10 Things to Visit in Ljubljana
- Ljubljana Castle
- The Triple Bridge
- Prešeren Square
- The Cathedral of St. Nicholas
- Ljubljana Zoo
- Tivoli Park
- Dragon Bridge
- Archaeological Parks: Early Christian Centre, Emona House, and Roman Wall
- National and University Library
- Vineyards around Ljubljana
One of the most interesting cities in Europe, Ljubljana is also the capital, political, cultural, and educational center of Slovenia. Fresh and youthful due to its students, protected by greenery and parks, rich in cultural events, this city is one of the most charming and friendliest places in this part of Europe. It is an ideal destination for those who love an active and exciting holiday, as well as for those who prefer leisurely walks, good restaurants, and a rich cultural scene.
1. Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle is the symbol of the Slovenian capital and one of the most interesting places in the city. Just a few minutes from the city center, it represents the cultural heart of the city. The castle is a powerful medieval fortress with a Clock Tower that dominates the city.
Throughout its long history, the purpose of this fortress has changed. Today, the castle is a cultural hub of Ljubljana, hosting numerous concerts, exhibitions, and theatre performances. The castle is also a museum with a permanent historical exhibit. You can walk up to the castle or take the funicular, which offers an exceptional view of the entire city. The surrounding area is open to visitors, while entry to the fortress is charged.
2. The Triple Bridge
The Triple Bridge is one of the most striking structures in Ljubljana. This bridge is a combination of the old, original bridge and two pedestrian bridges added on either side during reconstruction. The bridge connects the older, historical core of the city with the modern center of Ljubljana. It is considered a prime example of the architectural creativity of Jože Plečnik, whose distinctive style characterizes much of Ljubljana.
3. Prešeren Square
If Ljubljana is the heart of Slovenia, then Prešeren Square is the heart of Ljubljana, the very core of Slovenia. This is the best place to start exploring the city, whether you are in the mood for shopping, good food, or a walk.
Before the monument to Slovenia's greatest national poet, France Prešeren, found its deserved place in this square, it was named after the Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary, which still adorns the area. From this square, via the Triple Bridge, you can access the entire pedestrian zone of Ljubljana.
4. The Cathedral of St. Nicholas
The Church of St. Nicholas, also known as the City Cathedral, was built in the 18th century. Although not overly grand, it is extremely interesting, and with its two twin towers, it is another symbol of Ljubljana.
5. Ljubljana Zoo
Although it cannot compete with significantly larger and more popular zoos in Europe, Ljubljana Zoo has a large and diverse collection of animals housed in a natural forest reserve near Rožnik Hill. Thanks to its exceptional location and extensive forest cover, it stays cool in summer and is distant from city noise.
6. Tivoli Park
Both visitors and residents agree on one thing: Ljubljana is a fantastic place to live. As a medium-sized city, it doesn't lag behind major metropolises, yet it retains the spirit and pleasant, peaceful, and friendly atmosphere of a small Central European town. Ljubljana has also been declared the "Green Capital of Europe" due to its exceptional care for the city's natural characteristics and nature conservation.
7. Dragon Bridge
Legend has it that the bridge was built on the site where the mythical Argonauts, led by Jason, killed a river monster, hence the dragon statues guarding the bridge. Dragon Bridge is one of the city's symbols and certainly one of the favourite places for photography, perhaps even more popular than the Clock Tower (Razgledni Stolp) that dominates the city's topography.
Its name, of course, comes from the stone dragons located on all four columns of the bridge, accompanied by smaller griffins. This is probably the finest example of Viennese Secessionist school architecture and represents a technological marvel, as asphalt was used for the first time during its construction.
8. Archaeological Parks
In Ljubljana, there are three archaeological sites, all related to the Roman settlement of Emona: the Early Christian Centre, Emona House, and the Roman Wall. Emona House is a remnant of a Roman house from the late 4th century, believed to have belonged to a prominent Roman family. Excavations have uncovered extraordinarily beautiful mosaics, and heating and water systems have been preserved.
9. National and University Library
The library was founded by Empress Maria Theresa in 1774, and in 1941 it moved to its current building. In addition to boasting over 2.5 million books, this library is one of the most monumental buildings in Ljubljana and a must-see and photograph spot.
10. Vineyards around Ljubljana
Ljubljana is rightly called the city of wine. The oldest vineyards around Ljubljana were planted by the ancient Romans for the needs of the ancient settlement of Emona. With the city's development, wine trade also flourished, making this city an essential point for all lovers and connoisseurs of exceptional wines.
Geographical Features
Ljubljana lies on the Ljubljanica River, in central Slovenia, between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. With its around 300,000 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest capitals in Europe. It is often compared to golden Prague due to its extraordinarily beautiful architecture.
The unique natural characteristics of the city, as well as the entire region, arise from the meeting of the Alps and the Karst areas. The Ljubljana Marshes, the Great Highlands in the Kamnik Alps, deep forests, the Polhov Gradec Hills, and Posavje Hills with their caves and karst fields guarantee that you won't be bored here.
Two Thousand Years Young Ljubljana
A settlement has existed on the Ljubljanica since Celtic times, and the oldest preserved buildings date back to the 16th century. Ljubljana celebrated its 2000th birthday in 2014, confirming that it is a harmonious meeting place of the old and the new; in its rich history, the city has managed to preserve traces of all its historical periods and avoid the greatest devastations that have changed the face of Europe and its cities through history.
The city's specific beauty and charm owe much to the incredible Renaissance and Baroque facades of buildings, Romanesque bridges over the Ljubljanica, and of course, its parks and forests that form the city's green heart.
Ljubljana is situated at the crossroads of four Slovenian regions, so all local specifics are equally represented in the city itself—from Central European cathedrals to charming Baroque facades, from the best wines to Kranjska sausages.
With its unique geographical location, Ljubljana is an ideal starting point for everything: visiting the unique Karst region, the Adriatic coast, the Alps, the vineyards, and many historically rich towns, all within a two-hour drive from the capital.
Ljubljana's Bridges
If you want to experience Ljubljana in a completely new way, you can embark on one of the river tours by boat or the beloved "Ljubljana Boat" and see the bridges and surroundings from a new perspective.
The Ljubljanica River is crisscrossed with a series of bridges built in the Romanesque style. As the riverbanks in the city center have been transformed into pedestrian zones, these bridges complement the almost fairy-tale scene of cafes nestled along the riverbanks.
Culture as a Way of Life
Ljubljana is the cultural center of Slovenia, with numerous theatres, museums, galleries, and one of the oldest philharmonic orchestras in the world.
With over 10,000 cultural events annually and 10 international festivals, it can easily be said that culture is the Ljubljana way of life. Ljubljana can also boast an exceptionally high number of free outdoor events. Therefore, if you visit Ljubljana in the warmer part of the year, you will likely find yourself at one of the city's street events.
Nightlife
The city is full of restaurants, popular "gostilne," patisseries with an extremely diverse offering of local and international cuisine, so you will surely find something to your taste. The nightlife would be unimaginable without numerous cafes, bars, pubs, and nightclubs.
In the warmer half of the year, the banks of the Ljubljanica and the old city squares come alive with chairs and tables from nearby cafes; this is the perfect place to relax after the almost obligatory Sunday market visit.
Descriptions
and photos of accommodation in Ljubljana can be found HERE.