<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap-icons@1.10.3/font/bootstrap-icons.css" /> Ljubljana Travel: Discover Slovenia's Picturesque City | Keytours Vacations
Keytours Vacations logo
Home / Slovenia / Ljubljana

Explore Ljubljana and the Surrounding Beauty of Slovenia

Ljubljana is a very unique city dotted with pleasant picturesque places where you can expect nice surprises everywhere. During winter, its dreamy central European character prevails, and during summer its relaxed Mediterranean feel. Due to its geographical position, Ljubljana is a perfect base for exploring the many faces and beauties of Slovenia. Ljubljana's surrounding areas, packed with natural beauty and cultural sights bearing witness to the city's dynamic history, are renowned for their walking, hiking and cycle trails and traditional culinary delights.

Current Weather

49.48 °F - Clouds Min/Max: 48.33 °F / 51.57 °FFeels: 47.86 °F Humidity: 81%5 Day Forecast

Trips

Hotels

Activities

Transfers

Description

Ljubljana, nestled halfway between Vienna and Venice, is a city where diverse historic and cultural influences converge, echoing elements of both these iconic cities. This picturesque town, brimming with romantic allure, boasts an ancient city centre that's easily navigable on foot. The architecture here is profoundly shaped by the renowned Jože Plečnik, whose work has left an indelible mark on his city of birth, much like Gaudí's impact on Barcelona. Ljubljana's landscape is also adorned with medieval, Baroque, and Secessionist touches. The city's most iconic symbol, the dragons of the Dragon Bridge, stand guard over the town. Ljubljana exudes a laid-back, Mediterranean vibe, evident in the abundance of outdoor cafés, particularly along the Ljubljanica riverbanks, where people gather to unwind and soak in the views. The ancient city centre is a hub of constant activity, offering a rich cultural scene year-round, including numerous events. The warmer months bring free concerts, street performances, and various festivities. The city's culinary scene is exceptional, blending traditional recipes, locally-sourced organic produce, Mediterranean influences, and modern techniques from local chefs. Slovenian wines, known for their distinct natural flavours, are also a highlight. Situated at the heart of Slovenia, Ljubljana is a gateway to the country's natural wonders and famous landmarks, such as Lake Bled, Postojna Cave, the Slovenian Alps, the Karst region, and the coast of the Gulf of Trieste — all within easy reach.

Useful information

Population:

289,746

Currency:

Euro – €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Info:

Police: 113
Emergency telephone for ambulance, fire & rescue: 112
Traffic information — AMZS Road Assistance (Automobile Association of Slovenia): 1987

Opening Hours:

The majority of shops in the city centre of Ljubljana are open between Monday and Friday from 8.00am to 7.00pm, Saturday from 8.00am to 1.00pm. The shopping centres at the city’s outskirts are open between Monday and Saturday from 8.00am to 9.00pm, Sunday from 8.00am to 3.00pm.

Do & See

The City Museum of Ljubljana

City Museum of Ljubljana

The City Museum of Ljubljana boasts an extensive and rich permanent collection illustrating the history of Ljubljana since prehistoric times until today. The museum’s basement exhibits the archaeologi... Read More

Dragon Bridge

Dragon Bridge

The magnificent statues of dragons, which are the symbol of Ljubljana, are one of the main attractions of the city. The Dragon Bridge was constructed between 1900 and 1901 and was dedicated to the Aus... Read More

The International Centre of Graphic Arts

International Centre of Graphic Arts

One of the principal museums and exhibitions of art in Ljubljana is dedicated to graphic arts. It displays an extensive collective of graphics and modern works of art. The Museum also hosts the Intern... Read More

The Ljubljana Botanical Garden

Ljubljana Botanical Garden

One of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe is not particularly large, but is still home to a myriad of various plant species from around the world. Its tropical glasshouse hosts more than 380 flowe... Read More

Ljubljana Castle

Ljubljana Castle

Perched atop a hill overlooking the city, the magnificent medieval fortress provides a glimpse into the past through its reconstructed castle spaces, including a museum collection of Slovene history, ... Read More

Ljubljana Cathedral

Ljubljana Cathedral

St Nicholas’ Church, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ljubljana, was completed in its current form in 1701 on the foundations of an older church. The church built by the Jesuit architect ... Read More

Ljubljana Zoo

Ljubljana Zoo

Ljubljana Zoo, nestled in the pristine natural surroundings of Tivoli Park, Rožnik, and Šišenski hrib, is home to both native and exotic animals. The zoo is home to over 100 animal species and offers ... Read More

Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (MSUM)

Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (MSUM)

