Is it Worth Visiting Ljubljana in Slovenia? An Honest Opinion
Slovenia is one of those places that is incredibly underrated. One of the reasons that travelers love it so much is due to the unbelievable landscapes it offers, and when anyone raves about the country, it's usually about the stunning lakes, waterfalls, or canyons. So what about the capital? Is it worth visiting Ljubljana at all?
I've personally visited Ljubljana 2 different times, a decade apart, and during opposite seasons. Having two completely different experiences, I now have an even better understanding of Slovenia's capital, and whether or not I think it is worth visiting Ljubljana for other travelers.
In this guide we're going to share all of the details for visiting, from its location and how to get there, to all of the different things you can do inside and outside the city. Then you can see for yourself, whether you think it is worth visiting Ljubljana, or sticking to the other areas around the country.
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📍 Where is Ljubljana in Slovenia?
Ljubljana is located in the center of Slovenia, which is a country that connects Western and Eastern Europe. Due to its central location, Ljubljana is actually a super easy destination to reach from many other countries in Europe.
The country of Slovenia borders Italy to its west, Austria to its north, Hungary to its north east, and Croatia to its east.
Ljubljana is located in the center of Slovenia.
How to Get to Ljubljana
In order to get to Ljubljana, you can either fly, take a train, travel in bus, drive, or get a Bla Bla Car.
✈️ Flying to Ljubljana
The airport of Ljubljana is a small one, and is located 25 km from the city center. Cities that fly direct to Ljubljana include Amsterdam, Belgrade, Brussels, Cologne, Dubai, Farnborough, Frankfurt, Geneva, Groningen, Istanbul, Kalamata, Leipzig, Linz, London, Munich, Nis, Paris, Pisa, Podgorica, Prague, Sarajevo, Skopje, Venice, Vilnius, Warsaw, Zurich, and Zweibrucken.
🚊 Taking the Train to Ljubljana
Due to its central location, Ljubljana can easily be reached by train from a number of other popular cities in Europe. Here are a few common routes that you can find:
- Train from Venice to Ljubljana (5-7 house)
- Train from Zagreb to Ljubljana (2-3 1/2 hours)
- Train from Munich to Ljubljana (8 hours)
- Train from Frankfurt to Ljubljana (9 1/2-12 1/2 hours)
- Train from Graz to Ljubljana (3-5 hours)
🚌 Taking a Bus to Ljubljana
Ljubljana can also easily be reached by bus both domestically and internationally. Here are a few popular bus routes you can look into:
- Bus from Treviso to Ljubljana (2 1/2 hours)
- Bus from Venice to Ljubljana (3 hours)
- Bus from Vienna to Ljubljana (5 1/2 hours)
- Bus from Zagreb to Ljubljana (2-3 hours)
- Bus from Rijeka to Ljubljana (2 1/2-3 hours)
- Bus from Trieste to Ljubljana (1 1/2 hours)
- Bus from Graz to Ljubljana (2 1/2 hours)
- Bus from Bratislava to Ljubljana (7-8 hours)
- Bus from Budapest to Ljubljana (6 hours)
- Bus from Belgrade to Ljubljana (8-11 1/2 hours)
🚗 Renting a Car to Visit Ljubljana
When visiting Ljubljana this year we were on a big road trip though Europe. We loved having a car during our travels, and decided to drive to Slovenia from Venice. The drive is super easy, and having a car to discover the parts of Slovenia outside the capital is definitely our recommendation.
You can easily rent a car from any city around Europe. Just make sure to book in advance for the best prices, and to purchase a vignette before crossing the border into Slovenia.
🚙 Getting a Bla Bla Car to Ljubljana
If you don't want to drive, or can't find a bus or train that meets your schedule. Another great option is to look into Bla Bla Car, which is a carpooling app that is popular throughout Europe.
Actually the first time that I visited Ljubljana, I hitched a ride with a bunch of Italians going from Venice to Ljubljana for the weekend. We had such a fun ride, and I even keep in contact with one them still today!
Entry Requirements for Slovenia
Now that you know how to get to Ljubljana, let's quickly go over the entry requirements for visiting.
🛂 Visa Entry Requirements for Slovenia
As Slovenia is part of the EU and the Schengen Zone, they have the same rules and regulations as the other countries in these areas.
Those who are from the EU have free access to work and travel inside Slovenia without any issues. Those who are not part of the EU, but do not need a Schengen Visa, can enter without a visa, but will need to abide by the 90/180 rule.
The 90/180 Rule
All countries that belong to the Schengen Zone have free travel amongst each other. That means that tourists can have 90 days to travel within the Schengen Zone. This is important to know, because if you spend time in other countries that are in the Schengen Zone before Slovenia, you will have to subtract those days of allowance.
For example, you are going on a road trip, and spend 80 days traveling France, Spain, and Italy (which are all in the Schengen Zone). That means you only would have 10 days left in the Schengen Zone, or days that you could stay in Slovenia. After leaving Slovenia,
if you have used all 90 of the days, you will then have to spend 90 days outside of any Schengen country before you can re-enter. The 90/180 rule states that you are able spend 90 days within a 180-day period.
We spend a lot of time in Europe, so we always use the Schengen Visa Calculator to make sure that we stay within the allowed time frame. (It is a serious offense if you even spend 91 days in 180-day period, so it is crucial that you make sure to stay in compliance).
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Visiting Ljubljana in Slovenia: Local Adjustments
When traveling to a new country (especially in Europe), things can get pretty confusing!
That's why we add a "local adjustments" area to all of our guides, which shares some of the relevant details for visiting, such as the language, currency used, or how much to tip. Here's what you need to know for visiting Ljubljana in Slovenia.
🗣 Language Spoken in Ljubljana
The official language in Ljubljana is Slovenian, which is a Slovak language. If you travel to some of the Balkan countries such as Croatia, Serbia, or Montenegro, you will notice they speak quite similarly, and have a lot of similarities in their languages.
Is Ljubljana English Friendly?
We found that a lot of people do speak English in Ljubljana. As the capital, they were quite English friendly, and it was very easy to get around.
💵 What Currency is Used in Slovenia?
The currency used in Slovenia is the euro.
Do I Need Cash in Ljubljana?
We honestly didn't use any cash while in Ljubljana. However, they do have some great outdoor markets, where some vendors only take cash. If you happen to be visiting on the weekend, then you might want to have some cash on you just in case.
Is Ljubljana Cheap or Expensive?
Ljubljana is a relatively cheap city, especially when you compare it to some of the surrounding European capitals! It is definitely an affordable city, and can be done on a decent budget.
🔌 What Plugs Are Used in Ljubljana?
Ljubljana uses the same plug types as the rest of Europe, which are types C, E, & F. The standard voltage in Slovenia is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
🚰 Is the Water Drinkable in Ljubljana?
The tap water in Ljubljana is perfectly safe to drink. We suggest bringing a reusable water to fill up, and requesting tap water in the restaurants rather than purchasing bottled water.
💸 Should I Tip in Slovenia?
The answer to this is neither yes, or no. In Slovenia sometimes people leave the change, or tip up to 10% of the bill if they feel like they received good service. In Ljubljana it is a bit more common to tip in restaurants, but it all depends on how good the service was.
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Is it Worth Visiting Ljubljana? Things to Do in Slovenia's Capital
Now that you know almost everything you need to know about the basics, let's dive into the fun stuff- if it's worth visiting Ljubljana! Here are the best things to do in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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🚶🏻♀️ Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia #1: Roam the Old Town
Ljubljana is a pretty small city, and most of the highlights are located right in the Old Town. Located along a river, Ljubljana's old town is quaint and simple. There aren't a ton of major landmarks, but it's a great place to simply walk around and soak up the good vibes, admiring the architecture and cute cafes.
It's worth visiting Ljubljana for it's beautiful old town.
One of the most notable and peculiar attractions is the "artificial rain" installations, which has been made to cool people off during hot summer days.
In the summer there is an artificial rain installation in Ljubljana.
🌁 Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia #2: Cross the Beautiful Bridges
Being located along a river, Ljubljana is full of bridges (17 to be exact!) and one is more beautiful than the next. Don't miss out on visiting Tromostjove, which is a group of the three most popular bridges, as well as our favorite bridge, the dragon bridge.
⛪️ Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia #3: Visit the Ljubljana Cathedral
One of the most notable structures in Ljubljana is its cathedral, also known as Saint Nicholas's Church. Originally a gothic church from the 13th century, its style changed in the 18th century to Baroque with a second tower.
It's free of charge to enter, but just make sure you go before noon or after 3 pm, as it's closed during those hours.
St Nicholas's Church is the most famous cathedral in Ljubljana.
🛍 Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia #4: Browse the Central Market
Right in the heart of Ljubljana is a large market with fresh produce, handmade crafts, and local goods. This is the perfect place to indulge in Slovenian flavors, as well as shop for a souvenir. The market happens from Monday to Friday 7 am to 4 pm, and on Saturdays from 7 am to 2 pm.
🛒 Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia #5: Shop at the Flea Market
On the other end of the Old Town is a large antique flea market that happens on the weekends. Lined all along the river are different vendors selling old collectibles, artifacts, and vintage artwork for you to browse through.
🍸 Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia #6: Have a Drink at the Top of the Neboticnik Skyscraper
Looking for the best panorama of Ljubljana? Well, head to the rooftop of Neboticnik Skyscraper and treat yourself to a drink with a view! The rooftop itself is free to visit- you just need to pay for whatever food or drinks you consume.
Neboticnik Skyscraper has the best views in Ljubljana.
🏰 Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia #7: Take a Tour at the Ljubljana Castle
The Ljubljana Castle is the top tourist attraction in Ljubljana. Sitting high on a hill, it overlooks the old town, and can be seen from anywhere in the center. Take the funicular up to the top, and then enjoy the beautiful rooms inside while learning about the history of Slovenia.
