Nestled in the heart of Europe, where the emerald waters of the Ljubljanica River meander through cobbled streets, and centuries history harmonize with vibrant modernity, lies Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital city. As if plucked from the pages of a fairy tale, Ljubljana beckons travelers with its timeless beauty and warm embrace.
In this travel blog, we invite you to embark on a journey to discover the magic of Ljubljana and see the delights of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. Known for its green initiatives, charming old town, and a palpable sense of creativity, Ljubljana is a destination that bridges the gap between past and present, tradition and innovation.
Join us as we explore the enchanting castle perched atop a hill, wander the lively squares lined with outdoor cafes, and cross the iconic Triple Bridge. Let’s delve into Slovenia’s natural nature including Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply seeking inspiration, this city offers a captivating blend of experiences that will leave an indelible mark on your heart. This is one of my favorite cities I’ve been to in Europe and can’t wait to go back!
When I am researching activities and things to see in a new city, I wish I found more itineraries that ranked the list of activities they recommend. Everyone’s time is different in a new city and it’s important to be able to prioritize activities that are a MUST versus activities that are nice, but could possibly be skipped. I like to schedule my days and build an itinerary with one MUST item, one TRY TO DO item, and one SKIP item a day in case something happens or we are too tired, we can always hit the MUST item and SKIP the item that’s not as important.
★★★ MUST SEE
★★ TRY TO DO
★ SKIP (BUT WORTH IF YOU HAVE TIME)
★★★ Lake Bled
★★★ Lake Bohinj
★★★ Vintgar Gorge
★★ Ljubljana Castle
★★ Prešeren Square
★★ Slovenska Street
★ Savica Waterfall
★ Bridges
Use these jumps to navigate to a specific day or just keep scrolling to read the full itinerary!
When: August 2019
Who: My Best Friend and I (just 2 adults) ~ we did more of a budget trip as we just had graduated college and hadn’t started full time work yet
Where we stayed: Suburb near the City Center (budget friendly)
Day 1 Information ~
Airbnb ~ where we booked our accommodation
Ljubljana Castle ~ buy tickets upon arrival or ahead of time online
Free Walking Tour ~ reserve ahead of time online
Arrive in Ljubljana: We traveled from Vienna, Austria to Ljubljana via train. The trip took about 5 hours and cost ~68 euros a person. The train ride was very nice and relaxing. We had the cabin mostly to ourselves the whole time so we could stretch out and sleep/watch movies. I definitely recommend using the trains to get around Europe! We arrived in Ljubljana ~3PM. We took public transportation (City Buses) from the train station to our Airbnb.
Check into Airbnb: We stayed a little outside of the Ljubljana city center in an Airbnb with one private bedroom and a shared bathroom.
★★Ljubljana Castle: After checking into our Airbnb we took the city bus into the city center. This trip on the city bus took about 20 minutes. Our first stop in Ljubljana’s city center was the Ljubljana Castle. This castle is located at the top of a hill which gives amazing views of the city. Instead of hiking to the top, we took the funicular railway that departs from Old Town. We purchased the funicular and Castle admission ticket together at the ticket kiosk. It cost ~16 euros each. There was a line for the funicular so we had to wait, but it wasn’t too long. We spent about 1 hour going up and down the funicular and exploring the castle grounds.
★★Free Walking Tour: One of my biggest travel tips is to find a free walking tour in whatever city you are traveling to. They are the best! We did a free walking tour of Ljubljana’s city center with a company named Ljubljana Free Tour. It was a 2 hour walking tour that started at 6PM. The tour guide took us to some amazing sights like Prešeren Square, Dragon Bridge, St. Nikolas Cathedral, Town Square, Town hall & Robba Fountain and we learned all about the history of Slovenia. We did tip him at the end for being a great guide.
Dinner: After our tour we got pizza and wine at a restaurant on the river. We sat outside and enjoyed the lovely weather and food. We took the city bus home.
Day 2 Information ~
Full Day Tour Get Your Guide ~ reserve head of time online
★ ★ ★ Full Day Tour to Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj: We did a Get Your Guide: full day tour to Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. The day started with a stop at the Savica Waterfall (short hike to get here). Then we went to Lake Bohinj where we stopped for pictures and to walk around. After that, we went to Lake Bled. The Pletna boat ride across Lake Bled to get to the island isn’t included in the tour so we did pay for it which was ~18 euros. We explored the island a bit and got some ice cream before making our way back and heading to lunch. Lunch was at a restaurant near Lake Bled named Cafe Kavarna. After Lake Bled, we went to Vintgar Gorge which was an outstanding hike along the Gorge. It was a long walk, but completely flat. I highly recommend spending a day going to these places outside of the city. The total cost for this tour was ~$100 per person.
Dinner: After we got back to Ljubljana, we walked around the city center a bit and got some souvenirs. We also ate dinner at a restaurant named Tokyo Piknik which was another al fresco dining experience next to the river (we got burgers).
We did travel to another country in Europe! We went to Croatia 
We took the train (Europe Rail Pass) from Ljubljana, Slovenia to Zagreb, Croatia. The trip took about 2.5 hours and cost ~30 euros a person.
Ljubljana experiences a continental climate with distinct seasons. Here’s an overview of the weather in Ljubljana throughout the year:
Spring: Highs will be around 68℉
Spring: Lows will be around 54℉
Summer: Highs will be around 81℉
Summer: Lows will be around 75℉
Autumn: Highs will be around 72℉
Autumn: Lows will be around 61℉
Winter: Highs will be around 37℉
Winter: Lows will be around 36℉
Ljubljana offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets. The city is relatively compact, so many of the attractions are within walking distance from various neighborhoods. Here are some popular areas to consider:
Ljubljana offers a well-developed and efficient transportation system that makes its easy for residents and visitors to get around. Here’s an overview of transportation options in Ljubljana:
