20 Beautiful Ljubljana Castle Photos To Inspire You To Visit Slovenia

About Ljubljana Castle

Built in the 15th century, the Ljubljana Castle stands on top of a 375-metre-high hill above the historic old centre of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It is Ljubljana’s main tourist attraction where various cultural, historic and entertaining events take place regularly throughout the year.

The castle’s tower offers visitors breathtaking views of the city and its surrounding areas, while the castle houses a museum exhibition on Slovenian history, a puppet museum, and several historical rooms such as the Chapel of St George, the Prison, and a very interesting video presentation room called Virtual Castle.

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Ljubljana Castle Photo Gallery

Enjoy this beautiful photo gallery with 20 high resolution Ljubljana Castle photos, all taken by professional photographers!

Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia
Ljubljana with its hilltop castle as seen from the Neboticnik skyscraper. (photo: Jacob Riglin, Beautiful Destinations, Slovenia.info)

Ljubljana Castle from above with the capital city of Slovenia in the background
Ljubljana Castle with Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana and Ljubljana Marshes in the background. (photo: Drazen Stader, Produkcija Studio, Slovenia.info)

Aerial view of Ljubljana Castle in the capital city of Slovenia
Ljubljana Castle is a stunning medieval fortress on the 375-metre-high Castle Hill above downtown Ljubljana. (photo: Drazen Stader, Produkcija Studio, Slovenia.info)

Ljubljana castle in the capital of Slovenia
Most of the Ljubljana Castle dates from the early 16th century when it was largely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake. (Photo courtesy of Ljubljanski Grad)

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia
The city of Ljubljana in the summer. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

Aerial view of Ljubljana Old Town with its hilltop Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle can be reached a funicular railway built in 2006, by foot along the ancient or newer walking paths, by the Urban tourist train, bike or car. (photo: Ales Fevzer, Slovenia.info)

View of Ljubljana Old Town with its hilltop castle
A lovely view of Ljubljana’s Old Town with its hilltop Ljubljana Castle. (photo: James Relf Dyer, Beautiful Destinations, Slovenia.info)

Places to stay in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana

Ljubljana Castle with Slovenian Alps in the background
Ljubljana Castle with the Slovenian Alps in the background. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

A view of Ljubljana Castle from the rooftop swimming pool at Vander Urbani Resort
Ljubljana Castle as seen from the rooftop swimming pool at the Vander Urbani Resort in Ljubljana’s Old Town. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

Ljubljana Old Town in summer with the hilltop Ljubljana Castle in the background
Ljubljana Old Town with the hilltop Ljubljana Castle in the background. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

Ljubljana Castle on a Castle Hill above the Ljubljana Old Town
Ljubljana Castle can be seen from anywhere in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

A view of Ljubljana Castle from Ljubljanica River in the Ljubljana Old Town
Ljubljana Castle is the most photographed building in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

Ljubljana's Dragon Mascot at Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana’s dragon mascot, known as Zmajcek, or Little Dragon in English. (photo: Mankica Kranjec, Nea Culpa, Slovenia.info)

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A view of Slovenia's capital from Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle offers some of the most beautiful views of Ljubljana. (photo: Alan Kosmac, Sidarta, Slovenia.info)

Visitors enjoying views of Slovenia's capital from Ljubljana Castle at sunset
Ljubljana Castle is free to ramble around the castle grounds, but you’ll have to pay to enter the Watchtower or the museums that are housed in the castle. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

A view of Ljubljana Castle from the Summer Nights festival event at night
The castle dominates the city and it is tastefully illuminated at night. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

Ljubljana Old Town decorated with Christmas Lights with the hilltop castle in the background
Ljubljana’s Old Town with its hilltop Ljubljana Castle at night in the Christmas season. (photo: Adrijan Pregelj, Slovenia.info)

A view of Ljubljana Castle at night in the Christmas season
Ljubljana Castle in the festive season. (photo: Dean Dubokovic, Slovenia.info)

