Posted by Ljubljana is the small capital of Slovenia with around 255,000 inhabitants. It lies roughly in the centre of the country. It is a city with a very special flair and many sights and certainly one of the most beautiful cities in this region of Europe. Ljubljana, as the city was called in German, is dominated by a large castle built on a hill overlooking Ljubljana. In the city centre there are many sights along the small river Ljubljanica.
Great city tour of Ljubljana incl. cable car to the castle: More info and booking
In 1895, a catastrophe occurred in Ljubljana. An earthquake, probably with a magnitude of over 8, largely destroyed the present-day capital. But the reconstruction was to become an architectural masterpiece. The most important architect was Joze Plecnik. He succeeded in combining the old and the new in an ingenious way. He is still held in high esteem in Slovenia today.
Book day tours Slovenia online
You can book many great day trips within Slovenia by bus online.
Many of these tickets are available on the well-known website Getyourguide.com
– Bus tours to the Postojna Caves: click here
– Tours to and from Lake Bled: click here
– Tours and bus trips Ljubljana: click here
The centre of Ljubljana is Presernov Trg (Preseren Square) with the triple bridge over the Ljubljanica River. These bridges built side by side (see picture below) are something like the city’s landmark – one is old, the other two were built after the earthquake.
Book day tours Slovenia online
You can book many great day trips within Slovenia by bus online.
Many of these tickets are available on the well-known website Getyourguide.com
– Bus tours to the Postojna Caves: click here
– Tours to and from Lake Bled: click here
– Tours and bus trips Ljubljana: click here
The most important and striking building in Ljubljanica is the Ljubljanski Grad (Ljubljana Castle) on a small hill above the city. A steep, sweaty path leads up to it in about 25 minutes on foot. However, you are rewarded with an interesting castle and a wonderful view over the city. If the walk is too tiring for you, you can also take the cable car up the hill, as most tourists do.
The Ljubljana Card
The Ljubljana Card is a great thing for tourists. With the ticket, you can use public transport in Ljubljana for free, have free admission to almost all museums and to the zoo. Also the funicular to the castle, the entrance to the castle, a guided city tour and much more are included.
>>> More info and booking Ljubljana Card
An absolute “must” is also the walk across the famous bridges in the centre, some also designed by Pecnik.
It is also worth visiting the large Tivoli city park to the west of the city centre. Here, among other things, is a castle and the Ljubljana Zoo.
Shopping in the capital is possible in the many shops and some department stores in the centre. Two big department stores in Ljubljana are Nama and Mxi, both have a good and cheap food department in the basement. About 2-3 kilometres to the west are two modern, gigantic shopping centres next to each other. Some of them are also open on Sundays.
In the old town there is a circular route that leads to all the important sights of Ljubljana in about two hours. You follow the conspicuous yellow signs. In midsummer (July / August) there is a cultural festival in Ljubljana that lasts about 8 weeks. The concerts and other performances are also very popular with tourists.
We stayed in a very good and cheap accommodation. It is a small pension called “Viva Rooms” in the centre of the city. At Viva Rooms Ljubljana, simple rooms and also a small 2-room flat with kitchen are rented out very cheaply. The location is ideal – 8 minutes walk to the train station and 2 minutes to the centre. We found only one small drawback: The guesthouse is on the 2nd floor without a lift.
You can find more travel information about Ljubljana on the following pages in our little travel guide, among others:
Sightseeing overview: Overview of the most important attractions in the capital of Slovenia.
City buses Ljubljana: You can’t take a bus in the city without a special plastic card.
Getting to Ljubljana by plane, car, train and bus
Ljubljana Airport: Information about buses to the airport, flights and more
The market of Ljubljana: The big market in the centre of the capital city
Cheap food in Ljubljana: Traditional snack food and modern fast food
Department stores and shops: Overview of shopping in the centre