COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE CITY OF DRAGONS AND SLOVENIAN CAPITAL
If you are looking for a destination that combines culture, nature and fairy-tale charm, this city is for you... Welcome to Ljubljana! The Slovenian capital, known as the City of Dragons, is a true gem that will surprise you from the first moment.
Ljubljana is small, yes, but it has everything you need for a perfect getaway: picturesque corners, pedestrian streets that invite you to stroll, and the Ljubljanica River, which runs through the center and is surrounded by pleasant cafes and terraces.
In this post I will tell you everything you need to know about the city of Ljubljana. If you want to know more about Slovenia and plan your entire trip, I recommend reading this post:
Some interesting facts about Ljubljana...
The Ljubljanica river
Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, is the largest city in the country. Its name comes from Ljubija, the original name of the Ljubljanica River that runs through this charming city.
The legend of the dragon
Ljubljana is full of dragons, an iconic symbol of the city. These mythological beings are represented on the coat of arms and in places such as the famous Dragon Bridge (among many others). Its origin dates back to a popular legend about the founding of the city, where the Greek hero Jason defeated the dragon that frightened the locals. Over time the dragon, once a symbol of fear, transformed into a symbol of power, courage and protection.
Let's go there! These are the 10 places you can't miss in the Slovenian capital...
The Dragon Bridge
Saint Nicolas Cathedral
Mestni Square
Triple Bridge
Vurnik House
Tivoli Park
National Gallery & National Theater of Opera and Ballet
1. The Dragon Bridge
As we have already seen, the dragon is a symbol of great importance in Ljubljana. For this reason, the Dragon Bridge, known in Slovenian as Zmajski Most, is one of the most emblematic monuments in the city. Decorated with dragon statues, this early 20th century bridge crosses the Ljubljanica River to the old town.
It was opened in 1901 and was originally named the Jubilee Bridge of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The current structure was built to replace an old wooden bridge and is one of the first examples of the use of reinforced concrete in Europe.
On the pillars located at both ends of the bridge there are imposing sculptures of dragons, from which the bridge takes its current name. In addition to the large statues, there are small (and very cute) dragon figurines that decorate the lampposts along the bridge.
2. Central Market
Open from Monday to Saturday, this market offers a unique experience with a wide range of high quality and fresh local products, many of which come from the agricultural regions of Slovenia.
The Central Market is located in a historical place, where a monastery was formerly located. This was destroyed by a large earthquake and its original structure could not be recovered. Despite this, the local administration decided not to leave this space empty: the rubble was removed and the construction of the Central Market began. This space is characterized by being an open-air market, with a wide variety of stalls and stores.
In addition, right in front of the market, you can find craft stalls, food trucks with typical food and picnic tables on the street itself. It is an ideal place to stop to rest and try Slovenian delicacies.
3. Saint Nicolas Cathedral
St. Nicholas Cathedral is a prominent symbol of Catholic heritage in the city, as well as the seat of the Archdiocese of Ljubljana.
Built between 1701 and 1706 by the architect Andrea Pozz, it stands out for its baroque architecture. The impressive green dome that, along with the towers, dominates the Ljubljana skyline, was added in 1841. Its interior is equally impressive, with frescoes and golden details filling almost every space. Another feature that seemed special to us about this cathedral is the sculptural decoration of its doors.
4. Mestni Square
Since medieval times, Mestni Square has been one of the most central places in Ljubljana. Much of its medieval architecture was destroyed in the 1511 earthquake and later replaced by Renaissance and Baroque buildings, which have survived to the present day.
This iconic square has several notable buildings that you cannot miss:
Ljubljana Town Hall: Known as Magistrat, it is a building built in Renaissance style in 1719 and later remodeled with baroque elements. It houses the city administration.
Robba Fountain: this famous fountain, located in front of the Town Hall, was sculpted by the venetian Francesco Robba between 1743 and 1751. It is inspired by the famous roman fountains and adorned with sculptures of three river gods, which represent the three rivers of Carniola: the Sava , the Ljubljanica and the Krka. The base of the fountain is in the shape of the old coat of arms of the city of Ljubljana, three leaves. This fountain was Robba's last work for the city since while he was sculpting it he fell into poverty and, once the work was finished, he moved to Zagreb (Croatia).
Haman House: this building, which currently houses the City Art Museum (Mestna galerija), is another example of the Renaissance and Baroque architecture that characterizes the city.
Lichtenberg House: known for its façade decorated with reliefs by the sculptor Osbalt Kittl in 1540 and a staircase dating from the 18th century.
Casa Souvan: the tallest building on the square, with a 17th-century Empire-style façade decorated with reliefs by Francesco Coconi depicting art, commerce and agriculture.
The combination of these historical and architectural elements makes Mestni Square a fascinating place to explore, reflecting centuries of urban and cultural evolution in the heart of Ljubljana.
5. Triple Bridge
The Triple Bridge, known in Ljubljana as Tromostovje, is a notable work of engineering and urban design that connects Prešeren Square with the Franciscan Church. The central stone bridge, dating from 1842, replaced an old wooden bridge from 1280 that played a crucial role in connecting northwest Europe and the Balkans.
In the 1930s, Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik added two side pedestrian bridges, designing a unique structure notable for its use of stone and ornamental lamps. Plečnik removed the old metal railings from the bridge and transformed the appearance of the central bridge to integrate it with the two pedestrian bridges. This design managed to improve the functionality of the bridge and its connection with Prešeren Square and the gates of the old town.
6. Prešeren Square & Franciscan Church of the Annunciation
Prešeren Square is a unique space, dedicated to the famous slovenian poet. The square developed from a crossroads in front of one of Ljubljana's medieval gates. In the 17th century, the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation was built next to this crossing. However, it was not until the mid-19th century, after the demolition of the city walls, that the crossing was transformed into a paved plaza. After the devastating earthquake of 1895, the square was renovated with several bourgeois palaces.
In the center of the square you can find the monument dedicated to France Prešeren, one of the most famous european romantic poets, known for his sonnets in slovenian. His great love, Julija Primic, is depicted on the façade of a building on the other side of the square, on Wolfova Street.
The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation is, without a doubt, the most characteristic building on Prešeren Square. Built between 1646 and 1660, it stands out for its salmon-colored façade that was completed around 1700, rebuilt in the 19th century and renovated in 1993. Its façade features a copper statue of the Virgin Mary, the largest in Ljubljana.
A curious fact about this square is that it has its own climate within the city. Prešeren Square has an artificial rain system, which adds magic to the square, inviting you to enjoy a break under this gentle rain in the heart of the city.
7. Castle of Ljubljana
Ljubljana Castle is the crown jewel of the city. It has dominated the landscape from the top of a hill for almost 900 years. This impressive castle is much more than a historical monument, it is a place where the past and the present meet to offer you a unique experience. We were surprised to see the way this castle has been renovated, respecting the historical legacy but adding modern details.
Upon arrival, you will realize why it is the main attraction in Ljubljana. From the watchtower and the old walls, you will have spectacular views of the city and its surroundings, especially at sunset.
The castle houses an exhibition on the history of Slovenia, a puppet museum, St. George's Chapel and the former prison. But that's not all, Ljubljana Castle is also a vibrant center of culture and entertainment. Within its walls you will find a cafeteria, a jazz club, a wine bar and two restaurants. In fact, during the summer, the castle comes alive with dance nights and outdoor film screenings. At this link you can consult all the information about events and exhibitions at the castle.
¿How to get to the Castle?
Going up to the Castle is an experience in itself, and you have several options to do it, depending on your preferences:
If you enjoy walking, you can take the cobbled path that goes up from the old town. It is a short and pleasant walk that takes you through green surroundings and allows you to enjoy the views as you go up.
If you prefer something more comfortable, there is a funicular that takes you directly from the city center to the castle entrance in just a couple of minutes. It is a quick option and offers beautiful panoramic views along the way. We opted for this option and purchased the tickets directly on the entrance to the funicular. The family ticket is worth it, €15 round trip for the entire group (in our case 5 people for €15). The regular adult ticket costs €6 and the child €4.50.
You can also opt for a small tourist train that leaves from Prešeren Square and takes you to the castle. It can be a fun option, especially if you are traveling with children.
8. Vurnik House
The Vurnik House is one of the most curious buildings in Ljubljana. Built in 1921 by the architect Ivan Vurnik, it stands out for the decoration of its façade and is considered one of the best examples of Slovenian national style architecture. The frescoes on the façade and the interior wall paintings are the work of Helena Vurnik, the architect's wife. The geometric decoration of the exterior uses red, white and blue, colors of the Slovenian flag. While inside, Slovenian elements stand out, such as landscapes of spruce forests, corn fields, vine plants and women dressed in national costumes. Sadly, the interior of the building is not open to visitors.
9. Tivoli Park
Tivoli Park is the largest and most beautiful in Ljubljana and is located very close to the center. Among the most notable places in the park are the large pond, the National Museum of Contemporary History, (located inside the Cekin Castle), the Jakopič Promenade, Tivoli Castle or the Ljubljana Zoo.
This park is really big and, if you want to visit it in depth, you have to dedicate time to it. It is an ideal place to go for a picnic, a bike ride or just enjoy a pleasant walk in the shade of its trees.
10. National Galery & National Theater of Opera and Ballet
These two buildings of great cultural value are located just a few meters away and very close to Tivoli Park.
The National Gallery of Slovenia is a refuge for Slovenian Art that houses a large number of works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The National Gallery's permanent collection includes approximately 600 works by slovenian and European artists.
On the other hand, the National Theater of Opera and Ballet performs a wide repertoire of classical and modern operas, ballets and concerts. Each season, the national company performs approximately 150 shows, both at home and abroad.
¿How to get to Ljubljana?
The easiest option is to look for cheap flights to one of the countries bordering Slovenia (Italy, Austria, Hungary or Croatia) and then rent a car. Of all of them, the most practical and popular is to fly to Venice-Marco Polo airport in Italy, which is located just an hour away from the slovenian border and about two hours from Ljubljana. This airport is the closest and usually offers the cheapest flights.
¿Where to eat in Ljubljana?
Ljubljana is a city with a wide range of restaurants and cafes. If you want to try typical Balkan food, I recommend trying the BAŠČARŠIJA restaurant. They offer a menu with a wide range of traditional dishes at a good price and ideal for sharing.
Another great option for eating in Ljubljana is the central market, both inside and nearby. Right in front of the market, you can find stalls and food trucks with typical food and picnic tables on the street.
¿Where to stay in Ljubljana?
This is the accommodation that we reserved through Booking. It is a little far from the center, but in our case we preferred it that way, since we wanted a quiet family area where we could park the car for free right at the door, which is a plus on a family road trip :) The truth is that we liked it a lot and it is a great option for its quality-price ratio.
¿Is Ljubljana worth visiting?
Definitely yes! Ljubljana is a hidden gem in Europe that is well worth visiting. Despite being a small city, it is full of charm, history and vibrant energy. If you are looking for a destination that combines the best of history, nature and modernity, with atmosphere but quiet, Ljubljana is a perfect option.
How much time do I need to visit the city?
Despite being the capital and largest city of Slovenia, Ljubljana is quite small. In one day you can see everything and at a leisurely pace. In any case, if you want to get to know the city in more depth, get lost in the markets and take some nearby excursions, I recommend spending 2-3 days. However, as always, it depends on your pace.
What other places can I visit near Ljubljana?
If you want to see a little further than Ljubljana, I recommend visiting the impressive Lake Bled or the medieval village of Skofja Loka. Both are close to the capital and are a good option for an excursion.
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