Top 12 budget things to do in Ljubljana

On our second trip to Ljubljana, we still don’t know if we should place it in the Eastern, Central or Southern Europe. Indeed, something was immediately clear to us during our most recent visit: since Slovenia joined the EU in 2004, it unfortunately disappeared from the list of cheap locations in the Old Continent. However, we still love this little cute country, and in this post we share the top 12 budget things to do in its capital Ljubjiana, one of the safest and most beautiful cities in Europe.

1. Start the day with a breakfast at TOZD

This bar is in the heart of the old city, along the river and it’s the favourite spot of local hipsters and artists. Surely, the coffee is excellent, and they also offer delicious brownies, snacks and tapas. The terrace is perfect for a sunny day or even to hang out at night with friends for a beer, if you’re not a morning person.

2. Stroll along the river until you reach the Triple Bridge

Speaking about the Triple Bridge, it’s less than 10 minutes walk from Tozd. First of all, cross it and take an Insta selfie in front of the pink Franciscan Church. Here you will also see the monument dedicated to the national poet France Preseren.

Actually, this statue represents the focal meeting point in the heart of the city for local people. Next in order, spend a few minutes to enjoy the shows of the street performers, as well as the views of the castle.

Then, continue towards the Central Market, and you will be able to observe Nicholas Church on your right. With this in mind, we strongly recommend a walk along the river to observe local life scenes, and to breathe the special atmosphere that this area can offer. If you are willing to spend 10€, you may also take a boat tour along the river from Novi TRG (each hour from 10am to 8pm, 45 min tour). Click here for more info.

3. Visit the Central Market

After leaving the triple bridge, jump to the nearby Central Market and experience the local products sold by farmers from all over Slovenia. Try the local blueberries, they are delicious!

3. Visit the Central Market

After leaving the triple bridge, jump to the nearby Central Market and experience the local products sold by farmers from all over Slovenia. Try the local blueberries, they are delicious!

4. Lock your love at the Butcher’s Bridge and take a look at the Dragon Bridge

Before World War II, the Butcher’s Bridge was part of the Central Market. Nowadays, it’s the footbridge connecting the Central Market and the Petkovsek Embankment. After its recent remodelling in 2010, padlocks started appearing and the bridge has become the place where couples “lock their love”, securing a padlock on the steel wire and throwing the key inside the river.

Afterwards, if you keep walking with the market at your back, you will find another interesting bridge, the Dragon Bridge. Take a selfie with this emblematic symbol of the city. Although there are many legends about Ljubljana’s dragons, we believe the most curious one is the story telling that when virgins crossed the bridge, those dragons would wag their tails.

5. Visit Ljubljana castle

After taking a look at the Dragon Bridge, turn back and walk up the hill to the magnificent castle overlooking the town.

You may take the path right behind the market (with the river at your back), in front of the statue dedicated to Vodnik. Walk up Studentovska Ulica and follow the signs that will lead you to the castle.

In case you don’t want to walk up there, you may take the funicular in Krekov trg 4, which is just the next street. The return ticket is currently 4€ or about 10€, if you also buy the entrance to the castle online. Click here for more info. You may also get it directly at the ticket office there.

However, if you are not willing to spend some extra money, you may still walk up the hill and visit the area of the castle’s courtyard for free. But bear in mind that buying a ticket will also give you access to the Puppetry Museum, the Slovenian history exhibition, the Tower and the Virtual Castle.

Regardless how you get up there, this is what to expect: the building used to be a military fortress, and the city tower was used by fireguards, who shot cannons to warn of fire and to announce important visitors and events. Nowadays, it’s a popular place for weddings and summer concerts.

6. Visit the City Hall and have lunch at Central Postaja

On the way down the hill, before crossing the Triple Bridge again, take a quick look at the City Hall’s courtyard. The entrance is free, and they usually have some exhibition there. Afterwards, cross the bridge again with the castle at your back and turn right on Tubareva street.

Have lunch at Central Postaja (Central Station), a hip bar where music and creativity perfectly merge. They have live dj sets on weekends, and if you happen to be in Ljubljana on a Thursday morning, they offer an all -you-can-eat breakfast from 8am to 11am for 3,50€.

7. Take a look at Kongresni TRG square and TRG Republike square

After refilling your stomach, walk along Trubarjeva street toward the main square again and continue walking along Wolfova Ulica, until you reach the Kongresni TRG square. This is the area where several mass demonstrations took place, leading to the declaration of Slovenian independence in 1991 in the nearby TRG Republike square. Stroll down Subiceva street and you’ll bump into the Slovenian National Assembly.

