18 Fun Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Last updated on May 25th, 2026

With cobblestone streets, scenic views, and beautiful architecture, Ljubljana is one of Europe’s gems. And we’re sharing 18 fun things to do in Ljubljana to help you experience the best it has to offer!

Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana may be small, but it packs a big punch! In a short, walkable distance you can experience ornate bridges and buildings, go on a boat ride, ride a funicular to a castle, and feast on local eats.

Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia | One day in Ljubljana Itinerary

It’s the perfect city to spend a day wandering around, with just enough to do to keep you busy, but not so much that you feel overwhelmed. We loved our time in Ljubljana and think it’s well worth a stop on any Slovenia road trip.

And in this guide we’re sharing 18 of the best things to do in Ljubljana, based on our favorite experiences from our time in the city. Plus some important logistics and tips to help you plan your own trip!

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Table of Contents

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18 Fun Things to Do in Ljubljana

1. Explore Old Town

Things to do in Ljubljana, One Day in Ljubljana Itinerary

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Ljubljana is to simply walk around. At times it feels like you’re walking around in a storybook, especially when walking through Old Town!

Sandwiched between the Ljubljanica River and the towering Ljubljana Castle, Ljubljana’s Old Town is filled with cobblestone streets and alleyways, colorful buildings, unique bridges, various sculptures and fountains, and plenty of shops and restaurants. And the best part? It’s a pedestrian only area, so you can freely walk around without the worry of cars or traffic!

We loved walking around Mestni Trg, the heart of Old Town, with the Town Hall and historic fountain. But make sure to keep walking to Gornji Trg as well! This cute street is a bit quieter, but equally as quaint.

Beyond Old Town itself, there are some other great buildings and squares to check out closeby, including:

Prešernov trg: This pink church is right across the river from the main part of Old Town and hard to miss! It’s located in a roundabout with other beautiful buildings surrounding it. Plus “The Area With Ljubljana’s Own Weather,” an art installation that makes it rain right in the center of the roundabout!
Congress Square: This square is huge, with a wide walking path, a park right next to it, and views of different city buildings.

Want to explore the city with a guide?

Ljubljana’s free walking tour is about 2 hours long and is offered 365 days a year. You do not need to book in advance, you can just show up outside the pink church. They offer two different free tours, a Classic City tour at 11 AM, with more times offered depending on the season. Plus an Old Town and Castle tour, which has a more limited schedule.

While the tour is free, tips are appreciated! We suggest giving between €10-15 per person.

You can also book this walking and boat tour to knock out two of the best things to do in Ljubljana in one!

Ride the Green Urban Electric Train

And if you’d prefer to be shown around via train, take a ride on the Green Urban Electric Train! The train takes you on a circuit to many of the main tourist spots in the city, making 10 stops where you can get off and on as you please, as long as there is an open seat. Some of the stops include the castle, botanical garden, the river, Plečnik house, and more.

If you ride the whole thing it will take about 1 hour 15 minutes and costs €12 euro per person. You can book tickets online or pay the driver.

2. Drink local coffee

For us, no visit to a city is complete without checking out the local coffee scene! And Ljubljana has some pretty amazing spots. During our time in the city our goal was to check out as many as we could. Including visiting three in one day!

So if you’re in need of a solid cup of coffee, here’s where we suggest heading:

Stow: This is said to be one of the best roasters in town (we made sure to grab a bag of beans to take home)! But not only is the coffee great, it’s also located in a museum, giving it a cool vibe. However, it does open a bit late and it can get busy, so you may have to wait for a table. But their second location, Stow 2 Go, opens earlier and is right by Old Town.
Tri Marije Coffee Trailer: Located at Central Market, this coffee stand makes a delicious flat white that is perfect to stroll around with.
Črno Zrno Specialty Coffee: This tiny little shop, tucked away on Gornji Trg, feels like a hidden gem. We loved the design of this coffee shop! They only have a few seats though, so you’ll likely have to take it to-go.

3. Try traditional Slovenian foods

Burek- Traditional Slovenian Foods to try

Slovenia boasts many delicious traditional dishes to try. Its cuisine features a blend of central European, Mediterranean, and Balkan influences. You can expect to find a lot of meat centered dishes, cottage cheese, potato items, stews, cakes, and buckwheat dishes.

And while in Ljubljana, we highly recommend enjoying a few of these dishes for yourself! Some of our favorite local restaurants (and dishes) are:

Moji štruklji Slovenije for Štruklji, which are Slovenian rolled dumplings that are filled with a variety of fillings, either savory or sweet. We loved their pistachio and gibanica štruklji! You can also try other classic Slovenian dishes here, like Ajdovi žganci, a buckwheat mush served with soup or sour milk.
Klobasarna is a great, quick spot to try a variety of items! We enjoyed their Carniolan sausage, Jota (sauerkraut, turnip, and bean soup), and Ričet (barley, bean, and vegetable soup).
Butik lePotica is a bakery that specializes in mini versions of potica, a popular rolled dough dessert with different fillings.
For a meal that is tasty, very filling, and one you can feel good about, head to Druga Violina. This restaurant employs people with disabilities or special needs and serves a changing menu of traditional Slovenian foods.
Burek Olimpija (or Nobel Burek) for Burek, a pastry made with thin and flaky filo dough and filled with different ingredients, like meat, cheese, or spinach. It’s a cheap and quick snack or meal. Make sure to order a yogurt drink to go with it!

If you’re craving non-Slovenian food, we really enjoyed Babu’s Asian Street Food. It’s a takeaway spot perfect for a picnic at Tivoli Park.

Want to try Slovenian food with a local? This food and wine tour includes 7 different food tastings, plus wine to try!

4. Visit Central Market

While exploring Old Town, make sure to check out Central Market. This is an open air market spanning two city blocks, with various stands selling vegetables, fruits, dry-cured meats, clothing items, flowers, plus the Tri Marije Coffee Trailer. You can also find stands inside the nearby Mercado cubierto de Plečnik, a building designed by prolific Slovenian architect, Jože Plečnik.

And it is home to something pretty unique…a milk vending machine (mlekomat)! You can either bring your own bottle or buy one at the machine to fill up with fresh milk. These also exist in other areas around the country if you’re not in the mood for a large bottle of milk while exploring Ljubljana.

5. Attend Open Kitchen

If you happen to be in Ljubljana on a Friday from March to October, check out Open Kitchen! This outdoor market features tons of stalls from Slovenian restaurants, across many different cuisines. It’s one of the best things to do in Ljubljana on a nice day!

And while you can stroll the stalls on your own and pick your favorites, if you want to take it to the next level you can order a Gourmet Ljubljana Tasting Menu. These are specially designed menus featuring a variety of dishes from a handful of local chefs. With your order you’ll get seated at a private table at the market and get to meet the team behind the menu.

To enjoy one of the tasting menus, you’ll need to put in an order in advance at this website or in person at the Tourist Information Center.

Important to know: Since this is an outdoor event, it is canceled if the weather is bad. Which is unfortunately what happened for us. 😭 But we hope to check it out next time!

6. Take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle

Towering over the capital city is Ljubljana Castle. Throughout the country’s history, this castle has served different purposes. When first built during the 11th century, it acted as a medieval fortress, but over time has also acted as a residence, barracks, and prison, before becoming a tourist attraction today.

While you can see the castle from all around town, no visit to Ljubljana is complete without getting a closer look at it. And to get up to the castle, you can either walk up the hill (~20 minutes) or you can ride the funicular up the hill. It’s a short ride, but well worth the small fee (€3.30 one way/€6 roundtrip) for the views and experience. We recommend taking the funicular up and then walking back down!

And once up at the castle, you’ll be rewarded with commanding views over the city and surrounding area. Castles are usually built in advantageous positions and Ljubljana Castle is no exception. You’ll be able to look over the rooftops and trees, see the beautiful river, and on a clear day see the alps in the distance!

The city viewpoint, plus a small museum where the funicular drops you off are free to visit. But there are also some paid museums, exhibits, and experiences. The Escape Castle and Time Machine sound really fun!

