Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and while it’s light on sights, it’s a charming city to explore for a day. It’s Old Town is pedestrianized which makes it great to just wander, though there are a few sights you can visit. Because it’s small, one day is the perfect amount of time to cover the best of Ljubljana.
One Day in Ljubljana
This is not the only way to spend one day in Ljubljana, but it’s what I recommend. It’s based on my own trip to Ljubljana, but doesn’t follow my exact itinerary. I had a day and a half, but I’ve cut it down to one day in Ljubljana to focus on the best parts of the city.
9:00 – Ljubljana Old Town
Start your day off with a stroll through Ljubljana’s Old Town. This is the most picturesque area of the city with colorful buildings lining the river and nice pedestrianized streets. There’s no specific route I recommend here, but you’ll likely double back on yourself a few times trying to see everything.
As you wander keep an eye out for:
Prešernov Trg (Prešeren Square) – This square is lively. With large church on one side and Triple Bridge nearby, plus the cafes flanking each side, it seems like everyone passes through here. You’re sure to come through here at some point and while it’s very nice, it’s also a great place to people watch.
Dragon Bridge – This probably sounds cooler than it is, but you have to stop here. Dragons have become a kind of symbol of Ljubljana, and this bridge features dragon statues along it.
Tržnice (Riverside Market) – Right along the river is an arcade selling all sorts of goods. Take a stroll through here on your visit. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, don’t limit yourself to this arcade. There’s a much larger market in the nearby square (Vodnikov Trg) filled with all sorts of vendors selling their fresh produce. Also during the summer, visit nearby Pogačarjev Trg for Friday night food stalls.
Ljubljana Riverbank – There’s plenty of shopping and pedestrian streets in Ljubljana’s Old Town, but I don’t think a visit to Ljubljana would be complete without strolling down the riverbank. You’ll find restaurants and cafes lining the way with plenty of seating. While it may be a bit early, consider coming back in this direction later, either for lunch or for an evening drink.
Ljubljana Cathedral – It’s not a list of things to do in Europe without a cathedral, so consider a visit to Ljubljana’s Cathedral, which is dedicated to St. Nicholas. Even if you don’t pay the few euros to go inside, stop by to check out the intricate scenery carved into the cathedral’s door.
11:00 – Ljubljana Castle
We’re going to say goodbye to the Old Town (at least for a little bit) and head up to Ljubljana’s Castle. There’s two ways to get to the castle. The first is the easy way. For 3.30 euros (6 euros) round trip, you can ride the funicular to the top. For free, you can walk up one of two steep paths to get to the Castle. One path runs along Reber and the other runs along Za ograjami. I took the path up Reber and down Za ograjami. In my opinion, Reber is longer, but easier as there’s stairs for part of the way. Za ograjami just feels steep the entire way.
Once at the top, take in the views of the city below. If you stay along the perimeter, there’s no fee and you can take in the views from all angles (unless you’re like me and there’s construction cutting off some of the walk).
If you want to visit the interior of the castle, you’ll need to pay a fee. This includes the castle and climbing to the tower. I didn’t do either of these. There’s only so many castles I can visit and I don’t see how climbing the tower would be that much different than the free view you get from the base of the castle. But it’s your choice. If you want to learn more about the history of Ljubljana’s Castle, this is the place to do it.
12:30 – Lunch
I don’t often include a proper lunch stop in my one day itineraries, but in Ljubljana, I’m making an exception. Yes the city is light on sights, but the food is delicious. As a self-described non-foodie traveler, I loved all of the food I ate in Slovenia, so I highly recommend stopping and finding somewhere good to eat.
My favorite place in Ljubljana’s Old Town was Droga Violina which had delicious food for fantastic prices. The menu changes daily, but the food is delicious. And don’t just take my word for it. I met a Slovenian man there who raved about how much he enjoyed this place because it’s a delicious cheap meal.
Whether you enjoy lunch at Droga Violina or one of the many other restaurants lining the canal, take some time to enjoy your meal.
