The city of Ljubljana, Slovenia is often overlooked in favor of its neighboring, more frequented capital cities such as Rome, Vienna and Budapest. Despite the Slovenian capital’s beauty, it still remains a relatively hidden gem.
From the romantic bridges spanning the Ljubljanica River to the vibrant street art and cozy cafes, every corner of Ljubljana holds unique charm. Everything here just seems to work well. You can drink straight from the taps, it’s eco-friendly, there are bike paths everywhere and it’s super walkable.
With numerous parks and green spaces, great day trips at arms reach, and a great deal of cultural attractions, there are plenty of things to keep you busy in Ljubljana. So the question begs, is Ljubljana, Slovenia the most underrated capital in Europe?
Table of contents
History
Ljubljana has a long, complex history stretching back to ancient times. The oldest wooden wheel in the world was found in the marshlands surrounding the city and has been carbon-dated to be over 5,000 years old.
During the Middle Ages, the city became a pivotal intersection of trade routes between the Adriatic Sea and the Danube region. Its strategic location attracted various rulers, from the Habsburgs to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, shaping the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Over the ensuing centuries, Ljubljana underwent numerous transformations, surviving fires, earthquakes, and invasions. Ljubljana emerged as a vibrant and flourishing capital after Slovenia’s independence in 1991. Today, the city blends old-world allure and modern sophistication, with its iconic bridges and quaint old town.
You’ll quickly notice the symbol of the dragon playing a major role in the city of Ljubljana. The dragon represents power, greatness and courage. You will see dragon iconography at every turn, but in particular atop the Ljubljana Castle and guarding the Dragon Bridge entrance into the old town.
Culture
When it comes to culture, Ljubljana is a hotspot for art galleries, museums, and cuisines that range from an authentic traditional culinary experience to delectables from around the globe. For a city with a population of only roughly 300,000, there’s an abundance of cultural experiences at your fingertips.
Arts & Museums
Ljubljana boasts an array of art galleries and museums that showcase the city’s rich history and modern creativity. The National Gallery of Slovenia houses an extensive collection of Slovenian fine art, spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Visitors can admire impressive works by renowned Slovenian artists, as well as European masters including Rembrandt. If you prefer contemporary art, Ljubljana’s Museum of Modern Art is the place to be.
Ljubljana is home to a wide variety of museums including a Brewery Museum, a Railway Museum, a Museum of Illusions and more. The City Museum of Ljubljana offers a comprehensive insight into the city’s history and development, providing a fascinating journey through its past.
Food
Ljubljana is a place where you can dabble in authentic and traditional Slovenian foods or nosh on a wide range of international foods. Either way, you can’t go wrong!
Some traditional Slovenian dishes worth trying:
- Gobova Juha – Mushroom soup, typically made from a combination of wild mushrooms, such as porcini, chanterelles, or oyster mushrooms, along with onions, garlic, and various herbs and spices.
- Kranjska Klobasa – Carniola is Slovenia’s most famous sausage. Made from high-quality pork and flavored with garlic and pepper. Served with sauerkraut and mustard.
- Idrijski Žlikrofi – Originating from the town of Idrija, these are small, dumpling-like pasta pockets filled with potatoes and herbs. They are usually served with a variety of savory toppings or sauces.
- Burek – A popular Balkan dish. Burek is a pastry filled with various ingredients like minced meat, cheese, potatoes, spinach, or apples.
- Struklji – Rolled dumplings made from thin dough, usually filled with ingredients like cottage cheese, meat, vegetables, or fruits. They can be served as a savory or sweet dish.
- Prekmurska Gibanica – Traditional Slovenian layered cake made of filo pastry and filled with a mixture of poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, raisins, and cottage cheese. A delicious dessert enjoyed throughout the country.
🌎 BROS TIP: A Gostilna (translates to “an inn”) is a place where you can find a large menu with traditional Slovenian eats and homemade dishes. Kind of akin to a diner in the U.S. We recommend trying out Gostilna Sokol for some authentic Slovenian food.
Other dishes that are also popular are:
- Goulash – Stew of meat and vegetables.
- Ćevapi – Grilled dish of minced meat, served on a plate or in a flatbread often with chopped onions, sour cream, milk cream, ajvar, and salt.
- Kebab – popular throughout Central & Eastern Europe, and a personal favorite of the Bros. Kebab stands can be found almost everywhere and is made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, stuffed in either a pita-type bread (doner) or in a thin flatbread (durum/jurfka) with salad/vegetables and various types of sauces. A cheap, delicious, and filling meal which originates from Turkish immigrants and traces back to the Ottoman Empire.
🌎 BROS TIP: Odprta kuhna (Open kitchen) is an open air food market with food stalls representing culinary delights from not just Slovenia, but from around the world. Argentinian BBQ, Thai, Italian food and so much more. This is a must for food lovers every sunny Friday from March until November.
Sports
Slovenia has recently produced some world class athletes who have made their way over to American professional leagues, including NBA phenom Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks and two-time NHL Stanley Cup Champion and captain of the LA Kings, Anže Kopitar. Besides basketball and ice hockey, cycling, skiing, snowboarding and handball are also popular.
