The ultimate weekend in Ljubljana, Slovenia

09.08.2024 - 16:20 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 9, 2024 • 6 min read

I first fell in love with Ljubljana around 25 years ago – how could you not fall in love with a city whose name just happens to be formed partly from the Slovenian word for love?

With a wonderfully atmospheric old town lorded over by an imposing hilltop castle and carved in half by the lazy artery of the River Ljubljanica, the Slovenian capital is packed with museums, wonderful architecture, green spaces and some fantastic places to eat and drink.

It’s one of the most therapeutic places I know, and I’ve been coming back ever since. Here's what you need to know to plan a perfect weekend break in Ljubljana.

When to arrive: If you can, visit for a long weekend, arriving on Thursday night so that you have a full day in Ljubljana on Friday.

How to get to town from the airport: There’s a frequent bus service between the airport and the bus station and train station in the city center; tickets cost €3.70 and the journey time is 30 to 50 minutes. Take bus number 28 and buy tickets on board. On timetables, the airport is listed as Brnik Airport Ljubljana. Alternatively, GoOpti runs an efficient, shared minivan shuttle service, with fares from €14 (book online).

Getting around Ljubljana: Much of the old town is pedestrianized so the best way to get around is on foot. There’s also an excellent bike hire scheme, and a local bus network, handy for getting to places beyond the city center.

Where to stay in Ljubljana: There are some great places to stay in the heart of the city, from the funky, budget-friendly Hostel Celica to cool design hotel ONE66 and the supremely luxurious AS Boutique Hotel.

What to pack: Bring comfortable shoes for exploring the city on foot. Expect temperatures to reach 27°C or higher in the summer months. Pack swimwear if you fancy trying a stand-up paddleboarding tour along the Ljubljanica River.

Travel tip: Book accommodation well in advance and get a Ljubljana Card online, for 25, 48 or 72 hours of free bus travel, tours and free admission to top sights.

Use Friday to tick off some of the top sights before things get busy at the weekend.

Breakfast

Before you start to explore Ljubljana, stop for breakfast at cozy Le Petit Café, or for a quick coffee to go, swing by specialty coffee roasters Stow2Go on Prešerenov trg.

How to spend the day

Explore Ljubljana's atmospheric old town on foot. Starting on Prešerenov trg, check out the handsome Art Nouveau architecture along Miklošičeva cesta, and admire the colorful buildings of Mestni trg (the main town square) and Stari trg (the old market square) with its 19th-century wooden shopfronts. Next, drop into the baroque Cathedral of St Nicholas, and wander along the promenades on both banks of the Ljubljanica River.

For lunch, choose