A view of Ljubljana Castle at night in the festive season
Ljubljana Castle decorated with Christmas lights in the festive season. (photo: Dean Dubokovic, Slovenia.info)

View of Ljubljana Old Town during snowing with the hilltop castle in the background
It’s amazing how beautiful Ljubljana and its hilltop castle looks when it snows. (photo: Jost Gantar, Slovenia.info)

Ribja Brv footbridge in Ljubljana Old Town in winter while snowing
Ljubljana is at its most picture-perfect state during winter. (photo: Jost Gantar, Slovenia.info)

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All You Need To Know To Visit Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA – the small but beautiful capital of Slovenia
View of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia

Slovenia's capital Ljubljana has all the right ingredients for the perfect city break. It's one of the youngest and most liveable capitals in the European Union. It’s a city with a medieval heart, a city of the Baroque and Art Nouveau, with numerous picturesque bridges across the Ljubljanica river and the vast green Tivoli park, which stretches into the very city centre.

Historic And Cultural Attractions In Ljubljana And The Surrounding Area
LJUBLJANA OLD TOWN – one of the most picturesque city centers in Europe

Overall Rating:     10/10   (Must-See)

Ljubljana is a charming little capital and its Old Town is one of Slovenia's top tourist destinations that draws over one million visitors per year. It's a mix of impressive architecture, a picturesque river littered with fascinating bridges, plus heaps of lovely restaurants, bars and cafés. It's a very safe and easy area to wander around - the streets are pedestrianized so that makes it quieter and more relaxed.
LJUBLJANA CASTLE – the most identifiable feature in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana

Overall Rating:     10/10   (Must-See)

Ljubljana Castle is the most prominent tourist attraction in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. The castle is perched on top of a hill and can be seen from anywhere in Ljubljana, and you can see anywhere in Ljubljana from the castle. Majority of the castle is free to wander through and there is something for everyone (fantastic views, interesting exhibits, people in costume, lots to keep the children interested, good food, etc.). To visit the castle, you can walk up to it or you can take the funicular to the top.
PRESEREN SQUARE – the heart of the Ljubljana old town, always live and interesting

Overall Rating:     10/10   (Must-See)

Preseren Square is the center of Ljubljana’s Old Town, situated where the Triple Bridge crosses the Ljubljanica river and right in front of the pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. The square is cobblestone-paved and is an amazing place full of life, where both the locals and tourists hang out to socialize, listen to talented street musicians, people watch, and take in the views.
TRIPLE BRIDGE – if the city of Ljubljana has a heart, this is it

Overall Rating:     10/10   (Must-See)

Triple Bridge or Tromostovje as it is called in Slovene is located perfectly in the heart of Slovenia's capital Ljubljana. It connects the Ljubljana’s historic old town on one bank and the modern part of the city on the other. The bridge has a Venetian look to it – it was designed with a lot of Italian influence and looks like you would find it in Venice. It’s small yet lovely. There are usually buskers and other street entertainers on the bridge creating a lovely atmosphere.
LJUBLJANICA RIVER CANAL – a great way to experience Ljubljana

Overall Rating:     10/10   (Must-See)

The Ljubljanica river canal splits Ljubljana’s historic old town from the modern part of the city. A paved path exists along the entire way. The river’s banks are beautiful and you can spend an afternoon just wandering along and enjoy historic buildings and architecture, the many lively outdoor cafés and restaurants, and the vibe of the city. It's an excellent place to get a perspective on what living in Slovenia’s capital is all about.
LJUBLJANA CATHEDRAL – if you're in Slovenia's capital put this on your must see list

Overall Rating:     09/10   (Highly Recommended)

Ljubljana Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral of St. Nicholas) is the main church in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana. It's not terribly impressive from the outside, but when you go inside it is magnificent. The amazing artwork adorns pretty much every inch of the inside of the building, with spectacular paintings (the cathedral has recently been refurbished so the colors are really vibrant), lots of gold leaf, intricate frescos on the ceiling and a magnificent pipe organ.
FRANCISCAN CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION – one of the most recognizable buildings in the city

