Best things to do in Ljubljana Old Town

Ljubljana’s Old Town is pleasantly compact and easy to explore on foot. You can effortlessly walk from a market to a museum, cross iconic bridges along the way, and eventually end up back on a terrace by the river.

What also makes Ljubljana special is the enormous influence Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik had on the city. You see his designs everywhere, such as the Triple Bridge and the market building of the Central Market. If you want to learn more about him, you can visit Plečnik House, a museum in his former home.

Visit Ljubljana Castle for the best view over the city

Almost everywhere in Ljubljana, you can see the castle rising above the city. For that reason alone, Ljubljana Castle absolutely belongs on your list of sights.

Although the castle looks fairly sleek and modern today because of renovations and the glass funicular, its history goes way back. A defensive fort already stood on this hill in the 12th century. In the centuries that followed, it grew into the castle you see today, which served, among other things, as a fortress, residence, and prison.

I decided to walk up from the city center and later took the funicular back down. The walk up is a little steep, but manageable and doesn’t take long. The lower funicular station is just outside the Old Town, near the Central Market and Krek Square (Krekov trg), so you arrive back in a very convenient part of the city, close to the market, the cathedral, and the river.

Once you arrive at the top, you have a beautiful view over Ljubljana’s red rooftops, the river, and, on a clear day, even the Julian Alps in the distance.

You can walk around most of the castle grounds for free. But if you want to go up the viewing tower or visit the exhibitions, you’ll need to buy a ticket. I personally thought the small Chapel of St. George, one of the oldest parts of the castle, was very beautiful.

Another popular viewpoint in Ljubljana is Nebotičnik, also known as the Skyscraper. I focused on the castle viewpoint during my trip, but Nebotičnik is a good option if you want a view over the city with coffee instead of a climb.

Practical tips

• Castle grounds opening hours: daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00/8:00 PM, depending on the month
• Courtyard entrance: free
• You need paid admission for the exhibitions and viewing tower
• Funicular tickets can be purchased separately

Prešeren Square

Prešeren Square is Ljubljana’s central square and probably the place you’ll pass most often during your trip.

The square is dominated by the striking pink Franciscan Church and the statue of Slovenian poet France Prešeren. According to local legend, he looks toward the window of Julija, the woman he loved but never had. If you follow his gaze, you can spot her on the facade of a building on Wolfova ulica, just off the square, where a small relief shows her looking out from a window.

You don’t need to spend a lot of time here, but it’s a good place to start your walk through the city.

I explored Ljubljana on my own, because the city is so compact and easy to walk around. But if it’s your first visit and you want more historical context, a walking tour is a logical way to start. A guide can help connect places, so you understand a bit more about the city before wandering around more slowly on your own.

Walk across the famous Triple Bridge

Right next to Prešeren Square is the famous Triple Bridge, perhaps architect Plečnik’s best-known design.

Originally, this was one stone bridge, but Plečnik later added two extra pedestrian bridges so that traffic could move through the city more easily. It’s a lovely place to cross the river. Together with Jože Plečnik’s other works in Ljubljana, the bridge has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2021.

Spot the dragons on the Dragon Bridge

The famous Dragon Bridge is one of those places you’ll naturally walk past at some point. Honestly, the bridge itself isn’t that spectacular, but it’s still something you’ll want to see.

The copper dragons are the symbol of the city and appear everywhere, especially on souvenirs. Although the bridge looks historic, it actually only dates back to 1901.

I mainly thought this was a nice place to walk across on the way to the Central Market.

Visit the Central Market and Plečnik’s Arcades

The Central Market is one of the best places in Ljubljana to experience the atmosphere of the city.

On the large square, you’ll find stalls full of vegetables, fruit, flowers, herbs, honey, and local products. Especially in the morning, there’s a pleasant buzz of locals doing their shopping. This is a real city market, not a tourist attraction.

Along the river, you’ll then see the elegant colonnades designed by architect Plečnik. Many people only walk past them, but don’t forget to step inside as well. In and beneath the arcades, there is a covered section with fishmongers, butchers, and small places to eat.

At the edge of the market, you’ll also find a so-called “milkomat,” where you can tap fresh raw milk yourself. Of course, there’s a reason we drink pasteurized milk nowadays, but these machines are strictly monitored. In any case, I took a few sips and thought it was delicious.

