When we visited Ljubljana in September, we showed up with zero expectations. All I knew about it was that my university had offered a study abroad program there, which I assumed meant that it had enough going on to be interesting. But the main reason for our visit to Ljubljana was that going to Slovenia helped me achieve my goal of visiting my 30th country at age 30.
It turns out that Ljubljana was an amazing little city and it didn’t take us long to fall in love with it! So if you’re looking for somewhere off-the-beaten-path to visit during your next Europe trip, here are 7 reasons why you should visit Ljubljana.
1. Ljubljana’s Symbol is a Dragon
Several cities throughout Europe have symbols — for example, Berlin’s symbol is a bear. But Ljubljana’s symbol is a dragon. How cool is that?!
The dragon has been an icon of Ljubljana since ancient times. Originally part of the medieval coat of arms as more of a “monster,” the dragon eventually became more prominent, transforming into a symbol of protection for the city.
You don’t have to be in Ljubljana for very long before you start seeing the dragon popping up everywhere. Perhaps most famous is Dragon Bridge, where a dragon flanks each of the bridge’s four corners. And all around the city, you’ll find fun dragon souvenirs. We got a dragon magnet for our fridge, and a dragon Christmas ornament — the two things we collect when we travel.
And when you head up to the Ljubljana Castle, you can participate in a scavenger hunt to “save the dragon,” which is fun for families with kids… or kids at heart.
2. A River Runs Through It
Who doesn’t love a city with a river running through the middle of it? In Ljubljana, the Ljubljanica (River) gently meanders through town. It’s not so wide to where it feels like a whole undertaking to trek to the other side — no, it takes less than a minute to cross from one side to the other. At the same time, there are plenty of river cruises available for those who want to get a different view of Ljubljana, from the river itself.
Many of Ljubljana’s shops and restaurants are right along the river, which means you’ll always have a gorgeous view whether you’re doing some shopping or enjoying dinner.
3. It Has Three Iconic Bridges
When you have a river, you have to have bridges. And Ljubljana has three bridges with plenty of character.
First, there’s the aforementioned Dragon Bridge. With its four large, green dragons, it’s one of the best photo ops in the whole city.
As you walk west along the river from Dragon Bridge, the next bridge you’ll come to is Butcher’s Bridge, which is known for the padlocks adorning both sides, placed there by couples. If you want to put a love lock of your own, you can buy them in many souvenir stores!
Finally, the third famous bridge is Triple Bridge. And it’s basically what it sounds like. It’s three bridges all right next to each other. One, in the middle, goes straight across the river, and the two next to it go slightly at an angle. Originally, there was only one bridge, an old medieval wooden bridge. When they decided to replace it, they built an additional bridge on each side during construction. When the middle bridge re-opened, they decided to just keep all three.
4. Ljubljana Castle Is For Everyone
In many cities that have old castles, they are either used by the government, or even used by a monarchy if those countries still have them (for example, Spain or the UK). While they may be tourist attractions or museums on the side, the castle doesn’t belong to the public.
In Ljubljana, this is not the case — Ljubljana Castle belongs to the public. While the castle has served many purposes during its thousand years of existence, it was purchased by the mayor for the people of Ljubljana in 1905. If you visit, you can see the mixture of new and old architecture and how the castle has evolved over the years.
These days, while Ljubljana Castle is a museum and tourist attraction, the courtyard also hosts many events that are available for the public.
5. The Major Streets Are Pedestrianized
One of my absolute favorite things about Europe is walking along pedestrian streets. When you don’t have to worry about getting hit by a car, it’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your surroundings. Plus, a lot of the time, there are lots of cute independent shops and cafes to explore on these streets.
In Ljubjlana, nearly all the streets in the city center are for pedestrians only! Which means Ljubljana is super friendly for tourists who want to walk and explore the city by foot.
Interestingly, this wasn’t always the case. It was only just over 10 years ago, in 2012, that Ljubljana created a plan to restrict private vehicle usage and increase “sustainable” forms of mobility. Read more about the project for “Pedestrianisation and Car-Free Zones”.
6. You Can Sleep in an Old Prison
If you’re the type of person who loves unique experiences, Ljubljana has something for you. It’s home to one of the most unique hostels in the world — Hostel Celica — which is a former prison!
The hostel has 20 private rooms, each of which is a former prison cell. (“Celica” means “cell” in Slovenian.) Outside the door of each room, you’ll find a placard stating the names of some of the prisoners who once lived there. And each room has been uniquely redesigned and remodeled with “artistic concepts and unique stories.”
We stayed there for four nights and it was unlike any other hostel I’ve ever been to. Each morning, after other travelers would check out of their rooms, housekeeping would leave the doors open, which was cool because you could see what all the other rooms look like. See them all here.
7. Ljubljana Is a Great Starting Point for Day Trips
Ljubljana is a gorgeous city on its own, but it’s also a great starting point for day trips to other famous places.
Lake Bled is only 34 miles away from Ljubljana, one of the most famous sights in all of Slovenia. You’ll find a lake nestled into the Slovenian Alps, a tiny island with a single church standing tall, and even a castle visible in the surrounding mountains. Plan your day trip here.
Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave is another breathtaking experience that you can reach in just over an hour from Ljubljana. And there’s also the Slovenian Adriatic coast towns of Piran and Portoroz.
I didn’t get a chance to go on any day trips during this trip, but it’s definitely on my list for next time!
Have you ever visited Ljubljana? What were your favorite things about it? Or, are you thinking about visiting? Let me know in the comments!
-Cathy
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