Slovenians are very active and you will notice many outdoor exercise parks, basketball and handball courts throughout the city. The Slovenian Alps offer an amazing opportunity for skiers and snowboarders alike, and are easily accessible from the city. The Krvavec Ski Resort offers 26 kilometres of ski runs. Other popular Slovenian ski resorts close to Ljubljana include Kranjska Gora, Vogel, Cerkno, and Stari vrh.
*Check out Obsešen Ski & Snowboard Shop at the foot of the Dragon Bridge to pick up some gear!
Party
Ljubljana may be known as a pretty sleepy city, but there are plenty of opportunities to party if you know where to go.
- Metelkova – The site was originally a military complex used by the Yugoslav National Army. In 1993, a group of artists, activists, and squatters transformed the neglected buildings into an alternative cultural hub, making it a center for art, music, performances, and various countercultural events. Today, musicians and free sprits come together, creating a Bohemian atmosphere amongst street art and unconventional clubs. Most people just grab a beer from the bar and chill outside where you’ll be sure to meet new people in no time.
- Riverside restaurants and bars – Just walk along the promenade and you’ll be able to grab a drink and take in the enchanting atmosphere of Ljubljana.
- Captain’s Cabin – Naval-themed bar tucked in an alleyway off the riverside promenade offering 2-for-1 cocktails.
- Parlament Pub – Known for cheap beers and cocktails and lively international parties every night. It’s a great place to both start or end an evening out.
- Bar Shooters – Lively club primarily for the university aged crowd.
- Publika Bar Klub – Deep house club which rocks til 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.
- San Francisko Independent Craft Beer Bar & Shop – About a ten minute walk outside the city center, this small, cozy establishment has upwards of 15 craft beers on tap from Slovenia and the surrounding region as well as a large variety of bottles and cans to choose from. They serve up pizzas and occasionally will have a DJ spinning records at this super laid back, chill vibed hangout.
🌎 BROS TIP: Ljubljana has a thriving craft beer scene. You’ll find a wide range of local breweries offering unique and flavorful beers. On the local beer front, go for a Union or Laško. Slovenia is also known for its excellent wines, especially white wines. Rebula, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay are worthy of trying. And don’t forget about the schnapps! Plum, blueberry and pear are the favorites amongst locals.
Peaceful, Yet Energetic
Ljubljana has an extensive pedestrian-only city center, which equates to low noise pollution and a general sense of peace, calm and tranquility. On a typical Friday night, you’ll see people chilling on the lawns having a picnic, bicycling and going for an evening stroll or having a drink and a cigarette along the Ljubljanica River, taking in the street life.
Ljubljana was recently ranked as the 7th safest country in the world. Furthermore, the nation has one of the lowest income inequalities in the world. This makes Slovenia and the capital city of Ljubljana a wonderful place to live, and perhaps the most underrated capital in Europe.
Eco-Friendly
Ljubljana is a clean city where residents are very respectful of the environment they live in. The city has low noise pollution, and has high air and tap water quality. They have an efficient garbage disposal process, and quality green spaces and parks, including the wonderful Tivoli Park.
The city is extremely bike friendly, with bicycle lanes well placed throughout Ljubljana. It has a large pedestrian only city center, plenty of cell phone app accessible e-scooters and electric car charging stations. Ljubljana also boasts a great public transportation, with clean, comfortable buses and trains that are almost always on time.
Day Trips and Weekend Excursions
While the city of Ljubljana is a beautiful place to be, we all crave our excursions to get outside the city. Fortunately, the area surrounding Ljubljana has a plethora of things to do.
- Lake Bled – Picturesque lake straight out of a fairy tale, and just an hour away from Ljubljana. Activities in the area and at the lake include hiking, swimming, parasailing, rowing, SUP and kayaking. You can also visit nearby Lake Bohinj and gorgeous gorges such as Mostnice and Vintgar.
- Predjama Castle – Located an hour away from the city, this 12th century fortress was built into the mouth of a cave and will leave you with your jaw dropped.
- Postojna Cave – Can be combined with a visit to the nearby Predjama Castle mentioned above, you can take a 1.5 hour tour by train through the 2nd longest cave system in Slovenia.
- Camping – Many people choose to rent a car or RV and drive around the countryside of Slovenia. With almost 60% of Slovenia’s surface covered by mountains and forests, you’ll find plenty of places to get out in nature and sleep under the stars.
- Maribor – Slovenia’s 2nd largest city is a 1.5 hour drive away from the capital of Ljubljana. The city of Maribor offers a charming blend of historical, cultural, and natural attractions, making it an appealing destination for all types of travelers.
- Head to the coast – Slovenia doesn’t have a long stretch of land along the Adriatic Sea, but the lovely coastal city of Piran is less than a 1.5 hour drive away from Ljubljana. Enjoy the seafood, beaches, old town and breathtaking sunsets over the Adriatic.
Final Thoughts
So to answer the question, “could Ljubljana be the most underrated capital in Europe?”, our answer is a resounding YES. After our visit to Slovenia, we came to realize that the small country the size of the US state of Massachusetts holds a very big secret. It’s a beautiful place to visit and the capital of Ljubljana is a small city that will capture your heart in a big way.
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