1:30 – Ljubljana Old Town to Tivoli Park
After lunch, make your way to Tivoli Park. While you could just walk along Čopova Ulica, I recommend taking a different route (you can come back this way later). Head toward Congress Square and then to Republic Square. Congress Square hosts large events, but it also surrounds Park Zvezda which is a slice of green in the city. Republic Square is where the nation of Slovenia was birthed after it broke away from Yugoslavia.
Keep moving past Republic Square and you’ll pass the Ljubljana Opera House. Just a bit further and you’ll reach the Orthodox Church (Pravoslavna cerkev sv. Cirila in Metoda v Ljubljani). It’s free to enter so I recommend popping in for a quick peak.
Between the Orthodox Church and the Museum of Modern Art, there’s another underpass which leads you into Tivoli Park.
2:30 – Tivoli Park
While there are some sights and museums within Tivoli Park, take time to stroll through its many paths. On a nice day, it’s great to sit or lay on a bench with a good book. There are numerous walking paths through the park so if you still have energy, keep strolling through the greenery away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
3:30 – Tivoli Park to Ljubljana Old Town
Start making your way back to the Ljubljana Old Town. Rather than head back the way you came, head up along Čopova Ulica which will take you right into the Old Town. It’s virtually a straight shot that eventually becomes a pedestrian street lined with shops. Before you know it, you’ll be back in Prešernov Trg, right near the triple bridge.
4:00 – Traveler’s Choice
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Take another stroll through the Old Town — it’s sure to feel even more lively than it did this morning. Have a drink at one of the many restaurants lining the river. Get some ice cream and find a great place to people watch (I really liked Cacao near Prešernov Trg).
With More Time
I don’t think you need more than one day in Ljubljana. Sure there are more museums that you can visit, but for most travelers, one day in Ljubljana is sufficient. So if you have more than one day in Ljubljana, I recommend taking a day trip from the city.
Bled is a small lake town and is very popular. While it’s easy enough to do yourself, several companies offer tours that take you to both Bled and Triglav National Park.
In the other direction, you have the Postojna Caves, which is often combined with Predjama Castle. This will be harder to do by yourself, unless you’re willing to rent a car.
Getting Around Ljubljana
Ljubljana is easy to walk around. For most visitors, you can do most of your exploring on foot. City buses to exist to help move you around the city, but Ljubljana’s Old Town is closed to motor vehicles so it’s best to just get used to walking. Besides, all of the top sights are within walking distance of Ljubljana’s Old Town.
Getting to Ljubljana
Ljubljana is connected by bus, train, and plane to the rest of Europe. Buses and trains leave the main station which is a 10-20 minute walk from Ljubljana’s Old Town.
To reach Ljubljana’s airport, you’ll either need a taxi, shuttle, or bus. The bus is the cheapest and costs 4 euros (which must be paid in cash). Look for the Arriva buses. Note if you’re using Arriva to travel elsewhere in Ljubljana, “Ljubljana AP” is the main bus station in the city center.
When to Visit Ljubljana
Summer is high season. Expect high temperatures and the most crowds. While Slovenia isn’t as busy as some of its European neighbors, it can still get busy. Bled especially can feel very busy during peak tourist season.
Winter is low season with the lowest prices, coldest temperatures, and fewest visitors. You can absolutely still visit Ljubljana during the winter months but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Spring and fall are shoulder season which offer a balance between price, weather, and tourist crowds.
I visited in the second week of October and had a fantastic time. There were plenty of other travelers but it never felt overwhelming. Mornings were cool and often had a layer of fog that cleared up as the morning wore on. In addition, leaves were changing making some of the drives outside the city (particularly near Triglav National Park and Bled) extra beautiful.
Final Thoughts
What Ljubljana lacks in major sights, it makes up for in charm. With its friendly people, picturesque city, and laid back attitude, one day in Ljubljana is a fantastic addition to any itinerary.
Continue Your Adventure
Nearby: While it’s a too far for a day trip, you can reach Vienna, Austria after a half day on a bus. Likewise, you can also reach Budapest, Hungary in a half day.