We are not exaggerating when we say that Ljubljana, and Slovenia in general, are our favorite city and country we’ve ever been to. In fact, we’ve often joked about moving there one day because we just love it so much. Ljubljana is a charming city located right in the heart of Slovenia, meaning the day trips and excursion possibilities are almost endless.
You don’t necessarily need a car as many destinations can be reached either via bus or tour, though having a car does offer substantial freedom when exploring outside Ljubljana. See our guide for renting a car in Europe for help! From our own experiences and what we know of Slovenia, here are the top experiences that you should consider incorporating into your trip when you base yourself in Ljubljana.
Without further ado, here is our list of top experiences to have when you stay in Ljubljana!
The top 15 things to do in Ljubljana:
Visit Lake Bled
No trip to Ljubljana, or Slovenia for that matter, is complete without spending at least 1 day at Lake Bled. This is truly one of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable and you won’t regret taking a full day to see all it has to offer. Getting there is also easy, either by taking a bus or driving yourself and parking right in Bled town or even along the lake shore! Or, if organized tours are more your speed, check out this tour to Lake Bled that includes access to Bled Castle!
Once there, you can rent a row boat and head out to Bled Island. We think that’s more fun than paying for one of the other boats to take you there, but that’s also an option if rowing is not your thing! There are several restaurants right along the shore line for an enchanting meal as well.
For stunning elevated views of the lake, consider the 2 mile Mala Osojnica viewpoint hike. You can also find incredible views from Bled Castle, which should be a part of your Bled itinerary anyway thanks to the charming Medieval feel that transports you back in time.
Or opt for it’s quieter neighbor, Lake Bohinj
Just over an hour away by car (about 2 hours by bus), Lake Bohinj is a less visited though no less extraordinary alpine lake. Because it is less touristy than it’s famous neighbor, Lake Bohinj is a nature lover’s paradise with excellent hiking trails, swimming, kayaking, and more! For a truly memorable view, opt to ride the Vogel cable car where more adventure awaits in the form of paragliding, hiking, etc.
Day Trip to Another Country!
Ljubljana serves as the perfect base to day trip to another country. Italy, Croatia, and Austria are all easily within reach. Graz, Austria is a little over 2 hours away, while multiple incredible cities in Croatia are between 1.5 and 2.5 hours away including Zagreb, Rijeka, and Pula. Italy is even closer, as Trieste is only 1 hour away, but if you are more ambitious Venice is just about 2.5 hours away by car. Any of these cities would serve as an incredible day trip and would only add to your trip. The beauty of Ljubljana is just how close it is to multiple other countries, meaning you don’t have to change hotels to experience even more on your trip!
Experience Nature at Triglav National Park
If you are visiting Ljubljana from May-October, one of the best things to do is explore Triglav National Park. Named after Triglav, the tallest mountain in the Julian Alps at over 9300 feet, Triglav National Park is less than an hour away from Ljubljana and can easily be visited on a day trip from the city. While there is no entrance fee for Triglav National Park as a whole, certain locations within the park may have their own fee (usually in the 5-10 euro range).
Our personal favorite thing to do in Triglav is visit Vintgar Gorge, a stunning 1 mile long canyon formed by the Radovna River. A gentle decline takes you the full length of the gorge, then there are two different routes to return to the parking lot described on the official website. We personally loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone who likes the outdoors.
If you like hiking, see this list of top trails in Triglav. With over 77 trails to choose from, Triglav National Park is sure to have something that fits exactly what you are looking for!
or Plitvice National Park!
While Plitvice Lakes National Park is definitely on the limit for a day trip from Ljubljana (about 2 hours and 45 minutes), it is a stunning national park in Croatia that is well worth the long journey. Plitvice is Croatia’s oldest and largest national park covering over 30,000 hectares! The beauty of this park comes from a lake system consisting of 16 named lakes, each cascading into another thanks to a unique geological phenomenon where tufa barriers have separated the lakes, connecting them only by a set of gorgeous waterfalls.
