Best Ljubljana museums for kids

While Ljubljana is petite, it offers a variety of museums and since for us museums are a great way to spend a few of hours, we try to visit as much as we can. It’s a chance to learn something new in a fun and interesting way.

Slovenian Museum of Natural History is small compared to many other natural history museums in the world. But it’s more of a blessing than a curse as it offers intimacy and quiet, which always allows us to explore the museums at our own pace.

My kids are especially excited about the hands on experience the place offers and many games on the computers conveniently located next to the exhibits.

Best Things to See: For me it was learning about the minerals as the museum exhibits around 300 specimens. The entire collection is actually one of the oldest of about 5,000 specimens of minerals and rocks.

Though the kids will enjoy almost complete mammoth's skeleton as well as the skeleton of a young Fin Whale found in Piran Bay in 2003 more than pieces of rock.

Perk: The whale is called Leonora and at the Museum’s shop you can buy a really great comic book about the story of its find. The story is very loosely based on true facts.

How to get there: It’s located in the same building as the National Museum of Slovenia, in a park next to the Slovenian Parliament. It takes you 10 minutes of walking to get from the Prešernov trg square to the entrance of the museum.

Slovenia’s first hands on science centre. My first visit was actually long before I had any kids, while I was studying in Ljubljana, so even if you are traveling without kids, this makes a good outing.

Not only are you allowed but encouraged to touch the exhibits and try all the experiments out yourself, everyone enjoys a visit. Plan a couple of hours to enjoy the place leisurely, even though some say it only takes them an hour to be done with it all. I think you can spend an entire afternoon, learning and experimenting.

Best Thing to See: Probably the various workshops, where you can watch some pretty impressive experiments.

How to get there: Walk from Prešernov trg square down Trubarjeva street. Around 7 minutes of walking straight ahead and you’ll get to the museum.

Perk: The museum is located on the without a doubt most delicious street in Ljubljana. It is filled with various ethnic restaurants, so the walk might take longer, if you won’t be able to resist the irresistible food.

City Museum of Ljubljana is housed in one of the beautiful historic buildings called the Auersperg Palace. To get a better understanding of the city you are visiting, I’d recommend a visit to this place no matter the weather. You will learn about the important role the city played under the Romans, when it was called Emona and how it was shaped by the many interesting events in its turbulent history.

Best Thing to See: The ruins and the archaeological finds in the basement. A true Indiana Jones experience.

How to get there: Walk from the Prešernov trg square to the banks of river Ljubljana. Continue down the Hribarjevo nabrežje, then turn right at the Novi trg (New square). Turn left and you’ll pass by the stunning National and University Library, a few steps further and you are at the French Revolution square. This is where the museum is located along with the Križanke Summer Theatre – the best setting for a concert in the warm Summer months.

Perk: At the square, you’ll also find a great little place called Le Petit Café – it’s our favourite spot for a great cup of coffee. We are also never able to refuse the delicious breakfasts they serve there daily.

There you have it. Bear in mind, we had a hard time choosing, so if you pick a different one, you are still up for a great couple of hours. Also good to know is that some museums offer free entry every first Sunday of the month.