A Little Charm… Exploring Europe’s Cutest City: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Last updated on August 2, 2025 by Shannon

When I visited Slovenia, I was unsure how much time to spend in the country. You don’t hear much about visiting Slovenia, and maybe even less about Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital city.

I visited Slovenia near the mid-point of my year of round the world travels, and it was exactly the spot my mind, body, and adventurous spirit needed to break the rapid pace of my past eight months on the road.

My friend Jenn visited me in Italy just before I ventured into Slovenia—that marked a firm date firm date that I needed to leave Southeast Asia for Europe. But once in Europe, I had three months to make my way from Southern Europe to Edinburgh, Scotland for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

On my first day in Ljubljana, I loved everything about the city. I extended my stay from the planned four days, and instead decided to spend two full weeks dedicated to finding the best things to do in Ljubljana—what must be Europe’s cutest (and definitely the hardest to pronounce!) capital city.

What to Know About Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia is part of the European Union, which surprises some people who could scarcely point to it on a map, and that means you’ll use the Euro during your time in the country. And while they speak Slovenian there, tourists can easily navigate with English—this is particularly true in touristy areas.

Want to know a bit more about Slovenia? Let’s cover a run down of fun facts to answer questions most travelers have about Slovenia, but are too shy to ask outright.

How do you pronounce Ljubljana? 

For non-slavic language speakers, the jumble of consonants makes the word Ljubljana appear harder to pronounce than it is. It’s pronounced lube-lee-AH-nah, with the “lj” parts rolling a bit like the middle of the English word “million.” This video will get you sorted out.

Where is Slovenia located?

Located southern Central Europe, many travelers are surprised that major European countries border it: Italy, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and the Adriatic Sea. This position makes it very easy to slip Slovenia into any conventional European backpacking or road trip.

Is Slovenia Worth Visiting?

Despite being one of the smallest countries in Europe, Slovenia packs an incredible variety of landscapes within its borders. From the stunning Julian Alps in the northwest, featuring majestic peaks and crystal-clear lakes such as Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, to the picturesque coastal region along the Adriatic Sea, and the enchanting karst region with its underground caves and karstic phenomena like the famous Postojna Cave and Škocjan Caves.

Slovenia’s compact size is its best feature for travelers, you can experience diverse natural beauty in a relatively small area.

How to Travel Responsibly in Slovenia

Slovenia has made a strong commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental conservation. In 2016, it became the world’s first country to be declared a Green Destination by the Netherlands-based organization Green Destinations.

The country offers well-preserved nature, clean air, and numerous protected areas. As a responsible traveler, you can take part in eco-friendly activities such as hiking, cycling, and exploring nature parks, while also savoring organic and locally sourced cuisine.

What Makes Slovenia Unique for Travelers?

Despite its small size, Slovenia boasts a rich cultural heritage influenced by its location at the crossroads of different European cultures. The country’s history is shaped by Roman, Celtic, Slavic, and Habsburg influences, among others.

Travelers can explore well-preserved medieval towns like Ljubljana, with its castle, bridges, and vibrant atmosphere. (Slovenia is also home to a significant number of other castles outside of Ljubljana, including Predjama Castle, perched on a cliffside, and Bled Castle, offering breathtaking views of Lake Bled.)

And the culture in Slovenia is unique to other places—locals take great pride in their traditional customs, folk dances, and vibrant festivals, and you’re never far from good music and a good time.

Best Things to Do in Ljubljana

One of the reasons I extended my stayed in Ljubljana was the sheer number of things to do. Europe does livable cities very well, and Ljubljana is no exception. It boasts beautiful parks, plentiful restaurants, and great weather. It’s clean city, painted with a pastel palette and a charming vibe.

And if you visit during the summer, unique events and festivals take place nearly every week. With the Ana Desetnica Street Theatre Festival starting just a few days after I had planned to leave, it seemed silly to seek greener pastures.

Although I spent a good deal of time doing non-touristy things with my couch-surfing hosts (they took me to a huge movie theatre playing Terminator, Star Trek, I Love You Man, and the latest Harry Potter), I also spent days trying out restaurants, wandering the city, and enjoying all that Ljubljana offers visitors.

With cobbled streets and dragon-guarded bridges, Slovenia’s capital city is one of the loveliest places I’ve yet visited on my world travels.

