Ljubljana Attractions: Best Things to Do & Places to See
Ljubljana is a fantastic city to visit, and there are plenty of things to do and places to visit. As it is a small city relative to other European capitals, it is easy to do most of your sightseeing on foot. The Slovenian capital is not too hilly, except for the steep climb to the castle that overlooks the city.
Things To Do In Ljubljana
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You can find out about city tours on the GetYourGuide website. If you are planning to visit many of the top tourist attractions, the City Card might be a good option. This gives you entry to many of the top places of interest, including the castle, museums, and galleries. You can read more in my guide on whether Ljubljana is worth visiting.
Ljubljana Castle & Castle Hill Walks
Ljubljana Castle is perched on a hill overlooking the city. You can see the castle from most parts of the city below. The castle has been in the city for roughly 900 years and is a popular place to visit.
The hill is a popular spot for walking, hiking, and running, with many trails. We walked up the trail from Cerkev Sv. Florjana in the city, descending the snake-like trail near the funicular. They have various maps around Castle Hill to help you navigate the trails.
If you are unable to hike or are limited on time, the funicular is the quickest and easiest way to reach the castle.
The castle’s key features for visitors to see include the Outlook Tower, which is a fantastic viewpoint. The castle also has a museum about Slovenian history, a puppet museum, the Chapel of St George, and a prison.
You can purchase tickets to enter on site or book online. I just mooched around the castle courtyard during our visit and skipped the indoor exhibits, since I was with Henry. However, we enjoyed seeing the building from the outside and had a beer at one of the bars or restaurants.
Prešeren Square
The most iconic town square in the city is Prešeren Square, surrounded by many pleasant buildings. Prešeren Square is home to the pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, which certainly adds to the square’s brightness. Other buildings include the central pharmacy, which has a fantastic facade with birch trees.
Prešeren Square is pedestrianised and is a good meeting point which hosts many events. Events include festivals, concerts and even political protests from time to time. It is also very photogenic because you can see many of the city’s sites from within the square, including the bridges and the castle on the hill.
Also in the square is the Prešeren Monument, a statue of the Slovenian national poet France Prešeren. They also have a bronze model of the city in the square.
Tromostovje: The Triple Bridge
Tromostovje is the triple bridge that crosses the Ljubljanica River. The bridge connects the old town with the more modern part of the city.
The bridge dates from 1842, and all three bridges have impressive stone balustrades. From the bridge, you can view the castle and the sights of Prešeren Square.
The Dragon Bridge
One of the most popular attractions to see is the Dragon Bridge. Also known as Zmajski Most in Slovenian, it is unique, featuring beautiful green dragon statues.
The Dragon Bridge crosses the Ljubljanica River, and it was opened in 1901, when the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The dragon has become the symbol of the city, and many souvenirs include dragons. Lots of visitors stop to take photos of the dragons or to take selfies with them.
Ljubljanica River
One of my favourite things to do in the city was to walk along the river in the central areas. The Ljubljanica River runs through the centre of the city and is a great place to enjoy a wander. While walking along the river, you can see many of Ljubljana’s fantastic sights.
There are lots of bridges to see, too, including the Dragon Bridge, the Triple Bridge, and the Mesarski Most. The central areas of the river are great for photographs, walking or enjoying a drink overlooking the water. Visitors can also enjoy a boat ride on the river. These depart from Mesarski Most, and you can arrange it there and then.
Ljubljana Cathedral
A special sight while visiting the city is the Ljubljana Cathedral. They built the cathedral between 1701 and 1706 in the Baroque style. However, the site has had a church on it since 1262, where a Romanesque church called the spot home. It is also known as the Church of St Nicholas.
Inside, it was not too busy, and there was plenty of space to see the details and take unobstructed photographs.
The decor and frescoes in the church are nice, including the ceiling. The baroque details were fantastic to look at and figure out what they relate to.
