About Ljubljana, the Capital of Slovenia
Hard to spell but easy to fall in love with, Ljubljana is a little-known capital in Europe, nestled at the heart of Slovenia. Ljubljana means ‘beloved’ in a literal translating. It is one of Europe’s greenest and most charming capitals, a city with the population of about 260 000 people. It is beautiful, quaint, friendly, and laid-back with its pedestrian streets and a fantastic choice of restaurants, bars and cafés along the Ljubljanica river, lots of green public areas, and the magnificent late-medieval castle on the hill. It’s a very affordable city, filled with local charm and character. Although the oldest architecture has been preserved from the Roman period, Ljubljana’s old city centre got its outline in the Middle Ages. After the earthquake in the beginning of the 16th century, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style with a strong Italian, particularly Venetian, influence. After the earthquake at the end of the 19th century, it was once again rebuilt, this time in the Vienna Secession style.
Today, Ljubljana is the cultural, educational, economic, political, and administrative center of Slovenia. Its central geographic location within the country, transport connections, concentration of industry, scientific and research institutions, and cultural tradition are the most important factors to Ljubljana’s leading position.
Ljubljana Photo Gallery
Enjoy this beautiful photo gallery with 35 high resolution Ljubljana photos, all taken by professional photographers.
Ljubljana with its hilltop castle as seen from the Neboticnik skyscraper. (photo: Jacob Riglin, Beautiful Destinations, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana with its hilltop castle at sunset. (photo: James Relf Dyer, Beautiful Destinations, Slovenia.info)
The city of Ljubljana in the summer. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana Old Town with the hilltop Ljubljana Castle in the background. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
The salmon-pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation and the Triple Bridge in Ljubljana’s historic city center, known as the Old Town. (photo: Aljaz Sedovsek, Nea Culpa, Slovenia.info)
The cobblestone Gornji Trg street in the heart of Ljubljana’s Old Town. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
An outdoor cafe in Ljubljana’s Old Town with the Ljubljana Cathedral in the background. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
Enjoying a cup of coffee or glass of wine in one of the many riverside cafés and bars with outdoor seating is an essential part of the way of life in Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
Tourist boats offer a great opportunity to experience Ljubljana, with its remarkable bridges, picturesque façades, and green embankments, from a completely different angle. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
You can see Ljubljana from a different perspective by going on a tourist boat ride. (photo: Mankica Kranjec, Nea Culpa, Slovenia.info)
Tourist boat rides offer an opportunity to see Ljubljana’s Old Town and its numerous famous buildings and bridges from a different angle. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
The Ljubljanica River flows through Ljubljana. (photo: Drazen Stader, Produkcija Studio, Slovenia.info)
Stand Up Paddling on the Ljubljanica river provides an excellent way to see Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana is cut in the middle by the Ljubljanica river, an emerald green river. Stroll around the canal to admire the architecture of Ljubljana. (photo: Iztok Medja, Slovenia.info)
The electric train Urban encircles Ljubljana’s Old Town every two hours, four times a day. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana is a city with a green soul. (photo: Mankica Kranjec, Nea Culpa, Slovenia.info)
In Ljubljana, the majority of Art Nouveau buildings are within the Old Town. (photo: Miran Kambic, Slovenia.info)
Krizevniska Street is one of the oldest and cutest streets in Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana is filled with cafes, restaurants and green surfaces where visitors can meet locals and enjoy the vibe of the city. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
The Slovenska Cesta street which crosses Ljubljana in the north-south direction. (photo: Aljaz Sedovsek, Nea Culpa, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana Castle with Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana and Ljubljana Marshes in the background. (photo: Drazen Stader, Produkcija Studio, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana with its Neboticnik skyscraper. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
View of the Trnovo District of Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
The city of Ljubljana as seen from the Castle Hill at sunset. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
An urban beekeeper inspects the beehives on the roof of 13-storey Park Hotel in the city centre of Ljubljana, the highest dwelling of bees in the city. (photo: Jost Gantar, Slovenia.info)
Outdoor cafés are THE thing to do in Ljubljana. Sit down and experience a leisurely vibe. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
The Ana Desetnica international street theatre festival is held at various outdoor venues across Ljubljana every summer. (photo: Mankica Kranjec, Slovenia.info)
Nights in Ljubljana’s Old Town is a mini festival that features performances by some of the best Slovenian and International musicians. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
A view of Ljubljana from the rooftop terrace. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana is well known for the unusual beauty of its Christmas lights display. (photo: Dean Dubokovic, Slovenia.info)
Every year in the festive season, a giant illuminated Christmas tree stands in front of the Franciscan church in the Preseren Square in Ljubljana’s Old town. (photo: Dean Dubokovic, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana’s Old Town with its hilltop Ljubljana Castle at night in the Christmas season. (photo: Adrijan Pregelj, Slovenia.info)
In Ljubljana, December is considered to be a month of events, and despite the cold, the streets are vibrant throughout the month. (photo: Dean Dubokovic, Slovenia.info)
The outdoor cafe bars and restaurants in Ljubljana are open in the festive season with plenty of heaters above and below tables and throws and faux sheepskin covers for chairs and stools. (photo: Adrijan Pregelj, Slovenia.info)
Ljubljana is at its most picture-perfect state during winter. (photo: Jost Gantar, Slovenia.info)
It’s amazing how beautiful Ljubljana looks when it snows. (photo: Jost Gantar, Slovenia.info)
 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. |
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 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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, |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
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 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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) |
 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:  (Moderate) |
 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) |
 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) |
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| The accommodation options in Ljubljana can be divided into five main categories: hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, apartments and hostels. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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 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! |
 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. |
Have sat there by the river cafe and had a delicious meal and great wine. Love Slovenia.