Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, is considered to be a yet undiscovered gem of Europe. It is often compared with Prague due to its beautiful architectural appearance, which is the result of the legacy of different periods in history. Buildings are beautiful with different colors and ornaments. There are fountains and statues around almost any corner you turn. There are shops, cafes and restaurants for you to stick your head into and decide if it’s somewhere you want to go in. The Ljubljanica River runs right through the middle. The whole area is a pedestrian zone, so you can walk around without fear of getting run over by a car. Walking along the Ljubljanica River with restaurants, shops and a lively outdoor market is a pleasant way to spend a few hours. There are squares where people gather and musicians play. Plus, there’s a castle that overlooks the entire Old Town that you can see from anywhere you go.

Being a small city, you can easily see the best of Ljubljana in one day.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is located in central Slovenia. It holds a unique charm and is characterized by cobbled streets, bridges, colourful churches, all overlooked by a medieval castle. (photo: Jacob Riglin / slovenia.info)

There’s no denying that Ljubljana is one of Europe’s prettiest capitals. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

In Slovenian, the word ‘Ljubljana’ means ‘beloved’. And this sums up how many Slovenians and visitors alike feel about their city. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. It is also the largest city in Slovenia but even so, it feels wonderfully small. (photo: Dunja Wedam / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana Old Town
Ljubljana is a lovely small capital and its Old Town is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Slovenia with more than one million visitors a year. It’s a mix of stunning architecture, a lovely river littered with charming bridges, plus heaps of nice restaurants, bars and cafes. The streets are pedestrianized so that makes it quieter and more relaxed.

Ljubljana’s Old Town is really charming. There are many restaurants, cafés and bars along the riverbanks, where you can sit and do some people watching. There’s nothing better than sitting with a glass of wine doing nothing on a sunny day. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana’s Old Town is sandwiched between the imposing hill-top castle and the Ljubljanica river. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana’s old town is an atmospheric web of cobbled streets with pastel-coloured buildings topped with red-tiled roofs. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

All the architecture is an appealing pastel mix of Art Nouveau and Baroque buildings. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana is a relatively small capital, with a population of only 200,000 residents, most of whom travel around by bicycle. (photo: Nea Culpa d.o.o. / slovenia.info)

Don’t miss the Urban electric train. It’s a must-do in Ljubljana and a great way to get an overview of this fabulous city – it’s perfect for discovering places you want to go back to. You are provided with headphones and can select any of 10 languages which includes English. The commentary is full of useful info. You get a handy map to work out where you are. The staff are very helpful and friendly – they give you plenty of stops for photos. And people can’t help but wave to you as you go by in this big green train. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Because car traffic is restricted, the cobblestone streets are left open only to pedestrians and cyclists. (photo: Nikola Jurisic / slovenia.info)

The relatively small scale of Ljubljana is also part of its attractiveness, with distances that are easily walkable, beautiful and historic buildings, and the lovely Tivoli park on the outskirts of the city is still walking distance away. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Away from the Ljubljanica river, inviting cobbled side streets lead to a big open square and tree-lined avenues. It was all very, very photogenic. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana is the perfect place for people who love strolling and sitting at al-fresco cafes watching the people pass by. (photo: Nikola Jurisic / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana recently underwent an at-the-time controversial project to pedestrianise the entire city centre. Today cars aren’t allowed in the central district, and park and ride buses ferry people around the periphery of the city centre. (photo: Ales Fevzer / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana and its Old Town is incredibly safe and the locals are very friendly. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana’s Old Town is focused around the Ljubljanica river, which is essentially the heart and soul of the city. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Summer days and evenings bring visitors and locals alike flocking to the cafe- and restaurant- lined river banks. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

The city comes alive at night, and the numerous bars, cafe’s and restaurants that are dotted along the riverbanks make it a vibrant place to be no matter what time of year you’re visiting. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

The vibe of this city is such that everyone seems so happy, so alive. (photo: Iztok Medja / slovenia.info)

For a lovely view of Ljubljana’s Old Town, visit the Neboticnik skyscraper which has a rooftop terrace offering stunning views of the city. It’s free if you just want the view but you can also dine at the restaurant and bar. (photo: Nea Culpa d.o.o. / slovenia.info)

Old Town is located along the Ljubljanica river which courses through town. The waterfront is full of cafe and restaurant patios, contributing to the lively feel at all hours of the day. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana Castle
The castle is the most prominent tourist attraction in Slovenia’s capital. It’s perched on top of a hill and can be seen from anywhere in Ljubljana, and you can see anywhere in Ljubljana from the castle. Some parts of the castle are free to wander through and there is something for everyone there (great views, interesting exhibits, people in costume, plenty to keep the kids interested, nice food, etc.). It can be visited either by walking up to it or by taking the funicular to the top. The castle is open daily from 9 or 10 a.m. until 8, 9, 10 or 11 p.m. (depending on the month), with reduced hours for most on-site facilities.

