12 Best Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 24 Hours

Open Kitchen in Ljubljana

We purposely planned our itinerary to be in Ljubljana on a Friday for one reason: Open Kitchen.

I love a good food and wine festival.

Started in 2013, this open-air gourmet market brings together some of the best chefs and restaurants across Slovenia. With over 60 vendors serving everything from traditional Slovenian dishes and creative street food to craft beer and local wine, the choices are endless.

Grab a plate, pour a glass, and find a spot to soak up the lively atmosphere.

We loved it so much we ended up eating both lunch and dinner there.

The market runs most Fridays from March through October and only in good weather. Luckily, we visited on a beautiful sunny day in May.

One of our favorite stops was Pop’s Place, whose slogan boldly claims they serve “The Best Damned Burger You’ll Ever Eat.”

After trying their Original Boss Burger (dry-aged beef, onion marmalade, English Stilton, and truffle aioli on brioche), I have to admit… it might actually be true. It was incredibly juicy and packed with flavor.

Pop’s Place at Open Kitchen in Ljubljana

We paired it with excellent Slovenian reds from Movia, including their Merlot and Veliko Rdece. Winemaker Ales Kristancic is one of the names helping Slovenian wine gain global attention.

Movia Merlot and Veliko Rdece

Carniolan Sausage

This special sausage is one of Slovenia’s most famous traditional dishes. The recipe dates back to the 19th century, and only 11 certified producers are allowed to make it today using the original method.

The sausage is made with high-quality pork, bacon, garlic, pepper, salt, and stuffed into natural pig intestine.

We tried ours at Klobasarna, a spot that’s impossible to miss thanks to the giant sausage hanging outside the building.

Even better, they do one thing and one thing only: the classic Carniolan sausage.

I love places that focus on a single dish and perfect it. This Slovenian “fast food” is served simply with a fresh Kaiser roll, mustard, and horseradish.

Zlikrofi (Stuffed Dumplings)

Zlikrofi with lamb ragout at Penzion Berc

Idrijski žlikrofi is considered the national dish of Slovenia and comes from the historic mining town of Idrija.

These small pasta pockets are made from thin layers of dough filled with potatoes, onions, pork cracklings or minced lard, smoked bacon, and spices.

You’ll often find this traditional dish at the weekly Open Kitchen in Ljubljana, but we actually tried it while staying at Penzion Berc in Lake Bled, and it was absolutely delicious.

If you want to discover more incredible Slovenian dishes, check out my Slovenian foodie guide.

Join a Food Tour

If you want to skip the research and have a local show you their favorite foodie spots with a little history thrown in, then join the highly-rated tour company LjubljanaYum!

We’ve seen some wild vending machines in Japan, but raw milk was a first for us in Ljubljana.

Slovenia has embraced farm-to-table long before it became trendy. Around the city, you’ll find 24-hour milk vending machines called mlekomats, each owned by a local farmer.

You can bring your own bottle or buy a glass jar at the machine. We inserted a few coins, pressed start, and out came fresh, non-homogenized, non-pasteurized milk straight from the farm.

The cream rises to the top, giving it a richer, slightly sweeter flavor. It was surprisingly delicious.

Now all they need is a vending machine next to it that dispenses warm chocolate chip cookies to go with it!

When most people think of Ljubljana, they picture the iconic four dragons guarding Dragon Bridge.

Just a short walk away is Cobbler’s Bridge, named after the shoemakers who once had workshops there. Its elegant pillars give the bridge a distinctive, almost classical look.

Cobbler’s Bridge

Nearby, Butcher’s Bridge is often called the city’s love bridge. Couples attach colorful padlocks to the steel wires and toss the key into the Ljubljanica River below.

Padlocks on Butcher’s Bridge

Then there’s the famous Triple Bridge, one of Ljubljana’s most recognizable landmarks.

The original bridge was built in 1842 but wasn’t wide enough for both cars and pedestrians, so two additional pedestrian bridges were added.

One bridge further down is Fishmarket Bridge (Ribja Brv). Its sleek, minimalist design with transparent sides makes it a perfect spot to photograph the Triple Bridge and the pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, especially at sunset or after dark.

Franciscan Church and Triple Bridge at night (photo taken from the Fishmarket Bridge)

This one isn’t just for kids. Adults will enjoy it too.

We had so much fun exploring the 40+ exhibits at the House of Illusions, each designed to trick your brain and senses in clever ways. I’m usually not a big museum person, but this place was genuinely entertaining.

Plan to spend a couple of hours here. It’s open daily from 9 am to 9 pm, and tickets cost about 8 euros.

