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WATCH NOW: Things to Do in Ljubljana
It might be no coincidence that the Slovenian word ‘ljubljena‘, means ‘the beloved‘. Ljubljana is affectionately known as the City of Love. Maybe because when you visit you can’t help but fall in love with its charm and eloquence. Or maybe it’s because it’s the perfect town to explore with your significant other. We think it’s a little bit of both! So grab your sweetheart and start planning your trip to Slovenia’s capital city as we share with you…
15 Romantic Things to do in Ljubljana
Discover the City Together
Walk Along the River
The Ljubljanica River meanders its way through the fairytale-like village of Ljubljana crossing under several bridges that connect the two sides of the city. Among the most popular bridges are Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and Butchers’ Bridge, better known as Ljubljana’s love bridge. Stroll hand-in-hand along the riverfront as you and your loved one take in some of the most beautiful views in the city.
Admire the City’s Architecture
The city’s architecture is a mixture of styles, changing over the centuries as a result of multiple devastating earthquakes. Some of the oldest architecture has been preserved from the Roman period. Following an early 16th century earthquake, much of the city was rebuilt in Baroque style. After another earthquake in the late 19th century, the city was once again rebuilt, this time in the Vienna Secession style, which now blends nicely with the Baroque style buildings that still remain. Walk through Ljubljana with your loved one and admire the city’s colorful facades.
Visit St Nicholas’ Church (Ljubljana Cathedral)
What makes visiting this church romantic is simply its beauty. Though we didn’t say a word to each other while standing with our necks craned toward the ceiling, it was a beautiful moment we shared as we admired the impressive handiwork.
Walk the Quiet Streets Early in the Morning
Wake up early and walk the quiet and relatively empty streets. There’s something calming and romantic about wandering through a city this beautiful with no one else but the love of your life!
Ride the Funicular up to the Castle
The city’s most prominent landmark, Ljubljana Castle, sits atop a forested hill in the middle of the city. Also included in the Ljubljana Card is a return trip on the castle’s funicular railway. The glass walls of the funicular car provide stunning views over the city for the quick 1-minute ride to the top.
Watch the Sunset from the Castle Outlook Tower
Following a romantic dinner at the castle, we enjoyed the sunset from the castle’s outlook tower (also included in the Ljubljana Card). Climb the spiral staircase to the top for outstanding panoramic views over the city and surrounding area, including the Julian Alps in the distance.
Dine Together
Enjoy a Lovely Dinner at the Castle
Enjoy a royal dinner fit for a king and queen at Gostilna na Gradu, located inside the castle courtyard. We started with fresh bread served with 3 different spreads: cream cheese with herbs, butter, and a chicken pate. Next up was a meat plate containing smoked trout with apple and horseradish, roast beef with olive oil, klabasa with horseradish, and bread with cream cheese and tomato. Then we enjoyed a small serving of cream cheese ravioli with eggplant, served with caviar, truffles and a tomato cream sauce. For the main course, Sam enjoyed a lamb meatloaf, along with a piece of lamb, cabbage strudel, and roasted potatoes. I had sea bass with mashed green beans and mashed potatoes, served with a homemade creamy mayonnaise and mint (pictured below). We somehow found room for dessert and enjoyed a walnut strudel topped with cinnamon and served with baked apple ice cream.
Pack a Picnic Lunch with Goods from the Local Market
Ljubljana has several markets, including the popular Central Market which spans the entire breadth of the Ljubljanica River embankment from Triple Bridge to Dragon Bridge. Vendors come together to sell textile goods, flowers, fruits and vegetables, and much much more. Once you’ve purchased a fresh collection of fruits, veggies, and other delicacies, head to a park or sit along the river embankment and enjoy a picnic lunch!
Visit the Open Kitchen Food Market
Another one of Ljubljana’s most notable markets is Open Kitchen which takes place on Fridays from mid-March to October. This market usually features around thirty different food vendors, including nearby restaurants, local farms, and independent chefs all proudly wanting to share their offerings with locals and tourists alike. It’s a great place to sip a glass of wine and sample the local delicacies with your sweetheart.
Enjoy a Meal Together at a Sidewalk Cafe/Restaurant
Ljubljana has a vibrant restaurant and cafe culture. Depending on your mood, your cravings, and your wallet, there is definitely no shortage of options. Sidewalk cafes and restaurants line many of the alleys and practically the entire riverfront. Despite the restaurants looking semi-empty in these photos, pretty much every seat is filled come dinner time!
Have Fun Together!
Hunt for Dragons
Ljubljana isn’t just the City of Love; it’s also the City of Dragons. Create your own little scavenger hunt and see who can spot the most dragons around town. You might see them in places you least expect…
Rent Bikes & Ride Around the City
There’s probably no better way to explore Ljubljana than by bike. 4-hours of free bike rental is included in the Ljubljana Card, so if you purchase one of these deal-saving cards, you’re good to go for an afternoon of fun and exploring! Ride around the city center or visit some of Ljubljana’s off the beaten path attractions.
Listen to Live Music & Dance in the Streets
During our visit, we enjoyed multiple (FREE) live music concerts and even happened upon a Salsa party in the streets! The Ljubljana Tourism Board offers a wealth of information, along with a jam-packed calendar of events, both on their website and in the two tourism offices found in the city center. There is definitely no shortage of things to do, so grab your partner and feel the rhythm!
Go on a Sunset Boat Tour
There is a 1-hour boat tour included in the Ljubljana Card. We recommend this simple ride during the day to get a feel for the city. For a more romantic journey accompanied with music and wine, book a separate evening and head out in the around sunset. It’s the perfect way to relax after a long day of exploring the city. And by the time the tour is over, you will see the city in a whole new light… literally!
Enjoy a Relaxing Stay at Adora Hotel
Following each exciting day in the City of Love we’d go back to the conveniently located Adora Hotel and fall asleep in each others arms. We stayed in their recently renovated apartments which provide home-like modern amenities (kitchen, dining room table, etc.) along with the personal touch of a boutique hotel.
->Check Availability & Current Prices for Adora Hotel<-
As you can see, there are plenty of romantic things to do in Ljubljana with your significant other. We’ll take it one step further and recommend that you explore even more of the absolutely stunning country of Slovenia. We can guarantee you will fall in LOVE with its beauty!
Discover Slovenia, a nature lover’s paradise in our video of this beautiful country:
We’d like to thanks the Ljubljana Tourism Board for providing us with a pair of Ljubljana City Cards and dinner at Gostilna na Gradu. We’d also like to thank Adora Hotel for a discounted rate on their stunning new apartments. This was all in exchange for us sharing our experiences with you. Whether sponsored or not, we wholeheartedly recommend this city to you. All opinions are our own. This post contains affiliate links, which simply means if you click on one of our links, we may receive a small fee, at no additional cost to you.