Ljubljana is the small and unassuming capital of Slovenia, and it’s pleasant and peaceful atmosphere will instantaneously sweep you off your feet. I wasn’t expecting to love this city so much but it easily exceeded all of my expectations. Here’s my travel guide to visiting this friendly little city!
How to get there:
Ljubljana has an international airport, a bustling train station, and a busy bus station which can connect you to the city from all over the world. I arrived via a long train ride from Vienna, but with all these options you could arrive to Ljubljana from virtually anywhere. It’s a very well connected city!
Where to stay/getting around:
Base yourself anywhere near Ljubljana’s quaint old town. The city itself is small, so there’s really no right or wrong area to stay since everything is very compact. I stayed about a 20-minute walk away from the old town near Tivoli Park in Hostel Tivoli, which I highly recommend for budget backpackers. To get to know the city, it’s best to explore on foot! You could easily walk around the whole thing in one day and see most of the attractions. There’s also intra-city buses available to shuffle you around, but there’s really no need to take them.
What to do:
First, head to the center of the old town and get prepared to fall in love! There is lots to see and do around this area. One of the first things you’ll notice is a bright pink church – this is the Franciscan Church of Annunciation and its marvelous! I’m not even religious, but that’s one church that I can definitely appreciate (pink is my favorite color and everything I own is pink :P). From here, you’ll be able to see the adorable canal system that runs through the city. You could take a boat cruise along it, or take a stroll along either side of the canal where there are tons of cafes and shops with terraced seating. It felt like one big party. Everybody seemed so happy in this city that it was infectious, I couldn’t stop smiling myself!
Another must-do in the city is Ljubljana Castle. Built in the 11th-century, this castle complex offers arguably the best views of the city from above. Right in the heart of the old town near the markets on Vodnikov trg. there is a fun funicular that can take you up to the entrance of the castle! Roaming around is free of charge, but you’ll have to pay a small fee if you wanna climb the watch tower.
Another thing that makes Ljubljana so unique is its onus on environmentalism. Ljubljana’s old town has no cars so its a) reducing carbon emissions and b) there’s less noise pollution/it’s a much more peaceful environment to stroll around. And did you know that it has a FREE public bike rental system?! That’s right, you can rent one of their plentiful bikes to ride around the city where the first hour is completely free of charge. There’s also a FREE taxi system inside the old town in tiny golf-cart-like vehicles where you don’t pay a single penny. Perfect for kiddos or the elderly who may get tired from walking around. Kudos to you, Ljubljana. The city is also home to enormous Tivoli Park, an extensive green park system where you can go for a leisurely stroll, bike ride, or a jog and literally probably never reach either end of the park because it’s that big. Ljubljana is recognized worldwide for being one of the most eco-friendly cities in the world! Bonus points to this already awesome city.
And finally, no trip is complete to Slovenia without visiting picturesque Lake Bled. You can easily visit Lake Bled as a day trip from Ljubljana, no need to spring for a fancy tour.
Other tips:
If you’re wondering how to pronounce the name of the city like I was at first, its Loo-Blee-Ah-Nah! The city and Slovenia in general is pretty cheap – you can find dorm rooms for under €10, eat a decent meal for €5, and drink for €2! The best time to visit Ljubljana is undeniably the warmer months, where the city truly comes alive.
Did you enjoy Ljubljana as much as I did?!