Here were some of our favorite exhibits:

Round 1 of Face Mashup

Round 2 of Face Mashup

This was one of my favorite exhibits.

You can swap parts of your face with your partner or friend and see the hilarious results. My husband and I had way too much fun playing around with this one.

Slovenia has incredibly clean drinking water, and during the warmer months (usually April to October) you can refill your bottle at public fountains throughout Ljubljana.

If you download the Tap Water Ljubljana app, it will show you the nearest fountains around the city. Some of them are actually little works of art.

One of our favorites was tucked along Locksmith Street. This narrow cobblestone alley features a row of more than 700 small bronze faces staring out at you. Look closely and you’ll notice each one has a different expression: happy, sad, or even angry.

At the end of the row sits a stone hand sculpture. When you turn on the fountain, water pours out from one of the fingers.

It’s a quirky and memorable little art installation.

The most popular place to see street art in Ljubljana is Metelkova Mesto, a former military headquarters that has been transformed into a vibrant creative hub.

Today it’s home to artists, students, and activists who host art exhibitions, cultural events, underground music, and performances.

By day, you can wander through colorful street art and small galleries. By night, the bars and clubs create a lively atmosphere centered around art and music.

We didn’t visit Metelkova Mesto, but we did explore Tovarna Rog, a former bicycle factory that closed in 1991 and was later taken over by artists and activists.

The space hosts galleries, concert venues, skate parks, and plenty of street art both inside the complex and along the long wall surrounding the property.

Wine Bar Suklje is a lively place to relax and sample Slovenian wine. With more than 300 Slovenian and international bottles and a wine list that rotates monthly, there is always something new to try.

If you do not have time to visit Slovenia’s wine regions (which I highly recommend), this is a great introduction to local wines. We ordered a few wine flights so we could taste several varieties.

We actually spent several days exploring Slovenia’s beautiful wine country, so if you want to dive deeper, check out my guide to Slovenia wine country: where to sip, sleep, and eat.

We also did a fantastic Slovenia wine tour, so we didn’t have to worry about driving.

Some Slovenian wines to try include Rebula, Zelen, Cviček, Radgona sparkling wine, and Teran. The staff at Wine Bar Suklje are very knowledgeable and happy to help guide your choices.

Great wine, great service, and a fun atmosphere.

We love finding exceptional coffee shops when we travel.

A few past favorites include Truth Coffee in Cape Town and Eliscaffe in Zagreb.

Another one to add to the list is Crno Zrno in Ljubljana.

This small, beautifully designed café in the old town serves some of the best coffee in Slovenia. With blue-tiled floors and arched ceilings, the tiny space instantly pulls you in.

The name Crno Zrno means “Black Bean.” Owner Alex Niño Ruiz, a Colombian expat, sources his beans directly from farmers in Colombia.

Be sure to try their cold brew served in a wine glass. Fantastic coffee!

Prešeren Square is named after Slovenia’s famous poet, France Prešeren.

This lively cobblestone square is home to some of Ljubljana’s most recognizable landmarks, including the pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation and the iconic Triple Bridge.

It’s almost always buzzing with activity as both locals and visitors gather here to enjoy the views, socialize, and watch street performers and musicians.

I especially loved walking through the square at night when everything lights up. Ljubljana feels incredibly romantic, and the bridges and canals even reminded me a bit of Venice.

We stayed just a one-minute walk away at the charming Grand Hotel Union, which made it incredibly easy to explore all the highlights of the city.

Cankarjevo Nabrežje is a lively riverside promenade lined with cafés, shops, and restaurants. On a sunny day, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll and a little people-watching.

Another lovely street to explore is Gornji trg, a quieter cobblestone lane tucked into the old town.

It’s also where we found our favorite coffee spot in the city, Crno Zrno.

There are several great day trips you can take if you use Ljubljana as your base.

Personally, I recommend renting a car and driving a clockwise loop around Slovenia. It’s a fantastic way to experience the country’s beautiful countryside.

If you want to follow the route we took, check out my 9-day Slovenia itinerary.

Before arriving in Slovenia, we actually hiked the incredible Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, then took a train to Ljubljana where we rented a car and began our Slovenia road trip.

If you’re short on time, though, there are still a few amazing places you can visit within an hour of the capital.

And if you’re not renting a car, I’ve also included a highly rated tour option for each destination.

Lake Bled

→   Drive Time from Ljubljana: 45 minutes to 1 hr 15 minutes

There’s a reason Lake Bled is on almost every Slovenia itinerary. This stunning alpine lake, with its tiny island church and hilltop castle, feels straight out of a fairytale.

