10 Best Things to do in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Planning a trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia? This is the guide you need!

Get ready to fall head-over-heels in love with this underrated capital city, just like we did! Ljubljana is one of those places that took us by surprise, and we ended up coming back again and again. 

After exploring this enchanting city in depth, we created our ultimate list of the 10 best things to do here. From scenic boat tours to the magical Postojna Cave or tasting wine in a 300-year-old bar, we’ve got something for every traveler. This city is unforgettable, and our guide will help you plan your perfect trip!

Things to do in Ljubljana, Slovenia

1. Explore Ljubljana on a walking and boat tour

If you’re visiting Ljubljana for the first time, then this boat and walking tour is hands-down the best introduction to the city! We did this walking tour on our first trip to Ljubljana, and we were so impressed by how seamlessly it combined history, culture, and stunning views from both the land and the water. 

The walking portion of the tour got us acquainted with Ljubljana’s new and old towns. Our guide taught us all about the city’s Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, which added a lot of depth to the spots we visited. We especially loved the Dragon Bridge and the Town Hall, and visiting the Central Market to sample some traditional Slovenian cake, which was delicious. 

Next up, it was time for a relaxing boat cruise along the Ljubljanica River. The boat had glass-dome windows, which were perfect for taking in the beauty of the serene waterway. Honestly, it was magical! 

To cap off the tour, we visited the Ljubljana Skyscraper for panoramic views of the city’s red rooftops. Plus, we could see the Julian Alps in the distance, which was exciting! Ending the tour here really tied together everything we had seen so far, and cemented our love for the city. 

Whether you’re in Ljubljana for a day or an entire week, this tour is a must-do. It’s a fun and interactive experience that left us feeling confident about exploring the city further on our own. For that reason, we definitely recommend booking this tour for your first day here! 

2. See Solvania’s best sights in one day: Lake Bled, Predjama Castle, and Postojna Cave

If there is one tour you absolutely HAVE to do in Ljubljana, it’s this sightseeing tour. It hits the big three: Lake Bled, Predjama Castle, and Postojna Cave. Booking this tour helped us make the most of our time and every stop was utterly jaw-dropping.

The first stop of the day was Postojna Cave, where we glided through the vast chambers on a fun mini-train ride and walked through the magnificent stalactites.

Things got spookier as we explored Predjama Castle, which is nestled into a rocky cliff and steeped in history. We loved hearing the story of the rebellious knight, Erazem. It’s said that his ghost still haunts the rooms! 

After that, we got to take a traditional pletna boat on the famous Lake Bled, which made us feel like we were living in a fairytale. When we arrived on Bled Island, we made our way to the castle and enjoyed sweeping views of the lake and the Julian Alps in the distance. It was a magical note to end on! 

This small group tour perfectly showcases the epic beauty of Slovenia, and we can’t recommend it enough. The only thing to note is that you do have to pay admission fees on the day. But even so, we promise this tour is totally worth it – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

3. Visit Bled Bohinj Valley to see famous lakes and castles

Visiting Lake Bled and the Bohinj Valley is a must while in Slovenia, and this day trip from Ljubljana is a fun and convenient way to do it. We got to visit two insane lakes, as well as a medieval castle and the stunning Vintgar Gorge – sounds good, right?

It was! The day started with a comfortable hotel pickup, and then we were driven to Lake Bled. We paid €20 each for a ride on a traditional pletna boat across the water. It was a great experience in itself, but even more so because it took us right to Bled Castle, which overlooks the lake from atop a towering cliff.

The €18 entrance fee gave us access to the castle’s fascinating history and unbeatable panoramic views of Lake Bled and the surrounding Julian Alps, so it was more than worth it! 

Then, it was time for a scenic drive through the tranquil Slovenian countryside to Bohinj Lake. It’s a huge glacial lake surrounded by mountain peaks, and you could have fooled us into thinking we were back in the Canadian Rockies! From there, we traveled to Vintgar Gorge, where we enjoyed a fun 1.5-hour trek. The scenery here was just stunning, with rugged cliff faces tumbling down into emerald-green water. 

While some attractions required additional cash payments, this experience was worth every euro.

4. Explore the Postojna Cave

Postojna Cave is one of the largest and most fascinating cave networks in Europe, so taking this cave tour is a must. It’s not every day you get to ride a mini-train through a giant cave! 

We were so excited to board the famous mini-train, and we felt the temperature drop as we descended into the surreal underground world. We loved listening to our guide explaining the fascinating geology behind the cave’s intricate stalactites and stalagmites. We even spotted the famous “human fish” which is a type of salamander that’s only found in a few places in the world.

