What's in a name?
Last updated: July 2026
Repeat after me: lyoo-BLYAH-nah. This is how you pronounce Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, according to city’s very own website. And while it may be one of Europe's hardest-to-pronounce capital cities, it's also one of its most charming.
Since somebody mentioned Ljubljana to me a few years ago I’ve wanted to go. I was so intrigued: why hadn’t I heard of it before and where on earth did that unusual name come from? The spoiler is…nobody really knows exactly where the name Ljubljana came from (but you can read some educated guesses here).
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Ljubljana in a nutshell
With a mix of Italian, Austrian and Hungarian influences, Ljubljana is arguably one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities.
Despite being pretty tiny by capital city standards with a population of less than 300,000, Ljubljana is full of life. When you walk around the old town, you'll find al fresco restaurants full to the brim with diners, fountains, statues, Baroque churches, and cobbled lanes all surrounding the river Ljubljanica that winds through its centre.
Due to its small size, Ljubljana can easily be explored in a day, so below are a few things worth seeing on your visit to this gorgeous city.
Things to do in Ljubljana:
Ljubljana Castle
There are two ways to get to Ljubljana Castle: by funicular or by foot. To me there's something magical about walking up to a vantage point and seeing a new city slowly unfurl below me, so we walked. You can buy a ticket that includes the funicular, which is what I'd suggest: walk up, ride back down.
The castle was originally a medieval fortress built around the 11th century. The spot where the castle is, however, was settled as far back as 1200BC, so there’s plenty to see and lots to learn about. Although it’s a tad daggy, I definitely suggest making time to watch the Virtual Castle tour included in the ticket price, which explains the full history, from prehistoric times until today.
The viewing tower is also a must, to get sweeping views of Ljubljana and apparently a third of Slovenia on a clear day.
Eat (potentially) the world's best ice-cream at Cacao Cafe
I’ve eaten a lot of ice-cream in my life and for me Cacao Cafe is right up there with the best. My partner in crime went a step further, however, proclaiming it to be the best he’s ever eaten. So I suggest giving it a go!
Cacao is just a couple of steps away from the hustle and bustle of the main square, so it’s easy to swing by as you wander around the old town. If the weather is good, get a takeaway and keep walking along the river up to Butcher’s Bridge, which, despite the name, is Ljubljana’s answer to Paris’s famous Pont des Arts (love lock bridge).
Butcher’s Bridge
Butcher’s Bridge is not Ljubljana’s most famous bridge (I’m looking at you, Triple Bridge) but it’s my favourite in the city. It gets its odd name because it occupies the spot where several butchers’ booths once were.
The bridge was first planned in the 1930s by much-loved local architect, Jože Plečnik. However, due to the Second World War, it was never built. It wasn't until 2010 that a modern version, designed by Jurij Kobe, was finally constructed in the spot that had been kept for Plečnik's design all that time.
Creepy statues, including a disembowelled Prometheus, Satyr the Serpent and Adam and Eve, after they've been banished from Paradise, surround the bridge. Weirdly, it’s also a spot where lovers come to padlock their love and drop the keys into the river Ljubljanica below.
It’s such a paradox, but somehow, or perhaps because of that, it works. I love it.
The Triple Bridge
The Triple Bridge is one of the city’s best-known landmarks and one you can’t miss due to its central location.
The Triple Bridge is one of the city's best-known landmarks and one you can't miss due to its central location. The middle bridge has been there since 1842, but it was Jože Plečnik (remember the Butcher's Bridge designer from above?) who added the two side bridges in the 1930s and turned it into the triple bridge you see today. It connects the old town and new town and is a great spot for photos.
Try the unfiltered beer at Union Brewery
If you're a beer lover (or even liker, which is the category I'd put myself in), I suggest finding time to visit the Union Brewery in Ljubljana. While it's outside the old city, it's an easy walk through the beautiful Tivoli gardens. The Union Pub does delicious food alongside the beer (traditional Slovenian cheese and cured meats, sausages, burgers and so on) and there are far fewer tourists here than in the old town. If you want to see the brewery and its museum too, book a tour in advance: they run Tuesday to Saturday and it's worth doing before you settle in at the pub.
Try Slovenia’s answer to Coke
What do you do if Coca Cola isn’t sold in your country? Create your own, of course. Cockta was invented in Slovenia in the 1950s while it was part of Yugoslavia, where Coke wasn’t available. It became so popular that it's still one of Slovenia's best-known brands today.The dark bubbly drink (yes it looks just like Coke) is made of 11 different herbs mixed with lemon and orange.
It has an unusual but refreshing flavour and is definitely a must try if you want to fit in with the locals.
Day trips:
Lake Bled
If you are in Ljubljana there is absolutely no way you should leave Slovenia without visiting the jewel in its crown: Lake Bled. Honestly, it should be illegal to visit Ljubljana without making the short trip up north to see it. This spectacular aquamarine lake with a fairy tale castle in the middle has to be one of the most beautiful in the world. It will take your breath away.
We've driven up from Ljubljana three times over the years, and it's still the way I'd do it. Slovenia is small enough that a hire car will get you a huge amount of the country in a day or two. If you'd rather not drive, the bus takes about an hour and a quarter and drops you right by the lake, while the train stops at Lesce-Bled a few kilometres short, so you'll need a bus or taxi for the last bit.
Final Thoughts
Ljubljana and Slovenia in general is the perfect place to visit for the same beautiful and fairy tale architecture and cobbled lanes you get in better-known places like Germany and the Czech Republic, but without as many fellow tourists and a more relaxed vibe.
Over the years, Slovenia has been conquered and/or heavily influenced by many other countries and empires around it. It’s also a tiny nation where, no matter which way you drive, you’ll most likely be in another country in less than an hour.
In my opinion, these factors have left it with a national identity that isn’t as clear-cut as many of its neighbours. And this is what makes Slovenia such a delight: it’s a melting pot of all the best things about Europe, a country that has inspired my sense of adventure, and one I know I'll return to again and again.
