Tourist Attractions in Ljubljana

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Ljubljana

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Ljubljana

Little Ljubljana is not yet particularly popular with tourists. Indeed, if you come here after visiting the sights of Paris or Vienna, you may get the impression that there is nothing at all to see in the Slovenian capital. But this is not the case at all. The inhabitants of the city are characterised by cordiality and hospitality, and historical buildings, churches and squares are not inferior to the memorable places of the promoted European capitals.

The best places to start exploring the city are Prešern Square, the Old Town and Ljubljana Castle. Then you should walk through the local museums and enjoy the beauty of nature in Tivoli Park. The full impression of Ljubljana will be formed after visiting the Ursulina Church of the Holy Trinity and St Nicholas Cathedral. Lastly, you should definitely take a look at the city’s central market.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Ljubljana

Old Town

The compact Old Town is located in the heart of Ljubljana and is easily walkable. It is home to one of the recognisable symbols of Slovenia’s capital, the Venetian-style Triple Bridge, from which the roads diverge in different directions. The streets of the Old Town are tiled in the classic European tradition. There are souvenir shops in well-maintained stone houses.

Prešernov trg

 4.7/5

9198 reviews

A small square in the centre of Ljubljana, which is connected to the Old Town by the Triple Bridge. It was named in honour of the Slovenian poet Franz Prešern. Despite its modest size, the square is quite picturesque. It is surrounded by mansions from the early 20th century, with a romantic monument to the poet by sculptor I. Zajec in the middle. Lovers usually make dates near the monument.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Ljubljana Castle

 4.4/5

33351 reviews

A medieval fortress from the 12th century, situated on a hill. In the 15th century, the castle was almost completely destroyed and rebuilt. Since then, it has served as a defensive fortification and protected the rulers from Turkish raids and peasant uprisings. During the Napoleonic Wars, the complex was again subjected to considerable destruction. After another reconstruction and until the beginning of the 20th century, it was used as a prison.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Ljubljana Castle Funicular

 4.5/5

1013 reviews

In 2006, a cable car and funicular railway were built to the top of the mountain on which Ljubljana Castle stands. Its lower station is located on Krek Square, the upper one on the castle grounds. The funicular covers the distance of a few dozen metres to the top of the hill in one minute. The carriage seats up to 25 people. If you have time to take a seat at the glass wall, you can take panoramic photos of Ljubljana.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Tromostovje

 0/5

The Triple Bridge is a whole ensemble of three pedestrian bridges spanning the Ljubljana River. It is located in the historical centre of the city. It used to be replaced by a wooden crossing. The first stone structure appeared in the middle of the 19th century. In the 20th century, two additional wings were added to it, resulting in the Triple Bridge. Trams and buses ran here until 2007.

Mesarski most

 4.6/5

586 reviews

A reinforced concrete bridge over the Ljubljana River, around which many urban legends are built. The structure is guarded by figures of stone dragons. The dragon is a recognisable symbol of the capital of Slovenia, which can be seen on the city coat of arms and bas-reliefs of some buildings. The Serpent Bridge was erected in 1901 to replace the old wooden structure. The construction was supervised by J. Melan, an engineer from Austria.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Mesarski most

 4.6/5

586 reviews

There is probably a special place in every city where lovers come to leave an iron lock – a symbol of unbreakable and strong feelings. In Ljubljana, this place is the Butcher’s Bridge. Despite its unromantic name, for some reason couples have taken a liking to it. At first, the city administration tried to get rid of the numerous locks, but then the authorities came to terms with it.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Narodni muzej Slovenije

 4.5/5

957 reviews

The museum was founded in 1821. Thanks to the Austrian Emperor Franz II’s personal involvement in financing, it quickly enough turned from a provincial exhibition into a full-fledged gallery. Today it is considered one of the main museums in Slovenia. It houses collections of archaeological artefacts, applied arts, engravings, coins, drawings and other valuable exhibits.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

National Gallery

 4.6/5

1603 reviews

The country’s main art museum. It was founded in 1918 after the formation of the united kingdom of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs on the wreckage of the collapsed Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1896, the collection moved to the building where it is still housed today. The gallery’s exposition includes works by Slovenian and European masters from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 20th century.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Railway Museum

