Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ljubljana?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Ljubljana?

Three days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Ljubljana. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Ljubljana as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.

How to spend 3 days 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.

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.

Perhaps the most famous place in Ljubljana is the Ljubljana Castle, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

Ljubljana is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city has wandering cobblestone streets and traditional family run restaurants that give the area a sense of authenticity.


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)

Is 4 days enough time in Ljubljana?

Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Ljubljana at your own pace to browse around the old town, find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and discover the big city activities. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.

Ljubljana, Slovenia Ljubljana, Slovenia

How to spend 4 days in Ljubljana

If you have more than 4 days in Ljubljana, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the capital city has to offer.

This capital city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. Because the city is so compact, it's easy to see the notable landmarks with an easy walk. Famous landmarks include Ljubljana Castle, the Dragon Bridge, and the Franciscan Church.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Ljubljana City Tour Including Ljubljana Castle ($82)
  • Slovenia in One Day: Lake Bled, Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle ($131)
  • Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle - Entrance Tickets Included ($120)

Is 5 days enough time in Ljubljana?

With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Ljubljana has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Ljubljana as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the historic old town, the shops and boutiques, and the famous sights and museums at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

How to spend 5 days in Ljubljana

Having 5 days in Ljubljana will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the capital city.

Ljubljana is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. This often overlooked city is compact and easy to explore on foot.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Ljubljana City Tour Including Ljubljana Castle ($82)
  • Ljubljana boat cruise and walking tour ($32)
  • Ljubljana Cruiser Bike Tour ($54)

More Info

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

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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