Ljubljana, Europe’s Hidden Gem

Nestled snugly between the popular destinations of Italy, Austria and Croatia, Slovenia is often forgotten about. Its capital city Ljubljana is the perfect mix of leafy green and stunning architecture with a relaxed vibe that is absent from many European city break destinations. In this article, we'll tell you more about the city and take you through why you should visit.

How to get there

You can fly directly to Ljubljana from the UK from London Gatwick, and with a flight time of just under two and a half hours an early flight time means that you can be there with plenty of time for the rest of your day. You can fly from a number of other UK airports however this will require connecting flights. It is also very connected if travelling on the train with trains from Ljubljana to Belgrade, Budapest, Munich, Zagreb, Zurich and Graz. 

About Ljubljana

With a population of 293,000, Ljubljana is one of the smallest European capital cities however that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of things to see and do. The city’s architecture is Italian-inspired and after an earthquake in 1895 flattened much of the city, it gave many architects free reign to build and create as they wished. Where there were once late medieval houses there are now ornate halls, beautiful churches and cathedrals with multi-coloured walls. What adds to the Italian feel is the red tile roofing which inhabits much of Ljubljana’s buildings making the view from the castle that much more impressive

It has all the culture of a major European city squashed together

Ljubljana has everything you could want from a major European city with a number of squares, castles, churches and more, yet in a much smaller area, making it easy to get around on foot. It has got something for everyone who wants to understand the culture of this young country. Here are some of our favourite sites in the city.

Prešeren Square

Prešeren Square is smack bang in the middle of much of the main roads and walkways of Ljubljana and if anything happens in the city, it happens there which means it’s always bustling with lots of buskers and the like. Prešeren Square is also home to the Baroque Church of the Annunciation one of the buildings rebuilt more ornately after the earthquake. 

Looking towards Prešeren Square & Triple Bridge

The Dragon Bridge

Ljubljana is home to many bridges that cross over the Ljubljanica River that snakes its way around much of the southeast of the city centre. As with many European cities, these bridges have become far more than crossing points and now serve as tourist hotspots. Our personal favourite is the Dragon Bridge. Standing imposingly at either end of the bridge, these imposing creatures feature on the city's crest. Others of note are Triple Bridge which opens into Prešeren Square or the romantic spot of Butcher’s Bridge where couples attach padlocks to signify their love to each other.  

Ljubljana Castle

Standing proudly over the city is Ljubljana Castle, which sits on the other half of the city’s crest. It can be seen from most places in the city and is over 900 years old. One of the few structures still standing from the earthquake of 1895 the view from the Outlook Tower is spectacular. There are a number of tours available as well as a museum and some children's activities. I’m sure very few other castles in the world have a nightclub!

Metelkova Mesto

Speaking of nightlife a trip to the Metelkova Mesto is a must. A disused army barracks that dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it has become an alternative haven with graffiti and murals lining the walls and a regular slew of DJs and club nights. It’s very photogenic and is similar to the ruin bars of Budapest with its eclectic look.

 

You can see the whole country from there

Ljubljana is relatively central within Slovenia and the country itself is pretty small (slightly smaller than Wales) which makes it perfect to see the rest of the country from there.

Lake Bled

34 miles north of Ljubljana is Lake Bled, a popular day trip for those visiting Slovenia. Whilst the lake itself is beautiful and has a small island in the centre with a church on it (you can take a boat which takes 15 minutes out to it), there is so much more to do in the area.  You can hike around the lake and up to the Castle which stands looking over the surrounding area. Swimming in the lake is allowed on many of the beaches and there are some stunning waterfalls around as well. Getting there is easy as well and can done by car, bus and train all cheaply and in under an hour and a half.

Predjama Castle & Postojna Cave

Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave are very unique sites. They are 40 miles southwest of Ljubljana. The 800-year-old Predjama Castle is perched on a cliff and is built into a cave which has a network of tunnels connecting to it. Now that is something well worth going to see especially when they are only an hour and a half from Ljubljana by car and bus. There are a number of different tours you can take to see them which also include the surrounding park. 

Skofja Loka

Skofja Loka dates back to the 10th century and the town looks like it has not aged too much since. A small town with picturesque streets and a beautiful castle with a museum inside make it a great day trip option. Skofja Loka is a very photogenic town both in the day when the sun bounces off the clay-tiled roofs and when it is lit up at night. The town is only a 40-minute drive from Ljubljana and can be also reached by train and bus easily.

It's green and pedestrianized, easy to get around 

After a sharp rise in motorized accidents in 2006/7, Ljubljana decided to pedestrianize parts of the city so that it could also be more accessible for tourists and cyclists alike. This makes it a joy to walk around and means there are often events happening on the street. Ljubljana also has a large number of parks and green spaces which are great for walking around. Tivoli Park is the largest of these and it covers much of the west of Ljubljana. The park houses elegant gardens, nature trails as well as botanical gardens and the Contemporary History Museum. If you get thirsty, the city has a large number of well-maintained fountains that offer crystal-clear drinking water from unique taps.

As you can see Ljubljana has so much to offer in a small space and is one of the best city breaks in Europe. If you want to know more about Ljubljana or any other destination across the world, have a look around our website or don’t hesitate to get in touch. To enquire about a holiday to Ljubljana call us on 0115 784 3388 or email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk.