What to see in Ljubljana: tips from Milan Bez Mapy

Ljubljana is a calm, green city, and I think it suits a weekend break just as well as a longer trip around Slovenia. Coming from Slovakia, I recommend driving rather than flying. Once there, I’d stroll through the Old Town, go up to the castle, take a boat trip on the Ljubljanica river and make a day trip to Lake Bled.

Quick factsby Milan Bez Mapy

Getting there

From Slovakia by car; in 2026 the direct FlixBus from Bratislava takes about 6 hrs 15 mins

Ljubljana Castle

Up in about a minute by glass funicular from Krekov trg, back down on foot; walking up isn’t hard either

View of the city

The café at the top of Nebotičnik, where you only pay for what you order; for my money one of the finest views

Food

In Mestni trg try potica or idrijski žlikrofi with a glass of Slovenian wine

Triple Bridge photo

From the Ribja brv footbridge you get the Triple Bridge with the cathedral behind it and willows over the river

What is there to see in Ljubljana? Like the rest of the country, the Slovenian capital will win you over. What sets Ljubljana apart from other European capitals is the calm you can sense a mile off, the greenery everywhere and places you’ll look back on with a smile.

Slovene drifts across from the riverside café terraces, and to Slovak ears it’s a very funny language. For us Slovaks there is a language barrier, but it’s a low one: lots of words sound familiar and some make you laugh. In Slovene, for example, otroci means children, while in Slovak the same word means slaves. Just for fun. Now, on to what to see in Ljubljana.

Tip from Milan I’d recommend booking your accommodation as early as you can, because rooms in a good location at a fair price go first. Here you’ll find accommodation offers in the area valid today.

Things to do in Ljubljana: Milan Bez Mapy’s picks

How to get to Ljubljana

For Slovaks, flying to Ljubljana doesn’t pay off, in either time or money. The best option is to take your own car and stop wherever you like, for as long as you like. The train is possible, but only with changes, whereas from Slovakia there are direct buses from Bratislava. In 2026 the fastest direct FlixBus to Ljubljana takes about 6 hours 15 minutes.

TIP: I’ve travelled all over Slovenia, so have a look at my tips on where to go in Slovenia.

A walk through Ljubljana’s Old Town

For your first steps in Ljubljana, I’d head straight for the centre and the Old Town. Take a stroll through its old lanes, admire the historic buildings and soak up the atmosphere. The classic postcard photo of Ljubljana is probably the one from little Prešeren Square (Prešernov trg). In summer, though, the middle of the square gets frequent showers. Don’t worry: the rain is an attraction set up on purpose, and on Google Maps you’ll find it as Rain Place.

Prešeren Square is also home to a Catholic church that wows visitors with both its pink exterior and its richly decorated interior. Pop in for a look. A little further on is Ljubljana Cathedral, also worth a peek inside.

You get a lovely picture of the city in Mestni trg, the Town Square. The old town hall stands here, and the Baroque buildings around the fountain in the middle hide small local shops and restaurants. Try a local speciality in any of them, such as potica (a bit like a Bundt cake) or idrijski žlikrofi (dough parcels with a potato filling). And have a glass of Slovenian wine too.

Heading south, Mestni trg narrows and turns into Stari trg, which looks more like a winding street than a square. It also happens to be the oldest public space in Ljubljana.

You’ll find tours of Ljubljana and day trips from the city here:

Ljubljana Castle

Ljubljana’s streets and lanes lead you up to the castle above the city almost by themselves. If you don’t feel up to the walk, the glass funicular takes you up in about a minute and you can walk back down. You’ll find the funicular as you walk on from the market at Krekov trg (it regularly has fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese and other local produce). Then again, walking up to Ljubljana Castle isn’t especially hard.

The view from the medieval castle is beautiful, and inside there’s a permanent history exhibition. If you need a break, settle down in the nearby park and enjoy the moment with Ljubljana at your feet.

