10 authentic Ljubljana experiences
© Matej Kastelic
1. Discovering dragons
Some of the most iconic images of Ljubljana depict the Dragon Bridge and its famous dragon statues. If you haven't been photographed next to one of them, you can hardly claim that you have visited Ljubljana. The dragon is Ljubljana's symbol and if you take a walk through the city, you will see dragon representations everywhere.
2. Architecture in the historical city centre
Ljubljana Old Town's architecture is generally considered to be breathtakingly beautiful. The reason for this is simple. The architects and artists who designed it, regardless of the historical period in which they lived, were all extraordinarily creative and attentive to every detail, no matter how small. The most outstanding among them was Jože Plečnik, whose contribution to Ljubljana was as huge as Gaudi's to Barcelona.
3. Outdoor cafés
Ljubljana is a relaxed city with a leisurely vibe where people still know how to take a break and sit down at an outdoor café, meet friends and acquaintances, and enjoy the beauty and vibrancy of their home city. Check out Ljubljana's most popular cafés.
4. A city with a green soul
Ljubljana, the European Green Capital 2016, is a city with a truly green soul. Environmental awareness among the residents is strong and the city has managed to preserve its green heritage. Excellently preserved green spaces can even be found in the very heart of the city.
5. Exploring Ljubljana by bike
Ljubljana is a great place to explore by bicycle. The local residents are enthusiastic cyclists and the city's BicikeLJ bicycle-sharing system, which is practically free, is widely used for journeys around the greater city centre area. Ljubljana has been listed as one of the top 20 cyclist-friendly cities on the Copenhagenize.com blog.
6. The river Ljubljanica and its bridges
Rivers tend to give the cities they flow through a special character, and the river Ljubljanica, with its beautiful bridges and embankments designed by the architect Jože Plečnik, is an excellent example of this. Take a relaxed walk along the vibrant Ljubljanica embankments and treat yourself to a cruise on board a tourist boat.
7. Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle, standing on a hill above the city for about 900 years, is Ljubljana's main attraction. It offers the most beautiful views over the city and houses, among other things, two museum exhibitions, a café, and two restaurants. Apart from that, it is also a very special venue for conferences, receptions, and banquets.
8. Roman Ljubljana
Two millennia ago, the site of the present-day Ljubljana was occupied by the Roman city of Emona. The remains of the ancient city, which include, among others, two archaeological parks, are still visible around much of the city centre, so make some time to explore Roman Ljubljana.
9. Taste Ljubljana
Over recent years, the culinary scene in Ljubljana has enjoyed a real boom and the city's renowned chefs, restaurants, and traditional dishes are becoming increasingly recognized around the world. Explore the local flavours on culinary tours of Ljubljana.
10. Metelkova - a place of creativity and otherness
Ljubljana is a vibrant hub of creativity where culture is, so to speak, a way of life. The city is renowned for hosting an amazingly large number of events, including those taking place at Metelkova, an alternative culture centre housed in a former military barracks complex, which perfectly reflects the local creative spirit and is one of Ljubljana's best known attractions.