Practical tips

• Largely closed on Sundays
• Come early in the morning, from 7:00 AM, for the best atmosphere
• Easy to combine with the cathedral and Dragon Bridge

Eat at the open-air food market Odprta Kuhna

If you’re in Ljubljana on a Friday, definitely try to make time for Odprta Kuhna.

From March to October, Pogačarjev Square turns into a huge open-air food market every Friday, with stalls from restaurants all over the city. You can try all kinds of things here: Slovenian dishes, natural wines, modern street food, and desserts.

What I especially liked here was the atmosphere. People enjoying the good weather together over great food and drinks.

I already had a restaurant reservation later that day, so I kept it to a glass of wine from Kletvica Natural Wine Bar.

Practical tips

• Fridays only, between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM
• From March through October
• Only takes place in good weather
• Come around lunchtime or early evening for the liveliest atmosphere

Drink good coffee along the river

The city has a surprising number of good specialty coffee spots, often in beautiful locations along the river. My personal favorites were Črno Zrno, Mala Pražarna, and Kavarna Specialka by Goat Story in Center Rog.

The terrace at Center Rog is especially lovely if you want to sit quietly for a while and watch people walk or cycle past along the water.

Discover contemporary art at Cukrarna

Of all the cultural places in Ljubljana, Cukrarna was my favorite. This former sugar factory was completely transformed into a huge, minimalist contemporary art hall.

The exhibitions change regularly, so it’s smart to check online beforehand to see what’s on. But for me, it was mainly the building itself that made an impression.

Practical tips

• Closed on Mondays
• Paid admission
• About a 15-minute walk from the center, along a pleasant route by the river

Take a look around the creative Center Rog

Center Rog is a great example of how creative and modern Ljubljana is today.

The building was originally the factory of bicycle brand Rog, an iconic Yugoslav bicycle brand that produced bikes here for decades. After the factory had stood empty for a long time, the enormous industrial complex was fully renovated. In 2023, it reopened as a creative hub for artists, designers, and makers.

You’ll find workshops here for ceramics, woodworking, textiles, jewelry, photography, and more.

The mix of old industry and modern design makes this place interesting. It doesn’t feel like a sterile cultural center, but like a place where people are actually working and experimenting. A nice place to pop into for a quick look.

Upstairs, you’ll find Kavarna Specialka by Goat Story, a specialty coffee café where many locals sit outside on the terrace to work or meet up.

Practical tips

• Free to enter
• Closed on Sundays
• Nice for coffee or a short break
• Easy to combine with Cukrarna

See Ljubljana’s alternative side at Metelkova

Metelkova is worth knowing about if you’re interested in street art, alternative culture, and places that feel a little rougher around the edges.

Metelkova is one of Ljubljana’s best-known alternative cultural spaces. It started in the early 1990s, when artists, activists, and volunteers occupied part of a former military barracks to prevent it from being demolished. Since then, the area has been transformed into a colorful, constantly changing place with murals, sculptures, galleries, clubs, and live music venues.

The atmosphere here feels very different from the polished old center. During the day, it’s interesting for the street art and unusual architecture; in the evening, it becomes more of a nightlife spot with concerts, DJ sets, performances, and festivals. It’s not necessarily the prettiest part of Ljubljana, but that’s also what makes it interesting.

Visit the National Gallery of Slovenia

For classical art, head to the National Gallery, the main art museum in Slovenia.

The museum gives a good overview of Slovenian art from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. You’ll see religious paintings, Baroque art, and works by important Slovenian artists, but without the museum becoming overwhelmingly large.

One of the best-known pieces is the original Robba Fountain, whose replica stands outside near City Hall.

Practical tips

• Closed on Mondays
• Paid admission
• Set aside about 1 to 1.5 hours for your visit
• Easy to combine with Tivoli Park and the Museum of Modern Art

See regional modern art at the Museum of Modern Art

Across from the National Gallery is the Museum of Modern Art, or Moderna galerija, which focuses on modern and contemporary art from Slovenia and other parts of the former Yugoslavia.

Here, you’ll not only see international art movements reflected, but also work that is strongly connected to the region’s political and cultural history. Because of that, the collection feels a little different from what you might see in many Western European museums. I very much enjoyed my visit.

In front of the building, there is also a nice café terrace where locals sit outside as soon as the weather is good. Even if you’re not planning a major museum visit, this is a lovely place to pause during a walk through the city.