The castle perched on the 375m-high hill above the old town is one of Ljubljana’s must-see attractions. (Photo courtesy of Ljubljanski Grad)

The most prominent tourist attraction in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana photographed from a very different (unusual) angle with mountains in the background. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

The castle kind of towers over the city on a hill and is a fixture on Ljubljana’s skyline. You can reach the castle by funicular in the old city or a short hike up.. (photo: James Relf Dyer / slovenia.info)

It’s free to enter the castle complex and visit the viewing terrace and some of the smaller exhibits on the grounds. However, to climb the tower and get full access to the site you must purchase the entrance ticket. (photo: Nea Culpa d.o.o. / slovenia.info)

The castle was thought to have been constructed in the 15th century, and it’s prominent position on top of a hill enables it to take in some marvelous views over downtown Ljubljana below. (photo: Alan Kosmac / slovenia.info)

Built in the Middle Ages on Castle Hill, the castle boasts thick stone walls and houses a plethora of historical spaces, including a chapel, an open-air prison, a gunpowder room and a lookout tower. (photo: Primoz Hieng / slovenia.info)

Preseren Square
The square is the heart of Ljubljana’s Old Town, situated where the famous Triple Bridge crosses the Ljubljanica river and right in front of the beautiful pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. It’s cobblestone-paved and is an great place full of life, where the tourists and locals hang out to socialize, listen to street musicians, people watch, and take in the views.

This is the central square in Ljubljana. The bright pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation dominates the square and forms the backdrop for many photos in Ljubljana. There is also the monument to the eponymous poet France Preseren. (photo: Ales Fevzer / slovenia.info)

As all roads lead to Rome, every street in Ljubljana heads towards Preseren Square. (photo: Ales Fevzer / slovenia.info)

This is the space where life is sparkling around the clock. (photo: Nea Culpa d.o.o. / slovenia.info)

The square is part of the old town’s pedestrian zone and a major place for social gatherings, such as festivals; concerts, and other events. (photo: Dunja Wedam / slovenia.info)

Triple Bridge
The bridge is located in the centre of Ljubljana. It connects Ljubljana’s historic old town on one bank and the modern part of the city on the other. The bridge was designed with a lot of Italian influence and has a Venetian look to it. It’s small yet charming. There are often buskers and other street entertainers on the bridge creating a nice atmosphere.

It may seem a bit unusual to have three bridges sitting side by side, but there is a good reason for it. In 1842, the central bridge was built to replace the original wooden medieval bridge. A little less than a hundred years later, pedestrian bridges where constructed on either side of the central bridge, forming what is now the Triple Bridge. All three bridges are now pedestrian only. (photo: Ales Fevzer / slovenia.info)

The Triple Bridge is the city’s most famous and most visited bridge. (photo: Ales Fevzer / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana’s main man, responsible for a lot of the great architecture, is Joze Plecnik. His designs are everywhere, most notably in the form of the Triple Bridge. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

The bridge looks even more magical in winter when it’s blanketed with snow. (photo: Dunja Wedam / slovenia.info)

Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge, or Zmajski most as it’s called in Slovenian, is one of the most famous landmarks in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana and one of its most photographed monuments. It’s an Art Nouveau/Vienna Secession masterpiece dating from 1901. The bridge measures just over 33 meters in length and spans the Ljubljanica River in the very heart of the city. It got its name for four mighty dragon statues at each corner and 16 smaller dragon statues decorating its span.

