If Ljubljana is one in every of Europe’s most underrated cities for a weekend break, Slovenia’s capital is even additional beneath the radar when you’re travelling as a household. However with loads of family-friendly points of interest in and round its compact pedestrianised previous city, few locations beat Ljubljana with youngsters.
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In all places appears extremely welcoming to households and even small legs will address the distances on this small metropolis – wandering the cobbled streets with their brightly painted buildings, earlier than criss-crossing the river on ornamental bridges, all within the shadow of the fort is much more enjoyable than most metropolis breaks.
So what are the highest issues to do in Ljubljana with kids? Listed below are 23 of the most effective concepts of what to do in Ljubljana for teenagers – together with loads to maintain their dad and mom pleased!
Take the funicular to the Fort
Towering over town, Ljubljanski Grad – to offer the fort its correct title – is ideal for indulging some knights and dragons fantasies whereas the historical past exhibition has some nice interactive video games for teenagers to play on the best way spherical.
There’s even slightly museum of puppetry inside as a bonus attraction for teenagers.
EVen higher is the journey up whenever you go to Ljubljana Fort: the funicular whisks you up the fort hill with an important view over the roofs or there’s a mini practice from the Outdated City.
You’ll be able to skip the queues by shopping for a ticket prematurely, because it’s probably the most in style locations to see in Ljubljana, together with the elective funicular experience
Spot dragons
The image of Ljubljana, you’ll be able to’t go to town with out a small dragon hunt. There’s a dragon on the flag flying above the fort for starters, and a dramatic inexperienced statue on the well-known dragon bridge.
Enterprise to the opposite aspect of the river close to the Cobbler’s Bridge and there are extra to find as nicely when you fancy a mini dragon hunt in Ljubljana for youngsters who love myths and legends.
The explanation for all of the dragons? Legend says that town was based by Greek hero Jason after he had stolen the golden fleece – when he and the Argonauts stopped at a lake close to the Ljubljanica river, Jason fought and killed a monster, now often known as the Ljubljana dragon.
Take a tour
Ljubljana has some nice excursions to introduce you to town together with family-friendly excursions in Ljubljana or ones which could be tailored when you’re travelling with youngsters – I cherished our Ljubljana meals tour whereas taking a motorbike tour is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Ljubljana if you wish to discover slightly approach past the centre.
Try my evaluation of Ljubljana’s bike tour and meals strolling excursions.
There’s additionally a Ljubljana communist tour which is ideal for older youngsters to to get an perception into life right here just a few many years in the past: it’s run by the identical folks because the Ljubljana free strolling tour, though this specific one has a cost – right here’s what I believed.
If you need a regular metropolis tour, there are loads to select from – this two-hour strolling tour takes you previous the important thing landmarks in addition to sharing some historical past and Slovenian folklore alongside the best way.
Should you’re undecided how a lot sightseeing your youngsters will take pleasure in, the Ljubljana Free tour is one other in style possibility – do anticipate greater crowds for this one although.
All aboard for a ship journey
The Ljubljanica river winds proper by way of the center of town and there are numerous cruises, each guided and non-guided, to discover the water.
You’ll be able to mix a brief boat cruise with a strolling tour or in the summertime, or hop on the wood cruise boat, additionally referred to as Ljubljanica for an 50-minute boat experience round Ljubljana. Kids beneath six go free.
The Home of Experiments
This interactive Science Centre has restricted opening hours outdoors weekends and college holidays, however find time for a go to because it’s an important choice to get arms on with tons to entertain youngsters in Ljubljana.
With every little thing from gigantic bubbles to small performances illustrating scientific rules, these interactive displays ought to undoubtedly be on any record of enjoyable issues to do in Ljubljana – particularly if sightseeing has briefly misplaced its enchantment on your youngsters.
The Home of Illusions
You’ll discover these trick eye points of interest all throughout Europe now and Ljubljana’s Home of Illusions is not any exception – with illusions to boggle your mind and deceive your eyes, plus loads of very enjoyable photograph alternatives.
The vortex tunnel, the place your mind believes you’re making an attempt to stroll by way of a rotating cylinder (even when the ground is 100% flat) is without doubt one of the highlights, however there’s additionally an Infinity room, mirror room, and an opportunity to withstand a number of of the legal guidelines of gravity.
An important possibility for a wet day in Ljubljana with youngsters, however assured enjoyable for the entire household regardless of the climate.
Minicity Ljubljana
Geared toward kids aged three to 12, Minicity Ljubljana actually is a mini metropolis, with every little thing from a police station to hospital, TV studio and bakery the place youngsters can play at actual life.
It’s slightly approach out of the centre, round half-hour by public transport (or 10-15 by taxi), however it’s an important choice to spend a number of hours when you’re on the lookout for indoor actions in Ljubljana.
There’s additionally a restaurant and cake store in case your youngsters can’t be tempted away from let’s faux again to actual life!
Go to the Metropolis Museum
Cease in on the Metropolis Museum to be taught extra about Ljubljana’s previous, from shows on the Romans to newer historical past, together with retro adverts and Yugoslav automobiles.
You may also decide up a map exhibiting the primary historic websites dotted round Ljubljana, with mosaics, previous Roman baths and historical partitions that includes a pyramid.
Hunt Roman stays
Return in time 2,000 years and also you’d discover the Roman metropolis of Emona the place Ljubljana now stands – and you may nonetheless monitor down loads of remnants of the previous settlement.
You’ll be able to go to the archaeological park of Emona, with mixed tickets out there from the Metropolis Museum or on-line, and a path of 10 totally different websites across the city to move you again so far as the first century. The Emonan Home and Roman wall are two of the most effective.
Discover the mannequin of Ljubljana
Head over the triple bridge to Preseren Sq. and also you’ll see a bronze scale mannequin of town – place to trace your footsteps or plan your route.
After recognizing a number of locations you’ve been (or understanding the place you’re going), save a while to benefit from the pastel Artwork Nouveau structure within the sq. and streets close by.
Ljubljana Botanical Backyard
One in all Europe’s oldest botanical gardens, the Ljubljana botanical gardens date again over 200 years.
And whereas youngsters may not be as within the scientific analysis, strolling the shady paths and alongside the ponds is the proper methods to flee a number of the warmth of the summer season – or if it’s chilly, head to the Tropical Home.
Tivoli Park
With 5km of park stretching out to discover, the playground is a bonus for littler ones who’ve had sufficient historic streets for someday – good when you’re on the lookout for free issues to do in Ljubljana as nicely.
Head west from the primary park and also you’ll additionally discover the small Ljubljana Zoo within the park, one of many prime points of interest in Ljubljana for households. There’s a bus which runs from town centre to the zoo (no 18) or it’s round a 20-minute stroll, with additional actions typically happening within the park at weekends.
Ljubljana Zoo
Set in Tivoli Park, little Ljubljana Zoo is a good place to be taught extra in regards to the animals of the world – in addition to loads of different species from world wide.
You’ll discover cheetah, leopards, tigers and zebra, but in addition pink pandas, moose, owls, reindeer and much extra, together with an opportunity to find how Slovenia’s place on the level the place the Alpine, Mediterranean and Pannonian worlds meet has influenced its wildlife.
Set round 20 minutes stroll from Ljubljana metropolis centre, you can too participate in family-friendly actions together with becoming a member of zookeepers at feeding time or assembly your favorite animal (for an added charge – guide prematurely).
Entry to Ljubljana Zoo, in addition to Ljubljana Fort and the Museum of Illusions is included within the Ljubljana Card
Pure Historical past Museum
Hooked up to the Nationwide Museum, the most important draw on the Pure Historical past Museum is a mammoth skeleton though momentary exhibitions have lined every little thing from gentle to evolution.
Free for preschoolers, it’s solely 6.50 Euros for adults and 4,50 Euros for varsity age youngsters if you wish to make a fast go to – there’s a mixed ticket for the Nationwide Museum, though when you simply wish to pop in and see the mother, the 50-cent cut price ticket is unfortunately now not out there.
Perfect when you’re visiting outdoors summer season and on the lookout for indoor actions in Ljubljana.
Puppet theatre
With performances specializing in music and mime, it doesn’t actually matter when you don’t converse Slovenian – these beautiful puppet exhibits are good for journeys to Ljubljana with toddlers and preschoolers specifically.
An important possibility to mix with the puppet museum within the fort, there are totally different performances marked for age 2+, 3+ and 4+ (and above). Tickets price from round 8 Euros.
Woop Enjoyable Park
There are 21 separate points of interest at Woop Enjoyable Park, with every little thing from 100 trampolines to a foam pit, climbing partitions, leaping video games and the most important parabolic slide in Slovenia.
Good for burning off some power or when you want a wet day possibility when visiting Ljubljana with youngsters, it’s slightly approach from town centre – it takes round half an hour from town centre by public transport, or a brief drive of round quarter-hour by automotive.
Try Woop Glow Golf close by for one more enjoyable exercise that’s nice for tweens and teenagers
Atlantis Water Park
Additionally near Woop Enjoyable Park, Atlantis Water Park is nice for teenagers who love being within the water. In addition to a shallow out of doors pool designed for the littlest swimmers, there’s Spray Park water play zone, and an indoor kids’s pool.
For older youngsters or extra assured swimmers, there’s additionally a bigger heated out of doors pool in addition to water slides and a lazy river taking you thru an underground ‘cave’, wave pool and enormous ‘Journey pool’.
Hit the retailers
Browing the retailers may not prime your record of Ljubljana issues to do however tucked away among the many standard worldwide chains, there are some nice quirky little boutiques within the Outdated City.
Try tiny To Je To on the riverside promoting some beautiful wood toys, or head to Nama division retailer the place the Nama Youngsters part has some nice finds.
Head to the market
With out of doors tables and a few nice avenue meals, the Central Market is an effective place for a relaxed lunch in Ljubljana: youngsters will take pleasure in wandering each the out of doors and indoor stalls to see what’s on the market, in addition to making it a straightforward approach to seize one thing to eat that fits everybody’s tastes.
There’s typically a pageant or additional market happening within the sq. as nicely – Friday’s Open Kitchen, which runs from March to October, has an enormous vary of meals to attempt.
Get pleasure from café tradition
The banks of the river are lined with cafes, particularly across the Outdated City, and stopping for a drink is one in every of my prime issues to do in Ljubljana.
Even in October they have been filled with households having fun with some late autumn sunshine (with some useful heaters and rugs for when it will get chilly).
In summer season, it’s an effective way to folks watch, see the boats cruise by and relaxation any small weary legs after exploring on a sunny day. Some have improbable truffles (and ice cream!), and children appear welcome all over the place.
Day journeys from Ljubljana with youngsters
The capital of Slovenia makes an important base to discover extra of the nation, so if in case you have time, you can too plan numerous day journeys from Ljubljana with youngsters.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Within the centre of a nonetheless lake lies an island – and upon the island, rises the spire of a church, overshadowed by a medieval fort perched precariously among the many cliffs of the dramatic mountains.
One of many iconic sights of Slovenia, and probably the most stunning locations to see in Europe, you’ll discover loads of corporations operating excursions from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. Close by Lake Bohinj is much less well-known, however one other stunning place to discover.
Postojna Caves
Blind salamanders reside tucked away within the Postojna Cave – however even when you don’t get a glimpse of them, the dramatic stalactites make it an important place to go to with youngsters.
Excursions from Ljubljana to the Postojna Caves are sometimes mixed with a go to to Predjama Fort, as a enjoyable distinction.
Predjama Fort
This storybook fort is usually mixed with the Postojna Caves, for an opportunity to see the gorgeous Renaissance structure of its location, set beneath a stone archway and in opposition to a cliff.
Round an hour from Ljubljana, it’s a straightforward day journey with youngsters who love historical past.
You may also get a reduction metropolis move, referred to as the Ljubljana card together with a small Ljubljana map that includes bus routes – right here’s why I selected to not plus extra recommendations on visiting Ljubljana, Slovenia.
*First created in November 2015, final up to date 2026*
LJUBLJANA WITH KIDS: PIN FOR LATER
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