Voyageiro
Travel with passion
LJUBLJANA
Where nature meets the soul of a city
What is in this post?
Location Information
19°C
Country
Language
Currency
Distance to capital
Inhabitants nickname
Timezone
Slovenia
Slovenian
Euro [€]
0 km - It is the capital
Ljubljančan(ka)
Winter : UTC + 1
Summer : UTC + 2
Introduction to Ljubljana where nature meets the soul of a city
Ljubljana, as the capital of Slovenia, is a crossroads of Central and Southern Europe. This green and walkable city blends diverse influences into its own unique soul. It is nestled between the Alps and Southern Europe. So, it merges mountain traditions from Austria and the Balkans with the Mediterranean vibe of Italy, Croatia and the Adriatic Sea. Slovenia has a rich own history, culture and gastronomy. Ljubljana invites you to slow down and savour its beauty, where nature meets the soul of a city.
A walkable green city with a lot of nature
Ljubljana is known as one one of Europe's most walkable capitals. As well as a city where nature is always close at hand. Green parks and leafy squares mark the city centre. While a green hill crowned with a medieval fortress rises proudly above the city. To make it complete, the serene Ljubljanica river winds through the heart of the old town while at the banks, you can relax, stroll and lose yourself in the local vibe of the cosy bars and charming streets. Every step reveals a mix of culture, history and natural beauty. Which makes Ljubljana truly a city where nature meets the soul of a city.
The rich gastronomy as the soul of the city
Slovenian gastronomy is a delicious blend of cultures, with strong influences from Austria, Italy and the Balkans. In one of Ljubljana's typical restaurants, called a gostilna, you can taste how well traditional dishes pair hearty Alpine recipes with Mediterranean flavours. Try unique local specialities like Jota, Kranjska Klobasa or Potica. Pair your meal with a crisp local white wine or taste a craft beer from the city's growing selection. Ljubljana is a true paradise for food lovers and curious foodies. Don't miss the Open Kitchen food market in spring or summer, where local top chefs bring their skills to the streets of Ljubljana.
The dragon as the symbol of Ljubljana
The dragon is the proud symbol of Ljubljana. It appears throughout the city in sculptures, souvenirs and even on the city's coat of arms and the flag. The most famous is the mighty dragon statue guarding the iconic Dragon Bridge in the city centre. According to a legend of Jason and the Argonauts, the dragon became the emblem of the city's spirit. In the section below about the popular must do and see highlights in Ljubljana, you'll discover more about dragon spotting in the Slovenian capital.
A city that attracts a lot of young people and digital nomads
A central hub with a high quality of life at affordable prices
Many young people, curious tourists and digital nomads are drawn to Ljubljana for its vibrant culture, influenced by neighbouring European destinations. It's also a safe city surrounded by beautiful nature, with excellent transport connections and affordable prices. These are great advantages for travellers seeking comfortable and budget-friendly holidays. Offering a high quality of life at a lower cost of living than most European capitals makes Ljubljana a favourite for many remote workers. Finally, the central location of Ljubljana also makes it an ideal hub for day trips across Slovenia or a good starting point for exploring neighbouring countries.
What are popular must do & see highlights in Ljubljana?
A lot of guides and travel sites tell you about the popular spots and things to do in a city. According Voyageiro, these are the 5 most popular things you must do and see in Ljubljana.
A medieval fortress as the iconic castle
In the heart of Ljubljana rises a green hill with on top the Ljubljanski Grad, the city's iconic castle. This is a unique place where you can enjoy some of the most impressive views over the Slovenian capital. The origin of his proud medieval fortress, often called simply the castle of Ljubljana, dates back to the 11th century, with major rebuilds in the 12th century.
How to reach the castle of Ljubljana?
A nice and walkable trail leads you in around 10 minutes from the Vodnik Square to the Caste Hill. During this walk you can enjoy wonderful views over the beautiful streets, squares and houses of the Old Town.
"Take the funicular"
It is also possible to take a funicular to the castle. The funicular has a capacity of 28 passengers and brings you to the top in around 1 minute. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the breathtaking view.
More than 10 bridges over the Ljubljanica river
Ljubljana is a city with many bridges over the Ljubljanica river. The river was already spanned by bridges from the Roman times. Throughout the history of the city, many other bridges where added. Because Ljubljana was an important crosspoint for traders. These days you still can discover many of these bridges in the city. A unique way to discover them all is by making a boat trip through the city on the river. Voyageiro lists for you the 5 most iconic bridges below.
1 - Triple Bridge
Right in the heart of Ljubljana's old town, you'll find the Triple Bridge. These are 3 elegant bridges standing side by side and forming together one bridge. This unique landmark replaced a medieval wooden bridge, which was already an important connection between north-western Europe with south-eastern Europe and the Balkans. The central stone bridge was built in 1842, while the 2 side bridges were added in the early 20th century and intended for pedestrians. Today, the Triple Bridge is one of Ljubljana's most iconic monuments and a must-see when exploring the old town.
2 - Dragon Bridge
Dragon symbols are very familiar in Ljubljana already from ancient times. The dragon is known as the city's protector. Of course, this also gave the inspiration to build a Dragon Bridge. At each end of the bridge, impressive dragon statues stand proudly as the symbol of Ljubljana. While the original design was with winged lion statues, these lions were replaced by dragons in the final design. A great decision that turned the bridge into one of the city's most iconic landmarks with a twist to its history. This makes the Dragon Bridge and its statues the absolute must-see on your Ljubljana city trip.
3 - Cobblers' Bridge
A third bridge you absolutely don't may miss is the Cobblers' Bridge, connecting Novi trg with Stari trg. Like many others, it replaced a former medieval wooden bridge that once connected two important parts of medieval Ljubljana. The name of this bridge comes from the cobblers' workshops that lined the bridge in the past. Its elegant design is what makes it truly unique: pillars of diffrent heights topped with stone balls and the central ones carrying lamps. In the past, the bridge also has balustrades on both sides, adding even more charm to its appearance.
4 - Butchers' Bridge
In between the Tripple bridge and the Dragon bridge, you'll discover the Butchers' Bridge. This bridge is a pedestrian bridge with a unique artistic design. The platform is made of glass panels, allowing you to look down to the Ljubljanica river flowing beneath you, while you walk from the Central Market to the Petkovškovo nabrežje embankment.
"Bridge of Love"
The Butchers' bridge is also called the Bridge of Love. Because it is a famous bridge where couples attach padlocks at the railing and throw the keys into the Ljubljanica river. Many people do this as a symbol of love.
5 - Hradecky Bridge
Finally, the fifth iconic bridge to discover in Ljubljana is the Hradecky Bridge, connecting the Trnovo district with the city centre. This footbridge, dating back to 1867, is one of the first hinged arch bridges in the world and the first, as well as only preserved, iron bridge of Slovenia. In the past, it served a rather somber role. It linked the main hospital with the city mortuary and was used to transport people. Due to this history, this bridge earned the nickname Bridge of the Dead.
Extra: Trnovo Bridge
Voyageiro also wants to give you an extra bridge you have to see in Ljubljana. It is the Trnovo Bridge over the Gradaščica river, a little bit out of the city centre. This bridge stands in front of the Trnovo Church. The patron of this church is St. John the Baptist. You can find a statue of him on this bridge. Two rows of birch trees planted into the bridge and the massive balustrades at both sides are some other remarkable aspects of this bridge. While each the end of the Trnovo bridge is topped with a pyramid. So, this is also a wonderful bridge you don't may miss to discover in Ljubljana.
The dragon is the proud symbol of Ljubljana. You can spot it all over city. Look for it on the City Hall, in streetlights and railings, hidden in street art or flying high from the tower of the castle. The most famous dragon statues guard the Dragon Bridge. Because the Ljubljanica river is part of Ljubljana's dragon legend. So, you'll also find the dragon on the city's coat of arms, its flag and a lot of souvenirs.
The Ljubljana's dragon legend
The roots of Ljubljana's symbol go back to the ancient Greek hero Jason and the Argonauts. A legend of their journey with the Golden Fleece tells that Jason and the Argonauts sailed along the Ljubljanica river and stopped near some marshes. There, Jason is said to have fought and defeated a dragon. Over time, this dragon became a symbol of strength, courage and resilience. Even today, these qualities are associated with Ljubljana and its people. This is why the dragon became the emblem of the city.
Ljubljana is a must visit city for food lovers. You'll find everything from authentic Slovenian dishes and traditional breakfasts to trendy brunches and haute cuisine. There are also many perfect spots for romantic dinners or to enjoy food and drinks with friends in a lively atmosphere. In spring and summer, every food enthusiast should not miss the Open Kitchen, a vibrant food market that brings the city's top chefs and local flavours to the streets.