 4.5/5

677 reviews

The collection appeared in Ljubljana in the 1960s. It is housed in a former boiler house. In the museum, visitors will see old railway locomotives and other vehicles, as well as various devices for transmitting messages: telephones, radio stations, telegraphs. Rare steam engines are exhibited separately. The exhibition occupies a small area, but it will certainly be of interest to tourists.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

SNG Opera in balet Ljubljana

 4.7/5

1046 reviews

The real pride of Ljubljana is the capital’s Opera House. The building was erected in the Neo-Renaissance style, designed by Czech masters A. Gruby and J. Graski. The facade is decorated with monumental Ionic columns and statues of muses. The first visitors were welcomed to the stage in 1892. After a recent restoration, the acoustics of the hall have been significantly improved, so that masterpieces of classical music can be heard in full force.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Franciscan Church of the Annunciation

 4.6/5

1015 reviews

The temple is located on Prešern Square. It is impossible to pass by it, as its pink façade stands out clearly against the background of the other buildings. The church was built in the XVI-XVII centuries. At first it belonged to the Augustinian monks, but later it was taken over by the Franciscans. The building was built in the classical baroque style. It has been rebuilt several times, but its architectural appearance has remained unchanged.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Ljubljana Cathedral

 4.5/5

1942 reviews

The cathedral in honour of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen, was built in the 18th century according to the project of Italian architect A. del Pozzo. Previously, a medieval basilica stood on the place of the church. Work on the interior continued into the 20th century (in particular, J. Plechnik created a magnificent Baroque altar). The dome of the cathedral is visible from almost anywhere in Ljubljana, so it is easy enough to find your way to it.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:45 PM, 4:45 – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 1:30 – 3:30 PM, 4:45 – 6:15 PM

Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity

 4.5/5

89 reviews

An 18th century Catholic church, which is considered one of the most picturesque sights in Ljubljana. Like many other buildings in the Slovenian capital, the church was built by an Italian architect. It is characterised by its intricately curved roof and a facade decorated with massive columns. Inside there is an altar of African marble created by F. Robb.

Open time

Nebotičnik - Skyscraper

 4.3/5

3275 reviews

This tall 13-storey building in the centre of Ljubljana can only tentatively be called a skyscraper. It reaches a height of 70 metres. The structure was erected in the 1930s. Local architects were inspired by the rapidly growing American high-rises and decided to create something similar in Ljubljana. On one of the top floors, there is an observation deck offering a panoramic view of the city.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

Town Hall

 4.5/5

199 reviews

The building of the Ljubljana City Council was erected in the late 15th century in the Gothic style and renovated in the 18th century with more modern Baroque features. The inner courtyard of the Town Hall houses the Narcissus Fountain by F. Robb and a monument to one of Ljubljana’s mayors, I. Hribar. In front of the building there is another fountain called “The Rivers of Carniolia”.

Open time

Central Market

 4.5/5

2972 reviews

The market is located on the territory of the Old Town. As in the rest of the world, tourists come here for local delicacies in the hope of experiencing the national flavour. The architect E. Plečnik worked on the project of the market building. It sells fruits, herbs, vegetables, spices and local products. The market is surrounded on all sides by landmarks. Given the small size of Ljubljana’s historic centre, it is impossible to pass it by.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Ljubljana Zoo

 4.6/5

11193 reviews

The City Zoo is located closer to the outskirts of Ljubljana. It occupies approximately 20 hectares of space in the Tivoli – Rožnik – Šišenski Hill forest park area. As in many European zoos, the animals live in comfortable conditions and do not feel like prisoners in cramped enclosures. In summer, children can take part in interesting and educational activities organised by the zoo staff.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Tivoli Park

 4.7/5

13333 reviews

Tivoli Park appeared in Ljubljana at the beginning of the 19th century. It was designed by J. Blanchard. At that time, the present-day territory of Slovenia was part of the French provinces. In addition to natural beauties, the park has several interesting man-made attractions: the 17th century Tivoli Castle, the 18th century Cekin Mansion and the modern Sports Palace with two stadiums.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Ljubljana

 0/5

The waterway flows through the territory of Slovenia. Its length is only 41 kilometres. The capital of the country got its name thanks to the Ljubljanica River. Fishing is quite popular among the locals, as the river is home to pike, trout, perch and other commercial fish. In addition to its practical functions, the river also fulfils decorative functions – it gives the capital of Slovenia a more picturesque appearance.