Its organ dates from 1733; however, it has been renovated and upgraded since then. The organ was at the end of the nave, which was the quieter end of the building. Another feature of the building is the ornamental entrance door.
Franciscan Church of the Annunciation
One of my favourite places to visit in the city was the pink Franciscan church. The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation is one of the city’s most iconic buildings and appears in much of the city’s marketing. The church is also called Frančiškanska cerkev Marijinega oznanjenja in Slovenian.
It is a 17th-century Franciscan church with a distinctive pink facade & an interior with pretty frescoes on the ceiling. They built the church between 1646 and 1660, replacing an older church that was on the site. The church’s layout is in the early Baroque style with a single nave and two rows of side chapels.
Visiting is pretty straightforward and free to look around; however, you can buy a candle or make a donation inside. Opening hours are 7 am to 9 pm. However, it’s always best to check on their Google Maps listing.
The interior is a great place to admire the art and decor or to sit and reflect. The exterior of the building is great to photograph. Make sure you see the decorative doors, which are rather unique.
Ljubljana Central Market
The markets are great places to purchase local produce, including fruit, vegetables, honey, meat, and fish. Visitors can also pick up some souvenirs while at the market or enjoy food and drink at one of the many eateries overlooking the square. At the edge of the marketplace are lots of cool vending machines, including one that does fresh unpasteurised milk.
They also have a fish market, the ribarnica, which is in a lovely building alongside the river. They have loads of fresh fish options and are a great place to visit if you have a kitchen in your accommodation.
Shops and Bars at Mestni trg
Mestni trg is a lovely area for shopping, dining out or taking in the beautiful buildings. There are lots of things to see, including a fountain, the town hall, loads of pretty buildings and views towards the cathedral.
Ljubljana Town Hall
Another historic building to see in the city is Ljubljana Town Hall. Originally, a Gothic building was built in 1484; however, in the early 16th century, it was renovated in the Baroque style. Many walking tours seem to start at the town hall.
Tivoli Park
A nice place for a relaxing time in nature or a walk is Tivoli Park. Tivoli Park is a short walk from the city’s central areas and offers many sights and hiking trails. There are many nice monuments, buildings and flowerbeds to see. You can also find lots of benches to sit on or enjoy the lawns. I enjoyed a lovely walk in the park on a hot spring day, taking in the sights and flowers.
Metelkova Art Centre & Street Art
One of the unique places to visit is the Metelkova Art Centre, towards the train station. It reminds me of Szimpla Kert and Digbeth and is a good area to see some street art. There are some very good bars and entertainment venues at Metelkova Art Centre, and it is an interesting place to hang out.
Most things were closed when we visited. However, it was a great place to visit, and quite a few people were hanging out drinking. The vibe was friendly, and I got chatting with a few people who were trying to find somewhere open or buy some cans of beer.
Metelkova Art Centre also has many events, performances, exhibitions and the occasional festival.
The National Museum of Slovenia
A fascinating place to learn about Slovenia’s history is the National Museum of Slovenia. It is centrally located, near the beautiful Tivoli Park. It is the oldest museum in the country and was opened in 1821.
The museum has many collections covering the country’s history, including some Roman artefacts. The National Museum of Slovenia’s collection also includes the world’s oldest flute. You can find out prices and opening times on their website.
More Sights & Things To Do In Ljubljana
The Parliament Building
The Parliament building is an interesting sight, especially the decorative entrance. It’s a relatively new building, completed in 1959. The only decorative element of the building is the two-storey main portal. It has four oak doors surrounded by statues which represent working people.
Robba Fountain
Outside of the town hall is another place of interest, the Robba Fountain. The one here is a replica, and the original from 1751 is kept at the National Gallery. They commissioned the fountain from Francesco Robba in 1743, and then it was unveiled in 1751. Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi inspired Robba; however, he modelled it on the Fontana del Pantheon, both iconic fountains in Rome.
Souvan House
Another pleasant building to see in the town square near the town hall is Souvan House. The original construction of Souvan House dates back to the 17th century. Its beautiful facade is from the early 19th century. It’s now home to some high-end stores, including a perfume shop.
