How we spent two days in Ljubljana
We spent two days in Ljubljana as part of a longer trip through Central Europe and it ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the trip. It's a city that doesn't need a huge list of attractions to win you over. Instead, it's all about pretty streets, riverside cafés, colourful architecture, and a slower pace of life. If you're planning a trip to Slovenia, here's everything you need to know about our time in Ljubljana.
Where is Ljubljana?
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, a small country in Central Europe bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia.
It’s a small, colourful, and very walkable city, with a pretty old town, a river running through the centre, and the Alps within easy reach. It feels like the kind of place you can get to know quickly, which makes it perfect for a short city break or a stop on a longer Europe trip.
How to get to Ljubljana
You can fly directly to Ljubljana from some UK airports, though routes vary depending on the season. If flights don’t work for your dates, it’s also easy to reach Ljubljana by train or bus from nearby countries including Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary.
We visited as part of a longer trip through Europe, so Ljubljana fitted naturally into our route after Italy. If you’re travelling by land, it’s a really easy city to add between places like Venice, Zagreb, Vienna, or Budapest. We caught a bus from Venice which took about three hours.
Where to stay in Ljubljana
We stayed at Zabjak5 - Ljubljana Suites, which was a great base for exploring the city. Ljubljana is small enough that you don’t need to worry too much about staying right beside every attraction, but I would recommend staying close to the old town or somewhere within walking distance of the river. Most of the main sights are clustered together, so if you’re central, you can explore almost everything on foot.
What are the best things to see and do in Ljubljana?
Ljubljana is one of those cities that’s more about wandering than ticking off a huge list of attractions. You can see most of the main sights in a day or two, but it’s worth leaving time to sit by the river, stop for coffee, and enjoy the city slowly.
These were some of the best things we saw in Ljubljana:
Ljubljana Castle Funicular Railway (Vzpenjača na Ljubljanski grad)
Ljubljana Castle
Cankarjevo nabrežje (a street full of riverside bars)
Triple Bridge (Tromostovje)
Franciscan Church of the Annunciation (Frančiškanska cerkev Marijinega oznanjenja)
Hauptmann House
Vurnikova hiša (a bright building near the town centre)
The Cyanometer
Robbov vodnjak fountain
Saint Nicholas' Cathedral (Stolnica Sv. Nikolaj)
Ključavničarska ulica
AKC Metelkova mesto
Trubarjeva cesta (one of the city's oldest streets)
A day trip to Lake Bled
The castle is probably the most obvious place to start, especially if it’s your first time in the city. You can either walk up or take the funicular, which is quick, easy, and gives you lovely views as you climb above the old town.
The riverfront is another highlight. Cankarjevo nabrežje is lined with cafés, restaurants, and bars, and it’s the kind of place that makes Ljubljana feel instantly relaxed. The Triple Bridge, pink Franciscan Church, and colourful old buildings are all close by, so you don’t need much of a plan.
For something a bit different, head to AKC Metelkova mesto, a former military barracks turned alternative cultural space covered in street art. It’s very different from the polished centre of Ljubljana and worth seeing if you like places with a more creative, slightly chaotic feel.
How to get to Lake Bled from Ljubljana
Lake Bled is one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Ljubljana. You can book an organised day trip, but it’s also very simple to go by bus from the main bus terminal in town. The journey usually takes around an hour, sometimes a little longer depending on the service, and tickets cost about €6.50 each way. But be aware you can only pay in cash, whether you pay at the terminal or with the driver as you embark.
The bus drops you very close to the lake, so you don’t need to worry about taxis or complicated transfers once you arrive. If you only have two days in Ljubljana, I’d still try to make time for Lake Bled because it’s just as beautiful as everyone says.
Where to eat and drink in Ljubljana
Ljubljana has a much better food and drink scene than I expected for such a small city. There are plenty of traditional Slovenian restaurants, riverside bars, and relaxed cafés where you can sit outside and people-watch.
Some of the places we tried or had on our list were:
Slovenska Hiša - relaxed riverside bar
Nebotičnik - Skyscraper roof bar
Mala Terasa - great for a healthy lunch
Slovenska hiša Ljubljančanka - popular for traditional food
GOSTILNA VIDA
Nebotičnik is worth visiting for the views alone. It’s a skyscraper with a rooftop bar, so it’s a lovely place to go for a drink and see the city from above.
Slovenska Hiša is a good option if you want to try Slovenian food in a central location (but you may have to queue), while the riverside spots are perfect for a drink or casual meal after a day of walking.
Is Ljubljana cheap?
Yes, but it was more expensive than I expected, especially for food and drink in the city centre.
It’s definitely not as expensive as places like Switzerland, Scandinavia, or major Western European capitals, but I wouldn’t describe Ljubljana as a super cheap city break either.
Accommodation can be fairly reasonable, and you can keep costs down by eating away from the main riverside restaurants, but prices in the most central areas are higher than you might expect.
Is Ljubljana safe?
Yes, Ljubljana felt very safe. The city is small, calm, and easy to walk around, and we didn’t feel uncomfortable at any point. As with any city, it’s still sensible to keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas, especially around transport stations or tourist spots, but overall Ljubljana felt like one of the safest European capitals we’ve visited.
When is the best time of year to go to Ljubljana?
The best time to visit Ljubljana is spring, early summer, or early autumn.
April to June is a lovely time to go because the weather is mild, the city feels fresh and green, and it’s warm enough to sit outside without the peak summer crowds. September and October are also great months, especially if you want cooler weather and autumn colours.
July and August are warmer and busier, but still good if you’re combining Ljubljana with Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, or hiking in Slovenia. Winter can also be very pretty, especially if you like Christmas markets and cosy city breaks, but you’ll need to wrap up warm.
Is Ljubljana, Slovenia in the EU?
Yes, Slovenia is in the EU, and its official currency is the euro. Slovenia is also part of the Schengen Area, which means that if you enter from another Schengen country, such as Italy, you usually won’t need to show your passport at a land border. We travelled into Slovenia as part of a wider Europe trip, and it was very easy to move between countries by train and bus.
Should you visit Ljubljana?
Yes, definitely. Ljubljana is small, pretty, safe, and easy to explore in a short amount of time.
It may not have the huge list of world-famous attractions you’ll find in cities like Rome, Paris, or Barcelona, but that’s part of the appeal. It’s relaxed, walkable, and a brilliant base for seeing more of Slovenia.
If you’re planning a longer trip through Europe, I’d really recommend adding Ljubljana to your route – especially if you can combine it with a day trip to Lake Bled.
What to pack for a weekend in Ljubljana
We visited Ljubljana in May and the weather was on our side. We arrived to glorious sunshine in the city and the next day on our trip to the lake it was overcast but still warm and dry. But be sure to check the forecast before packing for your trip.
This is what I packed for two days in Slovenia:
Two t-shirts
A shirt
A light jumper
A pair of jeans
A pair of shorts
A pair of trainers
A pair of sandals
A cap
Sunglasses
Daily toiletries + SPF
Find out more about our trip around Europe here.