A sky bar in Ljubljana: Nebotičnik

If you want to see Ljubljana from above but don’t fancy the castle, try the ‘Slovenian skyscraper’, Nebotičnik. A lift takes you up to the café at the very top. Have a drink or a coffee. The coffee’s good here. Then enjoy the view over the whole city. For my money, it’s one of the finest. All it costs you is what you order.

Ljubljana’s bridges

Several bridges worth seeing cross the Ljubljanica. You’ll spot the first one as soon as you reach Prešeren Square. You may only glance at it at first, but take a proper look: this is Tromostovje, the Triple Bridge. The Triple Bridge is a symbol of the city and one of the best-known sights in Ljubljana.

The leading Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik designed the bridge and other buildings in the city, and he also left his mark on architecture in Vienna and Prague. Do take a photo here as a souvenir: it’s said to be the most photographed sight in Ljubljana. If you’re curious about Plečnik’s life, drop into the Plečnik House museum (Plečnikova hiša). On to more bridges. Then there’s the equally well-known Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most), made famous by the four majestic dragon statues that decorate it. One legend says a dragon once lived where Ljubljana stands today, until the city’s founder killed it. Another says the dragons wag their tails whenever a virgin crosses the bridge. Has anyone actually seen it?

Between these two bridges is the Butchers’ Bridge (Mesarski most) with its bronze sculptures and, inevitably, that modern tourist fixture: love locks. If you walk across the Ribja brv footbridge, you get a great view of the Triple Bridge with the cathedral behind it and willows leaning over the river. And if you happen to find yourself without an ice cream in your hand, a café nearby has a good selection. Whichever bridge you’re on, wave to the tourists cruising along the river below. Smiles guaranteed.

A boat trip on the Ljubljanica river

Wandering the city and its bridges, you may want to see them, and the city itself, from the water in a traditional wooden boat. Good news: you can. As you walk along the river, you’re bound to notice the guided tour offers. They say the trip is at its most beautiful at Christmas, when the city is lit up.

Metelkova Mesto

In the mood for something different and a bit offbeat? Metelkova Mesto is your place. It’s an alternative arts quarter where artists, musicians, activists and the like get together, and there’s nowhere quite like it. It’s all rather hipster, with some good street art. It reminded me of Christiania in Copenhagen, though people there took it all rather more seriously.

Tivoli Park, Ljubljana Zoo and the botanical garden

Christiania isn’t the only thing Ljubljana shares with Copenhagen. Locals and visitors love Tivoli Park, though it’s nothing like the amusement park in the Danish capital. Tivoli is one of the largest and best-known parks in Ljubljana. It’s only a short way from the city centre and gives everyone plenty of ways to unwind. There are meadows, woods, a stream and the Ribnik pond. An ideal spot for a picnic.

The zoo sits on the edge of the park and is a favourite with visitors young and old. On the other side of the city there’s a lovely botanical garden (Botanični vrt) with a long history and more than 4,500 plant species and subspecies. It has a tropical greenhouse and a tea room. A perfect combination. Ljubljana, and Slovenia as a whole, is full of greenery and flowers. You don’t feel you’re in a city at all; it’s more like being in your grandma’s garden. That’s one of the reasons I liked Ljubljana so much.

Tip from Milan North-east of Tivoli Park, railway fans will be in their element at the Railway Museum (Železniški muzej). If you’d rather have beer, go for the Pivovarski muzej, the Union brewery’s museum. And for your dose of culture and art, you’ll like the National Gallery (Narodna galerija).

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Day trips from Ljubljana

Once you’ve had your fill of the Slovenian capital, don’t skip the rest of the country. Lakes Bled and Bohinj in the Julian Alps are a short hop from Ljubljana. Or head south to Slovenia’s short stretch of Adriatic coast, with a break on the way at Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave.

Ljubljana, and Slovenia as a whole, is a great idea for a longer holiday or just a weekend away. If you haven’t made it to Slovenia yet, go as soon as you can. Trust me, it’ll be worth it. Slovenia’s scenery, its lovely spots and the hospitality of the locals are first-rate.

Milan

You can read how I got on travelling with FlixBus in my FlixBus review.