Vurnik’s House
Vurnikova hiša is a rather pretty building, also known as Vurnik’s house. It is on Miklošičeva Street and was formerly used by the Zadružna gospodarska banka. Its decorated facade is lovely, and it’s a popular spot for people taking pictures.
Ljubljana Opera House
Another beautiful building to see is the Ljubljana Opera House. They built the opera house between 1890 and 1892 in the Neo-Renaissance style. The facade of the building has Ionic columns, which support a pediment with a tympanum above the entrance.
It has two niches on the side adorned with allegorical statues of tragedy and comedy. A fun thing to do is to watch an indoor performance, such as an opera or ballet. You can find out about what’s on from their website.
Mesarski most – Butchers Bridge
Mesarski most is a footbridge that crosses the Ljubljanica River near the market. It has a few interesting statues and superb views. The bridge also has lots of padlocks put on by lovers.
Take a Photo at the Ljubljana Wow Sign
A popular thing for tourists to do is have a photo with the Ljubljana Wow sign. The sign is near the central market next to Mahrova hiša. The backdrop to the sign includes the castle and cathedral.
Hauptmann House
A nice building to see in the centre is Hauptmann House, one of many pleasant sights at Prešeren Square. This is an Art Nouveau house that was built in 1873. Interestingly, the Hauptmann House survived the 1895 earthquake, which damaged much of the city.
Day Trip To Lake Bled
If you are in Ljubljana for a few days and fancy seeing some of the beautiful Slovenian countryside, a day trip to Lake Bled is a fantastic way to spend the day. Lake Bled is a stunning place to visit for a countryside walk, to visit the island, Vintgar Gorge, and the beautiful Bled Castle. We stayed in Bled for over a week; however, it is pretty straightforward to get to by train or coach.
Try Slovenian Cuisine
One of my favourite things to do when travelling is to try some local food. There are lots of places to dine out in the city where you can try some delicious Slovenian cuisine. A good option for lunch is a Slovenian soup, including mushroom, vegetable and chicken soups. They also have meaty main course options, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
For those who enjoy street food, the bakeries of the city are an excellent, good-value place to enjoy something local. Both the sweet and savoury pastries are delicious, and we enjoyed many while visiting Slovenia.
Enjoy A Slovenian Beer or Two
Between bouts of sightseeing, a fun way to spend time is to enjoy a Slovenian beer. The two main beers on offer in the city are Union and Lasko. Both are lager-type beers and taste good, especially on a warm day. One of my favourite areas for a drink was Prešeren Square and the area alongside the river.
River Cruises & Walking Tours
For those who enjoy tours, river cruises and walking tours are available. There are various walking tour options on GetYourGuide, including food and wine tours.
The river cruises last 45 minutes and run year-round, as the boat is heated, unless the river is dangerous. These have guides that tell you about places of interest you pass by.
Church of St James
Another church to see while sightseeing in the city is the Church of St James. The Church of St James is a nice building to see from the street or from Castle Hill. This is a Baroque church that was completed in 1615.
They built this church on the site of a former Gothic church. They rebuilt the church in the same style after an earthquake in 1895.
Ursuline Monastery & Church of the Holy Trinity
The Ursuline Monastery and Church of the Holy Trinity in the city are also well worth seeing. They built the church between 1718 and 1726. It has many interesting features, and it is considered one of the city’s most unusual Baroque monuments. One unique aspect of a Baroque church is that it isn’t painted inside. However, it still has some great artwork to see.
Tourist Information Centre
A handy place to visit in Ljubljana to find out about fun activities is the tourist information centre. You can find out about the attractions in the city and beyond. They also have information on events and other places of interest in the region. The Tourist Information Centre is near the bridge that crosses to Prešeren Square and is easy to find. You can also arrange guided tours here or purchase the Ljubljana Card for entrance to many of the city’s attractions.