The Museum of Contemporary Art exhibits avant-garde art, part of the Arteast 2000+ international collection, as well as artwork by Slovene artists belonging to the national collection. The Arteast 200... Read More

Around Ljubljana

Bogenšperk Castle

Bogenšperk Castle & Museum

Bogenšperk Castle, once the residence of the renowned explorer and polymath Johann Weikhard von Valvasor (1672-1692), dates back to the 16th century. The castle's museum collection is dedicated to Val... Read More

Geoss Adventure Park

Geoss Adventure Park

The Geoss Adventure Park, located in the village of Slivna near Vače, features seven different climbing routes of varying difficulty levels, all set among the treetops. The easiest route is suitable f... Read More

family exploring Kamnik

Kamnik

Kamnik is among the most beautiful towns in Slovenia. Its old town is charming, rich in historical heritage, featuring the stately 14th-century Zaprice castle, remains of an even older one, a Francisc... Read More

Kamniška Bistrica Valley

Kamniška Bistrica Valley

The Kamniška Bistrica Valley is surrounded on all sides by peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and is the starting point for treks into this mountain range. The aerial cable car also takes visitors from ... Read More

cable cars over Krvavec ski resort

Krvavec

Krvavec ski resort, located just 25 kilometres away from Ljubljana, offers around 30 kilometres of ski runs at 1,450 metres to 1,971 metres above sea level. A special ski bus connects it to Ljubljana ... Read More

Ljubljana Marshes

Ljubljana Marshes

The Ljubljana Marshes, an area of wetlands and peat bogs, are known for their prehistoric pile dwellers and diverse flora and fauna. The archaeological heritage of these pile dwellers, displayed in mu... Read More

statue in Polhov Gradec

Polhov Gradec

Polhov Gradec, a charming village nestled beneath the Polhograjski Dolomiti hills, is renowned for its namesake mansion, hiking trails, and excellent local cuisine. The Polhov Gradec Mansion, dating b... Read More

Bistra Castle

Technical Museum of Slovenia in Bistra Castle

The Technical Museum of Slovenia, with its extensive collections of technological heritage, is located in the former Carthusian monastery in Bistra near Vrhnika. The museum's collections span various ... Read More

Events

Ana Desetnica Festival

Ana Desetnica Festival

Each year, street performers and acrobats from around the world descend on Ljubljana for a couple of days, putting on breathtaking performances.

Art Market Ljubljana

Art Market Ljubljana

Artists and designers of Ljubljana sell their artwork on stands in the old city centre. The market programme is often made even more diverse with the making of works of art on-the-spot as well as crea... Read More

art and design

BIO — Biennial of Design Ljubljana

The renowned biennial in Ljubljana has been since its very beginnings in 1964 highlighting the milestones of modern design, introducing new trends as well as the most exciting visual images and produc... Read More

woman holding an umbrella

City of Women

The international festival of modern art held annually since 1995 is an exhibition of socially-engaged creations of female artists from across the globe.

December in Ljubljana

December in Ljubljana

The festive fair in the beautifully decorated old city centre is accompanied by an extensive and diverse programme of various outdoor events without entrance fees. The climax is the New Year's Eve cel... Read More

International Biennial of Graphic Arts

International Biennial of Graphic Arts

The renowned Biennial of Graphic Arts in Ljubljana is one of the most recognisable and also the oldest events of its kind in the world. It was first held in 1955. Since then, it has hosted internation... Read More

International Festival “Druga godba”

International Festival Druga Godba

The world music Druga Godba festival is considered one of the best of its kind in Europe. Annually, it hosts the most creative performers from across the globe. The British based magazine Songlines ha... Read More

LIFFe - International Film Festival

LIFFe — Ljubljana International Film Festival

The Ljubljana Film Festival showcases the best works from the global film production industry of the previous year. During the festival, films from various competitive categories, as well as the accom... Read More

Dining

Cubo Restaurant

Cubo

Cubo is worth the trip from the city centre to the quieter areas of the city. The cooking team's unique approach combines exquisite dishes and culinary techniques from around the world, especially the... Read More

Culinary House of Manna

Culinary House of Manna

Manna is regarded as one of Ljubljana's top restaurants, known for its high quality and popular demand. Their unique menu mainly showcases the cuisine of Slovenia's Istria, the Adriatic region with it... Read More

terrace at Druga Violina

Druga Violina

Druga Violina is a socially responsible restaurant that employs individuals with special needs. It serves traditional Slovene dishes and is part of the Taste Ljubljana project, which focuses on revivi... Read More

chefs at Gostilna Belšak

Gostilna Belšak at Slavkov dom

This restaurant in a hidden corner not far from Ljubljana is housed in a renovated mountain hut and offers a pleasant atmosphere. Their menu is based on Slovenian traditional dishes with an emphasis o... Read More

set tables at Gostilna Mihovec

Gostilna Mihovec

Gostilna Mihovec, in the village of Zgodnje Pirniče near Ljubljana, is a classic Slovenian country inn with a modern twist. It's a family affair, with most ingredients for their seasonal menus coming ... Read More

Na Gradu Restaurant

Gostilna na Gradu

Gostilna na Gradu offers top-quality culinary delights at reasonable prices in the welcoming setting of Ljubljana Castle. The restaurant is a collaboration between three of Slovenia's leading chefs, a... Read More

Gostilna pri Kuklju

Gostilna pri Kuklju

Gostilna pri Kuklju is a family-run spot with roots in the 19th century. They serve top-notch traditional Slovene dishes. A must-try is their famous potica, a yeast-dough cake with a choice of filling... Read More

cheerful staff at Gostilna Repnik

Gostilna Repnik

This cosy countryside restaurant near Kamnik, on the way to Tuhinj Valley, dishes up traditional Slovenian fare, top-notch wines from our cellar, and local favourites like Prince's game goulash and Tu... Read More

Cafés

Cacao Café

Cacao

Cacao, one of the city's most popular confectionery shops, is just a few steps from the Triple Bridge. It has a cosy summer garden with a view of the famous Plečnik arcades. The café offers homemade i... Read More

tea

Cha Tea House

Čajna hiša Cha is one of Ljubljana's favourite tearooms and a perfect spot to relax with a cup of tea while watching the townspeople go by. They offer a wide selection of over 80 different varieties o... Read More

Daktari interior with bookshelves

Daktari

Daktari maintains a charming ambiance and an old-time atmosphere, designed to resemble a cosy living room where old friends meet. It offers guests authentic Turkish coffee, masala tea, and a wide choi... Read More

Fetiche Patisserie

Fetiche Patisserie & Fetiche Bar

Fetiche is a cocktail bar and French pâtisserie situated on Cankarjevo nabrežje, the most popular promenade along the Ljubljanica riverbanks. Its garden enjoys a sunny spot with a pleasant view, and t... Read More

Castle Café

Grajska Kavarna

The café at Ljubljana Castle features a garden in the castle yard and offers a quality selection of ice cream and homemade desserts, warm drinks, cocktails, and Slovene wines.

desserts at Kavarna Zvezda

Kavarna Zvezda at Hotel Slon

Kavarna Zvezda, located in the lobby of Best Western Hotel Slon, is a branch of the popular chain of coffee shops, known for serving some of the best ice creams, cakes, and other desserts in the city.... Read More

interior of Le Petit Café

Le Petit Café

The café, restaurant, and breakfast bar at the French Revolution Square are styled in a French manner. The café serves croissants, a wide selection of chocolates, warm drinks, snacks, and à la carte i... Read More

Lolita

Lolita

The Lolita pastry shop, situated at the beginning of the famous Ljubljanica promenade, boasts a modern atmosphere and a diverse selection of exquisite cakes, pies, and other desserts. Options include ... Read More

Bars & Nightlife

Cirkus klub

Cirkus Club

One of the city's most popular clubs is located in a former cinema auditorium. Its programme is diverse, covering nearly every sub-genre of electronic dance music. Cirkus occasionally hosts some of th... Read More

outdoor terrace at Cutty Sark

Cutty Sark Pub

Cutty Sark is a classic English pub, popular among locals for its lively parties and live music events, featuring DJs and live acts. It offers a variety of local and imported beers, along with a selec... Read More

woman drinking a stout

Harat's Pub

Harat's is a typical Irish pub, offering a wide selection of beers from local and international breweries. The pub also serves a good choice of Irish and British pub-type dishes. They often host event... Read More

Klub K4

K4 Club

Ljubljana's most renowned club for electronic dance music has been thriving for 25 years. Throughout this time, it has hosted performances by world-famous DJs and local artists alike. Many performers ... Read More

Kino Šiška

Kino Šiška

Kino Šiška, the centre for urban culture, is one of the city's top concert venues, regularly hosting renowned performers of indie rock, electronic music, metal, and other genres of modern urban music.... Read More

Metelkova

Metelkova

Metelkova, the hub of alternative culture that evolved from a squat in a former barracks, is one of the most unique and lively areas in Ljubljana, bustling with activity. Besides concerts, DJ evenings... Read More