This is Ljubljana’s second most famous bridge. Adorned with fierce dragons, this is one of Ljubljana’s most photographed spots. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

The dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana. You’ll see dragons everywhere…on bridges, in graffiti, at the Ljubljana Castle, and decorating railings and buildings. (photo: Marco Coppo / slovenia.info)

Butcher’s Bridge
Ljubljana’s Butcher’s Bridge is one of the more interesting ones in Slovenia’s capital. It’ss a footbridge that spans the Ljubljanica River between the Central Market and Petkovsek Embankment. It was built more as an art installation than anything, and features glass panels near the edges and some unusual sculptures. All along the steel wire railings, couples have attached padlocks etched with their names and clasped with their love.

The Butcher’s Bridge is lined with glass walkways giving a view of the Ljubljanica river below, and the support cables either side are decorated with lovelocks left by locals and tourists alike. (photo: Nea Culpa d.o.o. / slovenia.info)

The bridge connects the magnificent colonnaded Central Market with Petkovskovo Nabrezje on the opposite bank. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

Not only will you find love locks attached to the bridge, but you will also see several unique statues by artist Jakov Brdar. (photo: Ales Fevzer / slovenia.info)

Built in 2010, this is Ljubljana’s lover’s bridge. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik / slovenia.info)

The bridge had been part architect Joze Plecnik’s original plans in the 1930s, but was never built due to the outbreak of the Second World War. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik / slovenia.info)

The Butcher’s Bridge looking pretty in the festive season. (photo: Adrijan Pregelj / slovenia.info)

Cobblers’ Bridge
In the midst of Ljubljana’s Old Town, a small street running west from the Old Square called Pod Tranco leads to this elegant 1930s bridge, named after the cobblers’ workshops that were located on its predecessor. Pillars of various sizes stand on the bridge, some supporting lamps, others simply holding stone balls in the air.

One of the oldest bridges in Ljubljana that dates back to the 13th century. The current incarnation is from 1931, a design by Joze Plecnik. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

Another Plecnik creation, this elegant bridge is named after the cobblers’ workshops that were located on its predecessor. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

The bridge connects the old part of Ljubljana with the new part. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

Ljubljanica River Canal
The 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 lovely and you can spend a few hours just wandering along and enjoying historic buildings and architecture and many lovely outdoor cafés and restaurants. It’s an excellent place to get a perspective on what living in Ljubljana is all about. You can also join a tourist boat cruise along the river. There are many boats offering a commentary in English and other languages. The 45 minute trip is well worth the price paid (the fare is €10 including guided commentary). A trip is really a lovely way to see Ljubljana. In the summer you can hire a canoe and paddle through the city.

Ljubljana won Europe’s Green Capital City in 2016, and it’s no surprise when you walk the green riverbanks that are full of big emerald green trees and flowers. (photo: Ales Fevzer / slovenia.info)

The river is the pulsing heart of Ljubljana with a lively open-air cafe and restaurant scene taking over the boulevard either side of it. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana has several iconic bridges that criss-cross the Ljubljanica river. (photo: Nikola Jurisic / slovenia.info)

The Ljubljanica river is at the heart of Ljubljana and its’ one of the most well known features. (photo: Nea Culpa d.o.o. / slovenia.info)

Several restaurants and cafes on the riverbank have more outdoor seating than indoor, and offer large, heated tents.. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana is a modern, up and coming city with cool bars, nice restaurants and plenty of green spaces in between. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

No trip to Ljubljana is complete without taking a water-based tour. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

The river flows through the vibrant, colorful old town. Most of what you will see and do is clustered right along these riverbanks. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

With the beautiful Ljubljanica river flowing through the centre of Ljubljana, there’s no better way to experience all the lovely sights than to float along with it. A standard ride lasts 45 minutes and offers views of most of the old town’s major sights from a unique vantage point. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Well known for being home to no less than 17 bridges, Ljubljana is a visual treat and its bridges add to its interesting history. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

One of the best ways to experience the Ljubljanica River is on a stand-up paddle board. (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Canoe through the centre of Ljubljana for another view of this charming city! (photo: Andrej Tarfila / slovenia.info)

Considered a bit of a hidden gem in Europe, pretty Ljubljana is well worth discovering. (photo: Iztok Medja / slovenia.info)

As Ljubljana is fairly small, it’s super easy to walk around and it helps that it’s connected by a series of bridges in the middle. (photo: Marco Coppo / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Ljubljana is the main church in Slovenia’s capital city. It is not very impressive from the outside, but when you go inside it is breathtaking. The fantastic artwork adorns pretty much every inch of the inside of the cathedral, with magnificent paintings (the cathedral has recently been refurbished so the colors are vibrant), lots of gold leaf, intricate frescos on the ceiling and a striking pipe organ.