If you want to experience one of the most picturesque landscapes imaginable, Plitvice is the place for you. With over 30 trails to choose from, Plitvice is sure to make for a memorable day trip. As an added benefit you’ll get to visit another country, which can be one of the best parts of staying in Ljubljana.
See the Most Interesting Castle in the World
Internationally famous as the largest cave castle in the world, Predjama Castle is located just 45 minutes outside of Ljubljana. Predjama Castle has stood for over 800 years in the mouth of a massive cave. Thought to be impregnable throughout it’s history, the inhabitants of Predjama were able to withstand sieges through an intricate network of secret tunnels that helped keep the castle supplied directly under the nose of the besiegers. In more recent times, Predjama has served as the backdrop of various films, most famously the Jackie Chan move Armor of God.
During a visit to Predjama, you can also see the 15 mile long Postojna Cave system. During a 1.5 hour tour of the cave, visitors can see over 3 miles of the cave, including a full mile on an underground train that’s more than 140 years old! You can also see the “human fish” or the olm, a cave salamander that’s one of the largest cave dwelling animals in the world (grows up to 16in long!).
Check out this small group tour of Predjama and Postojna Cave from Ljubljana, which is a great option if you don’t have your own car. Otherwise, tickets can be purchased in advance or once you arrive.
Go Deep at Skocjan Cave
Yes, there are 2 caves worth seeing less than an hour away from Ljubljana! Skocjan Cave is the more famous of the two thanks to it being a World Heritage Site, and it has taken on the nickname of the “Underground Grand Canyon” due to it being one of the largest underground river caves in the world. In fact, the Reka River still flows through the caves today!
There is some archeological evidence that the caves were inhabited, or at least a part of daily life, as early as 3,000 BC. Written documentation referring to the cave exists from 200 BC, so at the very least the cave was important enough to be preserved in ink more than 2,000 years ago. Today, however, the only beings that call the cave home are the olms.
Visiting Skocjan Cave is relatively simple. Visitors must book a guided tour that leaves every hour on the hour from 10AM-3PM. There is a huge parking lot if you are able to drive yourself, or you can take a train from Ljubljana to Divaca and walk about 30 minutes from the station to the caves (it’s well marked!).
Hunt for the “black gold”
“Black gold” is another name for truffles, which are not only difficult to find, but difficult to harvest (and even more difficult to try to grow intentionally!). Indeed, black truffles can cost upwards of $1,000 dollars a pound, while the rarer white truffle can fetch $5,000 dollars or more for a single pound. Since truffles generally grow slightly below the surface of the ground, they can be extremely difficult for humans to find on their own. Instead, thanks to their exponentially stronger sense of smell, dogs have become expert truffle hunters.
The Istrian Peninsula of Croatia/Slovenia is a hot bed for truffle hunting, and luckily it is easily reachable on a day trip from Ljubljana! When you go truffle hunting, you’ll be accompanied by expert dogs and spend time walking in the forest searching for your own “gold”. Black truffles can be found year round, while white truffles generally can only be found between September and January. There are several ways to partake in this exciting adventure. First, you can book an all-inclusive tour directly from Ljubljana that includes transportation, truffle tastings, and more. Otherwise, if you have your own car, you can drive on your own to the meeting point in Istria and go on a truffle hunt. The advantage of this route is that you can spend the rest of your day exploring Istria, which in itself is beautiful and shouldn’t be missed!
Wine tour
Bordeaux, Tuscany, Rioja, Wachau,….Primorska? If you ask around, Slovenia is probably not known as a wine country. But did you know that the wine making heritage of this region dates back over 2,500 years? In fact, unlike many regions of Europe that began making wine with the arrival of the Romans, this region actually began producing wine as early as the 5th Century BC!