Orto bar

Orto Bar

Orto bar is the city's premier rock club, hosting live concerts and music evenings. Alongside local bands, well-known rock bands from around the world regularly perform on its stage during their tours... Read More

interior of As restaurant

Pop’s Aperitivo

Pop’s Aperitivo, situated at the picturesque Knafljev prehod, is renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine and an excellent wine selection. Its glazed and heated conservatory is known for evening events,... Read More

Shopping

BTC City

BTC City

BTC City, once a site of public warehouses on the eastern edge of Ljubljana, is one of the largest shopping complexes in Europe. In addition to numerous shops featuring Slovene and international brand... Read More

Galerija Emporium

Galerija Emporium

Galerija Emporium is a luxurious fashion department store in the city centre at Prešeren Square. It is housed in a beautifully renovated Secession palace, once the site of Ljubljana's first department... Read More

Galerija idrijske čipke – Idrija Lace Gallery

Idrija Lace Gallery

Idrija lace is one of Slovenia's oldest crafts with a proud tradition. The famous Idrija Lace School has been operating since 1876. Galerija idrijske čipke sells original lace products, crafted by the... Read More

Kraševka

Kraševka

Kraševka sells food products from the Karst, a unique region known for its natural and cultural landmarks, and especially famous for its delicacies. On offer are the famous Karst prosciutto, wines, sp... Read More

Laura Etno galerija

Laura Etno Galerija

The 'etno-gallery' Laura offers a wide range of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. Unique handiworks in ceramic, glass, porcelain, stone, and wood from renowned Slovenian artists and design... Read More

Ljubljana Central Market

Ljubljana Central Market

Ljubljana Central Market is a colourful and lively place, always buzzing with activity. At the market, visitors are able to purchase local products and foods, famous throughout Slovenia. Simultaneousl... Read More

Maximarket

Maximarket

Maximarket is the largest shopping centre directly in the city centre. In addition to clothing by renowned brands, cosmetics, footwear, accessories, and food, Maximarket's offerings also include two r... Read More

Mercator Shopping centre

Mercator Center Ljubljana

Mercator Center Ljubljana is a shopping centre with over 60 commercial establishments, including shops, restaurants, and service providers offering goods and services from Slovenian and international ... Read More

Tourist Information

airport terminal

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU)

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (Brnik) lies 26 kilometres from Ljubljana. A regular bus route, shuttles, private minibuses and taxis connect the airport to the city.

public bus in Ljubljana

Public Transport

Public transport is provided by urban and suburban buses of Ljubljanski potniški promet (LPP). The bus fare is paid via the Urbana stored-value card (card price €2.00 + bus fare). One bus fare equals ... Read More

two cyclists on rental bicycles

BicikeLJ Bicycle Sharing

The BicikeLJ system is comprised of numerous automatic bicycle rental terminals. Bicycle rental is free-of-charge, though restricted to one hour per bicycle. Before the hour expires, you can return th... Read More

European power adapter

Electricity

In Slovenia, power plugs and sockets in Slovenia are type F, with two round prongs/holes. The standard voltage is 220–230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.

retro rotary phone

Telephone

Country code for Slovenia: +386 Regional code for Ljubljana: (0)1

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Ljubljana is during the late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October). During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the city hosts numerous cultural events and festivals. Summer is also popular, but it can be crowded with tourists.

A stay of 2 to 3 days in Ljubljana is ideal to explore the city's main attractions, enjoy its vibrant cultural scene, and take a day trip to nearby destinations like Lake Bled or the Postojna Cave.

Key attractions in Ljubljana include the iconic Ljubljana Castle, the picturesque Triple Bridge, and the historic Old Town. Don't miss the Central Market and the stunning architecture of Jože Plečnik, such as the National and University Library.

Ljubljana is a compact city, making it easy to explore on foot. Alternatively, you can use the city's efficient public transportation system, which includes buses and a bike-sharing program called BicikeLJ. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available.

Ljubljana offers a variety of traditional Slovenian dishes. Be sure to try 'žganci' (a buckwheat dish), 'kranjska klobasa' (Carniolan sausage), and 'potica' (a rolled pastry with various fillings). The city also has a vibrant street food scene.

Ljubljana hosts several cultural events throughout the year, such as the Ljubljana Festival, which features music, theater, and dance performances from June to September. The Dragon Carnival in February is also a colorful and lively event worth experiencing.

Ljubljana is an excellent base for day trips to stunning natural and cultural sites. Popular options include visiting Lake Bled, exploring the Škocjan Caves, or discovering the charming town of Piran on the Adriatic coast.

Vacation Planner Banner