Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting? Yes, Here Are 10 Reasons to Love This Hidden Gem

Are you wondering whether Ljubljana deserves a spot on your European itinerary?

You’re not alone in wondering, ‘is Ljubljana worth visiting?’ when you could easily detour to more famous travel destinations like Prague or Vienna.

As someone who recently discovered Ljubljana through a personal heritage journey with my mother, I understand the skepticism surrounding lesser-known European capitals.

Having explored both popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations across Europe, I can confidently say that Ljubljana surprised me in the best possible way.

What started as a genealogy research trip turned into an enchanting discovery of a city that feels like Europe’s best-kept secret.

After exploring Ljubljana’s dragon-adorned bridges, sampling local cuisine, and wandering through its fairy-tale-like old town, I can definitively answer your question: Yes, Ljubljana is absolutely worth visiting, and here are 10 compelling reasons why this hidden gem should be your next European destination.

Why Did We Initially Visit Ljubljana?

I surprised my Mother with a trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia, because my maternal Grandmother’s side of the family is Slovenian.

It was a chance for us to connect with our heritage by visiting and investigating our past at the Ljubljana Archdiocesan Archives, where we found records of our family dating back centuries.

10 Reasons to Visit Ljubljana

1. Dragon Bridge

After arriving, one of the first things I went to look for in the capital city of Ljubljana was the Dragon Bridge.

It crosses the Ljubljanica River and was built at the beginning of the 20th century when Ljubljana was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Which is why its original name was The Jubilee Bridge of the Emperor Franz Josef I.

In July 1919, it was renamed to the Dragon Bridge.

The main attraction of the bridge, of course, is the four dragons standing on pedestals at its corners. The bridge also has sixteen smaller dragon statues. Legend has it that Jason founded Ljubljana and that he and his Argonauts killed a dragon, which is symbolized by one of the four main dragons.

According to local legend, when a virgin crosses the Dragon Bridge, the dragons wag their tails. I can report seeing no such wagging while there… but maybe the Mother of Dragons broke this magically dated lore, LOL.

2. Ljubljana Cathedral

Ljubljana Cathedral, aka Saint Nicholas’s Church, was originally a Gothic church known for its distinctive architecture.

In the early 18th century, it was replaced by a Baroque building, an extremely popular style. Those interested in this style will also likely enjoy the Austrian National Library , which is also Baroque.

There is no charge to enter the cathedral, and you can sit in on a mass, should you wish. Either way, I highly recommend stopping by Ljubljana Cathedral. Even for a quick look, the ceiling work alone reminded me of the Sistine Chapel.

3. Preseren Square

Prešeren Square is the central square of Ljubljana and a key part of the city center. You may have seen it online and recall the area due to the beautiful salmon-pink building just on the edge of the square, which is the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation.

If I recall correctly, we didn’t get a chance to go into the pink church as it was under construction or something. But even a visit to the square is well worth adding to your “Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting?” list.

Prešeren Square is also the meeting point of many walking tours and festivals, such as the annual Ljubljana Dragon Carnival, where concerts, sports, and other events take place.

Nearby, you’ll also find the famous triple bridge, made of up three bridges. I adored the Dragon Bridge much more, but I’d be remiss not to mention this landmark.

4. Shopping at Central Market

As my Mother loves to shop, I also took her to Ljubljana’s Central Market, which is an open-air market. It’s also a great place to try some Slovenian treats, as there are small food vendors along the river.

Every Friday from mid-March until the end of October, a unique food market is held where chefs of Slovenian restaurants prepare various dishes from all over the world.

You can also get fresh Slovenian produce grown by local farmers. On Saturdays, the Ecological Market takes place here.

There’s also an indoor market right next door called ‘Plečnik’s Covered Market’, which has shops offering Slovenian products, restaurants, a fish market with a small restaurant, and the DobraVaga Art Gallery.

