 Ljubljana, Slovenia tops our list in many categories. It’s affordable, a burgeoning food destination, boasts an excellent arts and culture scene, and has character to boot. This Central European destination offers everything a booming metropolis does, yet maintains its small-town feel complete with friendly, welcoming locals. Here's what we love about it. 1. You can stay active. Ljubljana is a city that coincides with nature and offers excellent opportunities for active exploring. The city center is closed to vehicle traffic and extremely walkable. One of the best (and most fun!) ways to see the city is by bicycle. You can also paddle through the city on the Ljubljanica River which winds through the center of the city. Ljubljana is quite green and has many hills covered in forest and criss-crossed by multi-use recreational trails. 2. Cultural immersion. Vibrant Ljubljana is a city of rich creativity. A wide variety of festivals, cultural happenings and open-air events take place throughout the year. In addition to being home to numerous theaters, museums and galleries, the city boasts one of the oldest philharmonic societies in the world. The first music society in Slovenia, the Academia Philharmonicorum, was founded in 1701. Its honorary members included such world renowned composers as Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms, and distinguished musicians such as the violinist Nicolo Paganini. Between 1881 and 1882, at the very start of his career, Gustav Mahler was its resident conductor. 3. The café culture. Do as the locals do! After a Saturday visit to the Ljubljana market or the Sunday flea market, enjoy a morning coffee or an evening chat with friends at the many cafés along the banks of the Ljubljanica.  4. Ljubljana Castle. Standing on a hill above the city for about 900 years, this castle is Ljubljana's primary landmark. Its Outlook Tower and ramparts offer some of the most beautiful views of the city. In addition to its great architectural and historical significance, the Ljubljana Castle houses a museum exhibition on Slovenian history, a puppet museum, and a number of historical rooms such as the Chapel of St George, the Prison, and a video presentation room called Virtual Castle. Let us book your Old Town & Castle Tour. You'll begin in the lower town where you'll spend a little over two hours visiting main sites of the Classic City Tour with your guide before ascending up to the hilltop castle by funicular. Or discover the heritage of Slovenia’s other castles, all of them offer fascinating stories and experiences. 5. It's a year-round destination. Slovenia’s climate has a mixture of Alpine and Mediterranean characteristics. Ljubljana is characterized by a typical European continental climate, similar to the western US, with warm, dry summers and fairly cold winters. Average July temperatures across the country are around 70°F, while average January temperatures are around 32°F. While summer sparkles, you might decide the best time to visit is the spring or fall. If you enjoy traveling around the holiday season, Ljubljana in December feels like a fairytale. In the run-up to Christmas and New Year, the streets and squares are decked out in their festive garb. They are filled with merry locals and visitors from all over the world. Relish the bustling Christmas Market and numerous free events. 6. The food. Ljubljana has experienced a gastronomic rebirth in recent years. Slovenia is more than just the country of celebrity chef Ana Roš: self-taught, Michelin-star studded, female chef. The creative blending of local, seasonally produced ingredients with traditional recipes under modern approaches is characteristic of top chefs from Ljubljana and the surrounding area. Is your mouth watering yet? We’d recommend our favorite Ljubljana Food Tour! We can include this delicious experience on your personalized itinerary.  7. The architecture. Ljubljana experienced a huge earthquake in 1895 which destroyed a lot of their historic center. That’s why many of the buildings are more modern. The mark left on Ljubljana by the famous architect Jože Plečnik (1872-1957) is often equated to that left on Barcelona by Antoni Gaudí. Plečnik’s notable works, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, include the National and University Library, the embankments and bridges of the river Ljubljanica, the central market complex, the Križanke Summer Theatre and some elements of the urban design of the city center. It’s said that Plečnik’s work is what makes the Ljubljania skyline identifiable. 8. Nature. In Ljubljana, the green countryside extends right into the city center. From there you can climb up into the nearby hills – covered by forest and criss-crossed by recreational trails. A completely new world opens up on Ljubljana’s doorstep. The green surroundings of the capital city are characterized by: authenticity, beautiful countryside and genuine rural hospitality. Take time to visit Velika Planina, an Alpine pasture with the oldest herdsmen’s settlement in Europe. Nearby UNESCO natural sites include the Škocjan Caves, an astounding natural phenomenon. Holding their own alongside the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos Islands, and Mount Everest, these caves contain the largest known underground canyon in the world. A breathtaking site to behold! And the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians, by name alone, already has us in awe. Similar to the Sequoia National Park in the United States, these Beech forests are protected ancient growth forests and hugely significant ecosystems. Sprawling through 18 countries to include Slovenia, many of these beech forests have persisted without interruption or interference since the last ice age. Bottom line(s): Ljubljana is an attractive and friendly city with a green soul. No matter what you fancy, it has art, culture, architecture, scenery, music, and delectable food. It has a relaxed vibe and is a pleasant place to be for residents and visitors alike. If you’re looking for a unique destination, we can help you find out what makes Ljubljana so special.  Comments are closed.
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