Ljubljana is the capital metropolis of Slovenia, in Central Europe and one of many 11 international locations of The Balkans.
With an outdated city, a fortress, a river working proper via the middle, and an up-and-coming meals and low scene, listed here are 15 issues to do in Ljubljana to introduce you to Slovenia and encourage additional travels throughout the nation.
How you can Get to Ljubljana
Ljubljana is well accessible from many different international locations because it borders Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungary. It’s additionally straightforward to journey to Ljubljana from different elements of Slovenia because the nation has an intensive bus and prepare system and Ljubljana is a busy hub for transportation.
As well as, you may attain town by airplane through the worldwide airport, Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport.
Greatest Ljubljana Issues to Do
All of those following 15 locations are straightforward to succeed in by foot as a result of Ljubljana is such a walkable metropolis aside from the day journeys which you may get to by your individual rental automotive, bus or guided tour.
There’s sufficient Ljubljana actions to spend 3 days within the metropolis however Slovenia as a rustic has quite a bit to supply so it’s positively value visiting extra of Slovenia finest locations. However not earlier than you discover the capital metropolis. So right here’s the highest recommendations for what to do in Ljubljana!
Stroll Via the Previous City
Strolling the outdated cities of any European metropolis is all the time a deal with and Ljubljana outdated city is not any totally different.
Right here you may admire the Artwork Nouveau structure, soak within the ambiance, people-watch, cross the bridges, spot geese and nutrias within the river, take a guided tour to study the historical past, go to St Nicholas’s Church, see the city sq. with fountains and cobbled streets, and naturally, nice views of the fortress.
Top-of-the-line issues to do in outdated city Ljubljana is to admire Preseren Sq., an unconventional sq. for a European Capital metropolis because it has an enormous pink constructing and a statue of a poet. It’s additionally spectacular at evening because the river and bridge lamps mild up. Right here you can see reside music, locals hanging out, sellers, buskers, protests and travellers snapping photos of all of it.
Eat Slovenian Meals
Ljubljana has a wide range of eating places serving world delicacies like Center-Japanese, Indian, American and Italian. The gem on this capital metropolis although is the array of Slovenian eating places to attempt the very finest Slovenian meals, which some contemplate one of many finest cuisines in the entire world!
Some dishes to attempt embrace Jota, a conventional Slovenian soup, Krajnska Klobasa, a preferred Slovenian pork sausage, and Struklji, rolled Slovene dumplings.
Discover the Coolest Avenue: Trubarjeva Cesta
Trubarjeva Cesta is an entrancing road within the coronary heart of town. You will notice road artwork, posters, a Slovene ebook store with a big English-print shelf, out of doors music and classic procuring.
That is additionally one of the best place to eat with low cost Indian meals at Namaste, unbelievable Center Japanese meals at Abi Falafel, recent italian meals at Uncooked Pasta Bar, scrumptious burgers at Burger Time and craft beers at Že V Redu Primož.
Play Chess at Kavarna Mackon
On the charming road of Trubarjeva Cesta you’ll discover a small space with benches both aspect of the walkway which belong to the pub, Kavarna Mackon. Every of those beverage tables double as chess tables and you may request chess units from the bar after you purchase a beer or espresso.
This is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Ljubljana when it rains as a result of they’ve gazebos that cowl your entire space, you might be nonetheless among the many metropolis life and also you get to take pleasure in a beer, play chess and take heed to the rain. In fact, it’s additionally a enjoyable Ljubljana factor to do all yr round.
Additionally, with all of the wonderful locations to eat on this road, you may take issues to go and eat it at this bar!
Uncover Metelkova
For distinctive issues to do in Ljubljana, this various artwork centre tops it. Metelkova is an autonomous neighborhood constructed on an deserted military base and the barracks have been squatted since 1993. The neighbourhood is a hub for socialising, road artwork and tradition with reside music and bars open each evening.
You may as well keep in a former Yugoslavia jail, Resort Celica, in Metelkova for various lodging in Ljubljana.
Cross Ljubljana Bridges
Ljubljana is a metropolis stuffed with bridges to admire and stroll throughout. A number of the finest embrace Butchers Bridge, Cobblers Bridge, The Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge.
The Butchers Bridge is the place you may go to position a lock subsequent to the a whole bunch of others and throw the important thing into the river.
Ljubljana is named the ‘metropolis of Dragons’ because the Dragon is considered the protector of town and is even on the coat of arms. If you wish to discover this a part of town, Dragon Bridge is one of the best place to begin as a result of both fringe of the bridge has large Dragon statues which make for excellent photograph alternatives.
The Triple Bridge is, because the identify suggests, a bunch of three bridges connecting the outdated city with the brand new city. The center bridge was positioned there as an necessary connection between North-Western Europe and The Balkans over 50 years earlier than the aspect bridges had been added.
The architect, Jože Plečnik, designed the triple bridge by including the 2 aspect bridges and refurbishing all three bridges with stone partitions and lamps and added steps resulting in terraces on the river making it an iconic picture of Ljubljana as we speak.
Go For Wine Tasting
With over 28,000 wineries, Slovenian wine is just not one to overlook in Europe. A number of the wine manufacturing nonetheless used within the nation as we speak might be dated again to the 4th century BC.
Whereas it’s primarily White wine that’s produced, there’s a scrumptious Orange wine that may be a conventional Slovenian wine, not only a development. One of the best ways to benefit from the traditions and wines is to hitch a wine tasting tour within the metropolis.
Peruse Ljubljana Central Market
Ljubljana Central Market incorporates a farmer’s market positioned between Vodnikov Trg and Pogačarjev Trg squares, a lined market within the center and small meals outlets alongside the riverfront. It’s a great spot to be amongst locals, purchase recent items, and eat from native meals vans.
Ljubljana is named one of many greenest cities in Europe, the folks take care of their metropolis with glorious recycling charges, virtually zero litter and native companies are supported by residents and vacationers which is why this market is all the time so busy.
Get one of the best native produce right here and contribute to the sustainability of town.
Eat at Odprta Kuhna
On Pogačarjev sq., between March and October, a singular road meals market is open each Friday known as Odprta Kuhna which interprets as ‘Open Kitchen’ and is an opportunity to attempt native Slovene meals in addition to world delicacies cooked by Slovenian cooks at meals vans.
Study How you can Pronounce the Metropolis Identify Via its Beer!
Bathroom-Blah-Nah is a neighborhood craft brewery serving ales, ciders and IPA beer. The identify is the phonetic spelling of Ljubljana as a result of many individuals are confused when making an attempt to pronounce this capital metropolis.
You possibly can go to the brewery, discover the model served in most bars and even catch them on the central market to attempt a neighborhood beer and learn to pronounce this metropolis’s identify.
Go to Ljubljana Citadel and Experience The Funicular
Ljubljana Citadel is a landmark of town that dates again to the eleventh century and appears over town with the Slovenian flag and the municipal flag of Ljubljana flying from its tower. The fortress lights up at evening too which you’ll be able to see from the outdated city.
On the fortress you may study in regards to the fortress’s historical past in exhibition rooms, eat on the Slovenian restaurant, go to the puppet museum and luxuriate in epic views of Ljubljana.
There’s a path to stroll to the fortress however a extra enjoyable expertise is using the funicular which might be accessed close to the Central Market.
Stroll Via Tivoli Park
To the West of Ljubljana, you’ll discover town’s largest park and finest inexperienced area to take a break from the bustling life in a metropolitan.
Inside Tivoli Park, you may see artwork, museums, mansions, gardens, cafes and strolling trails.
By the best way, right here is an article on one of the best Slovenia mountaineering trails you would take pleasure in!
Go to the Nationwide Museum of Up to date Historical past
One of many museums positioned inside Tivoli Park is one for historical past lovers or anybody enthusiastic about figuring out extra about how Slovenia has been fashioned through the twentieth century. The Nationwide Museum of Up to date Historical past is dwelling to everlasting exhibitions, pictures, furnishings, posters and artwork that present details about Slovenia through the twentieth century.
In case your style in museums is totally different, there are different choices in Ljubljana comparable to The Nationwide Gallery, The Plečnik Home or Museum of Fashionable Artwork.
Wander Congress Sq.
Congress Sq. is one other cool space to hang around in Ljubljana with folks enjoying devices within the bandstand or different occasions taking place within the sq.’s central park or from the College of Ljubljana. It’s additionally a great place to seize an ice cream and sit on the benches between the bushes.
Take a Day Journey to Lake Bled
Simply an hour and a half away from Ljubljana is the city of Bled the place Lake Bled might be discovered which is the postcard-perfect picture of Slovenia. I extremely suggest incorporating Lake Bled into your Ljubljana journey or Slovenia highway journey itinerary as a result of it’s a breathtaking spot with its personal island and chateau which is all backed by gorgeous mountains.
For straightforward directions on how one can get the bus from Ljubljana to Bled, learn this information.
Different Day Journeys from Ljubljana
Ljubljana is a superb base for exploring different locations in Slovenia in addition to being linked to different cities in Europe like Prague, Salzburg or Bratislava. A number of the finest locations to go to in Slovenia are just some hours away from Ljubljana together with Lake Bohinj, the seaside city of Piran and Predjama Citadel, the spectacular fortress perched on the sting of cliffs.
Don’t overlook to test the occasions calendar when in Ljubljana too as they’ve festivals, live shows and occasions taking place that are generally free within the metropolis. I attended a free chili and chocolate pageant together with a sizzling wing consuming competitors held at Central Market once I was in Ljubljana!
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Shireen is a journey blogger who writes about meals and literary journey. She has been to 30 international locations and lived in Wales, Australia and Canada.