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Highly Recommended)

The church is located in a prime position in the heart of the Ljubljana old town. You cannot fail to spot this salmon-pink church as it provides an attractive backdrop to the main Preseren Square at the end of the Triple bridge. The inside is worth a look for the painted ceiling and walls and the main altar, which was executed by a famous Italian sculptor Francesco Robba.
CONGRESS SQUARE – a historically important and charming part of Ljubljana

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Highly Recommended)

Dating back to 1821, this large square in the centre of Ljubljana is surrounded by some of the city's most important and well known buildings and is a popular venue for large outdoor events.
LJUBLJANA CENTRAL MARKET – more than just a convenient place to buy food

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Highly Recommended)

Almost every visitor to Ljubljana will pass by Ljubljana Central Market as it's located in the historic city centre. The market is divided into outdoor and indoor areas. It's more than just a convenient place to buy food, it offers a perfect location to meet friends and people-watch and there’s a lot of pleasure to be had by just strolling around and seeing what's happening.
DRAGON BRIDGE – one of the most famous scenes in Ljubljana to photograph

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Highly Recommended)

The Dragon Bridge spans the Ljubljanica River at the eastern side of Ljubljana's historic city centre, On each of the four corners of the bridge sits a huge, almost real-looking dragon made from sheet copper.
COBBLERS' BRIDGE – a pretty and elegant bridge designed by Joze Plecnik

Overall Rating:     07/10   (Recommended)

The Cobblers' Bridge was built in 1931 by Joze Plecnik and encapsulates his style perhaps better than any other structure in Ljubljana: it's simple, with clean lines and adorned with classical columns.
BUTCHERS' BRIDGE – the most interesting and unusual bridge in Ljubljana

Overall Rating:     07/10   (Recommended)

The Butchers' Bridge spans the Ljubljanica River between the colonnaded Central Market and Petkovskovo Nabrezje Embankment in Ljubljana's Old Town. It features glass panels near the edges and some rather disturbing sculptures. Soon after the bridge opened in 2010, it also became home to the lovely tradition of couples affixing 'love locks' along the length of its steel wires.
FISHMARKET FOOTBRIDGE – one of the best photo spots in Ljubljana

Overall Rating:     07/10   (Recommended)

The glassy Fishmarket Footbridge spans the Ljubljanica River in the midst of Ljubljana's Old Town. The bridge itself was designed to be as minimal and transparent as possible and isn't especially noteworthy, but it's a popular spot for strolls and offers a dazzling view of the iconic Triple Bridge and the salmon-pink Franciscan Church in one direction and the Cobblers’ Bridge in the other.
LJUBLJANA TOWN HALL – a beautiful historic building in the centre of Ljubljana

Overall Rating:     07/10   (Recommended)

Situated centrally within Ljubljana's Old Town, the historic Town Hall is a major landmark in Slovenia's capital and a key part of what is probably the most picturesque spot in the city.
METELKOVA – one the largest, and arguably most successful, urban squats in Europe

Overall Rating:     07/10   (Recommended)

Just across the Ljubljanica river from Ljubljana's historic city centre lie seven dilapidated buildings which are covered in graffiti and art. This is Metelkova – one the largest, and arguably most successful, urban squats in Europe.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF SLOVENIA – a wonderful gallery featuring the very best in Slovene art

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Highly Recommended)

Housed inside a beautiful neo-Renaissance palace, this wonderful gallery features the very best in Slovene art from the 13th century up to the first half of the 20th century,
SLOVENE ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM – a wonderful ethnology museum packed with many well preserved artefacts

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Highly Recommended)

The Slovene Ethnographic Museum is a wonderful museum in Ljubljana that takes you on a fascinating trip through Slovenian culture and history.
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART – a nice museum/gallery that houses the very best in modern Slovene art

Overall Rating:     07/10   (Recommended)

