Traveller Resources. Independence from Austria-Hungary was announced here in 1918, while Josip Broz Tito addressed the crowds from the balcony of the university building in 1945. All Things to Do. Jože Plečnik also designed this market in the early 1930s as part of his beautiful set piece that included the Triple Bridge. This recounts Ljubljana’s key historical events with 3D animations and guides in period costume. But if you only have time for one day-trip, you must make it a Trip to Lake Bled and Bled Castle This is by far the number one sight in Slovenia, and for good reason. Within just a few streets of the Ljubljanica you can be in a green space that pushes out for more than two kilometres. The design, right down to the obelisk above the fountain, is borrowed from Rome’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) at Piazza Navona. During that time, many of the Roman artefacts in the National Museum were found by accident when a shopping arcade and car park were being built beneath the square. Trips last an hour and include a commentary of the sights. Dies sind laut Tripadvisor-Reisenden die besten Outdoor-Aktivitäten in Ljubljana: Tivoli Park; River Ljubljanica Kanal; ZOO Ljubljana; Congress Square (Kongresni trg) University Botanic Gardens Ljubljana; Sehen Sie sich alle Outdoor-Aktivitäten in Ljubljana auf Tripadvisor an. In the former there are some amazing artefacts to checkout going back deep into prehistory. The early stone wood and stone fortress was succeeded by more practical military buildings, becoming an Arsenal in the 16th century as a regional bulwark against an Ottoman invasion. Most of what you will see and do is clustered right along these riverbanks (see everything on a map below). This is all part of a drive to make Ljubljana as environmentally friendly as possible. There are two houses side by side and a garden with a lapidary collection, and the architect’s furniture, tools and sketches and other possessions are still in place. 4 Bars. When this 13-storey tower was topped off in 1933 it became the tallest building in the Balkans and was in the top ten for Europe. Plečnik’s house and studio complex is on Karunova Ulica and is almost exactly how he left it when he passed away in 1957. The most popular things to do in Ljubljana with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Ljubljana, Triple Bridge (Tromostovje): Tickets & Tours‎, Cathedral of St. Nicholas (Stolnica Sv. Ljubljana is a very small mix of Vienna and Venice, thankfully without the hordes of tourists. LJUBLJANA ITINERARY: 25 Best Things to Do & Places to Visit We got stranded in Ljubljana. The pedestrianized city center is one of Europe’s most beautiful. If you’re really up for trying something different this is a journey you can also make on a canoe or stand-up paddleboard. If you’ve never been to Ljubljana you better have a good excuse. But if there’s one standout it’s the Francesco Robba’s Fountain of Three Carniolan Rivers. Wine Tastings. Other things to do in Ljubljana. When you make it to the top of the eastern peak you’ll be met by a restaurant and a Baroque church from the early 1700s. Plečnik’s impact on this city is compared to Antoni Gaudí’s in Barcelona, and his dream was to turn Ljubljana into a modern version of Ancient Athens. Most are from that phase of intensive construction after the earthquake, and while none are tourist attractions in their own right they can be combined into a 12-stop tour of the city for architecture lovers. Concerts & Shows. 8 Restaurants. Outdoor Activities. The People’s Loan Bank building at no. You have to pay to ascend the watchtower to look over Ljubljana, and included in this is a “Time Machine” tour. The zoo has 119 species in all, totalling more than 500 individual animals. Kids might get the most out of this attraction, but grownups could also spend a fun hour or so here. 13 Sights. more, Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia - Ljubljana Attractions. At the time it was also a technical achievement as one of the first reinforced concrete bridges in Europe. Shopping. Traveler Resources . There are animals from around the world, and an emphasis on conserving Slovenia’s wildlife in a unique region where the Alps meet the Pannonian Plain and the Mediterranean. The 20th century in Slovenia was anything if not an interesting phase of the country’s history. Even if you’ve seen the original sculpture in the National Gallery, you still have to spare a moment for this fountain in front of the Town Hall as it’s a symbol of Ljubljana. That handsome colonnade on the fringe of Prešeren Square shelters stalls selling herbs, spices and handicrafts, while further along are bakery stalls, cured meat, dried fruit and nuts, dairy products, fresh fruit and veg and fish. Best Things to do in Ljubljana Explore the Lovely City Center. See Tripadvisor's 56,915 traveller reviews and photos of Ljubljana free attractions Day Trips. It’s an awe-inspiring building replete with art by a number of Italian Baroque masters. Things to do in Ljubljana this weekend. Please read below about best places to go, things to do … Copenhagen 55 things to see & do. Slovenia, Europe, Travel. The crowd-pleasers are the cheetahs, sea lions, Asian elephant and pair of Siberian tigers, new to the zoo in August 2017. If you’re hungry enough to eat a horse, there’s Hot Horse with a horsemeat menu in the Tivoli Park. The joy of living in this city emanates from its every corner. Amsterdam 79 things to see & do. In the early 18th century that first Gothic building was reworked in the Venetian Baroque style with plans drawn up by the Italian architect Carlo Martinuzzi. LJUBLJANA.INFO YOUR GUIDE TO LJUBLJANA SIGHTSEEING, CASTLES AND CHURCHES IN LJUBLJANA, MUSEUMS, ZOO, PARKS, SHOPPING, DAY TRIPS, NIGHTLIFE AND MORE If you are wondering what to see in Ljubljana and what are the best things to do in Ljubljana and around it, wonder no more. If you’ve got the mettle you can try to get up there on foot, but there’s also a tourist train and a funicular railway. Tours. The old versus the new, the grunge versus the chic. The facade is painted a pastel red, which holds meaning for the Franciscan order. Even considering the extra Euros we paid for a top floor ‘castle view’ apartment, it was very reasonably priced and centrally located. Soon after independence, a disused army barracks from the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was occupied by squatters to stop it from being torn down. I’ll never forget a local cafe owner comparing Ljubljana to a little girl in a dress. 5 Best Things To Do in Ljubljana in 1 Day. When you’re looking up from Ljubljana’s squares, the castle seems dauntingly high. Relax at Tivoli Park and Rožnik Hill. Suggested tour: Ljubljana and Ljubljana Castle Sightseeing Tour. Dragon Bridge (Zmajski Most) 1 The four intimidating dragons that stand sentinel on each corner of this bridge are an emblem for Ljubljana and show up all over the city. And if you get the Ljubljana Card (a multi-pass scheme for museums and attractions) you’ll be able to hire a bike for up to four hours for free. With a hilltop castle for gorgeous views and several parks and green spaces to enjoy, Ljubljana also has plenty to keep outdoor enthusiasts busy! Ljubljana castle is a Medieval … You can actually drive right up to the castle although parking is limited. Dating to1821, it’s a formidable space that has civic buildings and palaces on all sides and the Zvezda park at the centre. Take at least one morning to walk or cycle the tranquil city streets and explore Ljubljana’s best architecture and famous bridges. There’s also a Marian column up here from the same century to mark an outbreak of plague that took place in the 1600s. With this fact in our minds, we have prepared a list of top free things to do in Ljubljana. All Things to Do. You can find his statue next to the Central Pharmacy, across the square from his unrequited love and muse Julija Primic. It’s an alternative haven where almost every wall is covered in graffiti and imaginative murals. Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church: Tickets & Tours‎, Things to do near Jewish Cultural Center Museum, Things to do near Gallery & Auction house SLOART, Things to do near Embassy of the United States of America, Things to do near Truffle Hunting Slovenia, Things to do near Lina Rooms & Apartments, See all attractions in Ljubljana on Tripadvisor, See all outdoor activities in Ljubljana on Tripadvisor, Lake Bled and Bled Castle Tour from Ljubljana, Lake Bled and Traditional Lunch in Radovljica from Ljubljana, Lake Bled & Ljubljana- 8hrs Small Group Shore Experience from Koper, Lake Bled and Ljubljana Private Tour from Trieste, See all day trips from Ljubljana on Tripadvisor, See all kid friendly things to do in Ljubljana on Tripadvisor. Taken from the coat of arms they’re strikingly lifelike (supposing dragons existed! This cultured central square has played host to some momentous occasions in Slovenian history. A solemn presence on Prešeren Square, this church is in an early Baroque style from the middle of the 17th century. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It’s one of the sights to behold on the square, and has pinnacles, pilasters with Ionic capitals, niches and a statue of the Virgin with Child on the pediment. Ljubljana owes some of its beauty to a catastrophe: An earthquake in 1895 reduced whole neighbourhoods to ruins. Ljubljana’s Roman origins as the city of Emona is laid bare with models, animated films and excavated items like a hoard of coins. Better to take the funicular railway or tourist train if you don’t fancy the rather steep walk. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The best day trips from Ljubljana according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Ljubljana with kids? Whether you are on a travel budget or not, you and I can probably agree on the fact that the best things in life are free. As the name tells you it’s another work by the prolific Francesco Robba, and depicts three male figures pouring water from jugs. Visit the Ljubljana Castle. 7 Shops. London 68 things to see & do. On Ljubljana’s website you can sign up for a cruise aboard the “Ljubljanica”, a traditional boat made of larch and oak, or on one of the more modern glass-covered vessels. Where to stay in Ljubljana: We based our stay at Barbo Palace in the city centre. Tivoli is the green heart of Ljubljana. Ljubljana is young, very hip and green as can be: In 2016 it was the European Green Capital, in a part of Europe not always known for environmental friendliness. Things to Do in Ljubljana – Interesting Museums Ljubljana Castle. #12 of the Best Things to Do in Ljubljana: Get outside the city to Lake Bled: There is lots to see outside Ljubljana. Beautiful old buildings, covered in graffiti, with the upmarket restaurants inside. While Ljubljana isn’t the most well-known travel destination, there sure is a lot to discover. Attractions. Unmistakable for its twin humps, Šmarna Gora is more than 660 metres above sea level, but has been made hospitable by 15 well-tended hiking trails, all serving the summits. Pub Tours. It hugs the riverside between this bridge and the Dragon Bridge and is on the site of an old diocesan college for girls that collapsed during the earthquake in 1895. View map Browse by Category. Ljubljana castle stands guard over the city from above and it also provides an impressive centrepiece for any photo of the city. 4 Miklošičeva Ulica is sublime, with a delicate wrought iron balcony and two large classical statues of female figures on its roof. It definitely threw a wrench into our plans because we were backpacking around Europe with a limited budget. One of the best things to do in Ljubljana is to experience it all for yourself on a bar crawl. It was once an important center during medieval times, but now serves as a museum and entertainment center. But the greatest sight is Ljubljana in the distance scattered around at the bottom of Rožnik and Castle hill. More. The main courtyard is free to enter, and has a cafe, nightclub, galleries and a restaurant. Places to Visit in Ljubljana. But if there’s one reason to come it’s to walk the Jakopič Promenade, an arrow-straight avenue that runs from the eastern entrance up to the Neoclassical Tivoli Castle. Each period is backed up with authentic artefacts and documents, including uniforms, costumes, furniture, weapons, medals, archive photography, farming implements like a vintage tractor and a whole lot more. Concerts & Shows. ), were rendered in sheet copper in the A. M. Beschorner factory in Vienna, and designed by the bridge’s architect Jurij Zaninović. The main exhibition is on Prešernova Street, while there’s a new building for the applied arts department on Metelkova. But this only gave free rein to visionaries like Jože Plečnik to build Art Nouveau masterpieces from the rubble. From Tivoli Park you can continue to the lower slopes of Rožnik Hill to get to the city’s zoo. This begins with the elegant gardens and avenues landscaped in 1813 and extends up the slope onto the wilder Rožnik Hill, which is crisscrossed by nature trails. Istanbul 49 things to see & do. Tours. Let’s explore the best things to do in Ljubljana: Right by the Ljubljanica, Prešeren Square is the place where the city meets up and celebrate. She’s cute and charming, but never to be taken to seriously. Regardless of there being so many, each one tells its own unique story. There are so many wonderful things to do in Ljubljana, you will probably feel overwhelmed when you visit. Nightlife. In this article, we explore the top free things to do in Ljubljana. The castle has changed a lot since it first came together 900 years ago. It’s probably the best way to appreciate Jože Plečnik’s majestic urban design, including the Triple Bridge and the arcade and colonnade on the revitalised waterfront beside it. Start Date. Transportation. Highly rated activities with free entry in Ljubljana: The top things to do for free. The current Baroque design though has survived since the beginning of the 18th century, while the splendid dome came later, in the 1840s. Tivoli Park also hosts a tropical greenhouse managed by the city’s Botanical Gardens and sits beside a pond. More recent works are the astounding dome fresco, painted by the Slovenian Matevž Langus in 1844 and the 20th-century artist Tone Demšar’s main portal door, which sports a relief presenting the history of Slovenia. In mid-winter there’s a big skating rink on the square, large enough to host ice hockey matches. You will find many of places to visit in Ljubljana along or near the river but start your Ljubljana sightseeing with the walk along Ljubljanica. This stern Communist-era plaza is without the sumptuous architecture of Prešeren Square, and was instead laid out as the modern centre of the city in the 1960s. The majestic Ljubljana Castle towers over the city. In fact, this city is pretty infamous for its lively (and cheap) bars. You can watch the sea lions and pelicans being fed throughout at set times each day, and get to know the animals at a typical Slovenian farm. The central bridge of the three is much older than the two that flank it, and dates to 1842. But it’s also a place of real meaning, as the spot where Slovenian Independence was declared in 1991. This is the original sculpture for Ljubljana’s most celebrated fountain, brought to the modern glass extension to protect it from the elements. At the Breg embankment on the left bank of the river you can hop aboard a cruise boat for a jaunt along the Ljubljanica. What are the top attractions to visit in Ljubljana? This wide square is home to various important buildings such as the University of Ljubljana or the Slovenian Philharmonic Hall. The Town Hall is open for exhibitions, and you can also put your name down for a tour of rooms normally closed to the public. After dark the bars and clubs book live bands and DJs, and there are outdoor concerts in summer. If there’s one unmissable work it’s Francesco Robba’s 18th-century altarpiece, but it’s worth poking around to see a stone cross by Jože Plečnik in a side chapel, while the new ceiling frescoes were provided by the Impressionist Matej Sternen in the 1930s. Come for photos during the day, and return at night when it’s full of life. Fronting Tivoli Park is Slovenia’s premier historical art museum, displaying works from medieval times to the 1900s. Suggested tour: Ljubljana and Ljubljana Castle Sightseeing Tour. Things to Do in Ljubljana ; Outdoor Activities in Ljubljana; Search. Ljubljana, Slovenia Things to do 1. The latter is one of the oldest music institutions in Europe and even worldwide, founded in 1701. The city centre is now mostly car-free, public transport is low-emissions and there’s a new cycling network. The exhibition goes into detail on the buildings Plečnik contributed to Ljubljana, and reveals some plans that never came to fruition. A highlight in the main courtyard is a glorious fountain depicting Narcissus by the sculptor Francesco Robba. Also on an architectural theme you can get inside the mind of Jože Plečnik the man who revamped Ljubljana in the interwar period. Going through the tourist office It costs next to nothing to get your hands on a bike for two hours €2.00 or a full day €8.00. Joking aside, this isn’t a dining experience for vegetarians, but if you’re wondering what a horse burger, steak, hot dog or wrap might taste like you’ll get your answer at this stylish, fast-food style eatery. You can also delve into the Slovenian Impressionist movement via pieces by Rihard Jakopič, Ivan Grohar and Matija Jama. Back in the city center, another one of the best things to do in Ljubljana is going to Congress Square. Food & Drink. Ljubljana and Ljubljana Castle Sightseeing Tour, 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 13 Things to Do in Rancho Santa Margarita (CA), 15 Best Things to Do in Cathedral City (CA), Saint Nicholas Cathedral Of Ljubljana: Shutterstock, Franciscan Church Of The Annunciation: Shutterstock, National Gallery Of Slovenia: Shutterstock, National Museum Of Slovenia: Shutterstock, Brown Bear At Ljubljana Zoo: Shutterstock. 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