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 archaeological remains of the Roman road once leading through the present-day museum. The museum also manages two archaeological parks, exhibiting the remains of the Roman city of Emona.

• Web:

  mgml.si/en/city-museum

• Address:

  Mestni muzej Ljubljana, Gosposka ulica 15, Ljubljana

• Phone:

  +386 1 241 25 00

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 10am–6pm, Mon closed

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 Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. It is considered a masterpiece of Secession architecture. Also, when completed, it was one of the first reinforced concrete bridges of contemporary Europe.

• Web:

  www.visitljubljana.com/en/poi/dragon-bridge

• Address:

  Zmajski most, Ljubljana

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 International Biennial of Graphic Arts, one of the most acclaimed graphic events worldwide, first organised in 1955.

• Web:

  mglc.si/en

• E-mail:

  info@mglc-lj.si

• Address:

  Mednarodni grafični likovni center, Tivoli Park, Pod Turnom 3, Ljubljana

• Phone:

  +386 1 241 38 00

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 10am–6pm, Mon closed

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 flowering species from tropical rainforests.

• Web:

  www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en

• Address:

  Botanični vrt Univerze v Ljubljani, Ižanska cesta 15, Ljubljana

• Phone:

  +386 1 427 12 80

• Opening hours:

  April through October: daily 7am–7pm; July through August: daily 7am–8pm; November through March: daily 7:30am–5pm.

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, various art exhibitions, a coffee shop, and two superb restaurants. The lookout tower offers a breathtaking panorama of Ljubljana. The castle can be reached by funicular or by tourist train during the warmer months.

• Web:

  www.ljubljanskigrad.si/en

• Address:

  Ljubljanski grad, Grajska planota 1, Ljubljana

• Phone:

  +386 1 306 42 93

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 Andrea Pozzo is adorned with frescoes by Giulio Quaglio and is considered one of the jewels of Baroque art. Also famous is its entrance door made in the 20th century. The carvings on the main door depict the history, while the postern doors are decorated with portraits of Slovene bishops and Jesus.

• Web:

  www.stolnica.com

• Address:

  Ljubljanska stolnica (Cerkev svetega Nikolaja), Dolničarjeva ulica 1, Ljubljana

• Phone:

  +386 1 234 26 90

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 Valvasor's legacy and the history of the castle itself.

• Web:

  www.bogensperk.si/en

• Address:

  Grad Bogenšperk, Bogenšperk 5, Šmartno pri Litiji

• Phone:

  +386 1 898 76 64

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 for children aged four and above. The park also offers unique overnight accommodation in the form of sleeping platforms and hanging beds in the trees.

• Web:

  pustolovski-park-geoss.si

• E-mail:

  info@pustolovski-park-geoss.si

• Address:

  Pustolovski park Geoss, Slivna 15, Vače

• Phone:

  +386 30 332 332

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 Franciscan monastery, and several works by architect Jože Plečnik. Kamnik serves as a base for exploring nearby attractions like Volčji Potok Arboretum, Terme Snovik health resort, Kamniška Bistrica valley, and the picturesque Velika Planina high mountain plateau.

• Web:

  www.visitkamnik.com/en

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 the valley to the famous Velika planina mountain plateau. The natural attractions in the valley include the main source of the river Kamniška Bistrica, the smaller Mali Izvirek spring, the Veliki Predaselj and Mali Predaselj gorges, and the Orglice waterfall.

• Web:

  www.visitljubljana.com/en/poi/kamniska-bistrica-valley

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 on a regular basis in winter. In summer a variety of activities are available there including a treetop climbing adventure park, mountain biking, downhill karting courses and hiking trails.

• Web:

  www.rtc-krvavec.si

• E-mail:

  info@rtc-krvavec.si

• Address:

  Grad 76, 4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem

• Phone:

  +386 (0)4 252 59 30

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 museums in Ljubljana and Vrhnika, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Activities at the Ljubljana Marshes include exploring nature educational trails on foot, cycling along quiet roads and gravel paths, swimming in the Podpeško lake, and bird watching at the Iški Morost Nature Reserve.

• Web:

  www.ljubljanskobarje.si

• Address:

  Ljubljansko barje

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.

• Web:

  www.anamonro.si/en/pillar/ana-desetnica

• Opening hours:

  July

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 creative workshops. In the event of bad weather, the event may be cancelled.

• Address:

  Breg (Ljubljanica River Bank), Ljubljana

• Opening hours:

  May through October: Sat 9am–4pm

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 products from everyday life on a global scale.

• Web:

  www.bio.si/en

• Address:

  Museum of Architecture & Design

• Opening hours:

  September & October of every even year

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.

• Web:

  mestozensk.org/en

• Opening hours:

  October

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 celebration held in the major squares of the city.

• Web:

  www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/sights-and-activities/highlights/december-in-ljubljana

• Address:

  Old City Centre

• Opening hours:

  3 December to 1 January

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 internationally-renowned authors determined to challenge the established principles of graphic art.

• Web:

  www.mglc-lj.si

• Address:

  International Centre of Graphic Arts & other locations

• Opening hours:

  September & October of every odd year