The Museum Of Modern Art in Ljubljana focuses mainly on showcasing a diverse and exciting collection of Slovenian and international art dating from the 20th and 21st centuries.
LJUBLJANICA SLUICE GATE – a beautifully decorated early 20th-century feature of architecture designed by Joze Plecnik

Overall Rating:     07/10   (Recommended)

Designed by Ljubljana's most revered architect Joze Plecnik in the 1930s, the Ljubljanica Sluice Gate marks the point at which the Ljubljanica river leaves Slovenia's capital Ljubljana.
TECHNICAL MUSEUM OF SLOVENIA – excellent museum for the technically minded

Overall Rating:     09/10   (Highly Recommended)

The Technical Museum of Slovenia, with its extensive collections of technical heritage, is one of Slovenia’s most important and visited museums. It is housed in the 13th-century Bistra Castle. It might not be the easiest to get to, but for the technically minded this museum, 20 kilometres from Ljubljana in Bistra, is well worth the journey.

Natural Attractions In Ljubljana And The Surrounding Area
LJUBLJANA MARSHES LANDSCAPE PARK - a unique natural area of wetlands and peat bogs

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Highly Recommended)

Situated south of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana Marshes is the largest marsh area in the country. It covers 163 square kilometres or almost one percent of the total territory of Slovenia. Since 2008, the major part of the Ljubljana Marshes, covering an area of 135 square kilometres, has been protected as a landscape park.
TIVOLI PARK - a wonderful city park packed with good things to see and do

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Highly Recommended)

It may not be as famous as its namesake in Copenhagen, but Ljubljana’s Tivoli Park is one of the most popular places to visit in the Slovenian capital. At 5 square kilometres, the park is the largest green space in Ljubljana and the perfect place to relax in nature and escape from the city rush.
LJUBLJANA ZOO - the largest zoo in Slovenia with a diverse range of animals

Overall Rating:     09/10   (Highly Recommended)

Sprawled in an area of 20 hectares, Ljubljana Zoo has more than 120 species including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish and arachnids and a total of more than 500 animals.

THINGS TO DO IN LJUBLJANA AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
DINERS CUBO LJUBLJANA GOLF COURSE – a modern and still relatively new course on the outskirts of Ljubljana

Overall Rating:     09/10   (Superb)

Diners CUBO Golf Ljubljana is a beautifully manicured and well-maintained 18-hole course situated only a 15 minute drive from Slovenia's capital Ljubljana. Opened in 2008, it is one of the newest courses in the country and the only one that is open 365 days a year. It features fast greens, wonderful fairways and wide teeing areas. The terrain is very flat and without trees or other natural obstacles, which allows extremely dynamic play.
ARBORETUM LJUBLJANA GOLF COURSE – ranks among the most popular golf courses in Slovenia

Overall Rating:     08/10   (Fabulous)

Golf Arboretum Ljubljana is considered one of the best and most beautiful golf courses in Slovenia. The course was designed by the famous Italian golf architect Marco Croze in the nineteen-nineties and offers stunning views of the nearby Kamnik-Savinja Alps on nearly every hole. At 5,452 metres, Arboretum Ljubljana is a relatively short course by modern-day standards, but the course itself is in great shape, immaculate and challenging to play.

Ljubljana restaurants that we think are the best and well worth a visit
RESTAURANT VALVASOR
Restaurant Valvasor in Ljubljana Slovenia

Cuisine: International

A wonderful fine dining restaurant situated in the middle of Ljubljana old town. The menu is a selection of modern European dishes along with some traditional Slovenian favorites. The food is absolutely delightful and delicious, food quality is excellent with very pure ingredients and they know how to make the dishes look mouth-watering.

OVERALL RATING:     10/10   (Exceptional)
PRICES:     (Expensive)
RESTAURANT JULIJA
Restaurant Julija in Ljubljana Slovenia

Cuisine: International | Italian | Slovenian

A lovely little restaurant situated in the heart of old Ljubljana’s pedestrian section. The menu is diverse enough to please anyone. There are a lot of Italian dishes but also some Slovenian classics. It’s not exactly fine dining, but pretty close. The food is delicious and beautifully presented and the ingredients are always fresh.

