Should you’ve been tempted by my the reason why it is best to go to Ljubljana – there are 13 excellent ones – what else do you want to find out about a visit to the Slovenian capital? Listed below are my high Ljubljana ideas, together with whether or not the Ljubljana card is value it – and the way to not do it!
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Visiting Ljubljana: The best way to get there
easyJet has direct flights to Ljubljana from Gatwick and Luton, with typically correctly cut price costs (though on the draw back, that may imply some much less satisfying flight occasions). BA additionally flies direct from Heathrow.
Should you’ve bought a bit extra time to kill, it’s value remembering that Ljubljana is barely round one hour from Trieste and 90 minutes from Zagreb, and fewer than three hours from Venice in the event you fancy a number of metropolis breaks in a single.
Ljubljana ideas: The best way to get round
When you get into Ljubljana itself, it’s best to stroll – the centre is pedestrianised and in the event you do want a carry, small electrical buggies decide folks up without spending a dime. Likelihood is, you received’t.
There’s additionally a motorcycle rent scheme just like London and Paris or strive the Watermelon bike tour (you possibly can see my full overview of our Ljubljana bike tour right here).
There are additionally a string of corporations operating excursions from the town into the countryside to see stunning Lake Bled, the Postojna caves and Predjama fortress (all issues by myself wishlist for subsequent time).
The airport is 27km outdoors the town, round a 30 minute drive. You may get a taxi (round 1 Euro to 1 Euro 50 per kilometre relying on the corporate), however less expensive are transfers like Go Opti which does shared transfers, or you can even e-book by Welcome Pickups for personal transfers.
A personal switch presently prices round £35-£40. Shared ones are much less, however may contain some hanging round, and it’s nonetheless normally much less (and fewer problem) than a cab. There’s additionally a bus which runs round as soon as an hour.
The Ljubljana card – is it well worth the cash?
Like most main cities, Ljubljana has its personal card for entry into museums and points of interest in addition to journey on metropolis buses – though truthfully, you’re unlikely ever to wish to journey a lot by bus in the event you’re specializing in the primary points of interest.
The cardboard prices from 41 Euros in the event you purchase on-line. Validity runs from the primary time you employ it – so 24 hours moderately than one single day, whereas there are additionally 48 and 72-hour choices.
It’s value rigorously pricing up what you’re planning on doing. Once I’ve used the playing cards elsewhere, it’s been nice in cities like Helsinki, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, particularly the place I’ve used public transport rather a lot.
In Ljubljana, I realised that I’d save round one euro by shopping for one (primarily based on the locations I wished to go to) and must cram all the pieces in to a single day.
Should you’re doing fewer excursions than I did, or planning to go to extra museums, this Ljubljana vacationer card may effectively work out higher although.
You may also get free WiFi with the cardboard (everybody can get one hour free per day within the metropolis) which might be a bonus in the event you’re going through a giant roaming invoice in any other case.
Extra ideas for visiting Ljubljana
Do I would like to talk Slovenian?
Everybody I met appeared to talk the form of English which put my language talents to disgrace – so you may get away with realizing nothing.
However the happy reception to even a number of phrases meant I’d at all times advocate mastering no less than the fundamentals – ‘hvala’ is thanks, ‘prosim’ is please, and ‘dober dan’ is hey.
Cheers is ‘na zdravie’ (or ‘good driveway’ as Iva from Ljubljanayum taught us). Vowels are treasured, so don’t be stunned in the event you discover entire phrases of consonants.
When to go to Ljubljana
Ljubljana could be highly regarded in excessive summer time – assume 40C – and freezing in midwinter (with a whole lot of snow). Spring and autumn are nice for exploring, particularly in the event you get some extremely blue October days like we did.
Deliver your devices
There may be WiFi just about all over the place within the centre – the cafes and bars on the terrace all supplied it free, I picked up an hour per day free from WiFree Ljubljana by getting a code texted to me but in addition stored stumbling throughout open networks. Improbable.
To hook up with the WiFreeLjubljana community in your free 60 minutes a day, or to purchase a code for longer, head to the web site for extra particulars.
Eat off the streets
On two of our three days, there was a foodie competition by the Central Market – and even when there wasn’t, the meals vehicles there are an excellent choice for lunch in the event you’re questioning the place to eat in Ljubljana. Ribica has some nice fish.
Drink and be merry
Friday is the large evening out, in comparison with Saturday. There may be additionally decrease VAT on wine than beer – though Ljubljana has a rising craft beer scene, so don’t be postpone.
A glass of wine is commonly served in a lot smaller measures than within the UK, however the costs are additionally rather a lot smaller – assume a few Euros. And each single one I attempted was scrumptious…
There are additionally public ingesting fountains in all places for water.
Then head beneath the bridges…
The place you’ll discover public bathrooms. Having stated that, our lodge, the Vander Urbani was additionally proper within the coronary heart of the Previous City, so in the event you’re staying someplace related, you’re hardly ever that far-off.
Past its helpful location, Vander Urbani resort can also be a member of the Design Inns group, so value trying out for a classy metropolis break in Ljubljana.
In actual fact, Ljubljana’s compact measurement took some getting used to – studying a map to the Roman stays scattered round, we stored by accident wandering too far.
Seize a map
Not simply the usual metropolis maps (although they’re helpful too) however the map from Use-It Journey, which comes full with recommendations on life and appearing like a neighborhood, in addition to quirky locations to find.
We discovered copies to choose up in TOZD bar/cafe amongst others.
*First printed 2015, final up to date 2026*
PIN FOR LATER: ADVICE FOR LJUBLJANA – MY TIPS
Photos copyright MummyTravels
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