After the cave, we visited the enchanting Predjama Castle, which is perched dramatically on a cliff. We loved the blend of Renaissance architecture and natural rock formations.

This tour was the perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and local folklore. It’s such a great way to explore Slovenia!

Related Read: If you’re overwhelmed with choices, have a look at our 2-day Ljubljana itinerary that plans out the perfect visit!

5. Taste your way around Ljubljana on a food tour 

If you want to get to know Ljubljana properly, then you have to book this food tour! It was a blast from start to finish and we got to feast on so much delicious Slovenian cuisine. 

Our guide, Alenka, was fantastic! She was so warm and enthusiastic and was able to answer every question we had. She was also very attentive to everyone’s preferences, ensuring there were vegan and gluten-free options for those who needed them.

First up, Alenka took us to the city’s bustling farmer’s market, where we sampled Carniolan sausages and washed them down with some local beer. After that, we strolled to cozy gourmet shops and checked out local street food stands, where we tasted everything from hearty traditional soups to creative modern tapas dishes. My favorite part, though, was the charcuterie selection, which was perfectly paired with a glass of crisp Slovenian white wine. 

Despite a brief rain shower, Alenka kept the energy up throughout the tour and even took us to a charming café to warm up with coffee and fresh pastries.

However, we must warn you that this tour almost always sells out, often weeks in advance! We strongly suggest booking this tour early. You don’t want to miss this!

6. Go wine tasting at a 300-year-old wine bar 

This wine tasting experience in Ljubljana was a real highlight of our most recent trip! Stepping into this 300-year-old wine cellar felt like stumbling across an incredible hidden gem, and we got to try a ton of wine from all over the country. What’s not to love?

Over the course of two hours, we tasted seven wines from Slovenia’s diverse wine regions, so it was like taking a wine tour of the entire country. Each pour was paired with a story about the winemaking process, the region’s unique terroir, or a quirky anecdote about the winery itself.

We had no idea Slovenia produced such high-quality wines, from crisp whites to bold wines, and even a sweet dessert wine that totally won my heart! 

As if that wasn’t enough, we also got to play tasting games and challenges to test our noses and palates. It was equal parts educational and fun, and it encouraged us to get talking with our fellow wine tasters. In fact, there was even some friendly competition! 

Better still, the wine was paired with delicious appetizers, such as local cheeses, cured meats, and olives. We couldn’t have asked for more! By the end of the night, we had discovered some new favorite wines and definitely gained a newfound appreciation for Slovenia’s wine scene, which deserves far more recognition than it currently gets.

So if you book this tour, you’ll be able to say that you were a fan of Slovenian wine before it was cool! 

7. Visit the UNESCO-listed Skocjan Caves Park 

The Škocjan Caves are some of the most unique caves in the world, so you can’t pass up the chance to visit them on this epic tour while you’re in Ljubljana!

The cave network is home to the world’s largest underworld canyon, as well as waterfalls and natural stone bridges, so we couldn’t resist the chance to check them out. Plus, booking this tour meant that we were also able to visit Socerb Castle and the Venetian-inspired city of Piran! 

As soon as we arrived at the Škocjan Caves, we were immediately struck by the sheer scale of this mysterious, UNESCO-listed wonder. With our helpful guide, we ventured deep into an underground world of colossal caverns, crazy stalactites and stalagmites, and underground rivers and waterfalls. It was like entering a whole new world beneath the Earth’s surface! 

Next up, we visited the Socerb Castle, which is perched high atop a cliff, which means that we enjoyed sweeping views of the coastline and the Gulf of Trieste, as well as the chance to explore a 9th-century fortress. 

Then, the day ended in Piran, a charming coastal gem which was heavily inspired by Venice, Italy. We enjoyed a guided walking tour of the city and then had free time, which of course we used wisely to enjoy some coffee and gelato.

8. Explore the city on a bicycle tour

This bike tour of Ljubljana is a fantastic option for those short on time, or who are looking for an easy way to see the city’s highlights and hidden gems! Over 3.5 hours, we pedaled through the best attractions that Ljubljana has to offer with our local guide, Klemen, who knows the city like the back of his hand! 

The tour began in the city center, but before we knew it, we were cruising along the Ljubljanica River and exploring Tivoli Park, which is filled with perfectly landscaped gardens and quiet paths. It was the perfect place for a relaxed ride!

As a bonus we got to take a peek at the iconic spiral stairway of Nebotičnik Skyscraper. It was a little dizzying, but super cool.

Then, Klemen led us effortlessly to Metelkova, an uber-edgy alternative cultural hub, where we had fun taking in the vibrant street art and the community’s creative energy. I don’t think we would have had half as much fun here without Klemen because he shared tons of insider stories with us and showed us lots of art installations, plus a handful of cool bars. 

This tour really felt like seeing Ljubljana through the eyes of a local. The pace was relaxed and Klemen made sure that everyone felt comfortable. We got to zip through parts of the city we wouldn’t have discovered on our own, and we covered so much ground in just a few hours.

9. Try Slovenia’s brewed beer with a craft beer tasting

As craft beer enthusiasts, we just couldn’t resist the chance to dive into Ljubljana’s booming beer scene during this interactive tasting experience! It was an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and top-notch brews, so we highly recommend it to our fellow beer lovers. 

Our guide, Mitja, was not just a beer expert, but also a gifted storyteller who really brought the craft beer industry to life with fun anecdotes and insider facts. She guided us through tasting six unique Slovenian craft beers, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts. Plus, each one was perfectly paired with a light snack, so we were very happy indeed! 

As well as tasting beer, we learned how to pour the perfect pint. We competed in tasting games to detect different ingredients in a brew, and identify different styles of beer. This broke the ice and for that reason, we think that this class is the perfect way for solo travelers to meet new people.

By the end of the evening, we realized that Slovenia has a kickin’ craft beer scene, and were well-prepared to try out yet more brews by ourselves during the rest of our trip.

10. Try out an escape room

This escape room experience in Ljubljana was one of the most unique and memorable activities we’ve ever done here! As soon as we stepped into the room, we were transported into a world of hidden secrets and clever puzzles, with an intriguing storyline running through it all. 

The game master set the stage beautifully, explaining our mission and the rules super clearly. The room itself was epic, with lots of fun decor and murals, and plenty of codes to decipher. Cracking all of the clues was so satisfying, and we got such a sense of accomplishment every time we solved another puzzle. 

We don’t want to spoil too much, but the whole experience was based on Ljubljana’s history and folklore. The First Detective Agency is the perfect choice for families with kids, while the Missing Elephant is ideal for adults looking for a challenge. However, they do change the escape rooms every couple of months so you’ll probably do something entirely different! 

Racing against the clock made the whole experience so exciting, too. We laughed, cheered, and panicked (in the best way possible) as the timer ticked down, and we managed to escape just in time.

Where to Stay in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Finding the perfect place to stay in Ljubljana is essential for making the most of this charming capital city. Whether you’re planning to dive into the activities mentioned above or simply relax and soak in the city’s atmosphere, there are fantastic options for every type of traveler.

To help you choose, I’ve rounded up my favorite hotels to suit all budgets below:

Luxury – $$$

The Grand Plaza Hotel and Congress Center is the ultimate choice for a luxurious stay in Ljubljana. This modern 5-star hotel features a variety of elegant rooms and suites that offer stunning city views and top-tier amenities. Guests can enjoy the onsite fitness center, restaurant, and stylish bar. It is also conveniently located within walking distance of the city center, making it the perfect base to explore Ljubljana!

Prices range depending on the season but usually start around €160 in the slow winter season and €300 during the busy summer season. Check all the options and book this luxury stay on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

The City Hotel Ljubljana is a fantastic mid-range option, offering comfort and convenience in the heart of the city. The modern rooms are spacious and well-equipped, featuring everything you need for a relaxing stay, including free Wi-Fi and workspaces. Guests can start their day with a complimentary breakfast, enjoy the on-site restaurant, or unwind at the bar after exploring the city. Plus, its central location means you’re just a short walk from Ljubljana’s Old Town and iconic landmarks!

Prices Start around €120 per night during the low season and €200 per night during the high season. You can check availability for your travel dates on Booking.com.

Budget – $

The Apartments Maria offers a variety of budget-friendly accommodations in Ljubljana, including private rooms with shared bathrooms and en-suite options, as well as fully equipped apartments. Each unit provides free Wi-Fi and essential amenities for a comfortable stay. Located within walking distance of the city center, I think it’s a great choice for travelers looking to explore Ljubljana without overspending!

Rooms start as low as €55 per night and you can visit Booking.com to make your reservation.

For more options, see all of Ljubljana’s hotels listed here!

Thanks for reading!

Well, that wraps up our guide to Ljubljana! Hopefully, you’re prepared for a fantastic trip with lots of activities to fill up your itinerary. We know you’ll love it here!

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