Tucked away in the heart of Central Europe, Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital, offers travelers a delightful mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. With its medieval castle perched on a hill, vibrant riverfront, and a skyline dotted with Baroque architecture, Ljubljana feels like a storybook city that has managed to stay off the typical tourist radar. But beyond its picturesque streets and stunning landmarks, Ljubljana also boasts a thriving food and drink scene. From the lively outdoor markets brimming with fresh produce to cozy riverside cafés serving up traditional Slovenian fare, the city is a paradise for food lovers. Whether you're indulging in hearty dishes like štruklji (rolled dumplings) or sipping on locally brewed craft beer, every meal is an opportunity to savor the authentic flavors of Slovenia.
Get ready to explore a city that feels both intimate and inviting, where modern life effortlessly blends with the echoes of a storied past. In this post, we’ll uncover the best of Ljubljana—from its top attractions and culinary delights to hidden gems that will make you fall in love with this European treasure.
Ljubljana’s Must-See Sights: Exploring the City’s Iconic Landmarks
Ljubljana Castle; Perched atop a 375m-high hill to the east of Ljubljana’s Old Town, Ljubljana Castle is a fascinating blend of architectural styles. Most of its current structure dates back to the early 16th century, when it was largely reconstructed following a devastating earthquake. While exploring the castle grounds is free, there are paid attractions, including the Watchtower, the Chapel of St. George, and the captivating Slovenian History Exhibition. Visitors can also check out the Puppet Theatre and embark on the immersive Time Machine tour. There are several ways to reach the castle, with the easiest being a 70m-long funicular that departs from the Old Town near the Vodnikov trg market. An hourly tourist train also runs from the Ljubljana TIC. If you prefer to walk, there are three main routes: Študentovska ulica from Ciril Metodov trg, the steep Reber ulica from Stari trg, and Ulica na Grad from Gornji trg. You can explore the castle’s many attractions at your own pace or join one of the highly recommended 90-minute Time Machine tours, which feature costumed guides bringing the castle’s history to life. For sweeping views of the city, climb the 19th-century Watchtower, located on the southwestern side of the courtyard. The 95-step ascent from the museum level leads to a double wrought-iron staircase and a walkway along the ramparts, offering stunning panoramas of the Old Town and the Ljubljanica River. Inside the Watchtower, visitors can enjoy a 12-minute video presentation of Ljubljana’s history, available in multiple languages.
National & University Library; This library, completed in 1941, is considered architect Jože Plečnik’s masterpiece. To truly grasp his design philosophy, start your visit at the main entrance on Turjaška ulica, where you'll notice the distinctive horse-head doorknobs. Upon entering, you're enveloped in near darkness, surrounded by black marble—a symbolic design element. As you ascend the stairs, you emerge into a bright colonnade, reflecting Plečnik’s vision of the "light of knowledge." The Main Reading Room (Velika Čitalnica), with its impressive glass walls and stunning lamps also designed by Plečnik, is accessible to nonstudents only through group tours (€5 for adults, €3 for children) during July and August.
Triple Bridge; The iconic Triple Bridge, which stretches from Prešernov trg to the Old Town, was originally known as Špital (Hospital) Bridge. When first constructed in 1842 as a single span, it wasn’t particularly remarkable. However, between 1929 and 1932, renowned architect Jože Plečnik transformed the bridge by adding two pedestrian side bridges. He equipped all three spans with stone balustrades and elegant lamps, resulting in the bridge’s new name. Stairways from each side bridge lead down to the picturesque, poplar-lined terraces along the Ljubljanica River, making it one of Ljubljana's most celebrated landmarks.
Prešernov Trg; The centerpiece of Ljubljana’s stunning architectural landscape is the elegant Prešeren Square, a refined public space that serves as a vital link between the Center district and the Old Town, as well as the city’s favorite gathering spot. Dominating the square is the Prešeren Monument (1905), a tribute to Slovenia’s most celebrated poet, France Prešeren (1800–1849). Just south of the monument stands the city’s architectural icon, the Triple Bridge, a small but much-admired structure. To the east of the statue, at No. 5, is the Italianate Central Pharmacy, which was once a popular café frequented by 19th-century intellectuals. To the north, you’ll find the striking Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, while the secessionist-style Palača Urbanc (1903) graces the corner of Trubarjeva and Miklošičeva streets, now home to a chic department store. Across the square at No. 1 is another secessionist gem, the Hauptmann House. A short walk away, at Wolfova ulica 4, a terracotta figure peers out from a window—Julija Primič, the unrequited love of Prešeren, whose romance remained unfulfilled.
National Museum of Slovenia; Housed in a grand 1888 building—shared with the Slovenian Museum of Natural History—this museum boasts several fascinating exhibits. Among the highlights is the intricately embossed Vače situla, a Celtic pail from the 6th century BC discovered in a town east of Ljubljana. Also notable is a Stone Age bone flute, unearthed near Cerkno in 1995. Visitors can explore Roman jewelry found in 6th-century Slavic graves and admire the Roman lapidarium displayed in a glass enclosure just outside, to the north. Be sure to look up at the ceiling fresco in the foyer, which depicts an allegorical image of the ancient Slovenian province of Carniola, surrounded by notable Slovenes from history. As you ascend the stairs, you’ll also notice statues of the Muses and Fates resting along the banisters. Entry to both this museum and the Slovenian Museum of Natural History is located on the eastern side of the building, facing the park.
