Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ljubljana?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ljubljana?

Many visitors spend one to three days in Ljubljana during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The capital city offers the chance to browse around the old town, find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and discover the big city activities.

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. It's a university city with many parks and green spaces. In particular, Tivoli Park is a beautiful place to explore. The city sits along the Ljubljanica River and the riverside has many cafes that you can enjoy. On one side of the river you'll find the old town, with the more modern commercial district on the opposite side. The city is filled with museums and culture, and its surrounded by natural beauty. While it's often overlooked for some of Europe's more popular capital city's, Ljubljana offers an authentic and rewarding experience for those who visit.

Do you have one or two days to visit Ljubljana? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Ljubljana?

As a medium-sized capital city, Ljubljana offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Ljubljana such as the historic old town, the shops and boutiques, the famous sights and museums, and the big city activities. To thoroughly enjoy all that the capital city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule one to three days to fully experience the under-rated capital city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Ljubljana

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town is compact with wondering cobblestone streets and historic landmarks. At the heart of the city is Prešernov trg Square, which is where you'll find several notable buildings and nearby Central Market.

A few tour suggestions include:

Ljubljana private walking tour with a local ($60)
Ljubljana Small Group Food Walking Tour ($88)
Ljubljana boat cruise and walking tour ($32)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The city is surrounded by nature, so there's easy access to wild fruits and vegetables. It also has a lot of locally made honey and traditional, family run restaurants. Popular dishes include local sausage, pražen krompir (a potato side dish) and Slovenian style fried chicken.

A few tour suggestions include:

Wine Tasting with Pairing Snacks in Vipava Valley ($27)
Food & Wine Tour Ljubljana - Local Foodie Adventure in Slovenia ($98)
2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Ljubljana ($64)

Ljubljana is a very walkable city. With only a day in the capital city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Ljubljana?

Many weekend travelers visit Ljubljana, as 2 days is a good amount of time to see the major attractions such as the historic old town, the shops and boutiques, and the famous sights and museums. If you're planning a weekend getaway here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

How to spend 2 days in Ljubljana

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Ljubljana, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the capital city has to offer.

Shopping in Ljubljana is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has several shopping streets where you can find local and international fashion brands. Many people enjoy shopping for crystal and glass products in the city. Also check out the Central Market which has fresh local food products.

This capital city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Given its small size, there are a surprising number of clubs and bars in town. The city has a vibrant energy in the evening, and it's easy to travel from venue to venue on foot.

Public transit in Ljubljana is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the capital city quite easily. There is a city bus system.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Ljubljana, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.