjev trg on Fridays, from March into autumn, where restaurants sell dishes from stalls. It is seasonal, so check the date if you visit outside the warm months.
Ljubljana Cathedral
The baroque cathedral of St Nicholas, known for its bronze doors and painted ceiling. Check opening hours, as services take priority.
Boat trip on the Ljubljanica
A short cruise through the old town and under the bridges. It is a relaxed way to see the river, best in the afternoon.
On the day in most months, a day ahead in summer.
Tivoli Park and Rožnik hill
A large green park with tree-lined avenues, ending at a forested hill with a church and a walking path. A good slow afternoon in spring or autumn.
Metelkova
A former barracks turned into an arts and music quarter, with murals, bars and small venues. Best after dark, and more lively on weekends.
Sunday flea market on Breg
A weekly market of antiques, vintage goods and curios on the riverside. It runs on Sunday mornings, so check the dates.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Ljubljana can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Ljubljana, and which to pick- Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
Cave tours run at set times and fill in the busy months.
- A table at a gostilna on a weekendA few days ahead
The traditional inns near the center are small and popular at dinner.
- A room in DecemberSeveral months ahead
The festive lights and market bring visitors, and old town rooms sell out.
What to skip in Ljubljana
- Eating at the first riverside terrace you see
The setting is good for a coffee or a drink. For dinner, walk a few streets back or pick a gostilna.
- A rushed day trip to Bled and Postojna together
Both are an hour away, but in opposite directions. Choose one for each day, or the lake and the caves become a bus ride.
- Trying to see everything in one day
The city is small, but the pleasure is in the long coffees. Give it a second day if you can.
Best time to visit Ljubljana
May, June and September are the best months: warm, green, and the river terraces are open. Summer is hot and busy, and July and August fill with festivals and day-trippers.
December brings festive lights and a market in the old town, and the winter days are short and cold. January and February are quiet and can be below freezing.
- From Ljubljana airportThe public bus to the central bus station takes about 50 minutes and costs about 4 euros. A shuttle bus takes a similar time and costs about 12 euros. A taxi takes around 30 minutes and costs more.
- On footThe old town is pedestrian, and the castle, the market, Prešeren Square and the station are all within 15 to 20 minutes of one another.
- By bus and bikeCity buses cover the wider area, and bike rental is common, as the center is flat. Trams do not run in Ljubljana.
- By train and bus to Bled and PostojnaThe train and bus stations sit side by side. Trains run to Postojna and toward Bled, and buses go to Bled; check times in advance.
Ljubljana in three days
- Day 1
Walk the old town, Triple Bridge and the market, then go up to the castle. Have dinner at a gostilna.
- Day 2
Take a boat on the river, walk Tivoli Park and Rožnik, then spend the evening in Metelkova or on the river.
- Day 3
Take a day trip to Lake Bled or to Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle.
Day trips from Ljubljana
- Lake BledAbout an hour by bus. A lake with an island church, a clifftop castle and a traditional rowing boat, the pletna. Go early in summer.
- Postojna Cave and Predjama CastleAbout an hour by train or bus. A cave tour begins with a short train ride underground, and Predjama Castle sits in a cliff nearby.
Ljubljana: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Ljubljana?
Two days covers the old town, the castle, the market and the river. Three or four lets you add Lake Bled and the caves.
Is Ljubljana worth visiting?
Yes, for a calm, walkable capital with good food, a river and the base for day trips. It is not a city of big museums, so don't expect a long list of sights.
What is the best time to visit Ljubljana?
May, June and September for terraces and parks. December for the festive lights and market.
Can you do Lake Bled as a day trip from Ljubljana?
Yes. It is about an hour away by bus. Go early, and spend the day walking the lake or visiting the castle.
Is Ljubljana expensive?
It costs less than Vienna or Venice and more than the Balkans. Lunch menus and market food are the best value.
What can you do in Ljubljana on a Sunday?
Walk the old town, visit the castle, and go to the flea market on Breg if it is running. Some shops close, but the cafes and the river stay busy.