OVERALL RATING:     09/10   (Superb)
PRICES:   price-rating-moderate   (Moderate)
RESTAURANT SPAJZA
Restaurant Spajza in Ljubljana Slovenia

Cuisine: Mediterranean | Slovenian

This charming and intimate restaurant is located on a quieter street in Ljubljana Old Town. It’s housed in a lovely medieval building. The menu is designed around local foods and has many different options for meat, fish, and game – all complemented by local wines. The food is prepared perfectly and most portions are generous.

OVERALL RATING:     10/10   (Exceptional)
PRICES:     (Expensive)
RESTAURANT MANNA
Restaurant Manna in Ljubljana Slovenia

Cuisine: Mediterranean | Slovenian

The restaurant is located about 10-15 minute walk from Ljubljana’s Old Town. The food is delicious, a great blend of Mediterranean and Slovenian cuisine. The service is excellent and the serving staff puts you at ease to enjoy your meal with a detailed description of each dish and wine.

OVERALL RATING:     10/10   (Exceptional)
PRICES:     (Expensive)

Places to stay in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana that we recommend
The accommodation options in Ljubljana can be divided into five main categories: hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, apartments and hostels.
HOTELS IN LJUBLJANA THAT WE RECOMMEND
Ljubljana hotels

Finding a hotel that suits your needs and fits your budget can be a hassle. Slovenia's capital Ljubljana has more than 40 hotels ranging from super luxurious to boutique style hotels to a nice choice of affordable 3-star hotels. Find out which hotels in Ljubljana we recommend and why.
GUESTHOUSES IN LJUBLJANA THAT WE RECOMMEND
Ljubljana guest houses

Ljubljana guest houses are definitely a nice, safe option for a place to stay as they are comfortable and homely with owners who take an interest in their guests. Many guesthouses have a good on-site restaurant and offer not only delicious breakfasts, but also a wide range of meals for lunch and dinner. There are more than 40 guest houses in Ljubljana, so read on and find out which one would best suit your needs, style and budget.
BED AND BREAKFASTS IN LJUBLJANA THAT WE RECOMMEND
Ljubljana bed and breakfasts

Ljubljana bed and breakfasts are family-run places that range from small homes renting out two or three spare bedrooms to large guest houses with more than a dozen rooms. In essence you get a room and usually also a private bathroom in someone's house, with breakfast included in the price. Find out which B&Bs in Slovenia's capital we recommend and why.
APARTMENTS IN LJUBLJANA THAT WE RECOMMEND
Ljubljana apartments

Many local residents in Ljubljana offer apartments for rent in their houses. Each apartment has one or two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. Some also have a living room and a balcony or a terrace. It's a very popular budget-friendly option when you are staying in Ljubljana, but choose carefully, the price and quality vary considerably. Here you will find apartments that we think are the best ones in Ljubljana right now.
HOSTELS IN LJUBLJANA THAT WE RECOMMEND
Ljubljana hostels

Hostels are a very popular option for those seeking wallet-friendly accommodations in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana. Most spaces and amenities are usually shared, but even if you’re not up for the cheapest option - a bed in a dorm room - you can often get a basic private room at a Ljubljana hostel for significantly less than the cost of a low-end hotel or privately rented room. Competition between Ljubljana hostels has grown over the past 10 years so the quality has risen considerably. There are now some really nice hostels in Ljubljana, find out which are the ones that we recommend and why!
FARM STAYS NEAR LJUBLJANA THAT WE RECOMMEND
Ljubljana farm stays

Stay close to Slovenia's capital Ljubljana on a farm stay and you'll combine the best of both worlds. Styled after traditional B&Bs, farm stays offer comfortable lodging, low rates, generous breakfasts and direct access to farm animals, fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs. On some farms you can also join in with farm tasks, including feeding and egg collecting. Find out which farm stays in the vicinity of Ljubljana we recommend the most.

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