National Museum of Slovenia
The impressive National Museum of Slovenia is
housed in a lovely neo-Renaissance style palace, the most
interesting and popular of Ljubljana's many museums. Alongside
fascinating temporary exhibits, the permanent exhibition consists
of various artworks, alongside archaeological artefacts and
displays, such as a 60,000-year-old "Neanderthal flute", ancient
Palaeolithic artefacts discovered in karst cave sites, and the only
Egyptian mummy in Slovenia.
The National Museum is made up of three museums:
the historic Presernova, the newer Metelkova, and the Natural
History Museum. Visitors can explore just one or all three
depending on their schedule, and combination tickets are
available.
Address: Prešernova 20
National Museum of Slovenia
Ziga
Plečnik House
Architect Joze Plecnik is largely responsible for the city of
Ljubljana being as neat and well planned as it is, with his
insistence on classical lines and uniform dimensions. The renowned
architect's home and studio is open to the public a few days a
week, furnished and equipped as he left it. However, his influence
is everywhere in the city and can be admired at sites like the wide
Shoemaker's Bridge and the colonnaded market beside the river.
Address: Karunova ulica 4, Trnovo
Plecnik House
Jean-Pierre Dalbera
Ljubljana Castle
The imposing Ljubljana Castle towers over the city, offering
spectacular views of the Ljubljanica River and old town skyline
with the distant Alps providing a stunning backdrop. A steep
cobbled street winds its way from the old town to the medieval
fortress, which originally dates back to the 11th century.
The castle complex includes a museum, restaurant, and chapel,
and access to the castle is provided by a scenic funicular ride.
Visitors can admire the view from the castle's impressive tower,
stroll through the tranquil grounds, learn about Slovenian history
at one of the museum exhibitions, or attend one of the many
cultural events hosted at the fortress.
Address: Grajska Planota 1
Ljubljana Castle interior
Martin Belam
Cathedral of St Nicholas
The magnificent Cathedral of St Nicholas, dedicated to the
patron saint of sailors and built in the Baroque style, dates from
the early 18th century but was renovated and had beautiful carved
bronze doors added for the Pope's visit in 1996. The doors depict
the development of Christianity in Slovenia and give way to a
richly ornate interior below the impressive cupola and stunning
Giulio Quaglio frescoes.
Address: Dolnicarjeva 1
Cathedral of St Nicholas
Janez Drilc
Ljubljana Zoo
The quaint Ljubljana Zoo is situated in a forested area a short
walk from the city centre. The small size of the zoo gives visitors
a more intimate experience, with opportunities to handle some of
the animals, particularly the scary ones such as snakes and
scorpions. Other animals at the zoo include wild cats, lions, sea
lions, giraffes, elephants, and over 100 other species.
Feeding times and training exhibitions are staged throughout the
day, a schedule for which is available on the website. The zoo
offers a welcome break from all the cultural and historical
attractions of Ljubljana, providing family vacationers with a
wonderful way to entertain the children.
Address: Vecna pot 70
Ljubljana Zoo
Bragi Thor
Tivoli Park
Tivoli Park is a massive wooded area in Ljubljana and covers an
impressive five square kilometres. The park is the perfect place
for a picnic or evening stroll, boasting a number of ponds,
playgrounds, sporting facilities, flowerbeds, grassy patches, and
fountains.
Tivoli Park is a popular spot in Ljubljana, allowing visitors to
relax and really take in the beauty of this wonderful Slovenian
city. Tivoli Park is also a wonderful place to take the kids,
allowing them to run around and let off some steam.
Tivoli Park
Alois Staudacher
Ljubljana has a humid subtropical climate influenced by its
location in a large basin, surrounded by sub-Alpine and karst
mountain regions. Balmy breezes blow in from the Mediterranean,
adding extra warmth in the summer (June to August) when average
high temperatures peak at about 81°F (27°C). During winter
(December to February), temperature inversions cause the foggy air
to hang heavy over the city, bringing cold, moist conditions.
Winter temperatures average between 27°F (-3°C) and 39°F (4°C).
Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport
Location: The airport is situated 16 miles (26km) north of
Ljubljana centre.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to
the last Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
There are frequent bus connections between the airport and city,
the journey taking about an hour. Taxis are available in front of
the terminal building. A taxi into central Ljubljana generally
takes between 25 and 35 minutes.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies represented at the airport include Atet,
Avis, Budget, Dollar & Thrifty, Europcar, Hertz, Avant Car,
Sixt, Agio, ABC, and Enterprise.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available outside the terminal building.
Fascilities:
Facilities at the airport include a bank, a bureau de change,
restaurants and bars, shops (including duty-free), a tourist
agency, a business lounge and a post office.
Parking
Open-air parking starts at €2 for the first hour and goes up to
€12 per day (€6 per day after four days). Undercover parking in the
multi-level car park starts at €2.50 for the first hour and goes up
to €14 per day (€8 per day after four days).
Ljubljana Summer Festival
Every summer, Slovenia's capital plays host to the Ljubljana
Summer Festival. The festival includes a selection of ballet,
opera, theatre, rock and jazz performances across the city, and is
fast becoming one of the top cultural festivals in eastern Europe.
Visitors to Slovenia are encouraged to plan their trip to coincide
with the Ljubljana Summer Festival, as this is when the city is at
its most lively and enchanting.
Venue: Various throughout Ljubljana
Ljubljana Summer Festival
MollySVH
Ljubljana International Film Festival
The Ljubljana International Film Festival (Liffe) is a key event
in Slovenia. Running since 1990, it focuses on promoting
non-Hollywood and non-commercial films. This festival in Ljubljana
draws some 50,000 film buffs, moviemakers, and spectators from
around the world, usually featuring in excess of 100 films.
Venue: Various
Movie theatre
cld
Lent Festival
Slovenia's Lent Festival celebrates all things creative.
Visitors to the country will be treated to 26 days of cultural
performances and workshops. Lent Festival is one of the country's
top summer festivals as Slovenia's second largest city, Maribor,
comes alive with all manner of artists, from musicians, actors, and
dancers to magicians, acrobats, puppeteers, and comedians, as well
as more than 50,000 excited spectators.
Venue: Maribor, Slovenia
Lent Festival
Ziga
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Ljubljana is a small, compact city that is easy to explore on
foot, especially for those intent on appreciating the architecture.
The next best option is the inexpensive and efficient bus service.
To ride the bus, passengers first need to purchase an Urbana card
from self-service stations near the larger bus stops and load it
with credit.
Cars are a liability in the city, which is largely
pedestrianised, and parking is at a premium. Bicycles provide a fun
and convenient way of getting around, available to rent for a
nominal fee and small deposit. Taxis are available and a good
option after dark, when the bus service is radically reduced.
Whether you're after relaxation or adventure,
Slovenia's charming capital is the perfect destination. Enjoy a
leisurely holiday in Ljubljana, soaking up the country's history
and culture, sampling the unique cuisine, or relaxing at an
open-air café on a balmy summer evening.
Visitors can take a stroll through the historical
centre, admiring the Renaissance and Art Nouveau facades, while
enjoying the Baroque architecture of the Cathedral of St Nicholas
or the medieval Ljubljana Castle which watches over the city. The
National Museum is home to Slovenia's only Egyptian mummy, while
PleÄnik House shares information on the renowned architect who
helped shape the identity of Ljubljana.
Visitors can make the most of the outdoors in
2016's Green Capital of Europe by cycling alongside the Ljubljanica
River or strolling through one of the city's many peaceful parks or
forests. Kids will love interacting with the animals at the
Ljubljana Zoo and running around as you picnic in the beautiful
Tivoli Park.
Get active and enjoy the natural beauty of
Ljubljana's surrounding areas with a trip to Lake Bled, just 45
minutes away, where visitors can go fishing and horse riding, or
explore the Triglav National Park's fantastic walking and hiking
trails.
Lake Bled
Slovenia's most popular destination, the charming
town of Bled is located just 45 minutes' drive from the capital
Ljubljana and is the base for many tourists holidaying in Slovenia.
A town with gorgeous surrounds and an ancient history, Bled's
foremost attraction is the glacial Lake Bled: a cobalt-blue expanse
of water with a forested island in the middle, it's accessible by
traditional rowboats known as pletnas.
Overlooking the lake is the photogenic Bled Castle
while the island itself is home to the spired Pilgrimage Church of
the Assumption of Mary, one of Slovenia's most impressive sights.
Bled offers tourists a range of great outdoor sporting activities,
such as golfing, fishing, and horse riding, while the nearby
Triglav National Park has fantastic walking and hiking trails.
Those looking for a cost-effective and richly rewarding European
vacation should check out Bled, Slovenia's undisputed tourist
jewel.
Lake Bled
James Southorn
Postojna Cave
Slovenia's Postojna Cave is the most-visited cave
complex in Europe and has welcomed nearly 200 million visitors to
gape at its incredible karst formations, cavernous chambers, and
interesting collection of cave animals.
Stretching for 13 miles (20km), one of the best
things about visiting the astounding Postojna Cave Complex is its
top-class infrastructure: the cave is well-lit and visitors access
the underground walkway by train.
Guided tours of the cave last about 90 minutes,
during which time visitors are treated to a wealth of glittering
calcite formations, stalactites, and stalagmites, as well as an
underground aquarium where an array of troglodyte creatures are
displayed.
The Postpojna Cave is also home to a subterranean
concert hall with celebrated acoustics and classical music
performances are common (especially in the summer). One of the very
best things to see in Slovenia and in the whole of central Europe,
a trip to the Postojna Cave Complex is highly recommended.
Postojna Cave
Bostjan Burger
Triglav National Park
The only national park in Slovenia, Triglav National
Park is named after the highest peak in the country and the Julian
Alps: Mount Triglav. Appearing on the Slovenian flag, the mountain
is a symbol of national identity.
Its craggy, snow-covered summit provides a wonderful
backdrop to a holiday spent exploring quiet forests and hiking out
to pristine waterfalls. The trail that leads out to the 240-foot
(78m) Slap Savica Waterfall is particularly popular, attracting
outdoor enthusiasts from all over the continent each year.
Triglav National Park is also perfectly set up for
mountain bikers and keen mountaineers who wish to get to grips with
the rocky slopes. The park offers affordable camping, and its close
proximity to Italy and Austria, makes it an attractive option for
budget-conscious travellers wishing to experience the Alps without
having to shell out more than they can afford.
Triglav National Park
Michael R Perry
National Museum of Slovenia
Ziga
Plecnik House
Jean-Pierre Dalbera
Ljubljana Castle interior
Martin Belam
Cathedral of St Nicholas
Janez Drilc
Ljubljana Zoo
Bragi Thor
Tivoli Park
Alois Staudacher
