Holidays in Ljubljana

Start your summer holiday in Ljubljana and discover the historic sights and enjoy the atmosphere alongside the Ljubljanica River

  • Dine alfresco and soak up the atmosphere on the riverside
  • Visit the 900-year-old Ljubljana Castle for incredible views over the city
  • Stroll through the medieval Old Town and see impressive sculptures, bridges and landmarks

The capital of Slovenia and lying between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Ljubljana is one of central Europe's most attractive cities. Its lively centre is full of cultural and historical monuments, as well as a 16th-century castle and a medieval Old Town. With wonderful architecture and beautiful natural areas such as the Imperial Tivoli Park, it is a compact but easily enjoyable city by bike or on foot. Jože Plečnik’s architecture has had a big effect on Ljubljana. You’ll come across his Art Nouveau masterpieces – there are 10 in total. Ljubljana Castle has an attractive baroque design – be sure to visit the viewing tower for the best views over the city.

Walking in Ljubljana

Set your own pace, distance, and duration. Ljubljana city is perfect for exploring little by little, with many pit-stops on route – whether it be a bench in one of the parks, or a gelato break on a picnic table beside the beautiful river. Challenge yourself to a steep-incline walk to view the city from above, or take the funicular to the castle, suitable for wheelchair users too. Encounter famous landmarks on each side of the river with constant bridge crossings, such as the iconic and famous Dragon bridge. Maybe you have explored the Old Town already, in which you can then head beyond one of the greenest cities in the world – discovering nature reserves, stunning lakes and plenty of rocky landscape parks nearby.

Plenty to see and do

There is an array of open-air bars and cafés lining the riverside, plus excellent theatres, museums and art galleries, a vibrant daily outdoor market and a Sunday flea market. The Ljubljana Summer Festival also brings world-class music to the city throughout July & August. Head to the scenic “roof of Ljubljana” Mount Saint Mary for incredible panoramic views of the entire city itself. Relax and dine in the evenings under riverside gazebos decorated with pretty fairy lights, complimented by a colourful glow of bridge lights and building projections.

An explorers hub

Your holiday in Ljubljana has it all - it’s a good base for those who want to discover more of Slovenia, such as the nearby towns of Škofja Loka, Kamnik or Idrija. Make use of the excellent bus network or take to the river on a boat cruise. Pick up a bicycle and make your way through the city in comfort and style with the support of the dedicated cycle lanes. The tourist centres ensure that your experience in the city is maximised, as well as first-hand experienced recommendations from our own representatives.

Why book a summer holiday in Ljubljana with Inghams?

At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time at your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of Ljubljana’s best walking routes and activities at your own pace.

With 90 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Ljubljana include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team overseas can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.

Added value

24/7 support & tailored advice over the phone from our local resort team

All holidays include flights from the UK and transfers

Hotels in Ljubljana

  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    4 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 26 rooms
Hotel Cubo Ljubljana - Typical Double Room

A handsome hotel in the historic centre of Ljubljana. Hotel Cubo offers a boutique city experience, with many attractions within easy walking distance. Enjoy sleek and minimalist design and modern, spacious rooms. Bookable on B&B, but with an in-house restaurant if you want to enjoy quiet nights in.

Ljubljana Card - bookable locally

Ljubljana Card

The Ljubljana Card is available locally from the hotel or Tourist Office and gives you:

  • Unlimited bus rides
  • A guided city tour
  • Free funicular ride to the Ljubljana castle
  • Admission to several local attractions including the Ljubljana zoo
  • Admission to lots of museums and galleries
  • Bike rental for four hours
  • A pass to the Snovik Thermal Spa
  • One free ride on the Ljubljana tourist boat cruise

Prices: 24 hours from €36, 48 hours from €44 and 72 hours from €49.

Subject to change. Prices are correct at the time of publishing.

Things to do in Ljubljana

Things to do in Ljubljana

Central square

Prešernov Trg is a beautiful and lively square which links the medieval part of the town with its newer quarters. It's surrounded by interesting Art Nouveau pastel-coloured buildings as well as a Francisan monastery, housing an impressive library. From here you can cross the three historic bridges over the Ljubljanica River.

