Recent Blogs Created
Recent blogs created by our usersThere are currently 0 users online.
 |
Jan
10
Ljubljana Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Slovenia
A trip to Ljubljana
Ljubljana, famous for its architectural beauty and history, is the capital of the small country of Slovenia. Mixing European and Mediterranean flair, the city’s history dates back to the Roman era, but Ljubljana perhaps blossomed most during the Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau periods. The city boasts some of the most beautiful Baroque buildings and monuments in Europe. Ljubljana is served by Joze Pucnik Airport, located just outside the city centre.
Flights to Ljubljana
Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport is located some 20 miles northeast of the city centre and is Slovenia’s main airport. The airport handles roughly one million passengers a year and offers direct connections to most major European cities, as well as to the former Yugoslavia, Turkey and Israel. To get to the city centre, visitors can use the public bus which leaves the airport hourly and goes to the main bus station in the city. There are also several private airport shuttle buses on offer as well and taxis are available outside the Arrivals Terminal. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Ljubljana try Thomas Cook.
For getting around Ljubljana, there is a good network of city buses. Additionally, the city has been discussing the reintroduction of trams and the building of a light rail system, to improve congested. Taxis are also an inexpensive way to get around the city. Otherwise, the old town can easily be explored on foot.
Ljubljana
Sightseeing in Ljubljana
The city balances the new with the old, with the old town offering visitors an opportunity to see what Ljubljana was like in the old days while strolling. Here, there are monuments and buildings combining Medieval, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. A must-visit is the Ljubljana Castle, which can now reached by funicular. The Baroque-style Robba Fountain, built by Venetian sculptor Francesco Robba, stands proud in front of the Town Hall. The interior of the Cathedral of St Nicholas is of Baroque splendour and beauty.
For indoor attractions, seek out the National Gallery or the Museum of Modern Art. Ljubljana is also known for its numerous squares and Pogacarjev trg square, as part of the city’s Central Market, is one of the most important. Other interesting squares include Presernov trg and Kongresni trg squares.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Known as a city of culture, Ljubljana has a lot offer night owls. During the summer months many open-air cafés and bars spring into action, where people can sit and enjoy the views along the Ljubljana River. There is also the Ljubljana Casino, where visitors can not only gamble, but also enjoy good food and drink. The music scene is varied, with jazz and dance clubs, and classical music and theatre abundant.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Shopping is fun and varied in Ljubljana. The old town of Ljubljana showcases small shops, many of which have been around for decades. Here you can stroll along the cobblestone streets and enjoy looking at antique shops and galleries. Don’t miss the open air market along the Ljubljanica River, which was designed by Joze Plecnik. On Sundays, there is a large flea market which specialises in antiques and knick-knacks. Just outside the city centre is a large shopping centre, BTC City, for those that need that mall feeling.
Daytrips
Ljubljana is well placed and there are a number of interesting daytrips that can be arranged from the city. One of the best is a trip to the beautiful Postojna caves, one of the world’s most accessible networks of caves. Visitors can take guided walks through the caves and catch glimpses of the rare ‘human fish’.
The stunning Bohinj Valley is easily reached from Ljubljana. Here the emerald-green Bohinj Lake is set off with a backdrop of Mt Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak, and the majestic 13th century St Johns Church sits nearby. You can ride up Mt Vogul to enjoy breathtaking views of the valley below.
A day’s travel from the city will take you to the charming seaside town of Piran, with its quaint Venetian architecture and medieval old town. Delightful fish restaurants line the coast of the Adriatic and catamarans run regularly from here to Italy’s Trieste.
Must-see attractions
One of Ljubljana’s must-see attractions is the massive Tivoli Park, the city’s largest recreational area. Visitors can explore the grand Tivoli Mansion and the lovely Jakopic Promenade area-built by much loved architect Joze Plecnik.
Boasting a huge collection of over 4,500 species, the city’s Botanical Garden is a must-see for lovers of nature. Or you could take a trip to the zoo which is located on the slopes of the Rožnik Hill, and home to a number of animal species from the Mediterranean, Alpine and Pannonian regions.
For outdoor adventures, head to the lone mountain of Šmarna Gora, where you can climb the summit in around an hour to enjoy panoramic views of the Ljubljana Basin below. Or explore the gorge of Iški Vintgar, full of interesting rock formations and alpine plants and flowers.
Best time to go
Ljubljana enjoys warm summers, with lots of hot, sunny days cooled with pleasant breezes from the Mediterranean. Because the city is surrounded by karst and sub-Alpine regions, the winter months tend to be cold and wet, with foggy air hanging low over the city. Held every summer throughout the months of June and August, the Ljubljana Festival is a great time to visit the city and see world-acclaimed artists and performers.
Rainy day suggestions
If you are visiting out of high season, then you will probably want to incorporate a few indoor attractions into your itinerary as the weather can be cold and damp. The neo-Renaissance National Museum is of interest to lovers of archaeology, while the fascinating house of Joze Plecnik-the man responsible for much of the city’s planning-is also worth a visit.
Comments
Leave a Reply
-
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
