5 days in Ljubljana

Day by day

1. Day 1: Ljubljana Castle and Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square

   Ljubljana Castle, Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square and Dragon Bridge, then Butchers' Bridge and the Ljubljanica embankments in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ljubljana Castle

      Walk up through the woods on the Študentovska path and take the funicular down, then continue straight to the Central Market. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square

      Look for Julija's bust on the building at Wolfova 4, diagonally across the square from the statue. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Carniolan sausage

      Sausage counters in the Old Town, market stalls on Vodnikov trg and Odprta kuhna on Fridays.

   4. Afternoon

      Dragon Bridge

      Combine it with the Central Market and Butchers' Bridge for a short loop along both banks. (20 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Butchers' Bridge and the Ljubljanica embankments

      Late afternoon is the best time to pick a terrace on the shady side and watch the river traffic.

2. Day 2: Central Market and Ljubljana Cathedral (St Nicholas)

   Central Market, Ljubljana Cathedral (St Nicholas) and Mestni trg, Stari trg and the Town Hall, then Metelkova in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Central Market

      Come in the morning for the farmers' stalls, and on a Friday from spring to autumn stay for lunch at Odprta kuhna. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Ljubljana Cathedral (St Nicholas)

      Look closely at the two bronze doors before going in; they are the cathedral's most striking modern feature. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Štruklji

      Traditional gostilnas (inns) around the Old Town and specialist štruklji counters near the Central Market.

   4. Afternoon

      Mestni trg, Stari trg and the Town Hall

      See the original Robba Fountain afterwards in the glass hall of the National Gallery. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Metelkova

      Visit by day to see the art properly, then return after 11pm on a Friday or Saturday if you want the club scene.

3. Day 3: Tivoli Park and Rožnik hill and National Gallery of Slovenia

   Tivoli Park and Rožnik hill, National Gallery of Slovenia and National Museum of Slovenia, then Nebotičnik in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tivoli Park and Rožnik hill

      Follow the forest trail up Rožnik for a quiet hour, then come down past the zoo on the far side. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      National Gallery of Slovenia

      Start in the Impressionist rooms; they are the heart of the collection and rarely crowded. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Potica

      Bakeries and cafés in the centre; whole cakes are sold at bakeries near the market.

   4. Afternoon

      National Museum of Slovenia

      Go straight to the archaeology rooms for the flute and the situla, then decide whether to see the rest. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Nebotičnik

      Go at sunset for the light on the castle, and take the lift to the top floor from the entrance on Štefanova street.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Lake Bled

   About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus each way. Getting there: Bus from Ljubljana bus station to Bled.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Lake Bled

      About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus (Bus from Ljubljana bus station to Bled); about 55 km.

   2. Day

      Lake Bled

      Slovenia's best-known view: a church on a tiny island in an Alpine lake, below a medieval castle on a cliff. Best for first-timers, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Ljubljana

      Dinner: try Prekmurska gibanica.

5. Day 5: Plečnik House and Trnovo Bridge and Krakovo

   Plečnik House, Trnovo Bridge and Krakovo and Križanke, then Ljubljanica river boat trip in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Plečnik House

      Pair it with a walk over the Trnovo Bridge and along the Gradaščica stream to Krakovo. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Trnovo Bridge and Krakovo

      Walk from Congress Square via Vegova street and the Roman walls; the whole loop takes about an hour. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Prekmurska gibanica

      Cafés and traditional restaurants across the centre; it is heavy, so one slice is enough.

   4. Afternoon

      Križanke

      Even without a ticket, step into the courtyards to see Plečnik's decorated walls and lanterns. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Ljubljanica river boat trip

      Evening departures in summer pass the lit-up bridges and café terraces.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Plečnik House before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Old Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Center ($$$) suits first-timers, shopping and families. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 17–20 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.7 hours in December to 15.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Ljubljana
• 2 days in Ljubljana
• 3 days in Ljubljana

Questions travellers ask