Take in the Vibes Along the Ljubljanica River

Buy an ice cream and wander along the picturesque banks of the Ljubljanica River, lined with colorful buildings and outdoor cafés. Take in the charming atmosphere and admire the city’s famous Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge, adorned with dragon statues. Marvel at these huge dragons, undoubtedly the most iconic image of Ljubljana, and geek out on Greek mythology since these are the dragons from Jason and The Argonauts. This area makes for a great leisurely walk in the evenings, where you can sip a cold craft beer at dusk on a cobbled street.

Scenic boat tours also run along the Ljubljanica River all day throughout the summer, and stand up paddle-boarding along the river is surprisingly popular. Seeing Ljubljana from the water is a fun way to admire the pretty architecture from a different perspective.

Use Viator and GetYourGuide to book excursions like this so you can check ratings and book in advance to ensure a spot.

Stroll Uphill to Ljubljana Castle

Set high above the city on a hill overlooking it, Ljubljana Castle is an iconic spot with panoramic views of the Ljubljana skyline. While the views are enough to warrant the trip, you can also visit historical exhibits and learn about the castle’s past. If you’re not up for the walk uphill to the castle, ride the funicular instead.

And if you’re traveling with kids, this is one of the more fun things to do, actually! While most kids would roll their eyes at another castle while traveling in Europe, Ljublijana Castle has a couple of neat interactive experiences you can layer over your castle visit. You can play an “escape room” style game with challenges you solve as you wander. Adults can book wine and food tastings too. More on that here.

Enjoy Prešeren Square

The main square of Ljubljana was named after Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren. Prešeren Square right in the heart of Old Town, so you’ll likely walk through it more than once. Snap some photos of the magnificent Franciscan Church, known for its distinctive pink facade.

The square boasts both a lively ambiance and the famous Prešeren Monument, which is an easy meeting point for locals and is where most of the free walking tours in the city start. (This free walking tour is really terrific.)

Wander Through the Central Market

I love a good market, and that proves true in Ljubljana as well. Tap into the local culture at the Central Market, located by the Triple Bridge. Spend a morning browsing stalls chock full of fresh produce, local products, and even handicrafts if you’re looking for fun souvenirs.

The market is also a good spot to sample traditional Slovenian delicacies like potica (a tasty rolled pastry with walnuts) and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The Plecnik Covered Market sells cheese and bread—buy some and then head to the park to enjoy it.

Enjoy an Afternoon at Tivoli Park

As the largest park in the city, there’s a lot of space for people to spread out and enjoy nature. Escape to Tivoli Park at least one morning on your trip, it’s a serene green oasis right in the heart of the city. It’s a great place for a leisurely walk, or you can rent a from the tourist center and enjoy the cycling paths all throughout Tivoli Park—I really enjoyed doing this on multiple days!

No matter which option you choose, pack some snacks or a picnic lunch so you can enjoy the well-manicured gardens. There’s naturally playgrounds for kids, with the fountains and sculptures nearby that even kids will get a kick out of admiring.

Sample a Little Slovenia Culture

If you’re an arts and culture lover, then you have some options. The city has two notable museums—the National Museum of Slovenia features archaeological artifacts and historical exhibits, while the Museum of Illusions is fun for families given its optical illusions and interactive displays. You can run through in about an hour, so it’s easy to slip into your day if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Ljubljana.

You could also attend a performance at the Ljubljana Opera House. Depending on your dates, you could catch a ballet, opera, or theater performance showcasing local and international talent. The venue is lovely, and it’s a beautiful way to get to know more of Slovenia’s the rich culture.

Admire the Street Art in Metelkova Mesto

Even on a short time frame in Ljubljana, you should walk through the vibrant and alternative Metelkova Mesto cultural center. Metelkova features a range of beautiful street art at the abandoned military barracks, and more formal work at the Galerija Alkatraz art gallery.

The old military complex was transformed into an artistic hub and you’ll love the colorful street art, galleries, and live music performances in the evenings at many venues. It’s the most hipster area of town and a must-visit.

Eat All of the Things Ljubljana Offers

Among the many reasons to stay as long as possible in Ljubljana is because it has a truly astonishing food scene for such a small city. The vibrant food scene of course offers traditional Slovenian cuisine, which should be sampled.

Try local dishes such as štruklji (rolled dumplings) and potica (walnut roll). And then get your fill of topnotch international cuisines, including Mediterranean, Asian, and fusion restaurants.

Then stop eating at restaurants and cafes and eat the street food. Visit the Open Kitchen street market, which is a fun food experiment that’s now been running every summer for more than a decade in Ljubljana.

