Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, and in my view an under-rated part of Eastern Europe. With diverse history, architecture and interesting culture and traditions, I love travelling in this part of the world and can’t recommend it enough. Consider taking a trip and if you do here’s a few notes from my visit which might help you experience the best of Ljubljana in a day.
History
Slovenia is a former member state of Yugoslavia, which became independent in 1991. It is bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.
Ljubljana, is one of the smallest capital cities (163.8km2) I have ever visited, but despite this, it has to be one of the prettiest.
Ljubljana, old town
The old town is almost picture perfect, with no cars allowed. It’s easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. The pastel coloured buildings are a mix of baroque and art nouveau; pleasing to the eye despite lacking in any iconic landmarks.
Perched on a hill above the city is a medieval castle which is offers a view over the city.
We spent the morning on the free walking tour, in the summertime heat. Sitting in the shade of the cobbled streets whenever we could, listening to the stories from this tiny city.
Street Art
Having spent years as a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a lot of the architecture here is beautiful. Sadly, many places of beauty around the outskirts of the old city have been marred by thoughtless vandalism. It seems that few buildings have been spared the indignity of graffiti tags.
This sentiment is not however extended to the area of Metelkova, which in contrast, has been decorated with beautiful and impressive artwork. This is my kind of place. The artists and sculptors have brought the area to life. It’s a hive of activity in the evening. But, during the daytime is the best time to explore and admire the art work.
 Metelkova by day |
Where to spend your time
The free walking tour we did is an ideal way to see this area of the city, as we were able to cover everything in just two and a half hours. Afterwards we delved into the central food market ‘open kitchen’ for lunch, before heading up to the castle.
 |
| www.ljubljanafreetour.com |
The nightlife is relaxed, with plenty of bars and restaurants spilling out onto the quiet streets. What I really enjoyed about visiting this city is that it doesn’t feel touristy. Amongst the cobblestones you will find elegant baroque buildings that have been turned into boutiques and many cafes, and restaurants. The souvenir shops seem to merge in; as do the tourists.
Check out my post 10 Ljubljana landmarks for more ideas on where to spend you time and then consider jumping on a bus to Bled which is a lovely place to spend a few days.
For more travel advice and ideas, like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter.
