How To Spend One Day In Ljubljana: Best Things To Do, See & Eat

If you find yourself with only one day in Ljubljana, don’t fret! You have just enough time to see what this charming city has to offer. After visiting Slovenia twice, and once for almost two weeks solo traveling the country, Ljubljana earned a spot as one of my favorite cities.

There are plenty of amazing things to do in Ljubljana that will make you fall in love with this city. I’ve put together a list of things to do if you have just one day in Ljubljana.

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With a castle sitting up high over the city, a delightful little old town area, and the glittering Ljubljanica river flowing through the middle of it all, Ljubljana is an amazing place to have a relaxed day getting to know Slovenia. Below, you’ll find some of my favorite things to do in Ljubljana!

Get some Slovenian food, beer, and culture while you’re here and enjoy this beautiful place!

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is not a huge city, which makes exploring pretty easy. The main City Center neighborhood and the Old Town are so pleasant to walk through. As we strolled about we noticed a few things. 

Ljubljana is clean and simple, in the best way. The city center is beautiful and designed to be very walking or biking friendly. From the beautifully stoned streets below your feet to the complementing mix of old and new architecture above your head, the city is so nice to walk around!

Ljubljana left a very good impression on us!

Spending more time in Slovenia? Read this, too: The Perfect One Week Slovenia Itinerary: Europe’s Hidden Gem

How To Get Around In Ljubljana

If you’re arriving in Slovenia via the Ljubljana airport (LJU), you’ll be curious how to get from the airport into town. There are buses that run very frequently from the Ljubljana airport to the Ljubljana train station. The bus, operated by Arriva, runs at least once per hour from 5AM to 9PM, seven days a week. The cost is around €4 one-way.

I bought my ticket for the airport bus from the driver when I got on. You can also purchase your ticket ahead of time on Arriva to make the process simpler.

However, once you get into the center of town, just about everything in this one day Ljubljana guide is within walking distance of one another. The city center is really not very large.

But, if you are traversing across town, you may choose to take a city bus. I personally recommend getting a 24 hour Ljubljana Card if you plan to spend one day in Ljubljana. The card gives you access to unlimited city bus rides in the card validity period, plus free access to 20+ museums and galleries, the Ljubljana Zoo, a 4 hour bike rental, funicular ride to the castle, Ljubljanica river cruise, and more.

Best Things To Do In Ljubljana For One Day

I have visited many cities in Europe and around the world, and Ljubljana is actually way up on my list of places I loved. In fact, I’ve been to Ljubljana twice because I just loved it that much the first time!

So, here’s what I recommend you do during your one day in Ljubljana for the perfect experience.

Ljubljana Castle

It’s pretty hard to miss Ljubljana Castle that towers over the city. It’s a very kid friendly stop in town, but it can also be enjoyed as an adult, and the views from the top are totally worth the visit.

Ljubljana Castle was used as a prison up until the end of World War II, and held Italian political prisoners of war in both World Wars. Renovations of the castle to turn it into a museum and public space began in the 60’s.

If you choose to get a Ljubljana Card while in the city, the funicular ride and castle entrance fees are included!

Inside the castle, you can tour different spaces like the dungeons and the armory and get an idea of what the castle was like at various points in history.

We love a good funicular, so we were excited to see that the funicular to the castle was included in the price of our castle ticket. You can catch the funicular right across the street from the Central Market.

Be sure to head to the very top of the castle to enjoy the views of Ljubljana and the rolling hills surrounding the city. One of my very favorite spots at the castle is the Grajska Vinoteca wine bar. It’s a really great place to watch the sunset while sipping on a glass of Slovenian wine.

Cruise Down the Ljubljanica River

You can actually take a short boat ride up and down the beautiful Ljubljanica for unique views of the city! I did one of these boat rides and absolutely loved it. It was super relaxed and a great way to take in the views on a nice day in Ljubljana.

There are a few options when it comes to a river cruise in Ljubljana. If you purchase the Ljubljana Card, a Ljubljanica River cruise is included. However, if you decide to not get the Ljubljana card while in the city, you can hop on the same 45 minute boat ride for €15 at the Ribji trg pier.

A fun and unique river cruise option is one that includes a local beer tasting. This BEER WAY tour offers a 1 hour river cruise complete with beer tasting from local Ljubljana microbrewers.

Walk Along the Ljubljanica

Running right through the middle of town and separating the Old Town and City Center is the Ljubljanica River. The city is built up around the river, so you can walk along the water on both sides.

There are a bunch of restaurants, shops and bars along the river that you should be sure to check out. We sat and drank some Slovenian beer at one of the many outdoor patios and enjoyed the laid back vibes of town.

You could also take a ride on one of the fun little boats floating up and down the river to get a different perspective of town. It’s a great activity in the summer, but the boats also run in the winter and are heated to make it a comfortable ride. 

While we walked, we also stopped in some of the cute little shops and even happened upon a local family of musicians performing on the street. We stayed and watched them for 20 minutes, they were so good! 

READ ALSO: 20 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Slovenia, Europe’s Most Underrated Destination

Watch River Volleyball

One of the coolest things I saw while in Ljubljana was river volleyball! While it only happens in the summer in Ljubljana, it’s worth making some time to watch a game if it’s on while you’re in town.

You can check the official I Feel Slovenia website to see when this exciting event is taking place. It’s also completely free to watch, and there are events happening during the day and at night.

Try Slovenian Food

Food is the way to my heart. It’s also my favorite way to experience a culture and city that’s new to me. 

We ate at two restaurants that we felt gave us a good mix of classic and new Slovenian cuisine.

For lunch, we ate at Gostilna Sokol where we ordered Kranjska Klobasa, Slovenian sausage, and Gobova Juha, or mushroom soup. Klobasa is served with sauerkraut, sour turnips, and mustard. The soup is served in a bread bowl (my favorite!). Both dishes were simple and delish, and made for a great lunch!

We opted to go a little bit more elevated for dinner, and the restaurant we chose did not disappoint! Spajza Restaurant is where we landed for our last meal of the day, and I cannot express how tasty our dinner was. I told our waiter that we wanted to try some traditional Slovenian dishes, and he did not steer us wrong. On top of that, he really took the time to explain the dishes and we could tell he was very proud to be sharing his country’s food with us! 

He recommended the Zlikrofi, a Slovenian dumpling dish, and the Prekmurska gibanica, a layered pie, for dessert. Both were heavenly! YUM!

Another restaurant that came highly recommended to us is Julija, where they also serve elevated Slovenian food. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to eat there. It’s on my list of places to hit when we return!

Another great way to experience Ljubljana’s food scene is with a food tour of the city. You’ll get a really well rounded food experience and expert insight from a local!

Food Tour Recommendation: Slovenian Cuisine Walking Tour With Tastings (4.8 ⭐️)

Do A Walking Tour

Ljubljana is a really pleasant city to walk around, especially in the Old Town and City Center neighborhoods. 

It’s a nice city to stroll in and find hidden corners or special little moments, like the musical family we encountered! A great way to get a feel for the city is by taking a walking tour with a local guide. They will be able to tell you about the history and culture of the city from a local’s perspective!

If you choose to do more of a self guided walking tour, walk over to Prešeren Square a popular gathering place located on the river. From here, you can see famous Triple Bridge, obviously named for its three sections that stretch across the river. You’ll also have a great view of Ljubljana Castle from the bridge.

Another famous bridge to see is the Dragon Bridge, aptly named for its decorative statues of Ljubljana’s defenders.

The last bridge to see is Butcher’s Bridge, which has been covered in locks by lovers that have visited Ljubljana over the years.

Other spots to stop at beyond what has already been mentioned above: Robba Fountain and Obelisk, Stari trg walking street, and Ljubljana Cathedral.

Walking Tour Recommendation: 2.5h Walking Tour With Local Guide (4.7 ⭐️)

Stop By Central Market

The city’s Central Market is a really great place to see local vendors selling things like cheese, fresh vegetables, and little crafty goods. It’s also open on weekdays, rather than just a weekend market, which means it’s always around if you’re looking for somewhere to take a little stroll.

In the summer, the central market area is home to a huge food market with local vendors selling their most popular dishes at small stands. This is a great way to try a bunch of local food!

Central Market is very close to the castle funicular, so you could stop by before or after you hit up the castle. 

Visit Park Tivoli

Ljubljana has a beautiful park, Park Tivoli, located right next to the central downtown area. Its a beautifully manicured park with walking paths and gardens. It even has two restaurants within if you get a little peckish while you walk. 

The Ljubljana Zoo is even located in the park, which you get free access to with your Ljubljana Card! It’s also close to a lot of museums, like the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Contemporary History. So, if you’re a museum person, you’ve got plenty of options here!

Union Pub

If you like beer, you should visit Union Pub, the tap house for the local Union Brewery. 

You can hit the pub to try the brews, or take a tour complete with beer tastings. 

We drank Union beer while in Slovenia and we really liked it! My favorite of theirs is their Radler, which is citrusy beer with lemonade in it. 

The tickets are €14 for adults for the Union Brewery Tour.

Do Some Local Shopping

If you like to shop, or you’re like me and you enjoy visiting stores in other countries to see the trends, walk around in City Center.

You’ll find the large brand names like H&M and Zara, plus tons of shoe stores. (I’ve noticed that shoe stores are very popular in Europe).

My favorite shopping experience in Ljubljana was actually a second-hand store called Humana Vintage, where I found a nice leather purse.

In the Old Town area you’ll find smaller and more local shops for little goodies and clothes. Stroll down Mestni Street, a nice walking street, and pop into some of the stores! You can also find a nice DM, a European drugstore, if you forgot any essentials!

Extend Your Stay In Slovenia

If you find yourself with an extra day or two, consider some day trips out of the city to the surrounding areas. I highly recommend you visit Lake Bled, Postojna Caves, or Piran.

Lake Bled is a beautiful blue lake with a recognizable little church island in the middle. You’ve probably seen pictures of it! There is also a walking path around the entire lake and a castle sitting up on the hills above. It’s just such a serene and beautiful place.

READ ALSO: How To Take The Best Day Trip To Lake Bled From Ljubljana

Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle are a fantastic day trip from Ljubljana. I did this exact trip when I visited Slovenia on a solo adventure. It was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip!

Piran is the shining jewel of the Slovenian coast. Slovenia doesn’t have a large piece of coastline, but Piran shows off it’s beauty with terracotta roofs and beautiful streets beside the Adriatic’s sparkling waters. Definitely a fantastic day trip from Ljubljana!