Ljubljana may be one of Europe’s smaller capitals, but that’s part of its charm. The Old Town is compact enough to explore on foot, the Ljubljanica River runs right through the center, and Ljubljana Castle watches over it all from the hill above.
If you’re spending two days in Ljubljana in winter, here’s the itinerary we created for our own trip. We hope it helps you make the most of your winter weekend getaway.
Day 1: Arrive in Ljubljana
Ljubljana is compact enough to enjoy in just 2 days, which makes it perfect for a winter weekend getaway.
Getting to Ljubljana
The best way to get to the city depends on where you’re coming from. Buses and trains connect Ljubljana with cities throughout Europe. Find all transportation options here.
If you’re traveling a long distance like we did, check the train schedule for an overnight option. Winter days are short, and we’d rather sleep on the train than waste most of the daylight getting there.
The sun sets early in winter—as early as about 4:16 pm in December.
Dinner at the Christmas Market in Preseren Square
Ljubljana’s Christmas market is part of the city’s Festive December celebrations, which begin around the start of Advent and continue into early January.
If you want to get into the festive spirit during this time, the Christmas Market in Preseren Square is sure to put you in the mood. It reminded us of the Christmastime festivities in Prague and Vienna, minus the hordes of tourists.
💡 TIP: Festive December includes free concerts and events around the city center, so be sure to check the program while you’re there.
The market spills along the Ljubljanica River as well as through the surrounding streets and squares, with lights reflected in the water and stalls lining the riverbanks. It feels much more spread out than the Christmas markets that are packed into a single square.
After exploring the stalls, let your nose guide you to dinner. And I don’t mean at a restaurant. We recommend trying some of the meals from the food trucks and food stalls scattered throughout the market.
Dessert or a night out on the town
If you’re in the mood for an adult beverage besides the hot toddies they sell at Christmas markets, we really enjoyed this Slovenian wine tasting. Slovenia produces a surprising variety of wines for such a small country, and it’s your chance to try local varietals that you probably won’t find on wine lists back home.
Afterward, head to Kavarna Cacao for a little dessert. Just a short walk from Preseren Square, this ice cream shop has a terrace that overlooks the Ljubljanica River, making it the perfect spot for evening views. They serve some of the best ice-cream in town so don’t miss out on this treat.
Day 2: Tour Old Town Ljubljana
On your second day in Ljubljana, spend some time exploring the city on foot. The center is compact and easy to get around, and walking gives you a better chance of spotting the little courtyards, side streets, and other details you’d miss from a car. Several local guides offer walking tours through Ljubljana, and you can find many of them on Viator.
Ljubljana Old Town is one of the top tourist destinations in Slovenia, and with its charming atmosphere and picturesque buildings, you’ll want to photograph everything.
Since we’ve already tried and tested the route, here’s our suggested plan to see it all.
💡 PRO TIP: If you plan to visit several paid attractions, the Ljubljana Card includes 30+ sights and activities, along with unlimited city bus travel.
Explore Preseren Square
Many Ljubljana landmarks are centered around Preseren Square, so if there’s an event going on in Ljubljana there’s a good chance it will happen in this space.
Even during Christmas market season, there is often live music playing in the square to entertain the locals and tourists Your first few activities for the day are located in Preseren Square and don’t require much walking.
Many of Ljubljana’s buildings in the area were built during the 12th century, so you’ll be looking back on hundreds of years’ worth of architectural history. Sadly, many had to be rebuilt after an earthquake decimated the city in 1895.
Main sights around Prešeren Square include:
- the red, Baroque-style Franciscan Church of the Annunciation.
- Hauptmann’s House, one of the few buildings in Prešeren Square to have survived the earthquake of 1895.
- Ljubljana’s unique and iconic Triple Bridge,
- the Italianate Central Pharmacy, a cafe frequented by intellectuals in the 19th century.
- Palača Urbanc building (1903), now a fancy department store.
- The Prešeren Monument, a statue of Slovene national poet France Prešeren, who wrote the lyrics for the national anthem. (If you look carefully at the building the statue is facing, you’ll see a terracotta figure peeking out from a window. She represents Preseren’s love interest, who once lived there.)
Spend some time in Congress Square
A 3-minute walk from Preseren Square is the impressive Congress Square. In warmer weather, this quiet green space in the middle of the Old Town is the perfect place for a picnic. People like to come here to sit and relax before heading on their way.
There’s plenty more to see in the square. Take in the beautiful sounds from the music pavilion while admiring the gilded bronze statue of a Roman patrician. If that’s not enough, take a look inside the Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity, which stands on the square.
The University of Ljubljana is across the square. Founded in 1919, it’s Slovenia’s oldest and largest university.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, there is a wonderful variety of cafes in the area. Presnica Take-Away is one of these cafes. It serves a delightful assortment of snacks, smoothies, and beverages that are sure to satisfy the palate.
Explore the National and University Library
From the Square, make your way to the National University Library. It’s most famous for containing a variety of medieval manuscripts and Renaissance prints. The architecture of the building has strong Italian influences and is absolutely stunning.
Although the building was built between 1936 and 1941, it looks a lot older due to its architectural style. The building is fun to explore and makes for a great stop along your journey. Tourist visits are free on weekdays, while there’s a small admission charge on Saturdays. Check the NUK visitor information for current hours before you go.
Admiring the architecture of the building is the main attraction, but you can also browse their collection of famous books. Many of the books are written in Slovenian, Hungarian, and Italian, but there is a large portion of English books too.
Cross Cobblers Bridge
From the National University Library, your next stop should definitely be Cobblers Bridge. This bridge was built between 1931 and 1932. It connects two of the major parts of medieval Ljubljana – Mestni Trg and Novi Trg squares.
The bridge is lined with different sized pillars, topped with a stone ball. The pillars toward the center of the bridge are slightly shorter and hold lamps. This gives the bridge an incredibly unique look. Stop here to enjoy the views, snap a selfie, and then cross over to the other side of the river.
Visit Ljubljana Cathedral
After crossing the bridge, walk up to Mestni Trg, turn left and head to Ljubljana Cathedral. The current cathedral was built between 1701 and 1706, and while it’s not much to look at from the outside, the inside is absolutely stunning.
Murals cover the ceiling and there are many ornate gold ornaments that decorate the ceiling and walls. It contains frescoes by the well-renowned artist of the 18th century, Giulio Quaglio. The cathedral is better known as the church of St. Nicholas and is an absolute must-visit during your Ljubljana winter short break.
Tourist visiting hours vary by day and can change for services and other events, so check the cathedral’s current visiting hours before you go.
Take the funicular
Once you’ve marveled at the cathedral’s beauty, follow the road to the funicular station. The funicular is almost entirely made from glass, providing spectacular views of the city below while on the funicular.
Be sure to take your camera along for the ride, as you’ll be able to get a few epic shots along the way. At the top of the funicular, you’ll come to a castle. This is the perfect place to do a little more Ljubljana sightseeing.
Explore Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle has been standing on the hill above the city for about 900 years and is one of the city’s main attractions. The castle has an Outlook Tower that offers spectacular views over the city, while the inside serves as a museum of Slovenian history, as well as a puppet museum.
There are plenty of historical rooms such as the Chapel of St George and the prison. As well as a room, called the Virtual Castle, dedicated to showing video presentations about the castle and its history.
The castle grounds also host art exhibitions and contain a cafe, a wine bar, and restaurants. So, there’s plenty more to do at the castle than just learn a bunch of history facts. They hold a variety of cultural events on the grounds every year, so be sure to check their check their website. You may be in time for something special.
Cross The River’s Stunning Bridges
The river is dotted with beautiful bridges that you’ll be crossing throughout the day. They provide great photo opportunities and connect the area so effectively.
Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge is adorned with famous dragon statues which make it a must-see during your short winter break in Ljubljana. Be sure to take a picture of these incredible dragons. This is something of a right of passage for many tourists visiting the city.
The bridge is a prime example of Art Nouveau architecture, which was so popular at the turn of the 20th century.
Butcher’s Bridge
If you turn left after crossing Dragon Bridge and continue along the river, you’ll come to Butchers Bridge (Slovene: Mesarski most). The bridge is also commonly referred to as Lovers’ Bridge, because couples often come to the bridge to attach a padlock to either of its sides. They then throw the key into the water below as a symbol of eternal love.
Butcher’s Bridge was built in 2010, and it connects Central Market to the Petkovškovo nabrežje embankment on the other side of the river. The bridge is adorned with statues and sculptures from the famed Slovenian artist Jakov Brdar. These sculptures depict characters from Christian, Jewish and ancient Greek mythology. This is a great place to take a few more memorable photos.
Triple Bridge
After crossing Butchers Bridge back to the other side of the river, turn right. A short 3-minute walk along the river will find you at Triple Bridge. This bridge, as the name suggests, is actually three different bridges, and the central one has been there since 1842.
The two on either side were added in the 20th century and were intended for pedestrian use, to stop a bottleneck occurring on the main bridge. If you’re interested in learning a little more about the are, meet up with the free walking tours. The guides depart from Triple Bridge at regular intervals throughout the day.
Very often you’ll find the bridge packed with tourists as it’s a central location that seems to attract crowds. Vendors sell grilled corn on either side of the bridge and you’ll notice musicians playing their instruments for the enjoyment of the crowds.
This famous Ljubljana attraction is the perfect way to end off your second day in the city whilst mingling with the tourists and locals that frequent the area.
Cross Triple Bridge back to Preseren Square where you’ll end your walking tour for the day.
If you’re looking for a cafe to go for a drink after your day of touring Ljubljana, be sure to check out Kavarna Tromostovje. It’s conveniently situated in view of Triple Bridge and serves a wonderful variety of cocktails. The perfect place to relax after all that walking.
What to pack for Ljubljana in winter
If you’re visiting Ljubljana during the winter months, we have an entire article about packing for winter in Europe. It includes links to travel clothing for both men and women.
Here are the things that you’ll find absolutely essential.
- Rain jacket – Ljubljana gets rain throughout the year, so prepare yourself for wet conditions. Layering is often easier under a rain jacket than it is under a winter coat.
- Walking shoes – You’ll likely spend most of your time walking around the city, so be sure to take walking shoes that you know will keep your feet comfortable.
- Fleece-lined leggings – Ljubljana gets cold in winter. These will keep you warm and be comfortable to walk in.
- Waterproof snow boots – If you plan on venturing into the snow during your trip, bring waterproof snow boots. It’s no fun having wet feet when you’re trekking through thick snow.
- Wool socks – Keeping your feet warm will increase your overall body temperature. Yay.
- Beanie – Your head and ears should be kept warm at all times in cold weather. Having a high-quality beanie on hand should do the trick.
Final thoughts on Ljubljana in winter
Ljubljana turned out to be an easy city to enjoy in winter. Two days gave us enough time to explore the Old Town, see the main sights, ride up to the castle, and still have time to linger over food and drinks along the river.
If you have more time in Slovenia, lucky you. But if Ljubljana is all you can fit in, two days is enough to get a very good taste of the city.
💡 Want more winter trip ideas?
In the U.S., we’ve covered the best New England winter getaways, things to do in NYC in winter, warm winter vacations in the USA, and the top day trips from Orlando and Miami.
For Europe, there are the best European Christmas markets, Christmas in Crete, and places to visit in Europe in December. We also have cold-weather guides to Vienna, Munich, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Zagreb, and Ljubljana, plus a winter packing list and a guide to European Christmas food traditions to try.
For winter in the Southern Hemisphere, we’ve covered the best ski resorts in Australia.
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