Discover Ljubljana: City History, Nature and Water

Ljubljana combines a distinctive urban history with green landscapes and experiences on the water. The works of Jože Plečnik, created in Ljubljana between the First and Second World Wars, are particularly influential. They represent people-oriented urban planning that gradually changed the city’s identity.

Culture and History

Ljubljana Castle is situated on a green hill in the centre of the city and offers historical, cultural and entertaining content. The Ljubljana Castle funicular provides a fast and comfortable connection with the Old Town. The castle is also home to the Castle Time Machine, a historical experience that takes visitors into the distant past. In the picturesque surroundings of Ljubljana Castle, participants can also take part in an adventure in which they try to save the famous dragon or redeem the last witch burned in Ljubljana.

Creative Ljubljana also combines the present with traditional crafts. The programme includes hands-on arts and crafts workshops with local craftspeople, including pottery, weaving and book printing.

Paths and Places of Remembrance

The Path of Remembrance and Comradeship is a recreational route encircling Ljubljana along the former city perimeter, which was secured with barbed wire during the Second World War. The route is intended primarily for walking and running. Cycling is permitted provided that pedestrians are not endangered. The annual Walk along the Wire creates a special connection between exercise and remembrance: it takes place on the first Saturday after 9 May.

Nature

Ljubljana Zoo is located on the southern slope of Rožnik amid natural forests and meadows and is part of a protected landscape park. There, visitors can take part in an animal feeding session under the supervision of an animal keeper and according to the schedule. Ljubljana Zoo also offers family workshops in which visitors can experience direct contact with animals.

By the Water

The Ljubljanica defines Ljubljana through its interesting bridges and picturesque riverside promenades in the Old Town. Tourist boats on the river offer a different perspective on the bridges, façades and riverside promenades. In summer, visitors can travel through the centre of Ljubljana on the Ljubljanica by stand-up paddleboard or canoe. The river scene also includes the Barka Ljubljanica, a handcrafted wooden boat with electric propulsion.

Personal priorities can play just as much of a role as the planned travel budget. A hotel and a holiday apartment can be considered different forms of accommodation without presupposing any individual features. Take your time to review various offers and then decide which option best matches your expectations for your stay in Ljubljana.

More travel destinations: Mački, Rob, Smlednik, Preserje, Škofljica, Rakitna.

To the overview of higher-level destinations: Laibach.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Slovenia: destinations between the Alps, Karst, coast and Ljubljana; Ljubljana in Slovenia: Old Town, castle, river and travel planning.