5. Ljubljana Castle

It’s hard to miss Ljubljana Castle when visiting, as it is one of the notable buildings in the city, so I highly recommend adding it to the plus column when considering “Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting?”

It’s been standing on a hill high above the city for about 900 years and is internationally recognized for its sustainability certifications. A visit to the castle offers some of the most beautiful views of the city. To get up to Ljubljana Castle, you take a funicular railway similar to the one at Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Indoors, the castle houses an exhibition on Slovenian history, a puppet museum, several historical rooms, such as the Chapel of St George and the Prison, art exhibitions, a cafe, a nightclub, a wine bar, two restaurants, and a screening area.

There’s also the Escape Castle, which is a fun adventure where you can learn about the city’s history through five tests and maybe finally save the dragon, the one that can be found on the Dragon Bridge and in the town coat of arms and the flag.

🎟️ Tickets: Ljubljana Castle is a popular attraction so DON’T forget to book your tickets in advance!

Unfortunately, I goofed while visiting Ljubljana. I thought by the time we arrived in the city, the castle would be closed. I was wrong and thus missed my opportunity to visit. However, I truly plan to visit on my next trip back!

Aside from the Castle, if you’re looking for more things to do or are possibly spending 2 days in Ljubljana, check out this guide.

6. Slovenian Cuisine

As we spent most of our time researching our relatives in the Ljubljana Archdiocesan Archives, I pitched my Mom on a walking food tour. This way, we could walk through the city, see the sights, learn a bit about Slovenia, and try some local Slovenian cuisine.

By signing up for the Ljubljana: Slovenian Cuisine Walking Tour with Tastings by RoundAbout, we were able to kill two birds with one stone!

On this tour, we walked through old Ljubljana, learned about Slovenia’s history, and tasted several traditional dishes and wines from across the country.

We passed many of the sites I’ve mentioned above in this post, such as Prešeren Square, Town Hall, and the Dragon Bridge. So if you’re short on time, I advise doing this tour first!

The tour is about 4 hours long and takes you to several restaurants in the old town section of Ljubljana. One of which is where we got the lovely view of the city that you see in the image above. That image alone should help you answer “Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting?

My mom isn’t much of an adventurous eater, but I rather enjoyed the offerings. Our guide did her best to find things my Mom was comfortable eating, so we really appreciated that.

🎟️ Tickets: I really enjoyed seeing and learning about Ljubljana via this walking food tour so I highly recommend signing up for the Slovenian Cuisine Tour by RoundAbout!

If you have trouble walking, please note that the city is pretty flat, so this tour shouldn’t be too difficult for you.

If you’re a big foodie, you can check out a food journey through Western Slovenia!

7. A Wonderfully Walkable City

Ljubljana, as a small city, is very easy to walk around. Aside from the hilltop castle, the city is very flat, so it was easy for my mom and I to get around.

She had knee issues, so ascending inclines or otherwise rough terrain isn’t her cup of tea, but we found Slovenia easy to traverse.

It’s also rather condensed. We walked around all of this in one day, with the exception of Ljubljana Castle since I goofed on the hours it’s open. All of the these popular attractions are all walkable from one another.

8. Sustainable City Initiatives

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is known as a green city and was named the European Green Capital in 2016. The city has many green initiatives, including green spaces strategically located throughout the city, public transportation, and a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

It has a car-free urban center, over 1,600 shared-bicycle docking sites, public transportation with zero carbon emissions, an average of 5,900 square feet of green space per citizen, and is working to become climate neutral by 2030.

Those looking to support eco-friendly destinations should definitely check this city out as it makes it one of the key reasons I say yes to the question, “is Ljubljana worth visiting?”

9. Central Location for Slovenian Day Trips

Ljubljana’s central location in Slovenia makes it an ideal base for day trips. The capital is at the center of the country’s efficient transportation network, with most major attractions easily accessible within 1-2 hours, so you can be back in time for dinner.

