Ljubljana is Slovenia’s riverside capital city. With the Ljubljanica running through its heart, the city dates back to the Middle Ages, with Roman history thrown in for good measure.
It’s got a reputation for being a party city, though. It’s a university town that’s also popular with tourists looking for its (very) lively nightlife and affordable drinks. That said, you can find a section of this diverse city to suit you.
With history, nightlife, friendly locals and delicious food, deciding what to do in Ljubljana can be tricky. That’s why we’ve decided to put together this list of the very best things to do in Ljubljana. Hopefully, it’ll help you plan your time super effectively.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at how you can spend your time in this awesome city!
Our favourite places to stay in Ljubljana!
Being the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana is packed with places to stay – so to make life a little easier for you we’ve scoured the city for the best hotels in Ljubljana.
Fluxus Hostel
The Best Hostel in Ljubljana
- Great atmosphere
- Good for solo travellers
This hostel features spacious dorm rooms and has private rooms available too. It’s got a great location in the city centre and makes for a great place to stay if you want to meet like minded travellers.
Gloria Hotel
The Best Budget Hotel in Ljubljana
- Great location
- Breakfast included
Definitely the best hotel in Ljubljana for travellers on a budget, this place has a great location, secure parking, boasts big, comfortable beds, and even offers up a free breakfast.
Heading to Ljubljana? Save some money with our guide to the coolest hostels in Ljubljana!
Grand Hotel Union
The Best Luxury Hotel in Ljubljana
- Historic building
- Free breakfast
The Grand Hotel Union is right at the entrance of the Triple Bridge, giving it a great location. Aside from that, this historic hotel offers up an awesome breakfast. The swimming pool and sauna are bonuses.
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• The 17 Best Things to Do in Ljubljana •
#1 – Spend some time in Visit Preseren Square
Architecture fan? You’ll love this
- Loads of history
- Located in the centre of the Old Town
- See street musicians
Dating back to the 17th century, this cobbled square is named after the national Slovene poet, France Preseren. It’s the place to go for beautiful old buildings, amongst other things.
In particular, you’ll be able to catch street musicians, seasonal illuminations and soak up the history of this cool part of town.
#2 – Go on a walking tour of the city
- Two hour tour
- Hear about the city’s past and present
- Lose yourself in the architecture
Why not stroll amongst the vibrancy of the Old Town along the Ljubljanica River, past the castle on the hill, and wind your way along Medieval streets?
A walking tour is a great way to see the sights of Ljubljana. Moreover, with a guide leading the way, you’ll get to learn all about the history of the city.
#3 – Go Beer Tasting
- Sample local beers
- Go to authentic drinking holes
- Learn beer facts
Ljubljana has a whole load of great beers, which is good news if you’re a beer fan. There’s been something of a craft beer revolution in the city too.
As a result, there are plenty of beers to sample at some cool breweries, including HumanFish Brewery and Tektonik Brewery amongst a host of others.
#4 – Explore Ljubljana Castle
One of the most important sites in Ljubljana
- Awesome views
- A whole lot of history
- Interesting exhibitions
Sitting on a 375 metre tall hill overlooking the Old Town, Ljubljana Castle is a cool place to visit. Though the site has been inhabited since 1200 BC (that’s old!) the castle today is mainly a 16th century affair.
The castle grounds are free to walk around (bonus), but you can – and should – pay the admission to the tower and Chapel of Saint George.
MUST READ! We’ve organized the best places to stay in Ljubljana for all types of trips!
#5 – Enjoy Tivoli Park
Great thing in Ljubljana to do with kids
- Largest city park
- Great in summer and winter
- Lots of nature
Centrally located Tivoli Park is a beautiful place to spend your time in Ljubljana. Surrounding two mansions, these manicured gardens are perfect for a family stroll.
There’s a pond here, as well as a botanical garden, numerous walking trails and places to sit for that all important picnic.
#6 – Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Performance
- Sample local food
- Enjoy Slovenian traditions
- Play a few games
It’s not the normal thing to do in Ljubljana to learn about traditional dances and try some traditional food, so if you’re looking for something a little more quirky to do here, this is for you.
Drink Schnapps, be treated to three courses of traditional cuisine and be merry. Get involved with that “Cushion Dance”!
#7 – Visit the National Gallery
Very romantic for couples
- Beautiful building
- Late opening hours on Thursdays
- Historic art
Exploring what’s on show inside the historic National Gallery in Ljubljana (founded in 1918) is one of the best things to do for artsy couples.
Here you can see almost 600 works by a mixture of Slovenian and European artists, from Medieval to Neoclassical. Finish up with a snack for two at the gallery cafe.
#8 – Sip on Slovenian wine
- Sample several wines
- Visit a 300 year old cellar
- Learn about regional wine
If you like wine, and learning about wine (and drinking wine), then this is probably going to be one of the best things to do in Ljubljana for you.
Sampling wines in a centuries-old wine cellar in the city makes for an amazing day for any wine connoisseur, featuring facts and stories about Slovenia’s winemaking traditions.
#9 – Discover the Art District
- Hipster part of town
- See a lot of street art
- Good vibes all round
Metelkova (aka Ljubljana’s Art District) is a cool place. A former military barracks that’s now awash with underground music venues, street art and trendy cafes, you’ll love exploring this place.
There are over 1,000 alternative events each year in Metelkova, an LGBT-friendly area that’s a place where creative free-thinking thrives.
#10 – Spend a day on a Slovenian farm
- Meet locals
- Take a breath of fresh air in the countryside
- Learn about traditions
Lots of Slovenia is made up of farmland and many people still make their living as farmers, so it makes sense that a great thing to do with kids in Ljubljana is to visit a farm for yourself.
Head out for the day, meet friendly families, eat homegrown food. It’s awesome.
#11 – Go for a coffee along the river
One of the best cheap things to do in Ljubljana
- Very picturesque
- Plenty of choice of good cafes
- A nice way to chill
The Ljubljanica River is lined with townhouses, crossed with bridges and generally looks pretty darn charming. One of the best things to do here is simply sitting with a coffee and watch the world go by.
There are numerous cafes to choose from in the “Kanal” area of the river – it’s a most picturesque stretch. Simply take your pick!
#12 – Have fun on a pub crawl
- Experience Ljubljana’s fun nightlife
- Play drinking games
- Hit the clubs
Ljubljana has some super fun nightlife going on. In fact, this city is pretty infamous for its lively (and cheap) bars.
One of the best things to do in Ljubljana is to experience it all for yourself on a bar crawl. Tere’s loads of different places to suit everyone, so you’ll easily find your new favourite bar here.
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#13 – Shop at Central Market
One of the best free things to do in Ljubljana
- Historic 1930s market
- Open every day (except Sundays)
- Soak up local life
Made up of the outdoor market, filled with fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers, and the covered market, where you’ll find everything cheese, bread and fish, this place is awesome.
Exploring the market is free, obviously, so you can easily spend a while wandering around. If you’re hungry, it’s a good place to be.
#14 – Get lost in the Slovenian coastal town of Piran
- Historic atmosphere
- See the Adriatic Sea
- Delicious (sea)food
A beautiful town set on a peninsula, Piran is one of the loveliest towns on the Adriatic coastline. With its Venetian architecture and iconic pier, it’s worth a visit.
Take an easy day trip from Ljubljana and find yourself in this historic town, making sure to check out one of its many seafood restaurants.
#15 – Take in the views from atop Neboticnik
One of the best fun things to do in Ljubljana!
- Good city views
- Cool architecture
- Pretty unique
Built in 1933, the Neboticnik (simply meaning skyscraper) was at the time the tallest building in the Balkans. Any fan of good views, or off the beaten track destinations, will love this place.
You can get some good views of the city from this American-inspired building – especially from the cafe on the top floor.
#16 – Join a food tour
- Sample loads of food
- Learn about Slovenian culture through… food!
- Try local wine, too
A great way to get in touch with what a city is all about is to dive into its food scene – Ljubljana is no different!
Doing so in the Slovenian capital means being able to learn about gastronomic traditions, sample food in various restaurants, and a food tour (complete with guide) will help you know what exactly it is you’re eating.
#17 – Cruise down the river on a boat
A cool thing to do in Ljubljana any time of year
- See historic buildings from the comfort of a boat
- Learn about the Ljubljana
- The boat is heated in winter!
Hop aboard a boat at the Ribji Trg pier and you’ll be whisked along the Ljubljanica River. It’s good to do all seasons, being heated in winter, which makes it extra cosy!
Head along the river south towards Špica, enjoying the charming sights along the river as you go. It’s perfect for any trip to the Slovenian capital.
Final thoughts on the best things to do in Ljubljana
There you have it, folks – that was our take on the best things to do in Ljubljana. No doubt you’ve got a good idea of how you want to spend your time in the Slovenian capital.
Probably the best place to introduce yourself to the culture of this country, a trip to Ljubljana is a must for curious travellers.
With so much to do here, from hipster districts to traditional food and easy day trips, you won’t have trouble filling your time with awesome things to do in Ljubljana.
Think we’ve missed something cool? Tell us in the comments below!
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