The cathedral isn’t particularly impressive from the outside, but when you go inside it’s stunning. (photo: Winkelbohrer / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Step inside the cathedral to see the exquisite frescoes that adorn the walls and ceiling. (photo: Pedro Szekely / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Franciscan Church of the Annunciation
The church is located in a prime position in the heart of the Old Town. It’s impossible to miss this lovely salmon-pink church as it provides an beautiful 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.

One of the most prominent buildings in the heart of Ljubljana, the brightly coloured church draws the attention of those who passes by. (photo: Nea Culpa d.o.o. / slovenia.info)

It was built in the mid-17th century, but the current façade is from a redesign in the 19th century with the statue of Our Lady of Loretto. (photo: Image by Eleassar / CC BY-SA 3.0)

The church is located in a prime position on the main Preseren square. (photo: Jacob Riglin / slovenia.info)

The interior has six side altars and an enormous choir stall. The main altar was designed by the Italian sculptor Francesco Robba. (photo: Janos Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0)

You know Christmas is coming when the Old Town is transformed by sparkly, glowing lights. (photo: Nina Kurnik / slovenia.info)

Central Market
It’s located just west of Dragon Bridge. It is filled with vendors selling every kind of fruit and vegetable imaginable. Prices are a little higher than your average supermarket prices, but it’s worth the atmosphere and feel of the market to make a stop. Opening Hours: Open everyday but Sunday until 18:00 in summer, 16:00 in winter. The best time to go is probably Saturday morning.

Ljubljana’s Central Market was designed by Slovenia’s most renowned architect Joze Pelcnik. The market is divided into three areas. On the riverbank side there’s a fish market. The adjacent building is the covered area of the market. Inside, butchers offer their cuts and local farms and small businesses sell homemade bread, cheese, honey, wine, pumpkin oil and more. In the outside part of the market, the stands are full of locally produced vegetables and fruit. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

The open-air central market is the go-to place for every kind of fresh produce imaginable, all sourced from local farmers who come in daily to sell their goods. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik / slovenia.info)

Tivoli Park
Within walking distance from Ljubljana’s Old Town, this is a lovely park for getting away and relaxing. There are many birds, and other animals here. No wonder Ljubljana is the Green Capital of 2016!

Tivoli Park is the city’s largest green space. With a fish pond, botanical gardens, and tree-lined walking paths, this is a lovely spot to escape the city. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

The park is the lungs of Ljubljana ! It’s the biggest park in the city so don’t forget to pay it a visit as it is a lovely place to relax and have a picnic on a nice, sunny summer day. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

Metelkova
Metelkova is an autonomous social centre in Ljubljana. There are some really remarkable sculptures and buildings. It’s nice to have a walk through this lovely arty place. A lot of dirt on the ground but don’t let that keep you away from this must-see place. It’s really interesting to see how they give a new life to used items.

A visit to weird and colourful Metelkova district is certainly one of the coolest things to do in Ljubljana. This collection of buildings takes the refined feel of Ljubljana’s old town and turns it on its head. The walls of this alternative space are covered top to bottom in all things kooky, including quirky and colourful mural designs, metal sculptures and some slightly disturbing figurines that look like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. (photo: Tibor Lelkes / travelslovenia.org)

Ljubljana Zoo
The zoo is located a 30-40 minute walk from the Old Town. It’s a nice way to spend a few hours and entry is pretty cheap. The zoo is pretty small so you can easily go around it in two hours or so. Most of the animals have good sized cages. The petting zoo is really fun for young children, the goats, small pigs and sheep are very friendly and brushes are provided for kids to stroke the animals. The animals seemed to enjoyed this as well as the kids!

The zoo is part of a protected nature park and is situated only a 20-minute walk from the centre of Ljubljana.

The zoo has a collection of animal species from all continents.

The zoo also offers a small petting zoo and great playgrounds.

The zoo serves as the national zoo of Slovenia and is open year-round.

