My ranking of the 16 best things to do in Ljubljana
The best things to do in Ljubljana: 1-day Ljubljana itinerary
4. National and University Library (NUK) and Plečnik's UNESCO buildings
5. Prešeren Square and the Franciscan Church
7. Ljubljanica River walk and river cruise
8. Mestni trg, Town Hall, and Robba Fountain
10. Triple Bridge (Tromostovje)
11. National Museum of Slovenia
12. Central Market, Plečnik Arcades, and Dragon Bridge
Slovenia is not Italy or Austria. If you don't expect Prague or Vienna, you will like Ljubljana. But I would definitely moderate the expectations.
I felt Slovenia was extra nice but also a bit overhyped. It's on the level of the Czech Republic or so. But don't expect Spain or Italy level.
Btw, I didn't know much before visiting, as it didn't feel very interesting for planning to me. Therefore, it was unusually full of surprises.
Before I went, everyone told me that Ljubljana museums, and museums in Slovenia in general, are meh. Some of them are actually very good. You might hear Ljubljana is not worth visiting. For the historic center, not really. But for the castle, museums, and river walks, it's so much more.
Ljubljana is doing really well in modern architecture and interior design. It's all super nicely done.
Read more from my Slovenia travel blog.
So here is my honest ranking of the top Ljubljana attractions and what to do in Ljubljana, plus a 1-day Ljubljana itinerary that actually works.
It felt like a big provincial town, but nicely refurbished. The castle is the main monumental sight in the Ljubljana city center.
Overall, Ljubljana is excellent in traffic and how compact it is. Everything is close by. An advantage of a walkable capital compared to bigger cities. That's why one day in Ljubljana is enough for Ljubljana sightseeing on foot, as the pedestrianized city center keeps everything close.
Starting my Ljubljana trip from the top of the castle
Morning: Castle Hill
Midday: Ljubljana Old Town
Afternoon: Plečnik and museums
Evening: The river
Here's a map of the best things to do in Ljubljana. Almost everything sits along the Ljubljanica River, so you can walk it all in a day
Google and TripAdvisor aren't kind to Ljubljana Castle, but I liked it. It's beautifully renovated and nothing like the usual city castle
Visitor info: I went for everything, which is €15 per person. A good price for the value. Time that I needed to visit: about 1.5–2.5 hours. We spent a bit more, as there was heavy rain.
Castle Hill is quite high for a city castle hill, so we went there for a hike. It's quite a hike. Not terrible, but it's harder than most castle hikes. You can go up by the Ljubljana funicular as well.
The castle itself is mostly modern inside, and it's all about the views and some displays. The castle is really beautifully renovated.
The views from the entrance are okayish. And the city itself is downright ugly from up above. Like Soviet Union ugly. Ljubljana is much nicer from the street level than from above, as from above there are ugly apartment buildings.
A ceiling full of coats of arms and a history of Slovenia from Roman times. Nice curating; just be ready for more reading than artifacts
The Outlook Tower: The panoramic city views are a lot better than from the rest of the castle. It's really nice. From the lower levels, it's rubbish. It was almost raining when I visited, and the views were still nice.
The chapel is just a chapel. Nothing stunning about it.
Permanent exhibition: It's a history of Slovenia from Roman times. You will learn there that the first mentions of the castle are from 1144. It's nice curating, but they didn't have much to work with in terms of artifacts. It's mostly written. Well, it's still more interesting than the Prague Castle interiors… but in the end, everyone can find something of interest in the permanent exhibition. For me, it's almost always local anthropology and ethnography. It took me about 30 minutes to see the exhibit.
The armory is super small. Like a 2-minute stop.
The Penitentiary: Well, I spent about 5 minutes there. It's a very small exhibit.
Museum of Puppetry: Very nice interior and space. Full of interactive things. I was fairly surprised by that. Some of the puppets are really nice. The museum was super interesting, especially if you're in Ljubljana with kids. It took me about 15 minutes, but I enjoyed it immensely.
The view from the castle walls on one side and the Outlook Tower on the other. Skip the lower terraces and head straight up the tower, the views there are a lot better
The castle itself isn't very well reviewed on Google and TripAdvisor. But I liked it. It's different from most city castles and well rebuilt. I definitely see it as one of the best things to do in Ljubljana.
We also got an iced coffee and a strawberry lemonade at the castle, and you know what? It was good.
I rate it 9/10.
Pro tip: If you don't feel like hiking up Castle Hill, grab a castle ticket with the funicular ride and save your legs for the Old Town.
Plečnik House
Visitor info: There is a huge parking lot in front of it. You can buy a ticket for the exhibition and gardens, or the full guided tour for €12. The tour took 45 minutes. It took me 1.5 hours to visit.
It's the story of one of the most important Slovene architects, Jože Plečnik, and especially important for me as a Czech, as he did the modern renovation of Prague Castle.