8. Go to Tivoli Park

9. Go up to the top of Neboticnik building before sunset (free entrance)

As we have an obsession with rooftop bars with views, this building couldn’t avoid being on our list. Enjoy the fabulous views of Ljubljana and the castle from Neboticnik building’s rooftop. Although the bar up there is not the cheapest one in town, we had a prosecco by the glass for only 3€. Undoubtedly, the views from this place are priceless.

10. Have dinner with a cause at Druga Violina

Not only this place is our favourite restaurant in Ljubljana in terms of quality/price, but here you can eat with a cause. Although it offers delicious fresh Slovenian dishes and good quality wines, it’s not only a restaurant, it’s a social project for people with disabilities. In fact, they produce their food in a farm near Ljubljana, and you can also meet them at the restaurant, since they help the waiting staff as part of the project. Every day of the week, they have a different special menu at a very reasonable price. We loved this place so much that we ended up having lunch and dinner every day there.

11. Visit METELKOVA for an alternative night in Europe

Although this former Yugoslav army barrack was occupied by squatters in the ’90s, nowadays it’s a peculiar colourful spot for an alternative night in the capital of Slovenia. In fact, its music, bars and concert venues attract many residents and tourists. The main establishment here, with a busy agenda of events, is Gala Hala.

The crowd is very mixed, from punk and heavy metal lovers to hipsters. Opposite to Gala Hala is the LGBT double club Tiffany and Monokel, and if you take a walk around you’ll be able to find other smaller bars as Channel Zero, Jalla Jalla, Gromka and Bizarnica Pri Marici.

Actually, it’s very difficult to associate a specific bar to a type of music here, since it really depends on the night and the scheduled event. If you’re looking for something more than music, check Menza Pri Koritu, which is a space dedicated to poetry nights and improvisational theatre.

12. Act like a local

Pedal, pedal and pedal

Ljubljana is small and you don’t need to rely on public transportation here. Just rent a bicycle and explore the city. Rates are very reasonable, from 2€ for 2 hours or from 8€ the whole day. If you are on a strict budget, consider Ljubljana’s city bike scheme. You may register online for 1€ a week or 3€ the entire year. In addition, you can use any of the public bikes parked in the 58 station. However, remember that your bike trips need to be under 60 minutes.

Drink coffee at Tozd, at Cafe Cokl or at Zrno

If Italians drink a small coffee in a hurry and Americans order large coffees to go, Ljubljana’s residents take their time. In fact, coffee has become so important in their culture, that a common phrase they say is “let’s meet for a coffee” even when they end up drinking beer. Breathe the vibrant vibes these three places can offer, while observing locals around you.

Drink local beers

A classic is Union beer, as well as Lasko beer at Union brewery or at Za Popen’t. If you’d like to experience a deep immersion into the Slovenian craft breweries culture, you should also try other local beers like Pelicon, Bevog, Human Fish, Reservoir Dogs, Mali Grad and Maister. Indeed, they have many beers although it’s such a small country!

Spend Sunday morning like a local

Go the flea market and then up the top of Roznik hill, inside the Tivoli park. Buy a flancat pastry at the tavern for 1,50€.

Pro Tip

Now you know about the top 12 budget things to do in Ljubljana. However, if you are not on a strict budget, and if you are willing to spend some extra money to make the most out of Slovenia’s capital, we recommend buying a Tourist Card. In fact, Ljubljana’s card has been rated as one of the best cards in Europe and offers the following benefits:

free admission to 20+ museums and galleries, the Ljubljana Zoo, the Ljubljana Botanic Garden and several other attractions
a free guided city tour
free travel on city buses, unlimited during the card validity period
a funicular and a tourist road train ride to Ljubljana Castle, a tourist boat cruise, and four-hour bicycle hire (all for free)
24-hour internet access

If you buy it online the price for 24 hours is about 27€.

How to get to Ljubjana

By Air

The airport is very small and it’s served by about 10 different airlines. Find more info here. We found some very good deals flying to/from Trieste airport, which can be reached in less than two hours from Ljubljana city centre thanks to GoOpti shuttle services. They stop next to the bus station, and you can make your reservation on their platform.

By Bus

The best value company we found is Flixbus. We got tickets from Rijeka (Croatia) to Ljubljana for 5.99€. The journey is about 2.40 hours, including a stop at the border for the passport control, since Croatia is currently not a Schengen country yet (it’s expected to enter the Schengen area in 2020).

By Train

The train station is located next to the main bus station. Click here to check prices and timetables.

Above all, in order to fully appreciate what the city has to offer, we recommend a visit in spring or late summer. Winters are freezing in Slovenia, and you would miss the special street vibe that you can experience during warmer months. Besides this, the colours of the lovely Old Town’s buildings under the sun are just special.

If you have some extra time to spend in Ljubljana, check our post about the best value places to eat, drink and party in Slovenia’s capital, and enjoy one of our favourite European cities!

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