Ljubljana, the charming capital of Slovenia, is the perfect destination for a European city break. With its picturesque setting, historic bridges, and delicious local cuisine, there is plenty to explore. Two days in Ljubljana is the ideal amount of time to discover the city’s main attractions.
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History of Ljubujana
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, has a history dating back more than 2,000 years, when the Romans established the settlement of Emona in the area around 14CE. During the Middle Ages, the city developed into an important trading center. In 1335 it came under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty, remaining part of their territories for centuries.
After the First World War, Ljubljana became part of Yugoslavia, and following the breakup of Yugoslavia, Slovenia declared independence in 1991. It was then that Ljubljana became the capital of the new country. Today, Ljubljana is known for its charming Old Town, historic bridges, and vibrant cultural scene.
Currency in Ljubujana
Ljubujana uses the Euro as their official currency. The use of credit cards is wisely accepted.
Language in Ljubujana
The official language in Ljubujana is Slovenian, but English is widely spoken in the capital city, which makes it easy to get around.
When to Spend Two Days in Ljubujana
May to September is the best time to visit Ljubujana, with May, June, and September being slightly less crowded with better weather. July and August are the hottest and most crowded.
How to Get to Ljubujana
Ljubujana has one major airport: Ljubujana Joze Pucnik Airport. This international airport has flights from all over Europe, Dubai, and New York (Newark). Most flights from the United States will need a connection. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
Alternatively, the train is a fantastic way to get to Ljubujana. You can pre-book tickets on Trainline or Omio or opt to buy them at the station. There are frequent trains to many places in Europe.
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Transportation in Ljubujana
The majority of the main sites in Ljubujana are within walking distance of one another, so plan to spend a lot of time walking to get around the city. There are also public buses, and rideshare services readily available.
How to Get To/From the Airport
Visitors can take an airport bus for around €4. However, we opted to get an Uber direct to our hotel which cost around €20.
Where to Stay in Ljubujana
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Ljubujana here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel. We opted to stay at the Intercontinental Ljubljana, but the Holiday Inn Express Ljubljana is another budget option.
What to do During Two Days in Ljubujana
Two days in Ljubujana is the perfect amount of time to get to know the city. To start off with, you may want to check out this guided walk and funicular ride in order to get acquainted with the city.
Looking for a guided tour experience? Check out TourRadar for some of the best tours around!
Day 1
Ljubljana Castle
Cost: €15-€19
Hours: October-April 9am-6pm, May-September 9am-8pm
To start off your two days in Ljubljana with a visit to the Ljubujana Castle. YOu will want to get here as soon as it opens in order to beat the crowds. This medieval castle sits on a hill overlooking the city and offers panoramic views, historic exhibits, a chapel, and a viewing tower. Visitors can opt to hike up the hill or take the funicular up.
Saint Nicholas’ Cathedral
Cost: €3
Hours: 11am-6pm
Next, head to the Saint Nicholas’ Cathedral, which is famous for its elaborate frescoes, ornate bronze doors, and impressive interior artwork. It is just a short walk from Old Town, which makes it an easy and quick stop.
Admire the bridges in Old Town
Next, spend some time wandering around Old Town. During this time, you will want to admire the bridges around Old Town. The Dragon Bridge and the Triple Bridge are two of the most recognizable. The Dragon Bridge is decorated with four dragon statues that have become symbols of the city. Meanwhile, the triple Bridge consisted of three connected pedestrian bridges.
Then, head to the Central Market, the best place to shop for fresh produce, regional specialties, and many souvenirs. The Old Town area also has a top of shops to visit for anything you could want to buy.
Osteria da Mauri
Cost: €€
Hours: Tues-Wed: 9am-7pm, Thurs-Sat: 11am-3pm, 6pm-1pm, Sun: 11am-5pm, Closed Mondays
Osteria da Mauri makes for the perfect lunch stop after spending time exploring Ljubijana. Here, visitors can feast on fresh pasta and other Italian dishes.
Boat Cruise
Cost: €15+
Hours: Varies
This afternoon, take a sightseeing boat cruise on the river. This gives you a different perspective of the Old Town, passing beneath the various bridges with views of the Ljubijana Castle. It is a great way to see many of the landmarks in Old Town without walking around.
B-Restaurant
Cost: €€
Hours: Mon-Fri: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm, Sat-Sun: 6pm-10:30pm
To finish off your first of two days in Ljubljana, grab dinner at B-Restaurant. This restaurant is located on the 20th floor of the Intercontinental and offers spectacular views of the Ljubljana Castle and Old Town. It serves Mediterranean cuisine with Slovenian influences.
Day 2
For your second of two days in Ljubljana, you will spend some time exploring some of the amazing museums this capital city has to offer.
Tivoli Park
To start off your second of two days in Ljubljana with a stroll through Ljubljana’s largest park. Make sure to check out the gardens and the Tivoli Mansion.
National Museum of Contemporary History
Cost: €6, Free the first Sun day of the month
Hours: Tues-Sun, 10am-6pm, Closed Mondays
Next head to the National Museum of Contemporary History, located by Tivoli Park. This museum explores Slovenia’s history from the First World War through the Second World War and beyond. It is the perfect stop for those interested in Slovenia’s modern history.
Picerija Osmica
Cost: €
Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am-11pm, Sat: 12pm-11pm, Closed Sunday
This casual pizza restaurant is located near the Old Town of Ljubujana. It is a practical budget-friendly choice and perfect for a light lunch in between museums.
National Gallery of Slovenia
Cost: €10, Free the first Sunday of the month
Hours: Tues-Sunday, 10am-6pm, Closed Mondays
The National Gallery is home to Slovenia’s largest collection of historic art, including many medieval works, Baroque paintings, and Slovenian masterpieces. It is the perfect stop for anyone interested in European art and learning about Slovenia’s cultural heritage. You will not want to miss this stop during two days in Ljubljana.
National Museum of Slovenia
Cost: €8 or €10 combined, Free the first Sunday of the month
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun: 10am-6pm, Thurs: 10am-8pm
The National Museum of Slovenia, founded in 1821, is Slovenia’s oldest museum with collections covering archeology, ancient Roman history, and the country’s cultural past. It is the perfect stop for visitors who love learning the history of places, especially beyond the capital city.
Slovenska Hisa Figovec
Cost: €€
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 8am-12am, Fri-Sat: 8am-1am, Sun: 9am-12am
To wrap up your two days in Ljubljana, great dinner at Slovenska Hisa Figovec. This is one of Ljubljana’s historic traditional restaurants and is known for serving authentic Slovenian cuisine. Make sure to try the stuklji (filled dough rolls) and one of the hearty stews. You cannot miss this stop during your trip!
More Than Two Days in Ljubljana
If you have more than two days in Ljubljana, you will want to take a day trip to Lake Bled! Alternatively, instead of visiting the museum on day two of this itinerary, you could head to Lake Bled. Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most famous destinations, known for its gorgeous emerald green water and picturesque area.
If you want a longer day where you make a couple more stops, opt to book this Lake Bled and Postojna Cave day trip
Final Tips for Two Days in Ljubujana
Two days in Ljubljana is enough time to experience the city’s highlights. This city is compact and easy to explore on food, and offers a wonderful mix of history, culture, and local cuisine. If you have extra time, a trip to Ljubljana pairs well with a visit to Salzburg, Munich, or Vienna.