It's interesting for those who are into architecture and its contextual relevance for Ljubljana. If you are not, feel free to skip it. It's a kind of interesting story of how the house was built and also about his personality.
The guided tour is more of a probe into the eccentric lifestyle of an architect. I loved that Plečnik didn't really want to have guests and made a sliding chair for them. I loved that he made the furniture uncomfortable, as he thought it would be lazy to have it comfortable.
Still, the best house I ever visited was Pablo Neruda's house in Chile.
The garden was okayish. The guide spoke English very well.
I give it 8/10.
Plečnik's desk still has a Czech magazine with Masaryk on the cover
The cathedral looks a bit worn from the outside, but those bronze doors are monumental
Visitor info: The entry costs €3 per person, and only in cash. I didn't have any cash, and I had to return later. I spent 15 minutes inside.
It's a compulsory, very short visit, and among European cathedrals, Ljubljana Cathedral is meh. It's in Baroque style, which I don't particularly like. I much prefer Gothic cathedrals, such as the one in Ávila.
It's at least a pretty building from the outside, even though it looks a bit worn. I liked the bronze entry doors. They're monumental, and there are several of them, so I recommend walking around the church.
Bring a strong neck, not just cash. You'll spend most of your visit staring straight up
I usually don't like Baroque churches, but this one is actually pretty and ornamental, with all the gold and frescoes. It's actually worth the money. And it's surprisingly large.
I give it a solid 8/10.
The reading room of the National and University Library makes you want to finally read that book you keep postponing. Too bad I had a city to see
It is considered among the most important buildings in Slovenia. And it's again mainly about Plečnik architecture, which, again, I am not a huge fan of. But I wouldn't underrate his importance.
I compiled them together, as they are together on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
I was there less than 15 minutes, but it's worthwhile, especially after visiting Plečnik House.
The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, the pinkest thing in Ljubljana and impossible to miss
It's really pretty across the bridge.
Fun fact: The Prešeren monument has been in a staring contest since 1905. The statue of the poet looks across the square at a bust of Julija Primic, his great unrequited love, mounted on a facade on Wolfova ulica.
I liked the architecture and modern restaurants. I loved how it looked, but honestly, there isn't that much to do even if you visit all the museums.
Cobblers' Bridge is basically a living room over the Ljubljanica. Wide enough to hang out on, short enough to cross in ten seconds
Another of those 5-minute stops. But this one is at least interesting, with its promenade views. The stone bridge you see today is Plečnik's work from 1931–1932.
Fun fact: the medieval wooden bridge first housed butchers, but the smell of meat was so bad that the city moved them downriver, and shoemakers took over their booths. On warm days, street musicians and artists usually set up here.
The boats on the Ljubljanica River look like floating greenhouses, and I mean that as a compliment. With a glass roof, a bit of drizzle won't ruin your views
The Ljubljanica River runs right through Ljubljana Old Town, and its embankments are where the city actually lives. Travelers who walk the riverbanks keep praising the same things: the bridges, the riverside cafés under the willows, and how relaxed it feels compared to bigger capitals. Walking the riverfront promenade is also one of the best free things to do in Ljubljana.
If your feet are done, take a Ljubljana river cruise. Tourist boats run year-round, and most rides take 30–60 minutes, passing under the Triple Bridge, Cobblers' Bridge, and Dragon Bridge with the castle above you.
Top Tip: Boats get canceled when the river is high or the weather is bad, so don't plan your day around it in late autumn. In December, festive cruises go under the Christmas lights.
Pro tip: If you want both, book a Ljubljana walking tour with a river cruise and let someone else explain the bridges.
The Robba Fountain's three figures stand for three Carniolan rivers, the Ljubljanica, the Sava, and the Krka. A lot of symbolism for a square you'll cross in two minutes
The Town Hall and the town square are a 5-minute stop and not worth going just for that.
Mestni trg is one of the oldest squares in Ljubljana Old Town, and most visitors just pass through on the way between the bridges and the cathedral. The Robba Fountain in front of the Town Hall is a copy, as the original Baroque fountain by Francesco Robba was moved to the National Gallery of Slovenia.
The University of Ljubljana used to be a provincial palace, and the Ursuline Church across the square looks like it belongs in Rome. Two very different buildings, one square apart
Congress Square (Kongresni trg) got its name from the Congress of Ljubljana in 1821. Today, it's lined by the University of Ljubljana and the Slovenian Philharmonic, with the small Zvezda Park in the middle. Visitors mostly treat it as a 5-minute stop between the Old Town and the museums.
Standing on the Triple Bridge, you can't really tell there are three of them. Step back to the riverbank and the whole idea finally clicks
Something my girlfriend wanted to see. Not especially interesting to me, but once there, I enjoyed the idea. Even if it's one of the top things to see, I wouldn't travel from another country for it.
And on the other side, you can visit the pink Franciscan Church.
The National Museum of Slovenia looks like a palace from the outside
Visitor info: It costs only €8, which is dirt cheap for a national museum. All the info is in English.
It's worth the visit if you are into mixed museums and a lot of information. If you don't care about these things, it's absolutely skippable.
The visit took me an hour. It felt like the perfect time.
It's a paradise for taxidermy fans, and it sort of felt like the National Museum in Prague 20 years ago, before the reconstruction. It brought my childhood memories back to life.
I liked the walk next to the timeline. It was like walking against time.
The absolute pinnacle of the museum is the Neanderthal flute. It's made of cave bear bone, and it's the oldest musical instrument in the world, dating to about 50,000–60,000 years ago.
The tiny Neanderthal flute gets a whole display case to itself, while the whale hangs from the ceiling next door
I liked the prehistory part very much. I must admit that prehistory in Slovenia was very rich in artifacts, especially the Hallstatt Iron Age culture.
I give it 8/10. Worth your time if you're not short on time.
Plečnik Arcades on the left, and Dragon Bridge on the right
Don't expect to spend more than 30 minutes. The Central Market Ljubljana is interesting for the food you haven't tried and for Plečnik architecture, the Plečnik Arcades.
I went for the colonnades. I couldn't care less about the open-air market. But I can understand that someone likes it, and who am I to judge? The arcade is okayish.
Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most) is like a 1-minute stop. Not special at all.
Top Tip: Don't forget to visit Klobasarna (a sausage restaurant). You've got to love it. For me, it's hands down the best Slovenian food.
Cukrarna was once the biggest building in Ljubljana, and it still looks like it could swallow a few smaller galleries whole
Cukrarna is a former sugar refinery from 1828 that reopened in 2021 as a contemporary art gallery. Visitors mostly come for the building itself: a huge factory shell with white gallery cubes hanging from the roof.
Check the current exhibition programme and ticket prices before visiting, as admission varies by exhibition. Whether it's worth it depends on what's on, so check the program first.
Metelkova Mesto at dusk is the sweet spot, light enough to see the art and dark enough to feel the vibe
Metelkova Mesto is a former army barracks that artists and activists occupied in 1993 and turned into an autonomous cultural center. By day, travelers come for the street art and graffiti, and most say it's quiet and safe. At night, it's the center of alternative Ljubljana nightlife, but the clubs aren't open every night, and some visitors say they felt uneasy after dark.
If Halloween and a village wedding had a baby, it would look like the carnival collection in the Slovene Ethnographic Museum
Visitor info: Cost €8 per person, and it took me just under an hour.
I was very curious about this museum, as it's the story of the Slovene people. Contextually very important, as I love to learn about the people of the countries I visit.
You can combine it with other big museums in the area, such as contemporary art (which I am not very interested in) or the National Museum of Slovenia. It's also well connected to the Metelkova neighborhood.
It's a kind of modern museum about folklore, done in an interactive way. The curation of the ethnographic museum almost felt like an art gallery. I liked that there was a lot of free space and few exhibits, so even though it's a large building, it's a quicker visit than you would expect.
It felt very similar to Czech culture, as Slovenes are also Slavs.
The Kurent is the Slovenian carnival figure that's supposed to scare winter away, bells and all
I liked the part dedicated to Carnival. It's just such a strange museum. We didn't understand the museum much.
Verdict: 8/10, but not a must-visit if you are short on time.
Tivoli Park
It's really a short walk from the gallery and the National Museum of Slovenia. It's a nice urban park worth the stop. {+ Ljubljana was the European Green Capital in 2016, and Tivoli is its green heart. Walk down the Jakopič Promenade, which usually hosts open-air photo exhibitions, to Tivoli Mansion at its end. If you want more, the trail up Rožnik Hill takes about 20–30 minutes, and the whole park is free.
Day trips from Ljubljana: With the city done in a day, use the rest of your trip for Lake Bled or Postojna Cave, both an easy trip from Ljubljana.
Ljubljana at street level in front of the National Gallery of Slovenia, and from the top of Ljubljana Castle. I'll let you pick the better side, I already know mine
I liked the Slovenian capital. It's just perfect for a full day. Not too much and not too little. It's also not overwhelming like some cities that need 4–5 days.
Having said that, there are only a few really interesting places to see for an international tourist. I would say maybe the top 6 out of my ranked list.
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My ranking of the 16 best things to do in Ljubljana
The best things to do in Ljubljana: 1-day Ljubljana itinerary
4. National and University Library (NUK) and Plečnik's UNESCO buildings
5. Prešeren Square and the Franciscan Church
7. Ljubljanica River walk and river cruise
8. Mestni trg, Town Hall, and Robba Fountain
10. Triple Bridge (Tromostovje)
11. National Museum of Slovenia
12. Central Market, Plečnik Arcades, and Dragon Bridge
Hi, I’m Jan. I travel fast and intensely, whether I’m exploring the buzz of Tokyo in 3 days or road-tripping through mountains and beaches on a 3-week Thailand adventure. And no matter where I am, you’ll always find me in a comfortable hotel at night and eating the best food.
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