The Open Kitchen food market
"Odprta kuhna"
Open Kitchen, in Slovenian Odprta Kuhna, is Ljubljana's vibrant outdoor food market. Every Friday in spring and summer, go to the Central Market and surrounding streets to explore the city's top chefs showcasing their culinary creations. Here, you'll find top preparations from traditional Slovenian dishes to tasty modern bites. It's the perfect place to enjoy local flavours in a lively atmosphere and mingle with other foodies.
Ljubljana is a wonderful city for everyone who loves exploring on foot. Its compact city centre is very walkable, full of charming streets, colourful houses and picturesque corners and squares. As you stroll through the city, you'll discover cosy cafés, hidden spots, impressive monuments, lively squares and peaceful views along the Ljubljanica river. Strolling at a relaxed pace is the perfect way to feel the vibrant atmosphere, enjoy the green spaces and uncover the many little details that make Ljubljana an absolute must-see for any city trip.
Hidden Gems
Like in any city, also Ljubljana has some hidden gems to discover:
- Make a river cruise through the city centre to see the city in another dimension from the river.
- Taste the typical and traditional Slovenian Struklji. It is pastry made from a sort of dough in the form of rolled dumplings and can be steamed, boiled or baked. Struklji is available with a wide range of fillings.
- Find the Cyanometer in the city. The cyanometer measures the blueness of the sky and the air quality in the city.
- Visit the skyscraper Nebotičnik. It is one of Ljubljana's most visible landmarks which has a nice rooftop bar. Ideal to see the city from above.
- Enjoy the bar and cafe culture of Ljubljana. Especially in the evening, at sunset, but also during the day along the river. This is the best way to discover the local vibe of the city.
Annual calendar of festivals and events in Ljubljana
Yearly events to mark in your agenda
What are the famous events in Ljubljana? Are there regional festivities in Ljubljana? What are the huge Ljubljana's city festivals to join every year? Are there festivities you don't may miss in Ljubljana?
You will find some of the famous yearly activities to do in Ljubljana below. Very important to plan your trip. Regardless of whether you want to join them or avoid them.
Dragon Carnaval
Shrove Saturday is the day of the Dragon Carnaval in Ljubljana. This is a wonderful parade through the streets of the city with a lot of joy and entertainment. This is a family-friendly, ideal to do with children. Especially because it has a focus around the dragon, which is the national symbol of the city. While it also consists of many other traditional local figures.
LUV Fest
The LUV Fest is to celebrate the love of the Slovenian culture, the heritage and the Slovenian language. So, this is a fest of love, art and culture. 8 February is the day that the Slovenian commuity commemorates their greatest poet: France Prešeren. Every year, they celebrate him till 12 March. LUV Fest is celebrated everywhere in the city with all kind of genres and all generations. In this period, Ljubljana becomes a place to discover, learn and connect with different cultures. So, it s a festival with an open mind to the world around you.
Gregorčki
One of the most beautiul events in Ljubljana is the festival of welcoming of Spring. The day before St Gregory's Day, they place many wooden miniature boats. All these boats are with a candle-lit and made by children. This is a very old custom to welcome the Spring. It is a wonderful spectacle to see in the city of Ljubljana.
Open Kitchen
Food lovers and foodies have to go to the Central Market on every Friday from March till October. The best Slovenian chefs prepare their the best dishes for you, right in front of you. This event is known as the Open Kitchen. An absolute must do for people who like to taste the local food. From traditional dishes to exotic world cuisine. So, as a food lover you don't may miss this event.
Ana Desetnica
Prepare yourself for a city festival where acrobats, circus performers and fire artists are everywhere in the streets of Ljubljana. During around 4 days, many streets and squares of Ljubljana are the stage for theatre, circus, dance, living statues and a lot of other street theatre and entertainment. They also incorporate the spectators in their shows and you are able to participate in workshops.
Ljubljana Marathon
Sportive people can participate in the marathon of Ljubljana. This marathon is very attractive because the route goes almost only along the streets of the city itself. Which makes it very interesting to discover the city of Ljubljana. As well as that in this city the nature meets the soul of a city, while you are doing sports.
December in Ljubljana
In many European countries, the last month of the year is a typical month for Christmas markets and decorations. This is also the case in Ljubljana. In the old city centre, enjoy the holiday market. There also are many outdoor concerts, parades and a lot of free events.
