7 reasons to visit Ljubljana

The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is the perfect European city break for a long weekend. The old town is adorable, there’s an alternative area to give it some edge, there’s a real bucket list day trip on your doorstep and the city symbol is a dragon – what’s not to love?

Here are seven reasons to take a city break to Ljubljana.

1. Ljubljana’s old town is straight out of a fairytale

Ljubljana is just impossibly gorgeous. Pastel-coloured buildings, beautiful bridges, quaint squares; the old town in Ljubljana is small but magical. The scene of the Tromostovje triple bridge with Prešernov trg square and the pink Marijinega church in the background is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It’s so perfect, it just doesn’t seem real.

The Triple Bridge and the Ljubljanica river
The Triple Bridge and the Ljubljanica river
Looking up towards the castle
Looking up towards the castle

As if the old town wasn’t enough, Ljubljana is crowned with a castle that looks like something a child might draw. Up on the hill (these days you can get there using the funicular train) is a medieval fortress complete with turrets and ramparts – all it’s missing is a maiden to be rescued. The castle was closed for a film festival when I visited but it’s open for visits most of the year.

The view over Ljubljana from the castle
The view over Ljubljana from the castle
The walls of Ljubljana Castle
The walls of Ljubljana Castle

2. There are dragons everywhere

The Ljubljana dragon appears all over the city, from postcards, to car registration plates, to the four huge dragons and sixteen smaller dragons who guard the appropriately-named Dragon Bridge.

One of the twenty dragons that guard Dragon Bridge
One of the twenty dragons that guard Dragon Bridge

Ljubljana’s obsession with dragons officially dates back to the Baroque era, when a dragon became the symbol of the city, but the legend goes back much further. Ancient Greek hero Jason (the one with the Argonauts) fled from the Black Sea after stealing the Golden Fleece. They eventually ended up at the source of the Ljubljanica river, where Jason battled and killed a ferocious dragon. Jason is now hailed as the first citizen of Ljubljana.

3. Ljubljana is really walkable

All the major attractions in Ljubljana are within a really small area, so everything’s just a short stroll away. With the exception of getting to Lake Bled (more on that later), you probably won’t need to use public transport at all during your stay in Ljubljana.

A picturesque square in the old town
A picturesque square in the old town

4. There’s an edgy, alternative district, Metelkova

If it’s all got too cutesy for you, take a walk north east of the old town to Metelkova. Metelkova is an alternative community and series of cultural spaces set in an old army barracks complex, reminiscent of Christiania in Copenhagen and Užupis in Vilnius.

Metelkova. Photo by Stevekeiretsu on Flickr, licenced under Creative Commons https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevekeiretsu/
Metelkova. Photo by Stevekeiretsu on Flickr, licenced under Creative Commons https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevekeiretsu/

If you visit Metelkova during the day you might think it’s still abandoned, but at night it comes to life. Metelkova hosts over 1500 events each year, from concerts and workshops to club nights and theatre.

5. Lake Bled is a really easy day trip

Even if you haven’t considered visiting Ljubljana, you might have seen pictures of Lake Bled. One of the most beautiful spots in Europe, the combination of turquoise water, wooded shores, an island with a fairytale church in the centre, and all watched over by a medieval castle is bewitching.

Lake Bled is a really easy day trip from Ljubljana
Lake Bled is a really easy day trip from Ljubljana

Getting to Lake Bled from Ljubljana is really easy. Regular buses leave from outside the main railway station and take around one hour 20 minutes. They can get really busy at peak times though, so make sure you get to the bus station well before the bus leaves.

6. You can visit a mini Empire State Building

In such a picturesque city, visiting a skyscraper might not be high on your list. But you shouldn’t miss visiting Slovenia’s first skyscraper when you visit Ljubljana. Nebotičnik was built in the early 1930s (construction started in 1931, the same year as the Empire State Building was completed).

It might not look like it, but Nebotičnik was once one of the tallest buildings in Europe
It might not look like it, but Nebotičnik was once one of the tallest buildings in Europe
The view from the bar and viewing platform at the top of Ljubljana's Skyscraper is absolutely stunning
The view from the bar and viewing platform at the top of Ljubljana’s Skyscraper is stunning

Nebotičnik has only 13 floors, so it’s very small by today’s standards, but when it was built it was the tallest building in Yugoslavia, the 9th tallest skyscraper in Europe and the tallest residential building in Europe. At the top there’s a lovely bar with observation deck; from here you can get gorgeous views over the old town, the river and Ljubljana Castle.

7. There’s plenty of things to do…

…but not so much that you won’t have time to relax. In some cities there’s so much to do that you can end up racing from sight to sight, museum to gallery, until it’s time to rush back to the airport. Part of the charm of Ljubljana is that it isn’t like that. There’s enough to do that you’ll never be at risk of getting bored, but it’s also a wonderful place just to chill out.

The bridges of Ljubljana at night
The bridges of Ljubljana at night
Graffiti in Ljubljana
Graffiti in Ljubljana

Wander through the old town, relax at a riverside café, hang out with the stunning view at Nebotičnik – all must-dos in Ljubljana. Even a trip to Lake Bled is utterly idyllic and relaxing. Romantic, restorative and dreamy; that’s Ljubljana.

Have you been to Ljubljana?

7 reasons to visit fairytale Ljubljana
7 reasons you should visit Ljubljana
Here be dragons: visiting Ljubljana

Save for later or share with a friend

15 thoughts on “7 reasons to visit Ljubljana”

  1. Ljubljana is so beautiful. I visited back in January for a week. But since it was a work trip, I only had the evenings to explore. But totally agree, just walking it all is perfect.
    Would love to go and see Lake Bled, unfortunately didn’t get the chance at the time. But gives me a good reason to come back

    Reply
  2. I was in Ljubljana many years ago and I trust it became only more awesome since then. Thanks for the detailed information and beautiful photos.

    Reply
    • I held out for a while but those pictures of Lake Bled and the bridges in Ljubljana actually forced me to book a plane ticket 🙂

      Reply
  3. Looks beautiful! I have never visited Slovenia but you’ve now put it firmly on my “To Visit”’list. Went to Tallinn in November last year & this looks equally as magical!

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.