7. Go on a boat tour on the Ljubljanica River

Ljubljana | Best places to visit in Slovenia

Want to see the city from the water? Head out on a boat tour on the Ljubljanica River!

There are a handful of boat tours offered on the river, but two of the most popular are the Emonca Boat and Barka Ljubljanica. The Emonca Boat is a more modern style boat with glass windows and is heated inside during cold weather. While the Barka Ljubljanica is the first and only hand made electric wooden boat on the river. Both are covered, in case you get unlucky and visit on a rainy day (like us).

The tours are offered at several different times throughout the day and last about an hour.

Go paddleboarding on the river

Want to experience the river by paddleboard instead? If you’re visiting between March and mid October you can also enjoy a paddleboarding tour on the river! This experience includes a guide to show you how to use the paddleboard, a short guided paddle on the river, plus photos to remember the experience!

Want to save some money on this tour or experience? Join Tripadvisor Rewards to earn 5% Trip Cash on any hotel or experience booking made in their app, which can be applied to future in-app bookings!

8. Grab gelato at Vigo Gelato

We had heard from a fellow ice cream and gelato lover that Vigò Gelato in Ljubljana was some of the best gelato they’ve ever had. So after having it saved on our Google Maps for years, we were very excited to finally try it. And every single flavor we tried was delicious! In fact, we loved it so much that we went back multiple times!

We hear that Gelateria Romantika is delicious as well and look forward to trying it next time.

9. Visit a teahouse at the botanical garden

For a unique dining experience, head to the Ljubljana Botanical Garden! This garden dates back to 1810 and features more than 4,500 different species. And located on its grounds is Čajnica Primula, a cafe that serves beautiful drinks and baked goods. All while tucked in the trees! It’s a peaceful spot to relax and take a break while exploring the city.

10. Visit Locksmith Alley

One of our favorite things about visiting European cities is that they often have drinking water fountains all around town. So make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to fill up throughout the day!

We saw quite a few drinking fountains around Ljubljana, but the one in Locksmith Alley is pretty unique. As you enter the alley, you’ll notice a face on top of a hand. When you twist the sculpture, water will come out and run down a channel with 700 bronze faces on the ground staring up at you, all with different expressions! It’s part water fountain and part art!

11. Admire Ljubljana’s bridges

To get to Old Town from the main town center of Ljubljana you will have to cross the Ljubljanica River. And to do so, you have your choice of pedestrian bridges!

Not only do these bridges provide access to Old Town, but they are also all uniquely beautiful. Make sure to check out Triple Bridge, the Butchers Bridge, which is covered in locks, Cobblers’ Bridge, which is known for its columns, and Dragon Bridge, which has the city’s symbol, the dragon, perched on top.

12. Learn about Ljubljana at a museum

In a city that is over 1,000 years old there is a lot of history to learn. And besides learning about the city’s history on a walking tour, there are also many museums you can visit, which focus on a variety of topics. Plus they make a great rainy day activity!

Ljubljana City Museum

The Ljubljana City Museum shares the history of Ljubljana and Slovenia through different exhibits and interactive displays. You’ll be able to view thousands of museum treasures and learn about the city and country over the past few centuries.

Although we didn’t visit the museum for its history, we did pop into Stow for some delicious espresso. It’s housed in a basement courtyard type setting, with a wall of windows, and is a relaxing environment for a midday pickup.

Slovenia Railway Museum

If you’re interested in railways and locomotive travel then the Slovenia Railway Museum will be right up your alley. At the museum you’ll learn how railways work and get to see a variety of steam locomotives, tools, and other items related to the local railways.

Natural History Museum of Slovenia

To learn more about the natural world of Slovenia, check out the Natural History Museum. Here you can view rotating exhibitions as well as permanent ones like fossils, insect collections, a forest diorama and more!

Plecnik House

The Plečnik Houseis dedicated to Slovenian architect, Jože Plečnik, who designed many of the buildings and bridges you see all over the city! It’s located in his former home and to visit, you will need to go on a guided tour, which shares the story of Plečnik.

National Museum of Contemporary History

For more information about Slovenia in more recent times, you’ll want to visit the Contemporary History Museum. Here you will find exhibits and artifacts from the 20th and 21st centuries including World War II and other important events involving Slovenia, including the rise and fall of Yugoslavia.

House of Illusions

If you’re like Kathryn and your favorite type of museum is more interactive, then you should look at the House of Illusions! Your senses will be taken for a ride here. You can walk through a Vortex tunnel, play mind games, and other interactive activities that are fun for all ages. There are over 70 illusions to explore, spread across 3 floors!

13. Wander around Tivoli Park

Ljubljana is known for its green spaces. In fact, it was awarded the European Green Capital of 2016!

Tivoli Park is the largest park in the city, located a short walk from Old Town. And going for a stroll here is one of the best things to do in Ljubljana! Here you’ll find gardens, tree lined pathways, a castle and art museum, Koseze Pond, and different restaurants, like LOKUS Cafe. We loved wandering around here…even if it was pouring on us. 😅

14. Try local beers at a pub

For the beer fans, make sure to check out Slovenia’s beer scene while in Ljubljana! Quite possibly the most famous brewer in Slovenia is Union. To get a taste of Union beer head to their pub, where they have a nice beer garden and offer typical pub food like burgers, fries and more. Pub Lajbah is another option for a laid back vibe and lots of craft beer options. Or you can go on a pub crawl tour!

Not a drinker? Before visiting Slovenia, Adam had recently gotten into non-alcoholic beers. And lucky for him, Slovenian beer producers have begun to offer more non alcoholic options over the past few years! His favorites were from Union and Lasko. And while we aren’t sure if you can find them at pubs, you can definitely get them at the grocery store!

15. Wander around Metelkova

One of the most unique things to do in Ljubljana is walking around Metelkova. What was once a military base in the city is now home to an autonomous social and cultural center. The residents of these buildings began squatting in them in the early 90s and today it’s filled with street art, live music, and nightlife. If you’ve heard of or been to Christiania in Copenhagen then you’ll get the gist of what this place is.

While photos of this place look really cool, there are some important things to know before visiting. First, there is a drug lifestyle present and you may encounter people under the influence. Second, it can be a bit grittier than other parts of Ljubljana, which may not be for everyone.

So why would you want to go here? If you’re curious about alternative lifestyles and appreciate street art, then you might be interested in strolling over. We ultimately opted not to visit, as we read mixed reviews and were a bit nervous to go with our expensive camera gear. However, we hear if you visit during the day and with a small group, you will likely have no issues. The worst that happens to most is they may encounter a quirky individual.

16. Take in the view over Ljubljana from the Skyscraper

For amazing city views, head up to the 12th floor of Neboticnik! This was the first skyscraper built in Slovenia and boasts amazing views of the city and Ljubljana Castle.

To get to the top you can either take an elevator or walk up a super cool spiral staircase. And while it’s technically free to go to the top, to sit and enjoy the view, you will need to purchase something from the cafe/bar on the rooftop. They offer different non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, plus sweet treats, which you can enjoy while sitting on a terrace with wraparound glass. This makes for the perfect sunset spot!

Important to know: The glass is sometimes a bit dirty, but there are some openings between the glass where you can snap a photo without any smudges. Also, make sure to arrive early on a sunny day for a spot for sunset!

17. Attend Ljubljana Festival

Every summer, from June through mid-September, the city hosts Ljubljana Festival. For weeks, there is a packed schedule filled with different music, dance, and theater events. So if you happen to visit during this time, check to see what all is going on and attend an event if you’re interested! During our time in Ljubljana, we went to a violin concert, which was a beautiful experience.

18. Take a day trip from Ljubljana

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Last, but certainly not least, one of the best things to do in Ljubljana is….to leave Ljubljana. While we loved the city itself, one of our favorite things about it was how close it was to so many amazing places in Slovenia. Within a 2 hour drive you can visit caves, Lake Bled, the coast, a stunning alpine valley, and so much more!

So once you have explored Ljubljana, we’d suggest venturing out of the city to see more of the country. Need some ideas? We share 10 Ljubljana day trip ideas here!

Planning your time in Ljubljana

Getting to Ljubljana

The main airport for Slovenia is the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU). So if you’re flying in from another country, this is where your Ljubljana adventure will begin!

Despite the airport’s name, it’s actually a 30 minute drive to the heart of Ljubljana. But getting to the city is easy by bus! When you exit the airport, you will see a bus stop in the parking lot across from the airport entrance. From here you can catch an Arriva bus into town for €3 per person! You can buy tickets online or at the bus (cash only).

If you’re traveling from within Europe, you can also get to Ljubljana by train or bus. Since it’s not as large of a city as others in Europe, it is a bit more limited. Additionally, if flights to Ljubljana are too expensive, you can also fly to Venice or Zagreb and then drive to Slovenia or take a bus.

How to get around Ljubljana

Once in Ljubljana, it is very easy to get around! Since we stayed near the Old Town, we were able to walk everywhere. However, if you do need to go a further distance, there is great public transportation, including buses, bicycle sharing programs, free shuttles in Old Town called Kavalirs, and ride shares like Uber and taxis. When we camped outside of the city for our final night in Slovenia, we were able to hop onto a bus to head into town for the evening.

When to visit Ljubljana

Ljubljana can be visited year-round, with each season bringing a different experience and fun things to do! The city experiences all four seasons, with fall-spring being the quieter seasons and less expensive to visit.

However, if you want to fully take advantage of the many fun things to do in Slovenia, we’d suggest visiting between May and October, with the front and back end being less busy and cheaper. During this timeframe, hiking trails will be (mostly) free of snow, the weather will be more pleasant for outdoor activities, and Open Kitchen will be running. So if you can, make sure you’re in Ljubljana on a Friday!

How much time do you need to explore Ljubljana?

With so many of the best things to do in Ljubljana being located right by each other, we think one full day is plenty of time to see the spots in the city that interest you. You can see our full one day Ljubljana itinerary here!

However, if you want to explore at a slower pace, a second day would make it more relaxed. There are so many amazing places to visit in Slovenia, that we suggest dedicating more time to them overall.

Where to stay in Ljubljana

For the ultimate convenience, we suggest staying near the Old Town. Most of the top things to do in Ljubljana are within walking distance to here, so you’ll be able to easily explore!

And since your stay in Ljubljana may be short, we think a hotel would be the easiest option, as you’ll likely be out exploring all day and not need much space. Plus, they can hold your bags if you arrive early or want to check out late.

During our visit we stayed at the Eurostars uHotel, which was just a block or two away from the river and Old Town. And it was great! Our room was spacious and remodeled. Plus our rate came with a large breakfast buffet, which was nice to have on the mornings we did not want to eat out.

Here are a few other options in the area that look nice!

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Tips for visiting Ljubljana

Ljubljana Card

Many of the best things to do in Ljubljana are included on the Ljubljana Card, a city pass that gives you free entry to 30+ attractions, free travel on city buses, and a free city tour. You can purchase this for either 24, 48, or 72 hours. If the attractions included interest you, this is a great value! But make sure to add up what all you want to visit and their costs to ensure you’ll get your money’s worth first.

We personally did not purchase the card, as we mostly chose free activities (and ate food!) during our time in the city.

Learn a bit of Slovenian

The local language for Slovenia is Slovenian, which is kind of a tricky language, from our experience. However, most locals in Ljubljana will speak some (or a lot of) English, so communication is relatively easy. Even so, we believe in learning some words to show respect. A couple good ones to know are Dober dan (good day) and hvala (thank you).

Bring a reusable water bottle

One thing we love about traveling in Europe is all the water fountains around town. And just like many other popular cities in Europe there are plenty of fountains in Ljubljana. So be sure to bring a reusable water bottle to fill up and drink from throughout the day. We love our Yeti water bottle!

Cash

Slovenia uses the euro (€) and minus our bus ticket from the airport, we didn’t need cash in Ljubljana. However, we recommend having some on hand just in case. To get cash out, we suggest going to a bank ATM, which usually has better rates and fees.

Want to avoid ATM fees? We have a Charles Schwab checking account specifically for international travel. They refund ATM fees from ANY ATM worldwide! This gives us a lot of freedom to use whichever ATM is most convenient.