If you enjoy hiking, walk up to one of the viewpoints overlooking the lake for incredible views. In the summer months, you can even swim in the clear blue water.

For a full guide, check out my post on 8 favorite experiences to do in Lake Bled.

→   Best Lake Bled Small-Group Tour: Roundabout Travel 

Vintgar Gorge

→   Drive Time from Ljubljana: 45 minutes to 1 hr 15 minutes

You can also visit nearby Vintgar Gorge, where wooden walkways wind through the canyon above a stunning turquoise river.

We did this hike and absolutely loved it. The rushing water and dramatic gorge walls made it one of the prettiest walks we did in Slovenia.

If you’re planning to go, be sure to read my How to Visit Vintgar Gorge guide for tips on the best routes and timing.

→   Best Vintgar Gorge (+ Lake Bled + Lake Bohinj) Group Tour: Roundabout Travel

Predjama Castle

→   Drive Time from Ljubljana: 50 minutes from 1 hr 10 minutes

Predjama Castle holds the distinction of being the world’s largest cave castle and is even listed in the Guinness World Records.

The four-story castle is dramatically built right into the face of a rocky cliff.

It’s one of the most unique castles I’ve ever seen.

We didn’t go inside, but we did stop to admire it from the outside and snap a few photos. Even just seeing it from the viewpoint is worth the stop.

→   Best Predjama Castle Tour: Slovenia Explorer

Wine Country

→   Drive Time from Ljubljana: 50 minutes to 1 hr 15 minutes

Personally, I recommend spending a few days in Slovenia’s wine country, which is exactly what we did. The region is absolutely stunning and is often called “Little Tuscany.”

If you want to plan a similar trip, check out my Slovenia wine country getaway guide where I share where to sip, sleep, and eat.

If you’re short on time, though, you can still experience the region by taking a full-day wine tour from Ljubljana to the Vipava Valley, where you’ll visit local wineries, enjoy tastings, and meet the winemakers.

→   Best Wine Tour from Ljubljana: Wine Tours Slovenia

Where should you stay in Ljubljana?

We stayed at the beautiful Grand Hotel Union, a historic property located right next to Prešeren Square in the heart of the city. Built in 1905, the hotel is full of Art Nouveau charm and offers great amenities including a gym, indoor pool, and spa.

The staff were incredibly welcoming and made us feel the warmth of Slovenian hospitality.

Another hotel we seriously considered was Hotel Cubo. It’s a stylish boutique hotel with a modern, slightly sexy vibe and is also located in the city center.

A great option if you prefer a more contemporary stay.

What is the best time to visit Ljubljana?

My husband and I love traveling during the shoulder seasons when prices are lower and crowds are smaller.

• The best months to visit are April–May and September–October.
• Summer (June through August) is the busiest time of year, and June tends to have the most rainfall.
• We visited in May and had fantastic weather. There were some crowds, but nothing overwhelming.

How many days should you spend in Ljubljana?

I recommend spending 2 nights and 3 days in Ljubljana for a relaxed visit.

We only stayed one night, which was doable but felt a little rushed.

With another day, I would have loved to bike through Tivoli Park and try a few more restaurants like Strelec or JB Restaurant. Slovenia’s culinary scene is seriously impressive and gaining more global attention.

How do you get around Ljubljana?

The best way to get around Ljubljana is simply on foot. The old town is compact, walkable, and largely car-free.

We did rent a car because we continued on a road trip through Slovenia.

We used Atet, a local Slovenian rental company, and had a great experience. Their service was excellent, and I highly recommend supporting a local company instead of the big international chains.

How do you get to Ljubljana?

By train:
Ljubljana is conveniently located near both Venice, Italy and Zagreb, Croatia.

We started our trip in Zagreb to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park (which is absolutely jaw-dropping), then took a 2 hour 20 minute train ride to Ljubljana to begin our Slovenia road trip.

Our first-class train tickets cost about $45 USD per person, and we had a private cabin that was clean and comfortable.

Even crossing the border was easy since customs officials come directly to the train.

By plane:
You can also fly into Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport.

From the United States, most routes connect through major European hubs such as Zurich, Frankfurt, Munich, London Heathrow, Paris, Brussels, or Warsaw.

In my opinion, Ljubljana is a fun and charming city that’s definitely worth a visit.

The colorful architecture, riverside cafés, good food, and local wine make it a really enjoyable stop. You can easily see most of the highlights in a day, but spending a night or two lets you slow down and soak in the relaxed atmosphere.

For us, Ljubljana was the perfect stop on our Slovenia road trip, and we’re glad we had the chance to experience it.

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Questions about the best things to do in Ljubljana?

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