Ljubljana And Lake Bled, Slovenia Are Unmissable European Experiences

Nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling hills, Ljubljana is often described as one of Europe's best-kept secrets. Ljubljana's small size and pedestrian-friendly layout make it a city that's easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. No cars are allowed in the center of town after 10 am every day. There’s plenty to do in town and its central location allows for lovely day trips to nearby lakes and national parks. No trip to Slovenia would be complete without a visit to the picturesque Lake Bled, the former summer playground of the infamous dictator Tito. Today, it’s a popular vacation spot for Slovenians and tourists, less than an hour from Ljubljana.

To See and Do

Start with a funicular ride up to Ljubljana Castle. Perched on a hill overlooking the city, the castle offers a fantastic vantage point for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. The heart of Ljubljana is its easily walkable Old Town, on either side of Ljubljanica River, with colorful baroque buildings, lively squares, numerous bridges and riverside cafes. A leisurely boat ride or a walk along the river banks is a wonderful way to take in the city's beauty. Don’t miss the Dragon Bridge, regarded as the most beautiful bridge produced by the Vienna Secession, The striking dragon sculptures on the bridge reference the legend that the mythological Jason was the founder of Ljubljana and that he and his Argonauts killed a dragon here.

For culture buffs, who want to learn about Slovenian history and art, there are several museums and galleries, including the National Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art and the City Museum of Ljubljana. And don’t miss Cukrarna contemporary gallery which dates back to 1828 when it was a sugar refinery and the city’s largest building. The impressive warehouse space now hosts temporary art exhibitions from local and international artists.

Tivoli Castle, in Tivoli Park, which houses the International Centre of Graphic Arts, is one of the locations of the 35th edition of the Ljubljana Bienniale of Graphic Arts, on until 14 January 2024. The biennale, titled From the void came gifts of the cosmos, includes site-specific commissions located in other venues including Cukrarna and MGLC Švicarija. Founded in 1955, during the Cold War, the Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts has always had an internationalist spirit. From its inception, it has invited participants from the Non-Aligned partner countries in Africa and Asia, in addition to artists from the Soviet Union and the West.

This year’s Biennale, headed by the Ghanain artist Ibrahim Mahama, looks back at how visual culture and its dissemination and circulation created spaces that transcended borders. The fascinating history of post independence Ghana, the former Yugoslavia and Poland is a theme running through some of the exhibits. Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah was a keen supporter of the arts. One exhibit features a reproduction of a sculpture made in 1965 by Polish artist Alina Slesinska for a Ghanaian coastal town, that’s a monument to the President Nkrumah. The monument was destroyed a year later during a CIA-backed coup that ousted the president from power. Elsewhere, Slovenian artist Tjasa Rener’s installation The Place We Call Home reveals forgotten stories of students and professionals who moved from Ghana to Ljubljana in the 1960s.

The annual Ljubljana fashion week is open to the public so if you visit in the fall during Ljubljana Fashion Week, you’ll enjoy catwalks that are a brilliant showcase of Slovenia's established and emerging designers.

Ljubljana's Central Market is a great place to sample fresh produce, local cheeses and artisanal products. There are also plenty of cafes for a snack or drink.

Further afield: Day trips

Day trips from Ljubljana to Lake Bled, Postojna Cave and Triglav National Park are easily doable. Start at President Tito’s summer home, Villa Bled, now a swish hotel, on the lake’s edge. After seeing the Tito memorabilia, take the steps to the waterfront and board a traditional pletna boat to be rowed across the beautiful glacial lake to Bled Island with the Assumption of Mary Church, and Bled Castle atop a hill.

Visitors can hike to the castle, or spend the day walking right around the lake. Bled Castle has fantastic views across the lake and a fascinating museum about Slovenian history and artefacts like the 60,000 year old Neanderthal flute, the oldest recorded musical instrument in the world.

Where to Eat

Ljubljana's culinary scene is varied and interesting, from traditional Slovenian dishes in cozy local restaurants to its emerging, modern gourmet scene.

Pen Klub, in a nineteenth-century villa near the opera house, is the former meeting place for writers and intellectuals. Today it’s a hip restaurant over three rooms, yellow, blue and white with original artwork and gorgeous food. Award-winning chef Igor Jagodic and Mojmir Šiftar offer four, six or eight course tasting menus feature unusual dishes like scallop with chestnut cream and black garlic and roasted cauliflower soup with mussels. The cream of violets dessert is not only a showstopper but delicious too.

Lana’s Corner, is a cozy casual bistro with great pizzas, outdoor seating, right in the heart of town.

Kavarna Rog is a hip cafe with excellent food and a great vibe near the new cultural center, Center Rog, on the river. It’s a top place for lunch, with great salads and burgers plus a fantastic cake selection (the baked cheesecake is incredible.)

For vegan travelers, Grashka Deli in the new Rog Center is a good choice. For avid carnivores, Sarajevo ‘84 is a typical Bosnian 'ćevabdžinica', a café serving 'ćevapčići' (sausage-shaped mini burgers) with 'kajmak' (Balkan-style clotted cream) and 'lepinja' (flatbread), as well as a choice of Bosnian ‘burek’ pastries and other delights typically served in Sarajevo. Decorated in the authentic style of the Bosnian capital's cafés, Sarajevo '84 vividly evokes the nostalgic ambience of its namesake city.

Where to Stay

The Grand Union Hotel in the heart of the old town has plenty of character and a fantastic location. The hotel dates back to 1905 and features lavish Art Nouveau architecture while also offering all the mod cons you’d expect from a four-star hotel.

Further afield, on the outskirts of town among pine trees, is the serene Four Points by Sheraton with spacious, comfortable rooms and a lovely swimming pool with floor to ceiling windows opening up onto a grassy terrace. If you’re planning on exploring Slovenia by car, this four star is a great base.