Žale Cemetery; Located about 2km northeast of Tabor, this cemetery is Ljubljana’s version of Paris' Père Lachaise or London’s Highgate. It serves as the final resting place for many prominent Slovenes, including renowned architect Jože Plečnik. The cemetery is most famous for its striking entrance, featuring ornamental gates, chapels, and colonnades, all designed by Plečnik in 1940. In addition to Slovenian graves, the cemetery also contains burial sites for Austrian, Italian, and German soldiers from both world wars, as well as a small Jewish section. Plečnik’s own unassuming grave marker can be found in the main part of the cemetery, in area A, section 6. To locate it, walk past the yellow church near the entrance, then take a left at the end of the first section.
Savoring Ljubljana: Must-Try Food and Drink Delights
Štruklji; Štruklji is one of Slovenia's most iconic dishes, featuring various types of rolled dough filled with either savory or sweet ingredients like cottage cheese, walnuts, apples, and poppy seeds. You can find this delicious dish across Slovenia—enjoyed in home kitchens, restaurants, and numerous mountain huts. Štruklji can be either baked or boiled, and a particularly popular variation during spring and summer is filled with fresh tarragon. Traditionally, štruklji was prepared for celebrations and festivities to mark the end of the hard labor season on farms. This custom persisted until the 1930s, when the dish became a year-round favorite.
Idrijski žlikrofi; Traditionally crafted in western Slovenia, particularly in the town of Idrija, žlikrofi is a beloved pasta dish akin to ravioli. These delightful dumplings consist of two layers of thin pasta dough enveloping a filling, and their distinctive shape, reminiscent of a bicorne hat, sets them apart. The authentic potato filling is perhaps the most notable feature of žlikrofi.
Since the earliest references to this delectable Slovenian dish, its recipe has remained largely unchanged, with variations primarily occurring in the filling. The oldest written mention can be found in the 1936 book Naš Idrijski Kot, where the author notes that žlikrofi were traditionally prepared only for special occasions, typically filled with potatoes, meat, or turnip mash. While some suggest that Idrijski žlikrofi bear a resemblance to the Austrian Schlickkrapferl (dumplings filled with offal and fresh herbs), the true origins of this delightful dish have yet to be definitively established.
Leteči žganci; Leteči žganci is a traditional Slovenian dish that hails from Ljubljana. It features a delectable combination of chicken wings and legs, along with flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, and oil. To prepare the dish, the chicken is washed, seasoned with salt, rolled in flour, dipped in beaten eggs, and then coated in breadcrumbs. Historically, the meat was fried in pork fat or linseed oil, but today, sunflower oil is commonly used. Leteči žganci has its roots in working-class circles, where it was first prepared centuries ago.
Janška vezivka; Janška vezivka is a traditional Slovenian sweet bread that originates from Janče, situated on the eastern side of Ljubljana. This festive treat is made with a delightful blend of flour, butter, eggs, milk, sugar, salt, yeast, rum, and vanilla sugar. Once the dough has risen, a portion is shaped into various decorative forms such as birds, ribbons, braids, or flowers. The bread is then brushed with a mixture of milk and beaten eggs, and the shaped dough pieces are affixed to the top before baking. After baking, the bread is brushed with melted butter and allowed to cool before serving. Janška vezivka is traditionally prepared for those celebrating their name days, as well as for other festive occasions.
Gobova juha; Gobova juha is a traditional Slovenian mushroom soup known for its rich flavors and comforting warmth. While many variations exist, the soup typically features a delightful blend of wild mushrooms, onions, garlic, butter, flour, potatoes, white wine or wine vinegar, bay leaves, marjoram, salt, and pepper. To prepare the soup, onions are sautéed in butter and then combined with flour and garlic. Chopped mushrooms are added to the pot along with water, marjoram, bay leaves, potatoes, salt, and black pepper. The mixture is simmered over low heat until the potatoes are tender. Near the end of cooking, white wine or vinegar is stirred in, enhancing the soup's depth of flavor. Once ready, Gobova juha is ladled into bowls and garnished with chopped parsley and a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess. This comforting dish is particularly popular during the fall, making it a perfect choice for chilly days.
Kremna rezina; Kremna rezina, a beloved specialty from the Lake Bled area of Slovenia, is a decadent cream cake that features a golden, crispy, buttery pastry base. This delightful dessert is layered with rich vanilla custard, topped with fluffy whipped cream, and finished with a delicate layer of thin, buttery dough. Traditionally, the entire cake is dusted with icing sugar and served sliced into cubes. The creation of kremna rezina (or Bled cream cake) can be traced back to chef Ištvan Lukačević, who arrived at Bled's Park Hotel and reimagined the Hungarian cream cake by incorporating the perfect amount of whipped cream. In 1953, the hotel proudly introduced Lukačević's delicious invention to the public. The dessert quickly gained popularity, becoming a favorite among tourists, with up to 3,500 slices sold daily. More than just a cake, the authentic kremna rezina is a true work of art; the pastry is folded seven times before resting, the custard is precisely cooked for seven minutes, and each cake is meticulously cut into seven-by-seven centimeter squares.
Zelèn; Zelèn is a unique Slovenian white grape variety primarily grown in the Vipava Valley. Once nearly forgotten, it gained recognition in the early 2000s when several producers began to explore its potential as a remarkable native grape capable of producing aromatic white wines. Wines made from Zelèn are fresh and well-balanced, featuring a distinctive aroma profile that includes fruity, floral, and herbal notes reminiscent of white-fleshed fruits. On the palate, these wines are soft and round, harmoniously complemented by balanced acidity. Zelèn wines pair beautifully with a variety of dishes, including seafood, pork, veal, and poultry. The name "Zelèn" translates to "green," a nod to the grape's characteristic green hue.
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