Sightseeing and attractions

There is an array of open-air bars and cafés lining the riverside, plus excellent theatres, boat rides, museums and art galleries, a colourful daily outdoor market and a Sunday flea market. There are also plenty of statues and monuments to discover, like the Robba Fountain of Three Carniolan Rivers. Known for its dragons, how many will you spot?

Ljubljana Castle

Challenge yourself on the steep incline walk to the top of the hill, where the 900-year-old castle proudly stands. Or, take the funicular railway for sweeping views of the city, even better from the top of the Belvedere Tower or along the ramparts. With the Slovenian history exhibition and on-site café, you will have a fantastic time within its grounds.

Ljubljana Old Town

Stroll down the cobbled streets of the Old Town, popping in and out of culture-filled souvenir shops and capturing shots of the Baroque style buildings. Ljubljana's Old Town is filled with sights, including the Town Hall, the Dragon Bridge (the symbol of the city), and the wooden shop fronts and hidden courtyards of Stari Trg.

Museums

Art and culture are what keeps the city alive. You can visit lots of museums within the city centre, like the fun house of illusions, or visit the national gallery, home to the largest collection of Slovene art. You could also make your way down Križevniška, one of Ljubljana's oldest streets and imagine you're stepping back in time.

Culture centre

Metelkova is an internationally-renowned alternative culture community in the centre of Slovenia's capital, that draws comparisons to Copenhagen's Kristiania, and is dedicated to organising social and cultural activities for the public. Sort of a city within a city, it comprises a former prison (now Celical Hostel), several clubs, live music spaces, art galleries and artist studios.

Tivoli Park

Take a break from the city's buildings, and escape to the luscious greenery, blooming flower beds and peaceful nature-filled environment. Tivoli Park is the largest park in Ljubljana on the outskirts of the city and was laid out during the French imperial administration of Ljubljana in 1813 and named after the Parisian Jardins de Tivoli.

Walking

Whether it be a stroll through the Old Town streets, a dawdle through the central parks and squares, or a trickier route up to the Ljubljana castle hill – the city centre has you covered. But don't forget, Ljubljana is more than just a city, you can also venture into the nearby Mali Plac nature reserve for great hiking routes and a change of scenery.

Crossing the city's bridges is a great way to experience life in Ljubljana. A must is the Dragon Bridge which bears the city's coat of arms, made famous by the legend of Jason and the Argonauts. Triple Bridge is the most unusual, whilst Cobbler's Bridge is one of the oldest and Butcher's Bridge takes you into the market.

Bike rides

Grab a bike and set off on a riverside ride. There's no better way to explore the city within a brief period than on a leisurely bike ride, fun for the whole family too. The Plečnik cycle route is the perfect way to explore Ljubljana’s Trnovo district, city centre, Žale cemetery and Tivoli Park – all within a few hours.

Summer festivals

The Ljubljana Summer Festival brings world-class music to the city throughout July and August. We also love the Open Kitchen, held within the Pogačar Square every Friday for you to try new local food like štruklji, a traditional pastry roll with a range of fillings. There are also other craft, music and theatre festivals and events for you to enjoy throughout the summer months.

Shopping

Ljubljana is an incredible place to shop - with outdoor fairs, fresh fruit and flower markets, cultural shops and even shopping centres on the outskirts, you certainly won't run out of options. You will also come across lots of Slovenian food shops, great for taking some home-made treats back at the end of the day.

Walking

There is some good walking in and around Ljubljana as the city is small which makes it possible to reach all the cultural and historical sites by foot and is suitable for all levels of walkers. Take a stroll along the river side, climb up to the hilltop castle for some spectacular views over the city and surroundings, or take a boat tour down the river.

Good to know

Walking trails: Ljubljana is easy to explore on foot

Terrain: the city is predominantly flat, with the River Ljubljanica running through the centre and the castle on top of a small hill

Best time to go: end of May to mid-October

Recommended for: easy city walks, families, activities, sightseeing, food and drink

Fly into: Ljubljana or Salzburg

Fly from: London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow

Transfer time: Approx. 1 hour from Ljubljana airport or 3-4 hours (traffic dependent, including a stop) from Salzburg airport

24/7 Support and advice: Over the phone from our local resort team

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