SI
Ljubljana
A green, car-free riverside capital shaped by architect Jože Plečnik, beneath a hilltop castle
A green, car-free riverside capital shaped by architect Jože Plečnik, beneath a hilltop castle
Plečnik added two angled footbridges to an 1842 stone bridge in 1931–32, creating the city’s best-known landmark, linking Prešeren Square with the old town.
Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0
The castle on the hill above the old town has a viewing tower, exhibitions and cafés. A funicular runs up from near the Central Market, or you can walk.
Photo: Tournasol7, CC BY 4.0
The city’s central square, with the pink Franciscan Church and a statue of the poet France Prešeren, is the main meeting point.
Photo: Valerio2468, CC BY-SA 4.0
Four dragons, the city’s symbol, guard this early 20th-century bridge near the Central Market.
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0
Tree-lined embankments, many designed by Plečnik, are lined with cafés and bars; boat trips run along the river in the warmer months.
Photo: Ajznponar, CC0
Try kranjska klobasa (Carniolan sausage), štruklji (rolled dumplings), žlikrofi and potica cake. The Central Market is busiest on Saturday mornings.
In the warmer months, Odprta kuhna (Open Kitchen) brings food stalls from local restaurants to Pogačar Square on Fridays.
Ljubljana Airport is about 25km north of the city, linked by bus and shuttle. Trains and buses run to Lake Bled (about an hour), Zagreb, Vienna and Trieste.
The centre is mostly car-free and easy to walk or cycle; the city bike-share scheme is cheap.
Slovenia uses the euro (EUR). Ljubljana is mid-priced for Europe.
Two days for the city, with time for Bled.
Walk from Prešeren Square over the Triple Bridge, visit the market and Dragon Bridge, then ride up to the castle.
Explore Tivoli Park and the riverside, or take a day trip to Lake Bled.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Slovenia is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Use the city bike-share.
Fridays in warmer months.
Bled and Postojna are close.
Tap water is safe to drink.
Quick answers for planning time in Ljubljana.
Yes, the works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana were inscribed in 2021.
About an hour by bus or car.
By funicular from near the Central Market, or on foot.
The old centre is largely pedestrianised.
May to September.
Planning a wider trip? Our Slovenia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.