Ljubljana Mini Guide
Ljubljana in a Nutshell
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, a country bordering with
Italy and
Hungary to the east and west and
Austria and
Croatia to the north and south, respectively. Due to its location, it has been influenced over history by German and Latin culture.
How can I get to the City?
You can fly into Ljubljana Airport from most European cities, especially during summer. The airport is 26km away and there is a regular bus service into the city. You can drive from many cities in Europe quite easily, the road network is good from as far as
Munich and the closer cities of
Vienna and
Budapest. If you don’t want to drive, long distance coaches are available. Once you are there you can walk or cycle, as the attractions are all in the city centre. There is a tram system from Krek Square to the Central Market and Ljubljana Castle.
What can I see There?
The old city is the place to start. There you will see the 16th century Ljubljana Castle, take a trip up the tower to see spectacular views and learn more about the city at the castle’s Virtual Museum. At the Central Marketplace you can browse the stalls, have a coffee with friends or take a look at the Franciscan Church, the steps are a popular place to sit and watch the world go by. For a little culture, you can visit the National Gallery or the Museum of Modern Art. Take a break from the city and walk along the central promenade in Tivoli Park or even better take a picnic! You should see the famous bridges in the city too, The Tromostovje, which is in fact 3 bridges and the Dragon Bridge with its four dragon statues – the dragon is the symbol that represents Ljubljana.
Don’t Miss…
The free city tours at 11am on most weekdays, starting at the steps of the Franciscan Church. It is a 2hr sightseeing tour ending with a coffee by the river.
Any Special Events?
Ljubljana International Summer Festival is held at Krizanke open air theatre in July and August. You can see anything from ballet and opera to rock music and film, so there is something for everyone. Also worthy of note are the International Film Festival in November and the Jazz Festival in June.
Should I Explore Outside the City?
Yes, Slovenia has lots to offer. Postojna Cave is 52km away from Ljubljana and has almost 20km of underground networks containing stalagmites and stalactites. The tour lasts an hour and a half and is by foot and mini train. You should also visit Bled, a small town on a lake under the Julian Alps. The lake has an island with a small church and you can rent a boat out to go and see it. Bled Castle is over a thousand years old and sits on a steep cliff overlooking the lake, you can find out more about it inside the castle museum.