Ljubljana is a brilliant destination for a weekend break. Just an hour and half from London, and close to the Italian border, the Slovenian capital city is beautiful and easily walkable. There are just enough sites to keep you entertained but not overwhelmed, and the local restaurants are relaxed and reasonably priced. When you feel you have exhausted all the city has to offer, venture out of town to the many beautiful sights and natural beauties this small but special country has to offer. Lake Bled and Soča Valley were top of my itinerary, but there are many other wonderful areas to explore if you have a little longer.
To Stay
Vander Urbani Resort – This design hotel is conveniently tucked away in the very centre of town. With 20 sleek rooms, a ground floor restaurant and a small rooftop pool, it is a popular choice for weekend trips to Ljubljana.
To Eat
TaBar – On a warm evening the TaBar terrace is the best place in town to eat, drink and people watch. The menu has a range of gourmet dishes, designed to be shared as tapas and focused around local ingredients. Try the Ostrich and the mini burger and let the brilliant team help you choose a glass from the reasonably priced list of organic, Slovenian orange wines.
Gelataria Romantika – This cute ice-cream parlour is known for its quirky and delicious flavours of gelato. I loved the traditional Tarragon and cottage cheese and also the Pumpkin Seed Oil on Vanilla Bourbon base.
EK Bistro – EK bistro pride themselves on serving the best brunch menu in town. The stylish hang out offers a menu of alluring egg dishes, including Eggs Benedict with pulled beef, pumpkin oil and seeds and Goats cheese omelette with tarragon. Or you can opt for something lighter like Granola with yoghurt, thyme syrup and seasonal fruit.
Trappa – A new pizzeria 10 mins outside Ljubljana, serving delicious sourdough pizzas and a range of local organic wines.
Ménagerie – A charming, new boulangerie, ideal for breakfast. Ménagerie is beautifully decorated in a shade of pale green with antique furniture and artwork. Try the pillowy local brioche with homemade jam and butter, or take away one of their speciality loaves.
Monstera Bistro – Everyone recommended Monstera Bistro, and for good reason. This simple, local bistro is run by Bine Volčič, one of the best-known chefs in the country, and his wife Katarina. A daily menu offers delightful dishes like Braised pulled pork in tramezzino bread, and Elderflower baba cake. When we visited it was just €17 for 2 courses or €20 for 3… be sure to book.
To Drink
Cafe Čokl – This little cafe is known to locals and tourists as one of the best coffee shops in town. Café Cokl roasts only the freshest Arabica beans, and then uses a variety of expert techniques to make you a coffee of your choice.
Kolibri – Kolibri is considered to be Ljubljana’s best cocktail bar, perhaps even the finest in the country. The tiny bar is decadently designed with moody lighting and velvet seating. Sit at the bar and order from their seasonal menu, we particularly loved the Mezcal old fashioned.
Črno Zrno – This little blue and white tiled hole in the wall is found in the Gornji trg part of town. Črno Zrno translates to ‘black bean’ and is owned and run by Alex, a Colombian architect turned coffee geek, eager to bring the best Colombian coffee to Slovenia. The speciality coffee here is immaculately measured out, poured to perfection and served with a smile. A must-visit for caffeine fans visiting Ljubljana.
Stow – Stow is a modern and spacious cafe located within the City Museum. Stow initially launched as a roaster before opening a cafe serving their carefully selected and roasted beans. Stow also run coffee academies where experts share their coffee knowledge.
Tozd – This friendly cafe in the centre of town is a lovely place to sit and read for a while. Though their coffee making skills aren’t the best in town, their beans are from Escobar, a brilliant speciality coffee company outside of Ljubljana.
To Do
Triple Bridge – It is impossible to miss this iconic historic feature in the heart of Ljubljana. The three bridges cross over the Ljubljanica River and was designed by the architect Jože Plečnik, completed in 1932. Tourists constantly walk over the famous bridges, but they are most picturesque from above.
Funicular up to the castle – Take the short funicular ride up Castle Hill above downtown Ljubljana to the landmark castle. Originally a medieval fortress, it was likely constructed in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 12th century. The panoramic views of the city are most beautiful at sunset.
Nebotičnik Skyscraper – This prominent high-rise building is located in the centre of Ljubljana and was once the tallest residential building in Europe, with its thirteen storeys rising to a height of 70.35m. It was designed by the Slovenian architect Vladimir Šubic for the Pension Institute, the building’s investor, and was opened on 21 February 1933. Head to the building staircase for a view all the way down, or enjoy a drink on the outdoor terrace.
Sunday Flea Market – A charming flea market takes place every Sunday morning along the riverside on and around Cobbler’s Bridge (on Breg). Here you can find an extraordinary range of antique goods and bric-a-brac to interesting Slovenian memorabilia.
To Escape
Soča Valley – A couple of hours from Ljubljana the Soča Valley is a 138-kilometre long river that flows through western Slovenia and northeastern Italy. Here you can enjoy fresh Alpine hikes, whitewater rafting and other outdoor sports. One of the best walks is from Kobarid to Slap Kozjak where you can visit an impressive waterfall for €4 per person and see Napoleon’s Bridge. We came to the Soča Valley to try the destination restaurant Hiša Franko run by inspiring chef Ana Ros, a must for all foodies visiting Slovenia. She also owns the casual eatery Hiša Polonka with her husband; here you can try the delicious local craft beer paired with the hearty traditional dish – cheese and potato frika.
Lake Bled – Just 40 minutes outside of Ljubljana is one of the countries best-known and most beautiful natural wonders. Lake Bled is a lake in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region of northwestern Slovenia, where it adjoins the town of Bled. Here you can trek up to Mala Osojnica for a magnificent viewpoint, take a boat to Bled Island (€15pp return), and enjoy wild swimming. Don’t leave without trying the famous and indulgent Bled cake (a light cake with layers of pastry, whipped cream and custard).