It’s open every sunny Friday of March through November between 10 am and 9 pm (sometimes 10 pm), and it’s a lively food scene with the occasional visit from some of Slovenia’s top chefs.

The Best Festivals & Special Events in Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a fast-growing city and the tourism vibe has changed significantly since 2009, when I first visited. Although the summer festivals are the ones most noted and attended by international travelers, the city offers year-round events and shows.

It’s worth checking the city’s official event calendar to see what might be happening while you’re in town, or this is a long list of annual events. Here are a few that are on my radar as worth visiting:

• Ana Desetnica Street Theatre Festival: A massive event that takes over many parts of the city and takes places in parks, on sidewalks, and just about anywhere you could imagine. (Check the dates here, it’s usually late June/early July)
• Nights in Ljubljana Old Town: My good friends attended this music festival and it’s a chill few days and an easy excuse to enjoy the laid-back charm of Old Town.
• Ljubljana Summer Festival: Hosting outdoor concerts and shows throughout the late summer, there’s always a number of fun things to enjoy.
• City of Women – International Festival of Contemporary Arts: Taking place in October, this is one I’d love to visit one day as there are a number of amazing shows and events hosted every year.

Best Day and Weekend Trips from Ljubljana

One of Ljubljana’s most compelling features is that it’s the capital of a tiny, beautiful country that has a ton of adventurous activities in every direction. Thanks to my couch-surfing hosts, I took a road-trip into Eastern Slovenia on my first weekend.

In the following three weeks, my cousin and I visited beautiful Lake Bled and even took a day-trip to into the Triglav National Park, which included rafting on the Soča River. Here are a few other ideas and links to research day trips in the area:

• Road trip to Lake Bled.
• Discover the hell caves and Roman necropolis to the east.
• Explore the Vipava Valley and Goriska Brda.
• Marvel at the beauty of the Soca Valley and Vrśič Pass.
• Plan a 10-day road-trip of the country’s highlights.
• Visit Piran and enjoy a day of coastal views.

I use Viator and GetYourGuide to book my day trips—this is a great way to visit some of the gorgeous places outside of Ljubljana if you’re short on time and can’t actually stay in the Lake Bled area, for example.

How to Eat Vegetarian in Slovenia

After the dearth of vegetarian food in Bosnia, I was hopeful that Slovenia would offer a different fare. And it delivered! In fact, Slovenia is down-right vegetarian friendly. A number of restaurants easily offered vegetarian dishes, and Ljubljana sports a number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants.

There are a number of vegetarian snacks and dishes that you can find most anywhere, this includes the ever-present burek (which is what I ate nearly every day in Bosnia), ravioli and pasta dishes from nearby Italy, štruklji rolled dough dishes, pizzas, and a plethora of fresh fruit and vegetables from the market.

Friends who visited in the years after I left share that there’s an entire gourmet vegetarian food scene now, and even a vegetarian food walk that would make a fantastic first-day activity for any vegetarian traveling through the country.

With just a few weeks in all of Slovenia, it’s amazing how quickly I came to love this tiny country. Like Bosnia & Herzegovina, I consider Slovenia a sleeper-hit from my year of exploring. I hadn’t expected it would be such a lovely, lovely country.

How to Plan Your Travels in Ljubljana, Slovenia

When to Visit

Ljubljana is beautiful year-round, but the city has a particularly vibrant summer scene. During the warm summer months you can relax in the parks or along the riverfront right alongside locals.

Always be prepared for rain though. I always have a lightweight jacket packed into my bag during my travels for days when rain is forecast. One of the festival nights was rained out, but we all sat in the rain and watched the show anyhow!

Where to Stay

The city has an excellent selection of hostels—I use Booking.com whenever I’m in Europe as it has the best selection of well-reviewed hotels, so you can know what you’re booking before you arrive! If you use either of these links, you can also receive a discount on your first booking!

Books to Read Before Visiting

For cultural reading before you visit Slovenia—which you should always do!—read the beautiful memoir Forbidden Bread or find a copy of The Golden Bird: Folk Tales from Slovenia.

Use the Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia guide to plan your visit (although I usually love Lonely Planet guides, this one has more local festival knowledge and better transport details, too). I also have free a Croatia Travel Guide and Bosnia Travel Guide if you’re planning onward travels!

** I sadly lost many of my Slovenia photos due to a hard-drive crash a week after I left Slovenia. These are Creative Commons photos from Zairon and Sami C.