You may be wondering, if Slovenia has been making wine for so long, why have I (probably) never had a Slovenian wine? Unfortunately, the 20th Century was quite tumultuous and the wine industry was handcuffed when Yugoslavia nationalized it and started producing only low quality bulk wine. Quality only began to recover upon independence in 1991 when the industry was revitalized.
Today, Slovenia has a robust and growing viticulture that is sure to burst onto the international stage in the near future. Why not get a head start and experience this awakening before the crowd? There are so many unique varietals to try including Teran, Rebula, Malvazija, Cvicek, and Pinela, along with more familiar international staples like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. You can also try orange wines! A trip to Slovenian wine country remains super underrated.
Cooking class
One of the best ways to experience a new city or country is to take a cooking class, which allows you to fully embrace that country’s traditional cuisine. In this regard, Ljubljana is no exception. Slovenian food is very unique, featuring rolled dumplings (Struklji) and many different types of sausages. A cooking class is sure to give you a greater appreciation for the local culture, while also giving you an opportunity to connect with a local and other travelers. Some of our best memories are in cooking classes, and this is one of the best things you can do in Ljubljana.
Raft the Soca River
If you are into adventure, and you want to see a bunch of Slovenia in the process, then this is a day trip for you! The Soca Valley is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Europe, with the Soca River being the centerpiece of the tapestry. While on the further end of what we recommend for day trips (about 2 hours), the trip to the Soca Valley itself is a beautiful exposure to Slovenia’s majestic countryside. If you have a car you can make the most of your day trip and hike, kayak, paraglide, etc. Or, if guided tours interest you, try this white water rafting tour from Ljubljana that takes care of all the planning for you!
Stand up Paddle boarding on the Ljubljanica River
This is a fun activity that you don’t even have to leave Ljubljana for! While exploring Ljubljana, why not experience it in one of the most unique ways possible? Opt for a stand up paddle boarding tour on the Ljubljanica River for a distinctive experience you won’t soon forget! You’ll see the historic Triple-Bridge and Dragon Bridge, and admire all the famous sites of Ljubljana on a truly fantastic and memorable tour. Don’t worry about prior experience, as no proficiency is required and the Ljubljanica River is relatively calm!
Walking food tour
On your first day in any new country, we recommend doing a walking food tour for two reasons. First, you’ll have a local guide take you off the beaten path and tell you all about the city and country in an unfiltered way. Second, you’ll be exposed to food and restaurants that you most likely would not have found on your own. The best food in any location is always recommended by locals, and walking food tours give you the opportunity to find these places.
Ljubljana is perfectly set up for a walking food tour, as the entire city is walkable and there are so many restaurants concentrated along the Ljubljanica River. On your first day in Ljubljana, consider this excellent opportunity to get to know the city and Slovenia on a much deeper level.
Ljubljana Castle
Standing majestically above the city below, Ljubljana Castle is prominently featured on Castle Hill and is impossible to miss during your trip to Ljubljana! Easily accessible via a funicular (in itself a really cool experience!), Ljubljana Castle features a cafe, wine bar (which we visited and loved), two restaurants, and depending on when you visit, open-air film screenings (search Film Under the Stars in Ljubljana) and other cultural events. Not to mention Outlook Tower which offers the most stunning views of Ljubljana. This is a can’t miss experience when you visit Ljubljana!
Visit the Central Market
Last, but certainly not least, when in Ljubljana you must spend some time visiting the Central Market! This market is open daily except for Sundays, with slightly shorter hours during the winter. The Central Market consists of an open air market featuring fresh local produce, with an enclosed 2-story section with a fish market on the bottom and local goods on the top. The location is also very convenient as it is only a block away from the Dragon Bridge! When in Ljubljana, you must spend some time shopping at the Central Market for the best Slovenian produce and goods!
There you have it, the top 15 experiences to have when staying in Ljubljana. If you’d like some ideas for an itinerary, check out our 15 day trip to Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary!