Capital city Ljubljana

In the middle of Slovenia lies the country’s capital Ljubljana. An atmospheric city with a relaxed atmosphere. What is there to do in Ljubljana? Discover Slovenia’s convivial capital with our tips!

The compact capital

Ljubljana is a capital, but don’t expect a metropolis. Thanks to its compact size, exploring this city is easy is one or two days. The atmosphere in Ljubljana is relaxed. The car-free centre is atmospheric and offers a mix of beautiful architecture, fine restaurants and quaint shops.

Architectural gems

Walking through the centre of Ljubljana, you will come across some extraordinary historical buildings and structures. Which sights do you definitely want to see in the city centre? We have listed them for you.

Tromostovje bridges

Prešeren Square (Prešernov trg) is the centre of Ljubljana’s city centre. Right on the square you will find the three most famous bridges in Slovenia. The three Tromostovje bridges are particularly special because they are right next to each other. In addition to the first 19th century bridge, two more bridges were built in the 20th century. They form a connection between the north and west of Ljubljana, which is separated from the south-east of the centre by the ‘Ljubljanica river’. You will come across the bridges anyway when you visit the centre of Ljubljana. Nice to see, but certainly not a wonder of the world.

Ljubljana Castle

In the middle of the city lies a mountain. And while that is already quite special. The castle on top of that mountain certainly is. From the mountain you have a panoramic view of the city. But the castle is also definitely worth a climb up.

Dragon Bridge

Slovenia has a thing about dragons. That’s why you’ll find the Dragon Bridge in the centre of Ljubljana. An Art Nouveau bridge from 1900 with impressive dragon statues at the beginning of the bridge.

The story of the Dragon Bridge
An old myth tells that the Greek hero Jason is the founder of the city of Ljubljana. And he even defeated a dragon there. That’s why there are four dragon statues at the corners of the bridge. But, hold on for the most intriguing part: rumor has it that every time a virgin crosses the bridge, the dragons wag their tails enthusiastically. Believe it or not? Take that walk and see for yourself!

Catering in Ljubljana

From traditional Slovenian delicacies like Kranjska klobasa and Potica, to a wide range of international cuisines, Ljubljana offers something for everyone. Local wine bars are the perfect place to get acquainted with Slovenian wines.

Shopping in the City

Ljubljana’s Central Market is a must-visit. Here you will find a variety of local products, from fresh food to handmade souvenirs. The centre consists mainly of small shops. From local chocolate, to clothing boutiques and fun souvenir shops.

In the middle of the city centre you will also find an authentic department store: Galerija Emporium. The building and the interior breathe the grandeur of a department store from the 60s. Don’t expect a beehive. Inside you will find a store with mainly branded clothing that is worth a visit because of the building alone.

You won’t find the big chain shops in the centre of Ljubljana. For shopping, there are several shopping malls on the outskirts of the city. The largest is BTC City. Here you will find the well-known clothing shops, as well as IKEA, DIY stores and electronics chain Big Bang. Check our tips for shopping in Ljubljana.

Activities and Sights in Ljubljana

There is plenty to do in Ljubljana. We have listed the best attractions in Ljubljana. Some great trips can be found here:

The green Tivoli Park

Within walking distance from the centre is Ljubljana’s biggest park. On hot days it is great for cooling off under the trees. And the ideal place for a picnic. In part, Tivoli is a tightly landscaped garden with hedges and fountains. But in the 5-square-kilometre park you will find peace, nature and even the Ljubljana Zoo.

Ljubljana zoo

Tivoli Park is home to the Ljubljana Zoo. Like the city itself, the zoo is compact. That means lots of animals, without having to take many steps. Bears, elephants and monkeys. They welcome you at this very affordable zoo!

Public transport in Ljubljana.

The centre of Ljubljana is not big. You can easily walk through here. Is your hotel or flat not in the centre? Then there are plenty of options like shared bicycles and electric scooters that will take you to the edge of the centre. You can also use public transport. From the centre, buses will take you to the shopping malls or other places of the city you want to explore.

Ljubljana has its own public transport chip card: the Urbana card. This ‘prepaid card’ allows you to travel easily from one side of the city to the other. At a vending machine you buy this card and can top it up. Indicate when boarding that you want to travel with several people, and you can travel together on public transport on one card. That’s convenient!

Going to Ljubljana?

Don’t expect a metropolis. Expect a nice relaxed city with plenty to explore? Come and experience for yourself the mix of culture, history and modern amenities in this Slovenian capital.