Incredible wine, hearty food, and picturesque villages studded with castles – welcome to Slovenia! The capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is a not-so-visited destination by tourists which is a shame because it’s a hidden gem! However, it’s great for those looking for a less busy, affordable off-the-beaten-path adventure. Because of its small size, you can see and do a lot in the country’s capital in just 2 days! In this itinerary for 2 days in Ljubljana, you’ll be able to see the most popular sights as well as get out of the city center to explore more of the country!
This guest post was written by Taylor from Culture Craving Couple.
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2-Day Ljubljana Itinerary: Overview
Because Ljubljana is small and everything is close by, you don’t need a car, just like in other European capitals. You can walk everywhere and 2 days give you enough time to see the best of the city as well as get outside and explore some surroundings on a day trip!
Here’s an overview of what to do in Ljubljana in 2 days: On day one you’ll get to explore the castle and ride the funicular, explore the old town, and eat some incredible Slovenian food on a food tour. You’ll end the evening with a cocktail if you wish! On day two you’ll get to see the beautiful Lake Bled and eat some more delicious Slovenian cuisine with an evening wine tasting!
Day One: Exploring the Castle, the Old Town & Slovenia’s Culinary Highlights
Morning
The morning is going to be packed so you need some sustenance to get you through but not too much that you’ll be stuffed for an afternoon food walking tour! Since you’re in Slovenia, you want to eat Slovenian food which means your first stop is “My Dumplings of Slovenia”. Here you can try Štruklji which is a baked or steamed dough filled with sweet or savory filling. There are a variety of unique sweet options as well as savory ones if you can’t do sweets first thing in the morning!
Once you’ve got your carb-load and have the energy to get walking, it’s time to take the hike up the Castle. You can’t miss the Ljubljana Castle that towers above the old town. This 15th-century castle is one of the best-preserved castles (or “grads”) in Slovenia and was originally built as a fortress. Now, the castle hosts a permanent exhibition where you can learn about Slovenian History and how much the city has changed over the years. It even has a Museum of Puppetry if you’re looking for something unique. The hill of the castle also offers amazing views of the capital city and it’s a great place to just stroll around if exhibitions aren’t your thing.
If you’re feeling energetic, you can walk to the top through narrow alleys and steps which feel very fairy-tale-like. Or, you can take the funicular. It’s important to note that you can purchase castle tickets that include a ride back down the castle hill on the funicular! However, you can also purchase one-way or round-trip funicular tickets.
Early Afternoon
After the castle, you will be exploring the Old Town in the early afternoon. The old town is fully pedestrianized so it’s easy to explore on foot. Everything is compact as well so you won’t get too tired walking everywhere! There are a few main places to make sure to see when wandering through the historic city center which are listed below in the order that makes sense to see them by walking from the castle. Don’t worry, it looks like a lot but the whole walk is only 30 minutes!
The best walking route:
Town Square (Mestni Trg): This is the city’s main place and home to the Town Hall and Baroque-style Robba Fountain.
Cobblers’ Bridge: This bridge used to be the home to cobbler’s workshops, which is where it got its name. Cobblers repair shoes and sometimes make them which is why this bridge is also known as “shoemaker’s bridge.”
Triple Bridge: The oldest bridge in the city that is made of 3 separate bridges that merge. It started as a single bridge but then became too narrow for both cars and people walking. Since the old town is now pedestrian only you get to enjoy the whole bridge without cars!
Prešernov Trg Square: This is the square where the life of Ljubljana happens and where you’ll see a lot of the city’s most iconic buildings. The square is named after one of the most famous Slovenian poets, France Prešeren.
Franciscan Church of the Annunciation: You’ll find this 16th-century church right in Prešernov Trg Square. You can’t miss it with its pink facade. If you want a good city view, climb the steps to the top!
Vurnik Hous: A stop here will take you just 250 meters out of the old town but it’s worth a short detour to see one of Llubljana’s most famous buildings. It’s easy to see why it’s a fan favorite with its geometric patterns that are colored with the Slovenian flags red, white, and blue.
Butchers Bridge: Like almost every European city, Ljubljana has a “love bridge” that lovers can place locks on and you’ll find them all over Butcher’s Bridge.
Ljubljana Cathedral: Dedicated to St. Nicholas, the main attraction is the bronze front door, known as the Slovene Door. Don’t miss the gorgeous frescos inside. Just be respectful as this is still a working church.
Late Afternoon/ Early Evening
After all that walking, it’s time to replenish your energy with a food tour! Food tours are a great way to get to know more of the history of a city, get a lay of the land, and be able to try a lot of local specialties. Don’t worry – just like other city centers in Europe, people speak English and you’ll understand the tour just fine!
During this food tour, you’ll get smaller portions of quite a few classic Slovenian foods so you can try more items without getting full. You’ll also get to try incredible Slovenian wines that most of the world has not heard about!
Pro tip: you get a lot of food so pace yourself! You want to be able to enjoy it all!
Some things to look forward to are:
- Traditional walnut and poppyseed cake
- Sausages
- Charcuterie
- Dumplings
- Sour turnip stew (it’s delicious, I promise!)
- Amazing wine that will make you wonder why you haven’t had Slovenian wine before.
Night
After all that eating and exploring today, it’s time to relax. Head over to Kolibri Cocktail Bar for unique and well-crafted cocktails or Lajbah if you’re more into the craft beer scene. Or, if you want to enjoy more Slovenian wine, check out Vinoteka Movia.
Day Two: Central Market, Lake Bled & Wine Tasting
Morning and Afternoon
Today you’re going to go out on a day trip to one of the most popular places on any Slovenia itinerary: Lake Bled! But first, you need some sustenance. Before you start your day trip to Bled from Ljubljana, head over to the Central Market. Here you can find lots of little shops selling local breads, cheese, meats, produce, and little stands with baked goods. It’s a great place to try some local delicacies, get a bite to eat for breakfast, and stock up on some things to bring to Lake Bled for lunch!
From there it’s time to head to Lake Bled. If you have a car, it’s only a 45-minute drive. Or, you can take a bus from the Ljubljana bus station which will take 1-1.5 hours depending on stops and traffic. Lake Bled is northwest of Ljubljana and is near the Austrian Alps and Austrian Border. The lake itself is crystal clear and this gorgeous blue-green color with the surrounding Alps and the cliff with the Bled Castle overlooking the lake. Throw in a tiny island with an adorable church in the center and It almost looks like it’s not real!
Here are a few ways to spend the day in Lake Bled:
- Stroll around the lake – the perimeter is only about 6km, making it very walkable.
- Visit Bled Island – Here you can visit the Church of the Assumption and climb the 99 steps to ring the bell.
- Take a boat ride – either self-drive a rowboat or take a guided electric boat tour.
- Get great views – There are 3 major lookout points around the lake and they start around the West end of the lake and are marked.
- Visit Bled Castle – This castle is the oldest in Slovenia and has a few things to do like a museum and wine cellar. It also has incredible views over the lake and surrounding Alps!
Evening
When you get back to Ljubljana, it’s time for a relaxing evening full of good food and good wine! Start the evening with this fabulous 2-hour wine-tasting experience that takes place in a 300-year-old cellar! Plus, you get to learn all about Slovenian wine and taste around 7 wines – what could be better?
After 7 tastings, you’ll need some food. Head over to Julija for some traditional Slovenian cuisine to end your 2 days in Ljubljana. At this restaurant, the goulash, cheese dumplings, and apple strudel are the things to try here and they’ll help soak up the wine! If you have some more time, take one more walk around the old town to help digest and enjoy one more beautiful evening in Ljubljana.
Where to stay for 2 days in Ljubljana
Because the city is so small, you really can’t go wrong staying anywhere around the city center. However, try to stay around the old town to be able to walk places the fastest and make the most out of your stay.
Here are some recommendations for where to stay for 2 days in Ljubljana:
Budget: Ad Hoc Hostel – Here you have both dorms and private rooms and the location is right next to the Ljubljana River.
Mid-Range: Hostel Cecilia – This is used as a prison and now the rooms and dormitories are all individually designed by different artists. It even has a garden terrace and cafe.
Luxury: Vander Urbani Resort – It’s right in the city center, has an on-site restaurant and did you see that rooftop pool??
FAQs about spending 2 days in Ljubljana
Is 2 days in Ljublana enough?
Yes, 2 days in Ljubljana is enough. This gives you time to explore the city, eat delicious food, and explore a little bit of the countryside as well.
How many days do you need in Ljubljana?
To fully explore the city you need at least one day in Ljubljana, but two is best which means a weekend in Slovenia might be the perfect getaway. If you have some extra time, 3 days are ideal to be able to see a little more of the country.
When is the best time to spend 2 days in Ljubljana?
The best time to visit Ljubljana is from April to June. You’ll have pleasantly warm temperatures and fewer tourists than in the later summer months.
In Conclusion: 2 Days in Ljubljana Itinerary
There you have it – how to spend the perfect 2 days in Ljubljana! Whether you are looking for art, culture, food, or wine Ljublana has it all. Visiting this European hidden gem is sure to be a memorable vacation.
Author Bio
Taylor is the creator of Culture Craving Couple, a travel blog focused on traveling as a couple in the USA and Europe. She and her husband’s goal is to help you explore the world while growing closer through off-the-beaten-path experiences and giving back.
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