Slovenia’s small size allows you to explore diverse landscapes—from mountains to coastlines to wine country—all while using Ljubljana as your home base.

From Ljubljana, you can easily visit:

• The alpine Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj to the northwest (~1 hour)
• The coastal towns of Piran and Koper to the southwest (~1.5 hours)
• The Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle to the southwest (~45 minutes)
• The wine regions of Maribor and Ptuj to the northeast (~2 hours)
• The Škocjan Caves UNESCO site to the southwest (~1 hour)

Check out 18 Things to Do in Slovenia for day trip ideas.

How to Get Around Slovenia

If you’re looking for a budget way to get around, I highly recommend checking out train and bus options if you’re going to nearby cities.

Traveling in Slovenia is generally more affordable compared to other European countries. However, that’s not the only option.

• Bus: An extensive bus network covers most of the country, handy for reaching smaller towns and villages. Not only are the buses comfortable and affordable (we booked with Flixbus), but we were able to reserve seats and see beautiful views of the Alps along the route.
• Train: Ljubljana is accessible by direct trains from many cities. While it is generally a bit more expensive than the bus, traveling by train is an enjoyable and usually quick way to travel.
• Car Rental: The most popular option, renting a car, allows for the flexibility to explore at your own pace. However, aside from my experiences renting cars in Rhodes, Greece, and Rovaniemi, Finland, I generally prefer to avoid this due to the hassle of finding parking or paying for insurance.

There are also many coastal and seaside cities in Slovenia that are well worth a visit that can also be accessed by these modes of transportation, including the world-famous Lake Bled.

10. An Affordable European Destination

Ljubljana provides remarkable value compared to other European capitals, featuring significantly lower prices than Western European destinations like Paris or London. This is one of the main reasons I say yes to the question, “is Ljubljana worth visiting?”

Accommodations vary from budget-friendly hostels to moderately priced hotels in Ljubljana’s the historic center, frequently costing 30-50% less than other major European cities.

Unique hostels like Hostel Celica, a former prison with artistic room designs and a community-focused atmosphere, offer an affordable and distinctive lodging experience.

Local restaurants offer hearty Slovenian meals at affordable prices, with lunch menus presenting especially good value. Cafes and bars, particularly those situated away from the riverfront, provide local wines and craft beers at fair prices.

The city’s public transport system is inexpensive, and many top attractions are free or low-cost.

Most of the activities on this list, including walking through the old town, visiting the Central Market, and enjoying the views of the Dragon Bridge, cost nothing. Even paid attractions like Ljubljana Castle are reasonably priced.

🇸🇮 Those looking to get the most out of their trip should check out the Ljubljana Card. This card provides excellent value for tourists, offering free public transportation and access to major attractions.

Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting?

I hope this post helps you answer “Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting?” because it truly is! And not just because I’m partially Slovenian!

As you might be able to guessed, I really enjoyed my time in this beautiful capital city. It’s nice that it’s a bit off the beaten path. As that means it’s not over-commercialized and feels warmer than most major cities since it has small town vibes. As their tourism campaign logo says, “I Feel Slovenia.”

There’s also tons to do in Slovenia, such as a day trip to Lake Bled nearby.

It’s also extremely walkable! We didn’t take public transport other than to get to Ljubljana from Munich and to our hotel, as it was out of the main part of the city and thus cheaper. Additionally, Ljubljana is safe and rather inexpensive compared with other European cities.

Even if you only spend one day in Ljubljana, I genuinely think it’s worth it!

Visiting Ljubljana FAQs

Related Ljubljana Travel Guides

• How to Spend 1 Day in Ljubljana: Embracing My Slovenian Heritage
• Is the Ljubljana Card Worth It? Yes, Here’s My Review How
• Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting? 6 Reasons to Love This Walkable City
• Best Places to Stay in Ljubljana, Slovenia: Key Areas & Top-Rated Hotels & Hostels

Header image by photopopica

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