Practical tips

• Closed on Mondays
• Paid admission
• Changing exhibitions
• Nice café with a terrace in front of the entrance

Take a boat cruise or go SUP’ing on the Ljubljanica

I didn’t go paddle boarding myself, but a popular activity in Ljubljana is a SUP tour on the river. It looked like a lot of fun, and several companies offer this.

If you prefer something more relaxed than SUP, you can also take a short boat cruise on the Ljubljanica. I personally liked exploring the riverbanks on foot, but a boat ride is an easy way to see the city from the water, especially if you want a break from walking.

Escape the city in Tivoli Park

Tivoli Park is Ljubljana’s largest city park and a nice place to escape the bustle of the center for a while.

Via the wide Jakopič Promenade, you slowly walk into the greenery. On nice days, locals lie in the grass here reading or having picnics.

I mainly thought this was a pleasant place to build in a quiet moment between all the restaurants, coffee bars, and sights.

Practical tips

• Free to enter
• Best time: late afternoon or early evening
• Bring something to drink and find a spot in the grass

If you have 2 days in Ljubljana

With 2 days in Ljubljana, you can add a few cultural and creative places without rushing. I would visit Cukrarna, Center Rog, and one of the museums near Tivoli Park, such as the National Gallery or the Museum of Modern Art.

You’ll also have more time for a proper lunch or dinner, a slower coffee stop, or a short boat ride on the river.

If you have 3 days in Ljubljana

For a first trip to Ljubljana, I think 3 days is ideal. You can see the main sights, enjoy the city slowly, and still have time for a food tour, a longer museum visit, or a day trip outside the city. Check my 3-day itinerary to see how I planned my 3 days in Ljubljana.

Practical tips for your Ljubljana trip

Where to stay in Ljubljana

My favorite hotel in Ljubljana was AS Boutique Hotel. The design, quiet atmosphere, and central location in particular made it an ideal base for me. I also spent one night at Vander Urbani Resort. The location is ideal, right by the river and surrounded by restaurants and terraces, but I didn’t love the design and thought it felt a bit dated.

How to get from the airport to Ljubljana’s city center

Ljubljana Airport is small, so you’re usually outside within a few minutes. There is no train or tram to the city center, but you can choose between the regular bus, a shuttle bus, or a pre-booked taxi.

I took the regular (Arriva) bus to Ljubljana myself, which was easy and much cheaper than a taxi. Outside the terminal, follow the signs to the bus stop. You’re basically standing in a parking lot where other buses also stop, but the “Bus stop” sign lets you know you’re in the right place. The buses look more like coaches than city buses, and your suitcase simply goes in the luggage compartment underneath.

The ride to Ljubljana’s central bus station takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Tickets cost a few euros, and you can buy them on the bus with cash. Also pay close attention to the destination shown on the bus, because several Arriva buses stop there and not all of them go to Ljubljana.

For the return trip, I had my hotel book a taxi to the airport. It cost a fixed price of €50. A big difference compared with the bus, but reliable and very easy. I personally wouldn’t take a random taxi from the airport without agreeing on a price in advance, because there are stories from travelers who were charged unexpected extra costs afterward.

Can you drink tap water in Ljubljana?

Yes, you can drink tap water in Ljubljana without any problem. In fact, the water here is good quality, and in many places around the city, you’ll find public drinking fountains where you can refill your bottle. Especially in the warmer months, it’s useful to bring a reusable water bottle.

Is Ljubljana expensive?

I didn’t find Ljubljana especially expensive, certainly not compared with many other European capitals. For coffee, lunch, local restaurants, and public transportation, you often pay a little less than in cities like Amsterdam, Paris, or London. At the same time, Ljubljana is not a super cheap destination either. My stay at AS Boutique Hotel was definitely not a budget option, and at better restaurants such as JAZ and Bistro Georgie, you simply pay for the quality.

Slovenia uses the euro, which makes things easy. You can pay by card almost everywhere, but it’s useful to have some cash on hand, for example for the bus from the airport to the city. Keep in mind that withdrawing money can be expensive. In the city center, I saw ATMs where you quickly pay around €6 in transaction fees.

Best day trips from Ljubljana

Ljubljana is perfect as a destination on its own, but it’s also a great base for discovering more of Slovenia. Although I stayed only in Ljubljana this time, many people combine their visit with popular day trips to places like Lake Bled, 55 km from Ljubljana; the Postojna Caves, 50 km away; the coastal town of Piran, 120 km away; or Lake Bohinj, 85 km away.

To get there, you can join an organized tour, rent a car, or travel by public transportation.