Getting to know Ljubljana
What you can do for free in Ljubljana
- Visit Tivoli Park and Rožnik Hill
When looking for activities that you can do for free in any city of the world, parks are most likely anyone’s go to. The Tivoli park in Ljubljana certainly doesn’t dissapoint visitors; it is the green heart of the city and the largest park there. Right above the park, the Rožnik Hill rises, and up on the top there is a great traditional restaurant. - Check out the Ljubljana Castle
Although entering the castle itself requires paying a fee, you can freely climb the hill it is on and roam around. It is an easy climb and the views from the top are fantastic! - Go for a stroll along the Ljubljanica River
A walk to enjoy nature is always a good idea! Not far away from the city centre, the sidewalk along this river is shaded by beautiful chestnut trees, but there’s more! Every few months, a new set of interesting pictures is featured in an open space exhibition along the sidewalk. This definitely makes for an enjoyable walk!
Top spots to visit
- The Dragon Bridge
The Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana is a very interesting place to admire! Legends say that a Greek mythological hero killed a dragon in order to establish the city of Ljubljana. Four statues decorate this bridge, one of them being the dragon in the legend. - Ljubljana Castle
As we’ve already established, the hill that this castle is on is already a great place to visit, but entering the castle itself is definitely worth it too. If you’re interested in the city’s and the castle’s history, a guided tour is a great idea! - Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
This magnificent baroque-style cathedral was built in 1706. It is a great place to visit if you enjoy this type of tourist attraction, as it is generally very beautiful and actually an impressive sight.
Hidden spots to visit
- Stara Elektrarna
Stara Elektrarna is an old power station which now doubles as a museum and a spot where all sorts of artistic activities are happening all the time. Modern dance, theatre shows and lectures – these are only a few of the things that you can enjoy there. - Truberjeva cesta
Truberjeva cesta is one of the most colorful and interesting streets in the city. If you pass by, make sure you look up once or twice. What will you see? Shoes. Some of the wires along the street are filled with shoes, as it is believed that hanging a pair of shoes on the wire brings good luck! - The cyanometer
Located in the center of Ljubljana, this cyanometer stands tall in the form of a pretty sculpture, which measures the blueness of the sky and also changes its own color to match the sky. It is a very interesting sight and definitely a great spot for a pretty photo.
Restaurants
If you’re looking for a place to eat in Ljubljana, you should check Restavracija Strelec, Restavracija Cubo, Landerik, Restaurant Compa, Zbornica or Kodila Gourmet. Slovenian cuisine is present in most locations there, and it is worth trying something traditional. There are many choices besides the ones we mentioned, and you can also check online for reviews for restaurants you are interested in.
Recommended time for visiting
The best times to visit Ljubljana are during the months of April, May, September and October. These spring and fall months see good, warm temperatures (although bringing a jacket is still a good idea), and the hotel fares are also lower than in peak season. Summer months are, like in most other places, peak season, which makes prices higher and crowds bigger.
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Avg. temp. (°C) | -2 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 4 | 0 |