Things to Do in Ljubljana: Our 12 Top Highlights

Ljubljana Attractions on a Map

To give you a better overview of Ljubljana, we’ve marked the best highlights on a map.

Highlights in the Old Town

Most of the things to see in Ljubljana are located in the Old Town. They’re all just a few minutes’ walk from one another.

Ljubljana Castle

• Admission: 15 euros (castle only), 19 euros incl. funicular
• Tickets: buy your tickets online here

What do you need to know? Ljubljana Castle watches over the Old Town and is the city’s defining landmark. You can reach it by funicular or on foot. Once at the top, you can climb the castle tower, walk along the castle walls, and take in seriously fantastic views. There’s also a puppet theater museum, rotating temporary exhibitions, and a few restaurants.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The castle is Ljubljana’s top attraction, and the panorama from up top is stunning.

Our tip: The hiking trail to the castle is free, and you can also walk around the castle grounds without paying an entrance fee. The path starts on Študentovska ulica (see on Google Maps).

Dragon Bridge

What do you need to know? The Dragon Bridge gets its name from the four dragon statues perched at its corners. It’s one of the many bridges spanning the Ljubljanica River in the Old Town, built in the Art Nouveau style between 1900 and 1901. Ever since, it’s been one of the most popular things to see in Ljubljana.

Is it worth it? Yes! The dragons make for really great photo opportunities, and the views of the river are fantastic. Just keep in mind that cars also drive over the Dragon Bridge, so the sidewalk can feel a little cramped and noisy.

Our tip: To see the bridge from the water, a boat tour is totally worth it: book your Ljubljana boat tour here.

Three Bridges & Prešeren Square

What do you need to know? The Three Bridges connect the central Prešeren Square with the historic part of Ljubljana on the south side of the river. Originally there was just one bridge; architect Jože Plečnik later added two more to create a truly unique arrangement. Together with the circular Prešeren Square, they form the beating heart of the city.

Is it worth it? Yes. Both the Three Bridges and Prešeren Square are pedestrian zones, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Plus, there’s beautiful historic architecture all around you.

Our tip: Stairs lead down from the Three Bridges — but instead of taking you to the river, they lead to public restrooms. Super handy when you’re out sightseeing all day.

Town Square & Robba Fountain

What do you need to know? The entire area between the Ljubljanica River and Ljubljana Castle is a pedestrian zone. The central hub is the Town Square, home to the Robba Fountain with its striking obelisk. From here, it’s easy to wander through the Old Town’s alleys and browse the shops and art galleries.

Is it worth it? Yes! The Town Square, right in the heart of the pedestrian zone, is one of the best things to see in Ljubljana. The Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the surrounding buildings is absolutely stunning.

Our tip: Don’t miss City Hall, which sits right on the square. St. Nicholas Cathedral is also well worth a visit — it’s just a few minutes’ walk away.

Central Market

What do you need to know? Another top highlight in the Old Town is the Central Market. It runs daily (except Sundays) right by the river next to the Dragon Bridge. There’s both an indoor and an outdoor section, with everything from fresh produce to delicious street food on offer.

Is it worth it? Definitely. We love wandering through markets on city trips, and Ljubljana’s Central Market is perfect for that. The riverside arcades are something really special.

Our tip: There’s a drinking water fountain by the arcades — you can refill your bottle here. We always recommend bringing a reusable water bottle on city trips!

Downtown Highlights

There are more great points of interest in downtown Ljubljana that are easily walkable from the Old Town.

Nebotičnik Skyscraper

What do you need to know? Built in 1933, the Nebotičnik was the tallest building in the Balkans at the time. It stands just over 70 meters tall and has a charming café with a rooftop terrace at the very top, open from morning until evening.

Is it worth it? Yes — you’ll get the best vista over Ljubljana from up here. The one downside: the view from the café is slightly obstructed by the windows.

Our tip: A lesser-known alternative is the Sky Bar Borbona. You’ll get a similarly great view, and it’s noticeably less touristy.

Congress Square

What do you need to know? Right on the edge of the Old Town, Congress Square is one of Ljubljana’s most important public spaces. The Philharmonic Hall, the University, and the Ursuline Church are all located here. The House of Illusions is also very popular with visitors. Outdoor events are frequently held on the square too.

Is it worth it? Yes — there are some beautiful buildings here, and it makes a great starting point for a day of sightseeing in Ljubljana.

House of Illusions

• Admission: 14 euros (adults), 11 euros (children 5–15 years), 41 euros (families: 2 adults + up to 2 children)
• Tickets: buy them online here

What do you need to know? The House of Illusions sits on Congress Square and is an interactive museum where science is taught in a genuinely fun way. Highlights include an anti-gravity room, an infinite disco room, and a twisted room. Fun is absolutely guaranteed!

Is it worth it? Yes — the House of Illusions is a great attraction in Ljubljana, especially for families with kids. We’d really recommend it for rainy days in particular.

Our tip: There’s often a line out front. It’s worth buying the skip-the-line ticket — it’s only a few euros more than the standard ticket and saves you a lot of waiting.

Republic Square

What do you need to know? The largest square in Ljubljana is Republic Square — this is where Slovenia’s independence was declared on June 26, 1991. The square is home to important buildings including the Slovenian Parliament and the two modern skyscrapers TR2 and TR3. TR2 houses the NLB Bank, and adjacent to the TR3 tower is the Cankarjev dom cultural center.

Is it worth a visit? It’s okay. We didn’t find Republic Square particularly beautiful, but it carries real historical significance for Ljubljana and Slovenia.

Our tip: The Slovenian National Museum is right next door — well worth a stop if you’re curious about Slovenia’s history.

Slovenian National Gallery

• Admission: 8 euros (adults)
• Tickets: available on-site

What do you need to know? The National Gallery of Slovenia houses the country’s largest art collection, spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The exhibitions are organized by era and feature around 600 works from Slovenia and across Europe.

Is it worth it? Definitely for art lovers. The building itself is seriously impressive — both inside and out.

Neighborhoods and Parks

A little further from the center, there are some really cool spots in Ljubljana worth seeking out. These are our favorites:

Tivoli Park

What do you need to know? Tivoli Park is a vast green space stretching from the city center all the way to the city limits. Near the center, you’ll find flower beds, pretty walking paths, and Tivoli Castle. The park is also great for sports and even as a starting point for hiking in Slovenia.

Is it worth it? Oh yes! We really love this large park right in the heart of the city. Have a picnic, take the kids to the playground, or just enjoy a leisurely stroll — it’s a perfect break from sightseeing.

Metelkova

What do you need to know? Metelkova is a hip art and culture quarter north of the Old Town and one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Ljubljana. You’ll find street art, colorful sculptures, and all kinds of creative projects throughout. In the evenings, there are concerts and parties, and there’s always something going on here.

Is it worth it? Definitely. There’s so much to discover in Metelkova, and the art installations are super creative.

By the way: The site used to be a military barracks that sat empty for years before artists completely transformed it into what it is today.

Our tip for a walking tour of Ljubljana

Want to see as many of Ljubljana’s highlights as possible in one go? This route takes you past all the major must-sees.

In total, you’ll cover about 6 kilometers — spread that out over a full day and it’s a perfect pace for exploring what to do in Ljubljana.

Attractions in the Ljubljana area

Beyond the sights in the city center, there are loads of great places to visit in the surrounding area.

Since Slovenia is a small country, you can take a day trip from Ljubljana to virtually anywhere in the country — by car or on a guided tour. We really recommend visiting the Slovenian coast in Piran and the mountains around Bovec. Here are a few options to get you started:

Day trip to Lake Bled from Ljubljana

Day trip to Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle from Ljubljana

Day trip to Piran from Ljubljana

That said, we’d generally recommend doing a road trip through Slovenia and spending the night at different highlights like Lake Bled.

That way, you’ll have much more time at each stop than if you’re always driving back to Ljubljana in the evening.

Is the Ljubljana Card worth it?

The Ljubljana Card is a city pass — meaning you buy one ticket and use it to access multiple attractions across Ljubljana.

Whether it’s worth it for you depends on what you plan to see. It’s available for 24, 48, and 72 hours.

Here’s what’s included, among other things:

• Ljubljana Castle & funicular (normally 19 euros)
• Tourist boat ride (normally 15 euros)
• Guided city tour (normally 20 euros)
• House of Illusions (normally 14 euros)
• National Gallery (normally 8 euros)
• Unlimited bus rides

In most cases, the Ljubljana Card is worth it. It covers so many of the key highlights. That said, we still recommend thinking through what you want to see and running the numbers yourself.

We did exactly that with a sample calculation based on our walking tour:

• Ljubljana Castle & funicular (19 euros)
• Slovenian National Gallery (8 euros)
• House of Illusions (14 euros)
• Total cost: 41 euros
• Ljubljana Card 24 hours: 41 euros

In this scenario, the total comes out the same with or without the card. But since the Ljubljana Card saves you the hassle of buying tickets at each stop — and gets you free bus rides on top — we’d still say it’s worth it.

Buy the Ljubljana Card here

Accommodations in Ljubljana

You have a great selection of places to stay in Ljubljana. These are our top picks for every budget: