Things to see in Ljubljana
Attractions
Prešeren Square (Prešernov Trg)
The delightful Prešeren Square is the very core of Ljubljana, marking the point between the Old Town and the city centre. The cobbled plaza comes alive with concerts and festivities in the summer and is home to the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. Most interesting, though, is the statue of influential Slovenian poet France Prešeren, who is depicted beneath a muse holding a laurel sprig. The statue faces a relief sculpture of his unrequited love interest, Julija Primic, who looks out from an adjacent building on Wolfova street.
Address: , Prešernov trg 1, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski Grad)
Perched high above the city, Ljubljana Castle is a landmark medieval fortress that branches out along the hillside. It has served as a royal residence, a military warehouse and a prison. Not content with merely showing off its wealth of history, the current incarnation is a cultural centre with regular concerts, exhibitions and fashion shows. The venue includes a restaurant, coffee house, gallery, gift shop, children’s theatre and a hi-tech audio-visual show that delves into the city’s past. To visit, take a tourist train from Prešernov Trg or catch the funicular railway from Krekov Trg. Walking to the site from Central Ljubljana Market in Vodnik Square takes about 15 minutes but affords some sumptuous views. You can also hop aboard the ‘urban train’ which links all the major sites in the city (+386 1582 2460; www.lpp.si/en/).
Address: , Grajska planota 1, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 1306 4293
Opening times:
Jan - Mar, Nov 1000-1800.
Apr, May, Oct 0900-2100.
Jun - Sep 0900-2100.
Dec 1000-2000.
Admission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Old Town
The true heart of Ljubljana lies in the interconnecting squares of Mestni Trg, Stari Trg and Gornji Trg, which kneel in waiting at the base of Castle Hill. A mixture of twirling cobbled streets, medieval architecture and baroque buildings; Old Town is where locals come for a cool terrace-bar beer on summer evenings or a long afternoon lunch in the shade. Wanderers are rewarded with delightful fountains, charming cafés and a relaxed pace of life.
Address: , Mestni trg 1 (central location), Ljubljana, 1000Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website:Admission Fees: Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Dragon Bridge (Zmajski Most)
The striking dragon statues that sit atop this famously quirky structure are some of the city’s more curious sights. Built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Emperor Franc Jožef I’s rule, the bridge dates back to 1888 during the height of art nouveau style. Designed in Vienna, its concrete construction was innovative at the time, with the emblematic dragon figure inspired by the Ljubljana coat of arms.
Address: , Resljeva cesta 2, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 1306 1215
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tivoli Park
Need an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? Head to Tivoli Park where you can join locals savouring their weekends. With five square kilometres of parkland to explore, it is the city’s largest green space. Stroll over from the city centre or rent a bike to explore its meandering paths and walkways. It's the perfect place for kids too, with an array of playgrounds and an abundance of spots for a lazy day of picnicking.
Address: , , Ljubljana, 1000Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
City Museum of Ljubljana (Mestni Muzej Ljubljana)
The impressive City Museum of Ljubljana is housed in the elegant Auersperg Palace, with countless displays, children's workshops and adult classes, as well as a congress hall and relaxed café. The permanent collections follow the evolution of the city, the Auersperg family and Ljubljana's citizens. Make sure to look for remnants of Roman Ljubljana on the lower floor.
Address: , Gosposka ulica 15, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 1241 2500
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800; Thu 1000-2100. See website for specific closings.
Website: http://www.mgml.si/en/city-museum-of-ljubljanaAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
The Plečnik Collection (Plečnikova Hiša)
The Plečnik Collection, housed within the architect's beloved Trnovo district home, is a must for Plečnik devotees. The building, in which Slovenia’s most famous architect dwelled for 40 years, now comes under the management of the Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana. Highlights include his old studio, personal library and notebooks showing his original sketches.
Address: , Karunova ulica 4-6, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 1280 1604
Opening times:
Mon-Sun 1000-1800. See website for specific closings.
Website: http://mgml.si/en/plecnik-house/Admission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Ljubljanica River
The Ljubljanica, with its weeping willows, shaded walkways and picturesque embankments, is one of the city’s most charming sites. Remodelled and embellished by architect Jože Plečnik, the famous trio of bridges (Trnovo Bridge, Cobblers’ Bridge and Triple Bridge) that span the river are a structural delight.
Further down the embankment, couples still attach padlocks to Butchers' Bridge before symbolically dropping the keys into the river below. River tours leave from Prešernov Trg on the Old Town side.
Address: , , Ljubljana,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website:Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Museum of Modern Art (Moderna Galerija)
With over 1,300 paintings and 500 sculptures, the Museum of Modern Art is one of Slovenia’s finest galleries. Mainly exhibiting 20th-century modernist art from Eastern Europe, the museum displays several artworks from Yugoslavian greats like Jovan Bijelić and Oton Gliha. The museum also hosts retrospectives and temporary solo shows.
Address: , Cankarjeva cesta 15, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 1241 6800
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800. See website for specific closings.
Website: http://www.mg-lj.siAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
National Museum of Slovenia (Narodni Muzej Slovenije)
The oldest of Slovenian museums, this grand neo-Renaissance palace is home to an abundance of cultural gems. Highlights include archaeological finds from Ljubljana’s Roman past, including colourful mosaics and a Bronze Age flute. Not every exhibit is on a Slovenian theme, though, and the mummy on show is reputed to be the only one in Slovenia.
Address: , Muzejska ulica 1, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 1241 4400
Opening times:
Oct-May: Daily 1000-1800, but Thu 1000-2000.
Jun-Sep: Daily 1000-1800, but Thu & Sat 0800-2200.
See the website for specific closings.
Admission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tivoli Mansion: International Centre of Graphic Art (Grad Tivoli: Mednarodni Grafični Likovni Center)
The International Centre of Graphic Art is perhaps the most novel museum in Ljubljana. As the largest Slovene collection of its kind, it holds around 4,000 modernist prints and art pieces. The walk to the museum is also extremely pretty, with a garden walkway lined with regular outdoor photo exhibitions.
Address: , Pod turnom 3, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 1241 3800.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800. See site for specific closings.
Website: http://www.mglc-lj.siAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Skyscraper (Nebotičnik)
In need of romance? The terrace atop of the Nebotičnik (Skyscraper) building offers breath-taking views of the city and the castle. The 70m (230ft) building was modelled on American style skyscrapers and afforded all the modern amenities of the time. Spend an evening sipping sumptuous cocktails while gazing out onto a cityscape sunset. Skyscraper also offers a full restaurant and nightclub.
Address: , Štefanova ulica 1, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 4023 3078
Opening times:
Nightclub and café: Sun-Wed 0900-0100; Thu-Sat 0900-0300.
Restaurant: Mon-Sat 1200-2200.
Admission Fees:
Only to VIP areas
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Ljubljana Tourist Information Centre
Address: , Adamič-Lundrovo nabrežje 2, Ljubljana, 1000Telephone: +386 1306 1215
Opening times:
Daily 0800-1900 (Oct-May); Daily 0800-2100 (Jun-Sep).
Website: http://www.visitljubljana.comThe main tourist information centre, TIC, is in the middle of the city and offers guided tours in 17 different languages. Here, visitors can pick up maps, travel passes, sightseeing cards and information on upcoming events that pique their interest.
Tourist passes
The Ljubljana Tourist Card (www.visitljubljana.com/en/ljubljana-card) offers free or discounted entry to several attractions, as well as free use of public transport. It is available from the tourist offices and is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours. If you buy the card online, you save 10% off the regular price.