Other notable tourist attractions in Ljubljana are National Museum of Contemporary History (Muzej Novejse Zgodovine), Vodnik Square (Vodnikov trg), Town Hall (Magistrat), National and University Library, Galerija Emporium, Butcher’s Bridge, Zale Cemetery, Shoemaker’s Bridge (Cevljarski Most), Slovene Ethnographic Museum, Church of St. James, Mestni Trg – Piazza civica, Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity, Technical Museum of Slovenia, Plecnik Collection / Architectural Museum Ljubljana, Fountain of Three Carniolan Rivers (Vodnjak treh kranjskih rek), and Old Square (Stari trg).

Housed inside a tremendous late 19th-century neo-Renaissance palace, the National Gallery of Slovenia features the very best in Slovene art from the 13th century up to the first half of the 20th century. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

The history of opera in Slovenia dates back to 1732, but the current headquarters of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre were constructed in the late 19th century. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

The Slovene Ethnographic Museum prides itself as being the link between the past and the present. (photo: Jure Kravanja / slovenia.info)

The Museum of Modern Art focuses predominantly on showcasing a diverse collection of Slovene and international art dating more or less from the ‘modern’ period of the 20th century. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)

Open Kitchen Food Festival
Every Friday (11:00–23:00) from late March to late October Pogacar Square transforms into one big melting point of culinary and social excitement, as Open Kitchen (Slovene: Odprta Kuhna) takes over. Featuring the delicious gastronomic creations of many of the finest Slovenian restaurants, as well as local beers, wines and spirits, the event always attracts large crowds of hungry (but not for long) locals and tourists.

Every Friday in the summer the city hosts an outdoor food market called Open Kitchen. Located in an outdoor plaza, rows of tents are set up where well acclaimed Slovenian chefs from around the country showcase their best foods and drinks. The options are diverse, including traditional Slovenian cuisine but also international foods. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Dozens tables and benches are set up around the periphery, where friends and families gather to enjoy the feast, with nice music playing in the background. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana Christmas Market and Christmas Lights
Set up along the banks of the Ljubjanica River, the wooden stalls are decorated with Christmas ornaments and the scents of pastries, roasted chestnuts, and hot mulled wine fill the air. Vendors sell an assortment of unique Christmas gifts. Apart from a variety of Christmas and New Year-themed products, the Ljubljana Christmas Market offers various fashion accessories, including a good choice of headwear, gloves, scarves and other things to keep us warm on cold winter days. Some of the stalls sell interesting and reasonably priced creations by young Slovenian designers, most of which are not available in shops. Other goods sold include various arts and crafts items and local delicacies, such as honey, schnapps and confections.

The Christmas Market is accompanied by a programme of festive events held daily in the nearby streets and squares throughout December.

During the festive season Ljubljana’s Old Town shines in the glow of thousands of lights and becomes one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Main streets, squares and prominent buildings are illuminated with Christmas lights. Every day, especially in the evening, hundreds of people visit Ljubljana and enjoy in numerous events and beautiful scenery.

Dreaming of a white Christmas? … from a vantage point on the sofa wrapped in a blanket, snow adds a little extra magic to the festive season. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

The magic of Ljubljana at Christmas time. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

A view of the Ljubljana Castle at Christmas time is breathtaking. (photo: Dean Dubokovic / slovenia.info)

The amazing lights on the Preseren square in the centre of Ljubljana. (photo: Dean Dubokovic / slovenia.info)

The Old Town is traditionally the place to go to see the Christmas lights in Ljubljana. (photo: Nina Kurnik / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana is a lovely, exciting, and ‘happening’ city in the festive season. (photo: Adrijan Pregelj / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana In Winter
When winter brings those heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures, Ljubljana is transformed into a winter wonderland.

The snow adds that extra magical touch in the winter. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Ljubljana’s Old Town looks even more picturesque when it’s covered with a white blanket of snow. (photo: Dunja Wedam / slovenia.info)

More details and photos of Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana: A short presentation of Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia

Location:
Ljubljana Address: Slovenska cesta 58, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.056911, 14.505859
Ljubljana GPS coordinates: 46° 3′ 24.8796” N     14° 30′ 21.0924” E
Municipality: Ljubljana

Ljubljana parking coordinates:
46.060636, 14.516480
46.059608, 14.497297
46.052174, 14.510515

Directions from Apartments Fine Stay to the centre of Ljubljana (drive 57 km, 45 minutes)

Directions from Apartments Fine Stay Bled to the centre of Ljubljana (drive 54 km, 42 minutes)