Flight to Ljubljana (LJU)

Flying to Ljubljana: tips and information for your trip

Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, is one of Europe’s greenest and most livable cities. The city centre is car-free with the streets given over to pedestrians and cyclists. An active clubbing scene and cafés along the banks of the river Ljubljanica give the city a young and hipster vibe. But it’s mainly thanks to a mix of architectural designs including baroque facades and the 20th-century architecture of native Jože Plečnik that Ljubljana is considered to be a hidden gem in Central Europe.

What to do in Ljubljana?

1. The National and University Library is one of Slovenia’s most important educational institutions and architect Jože Plečnik’s true masterpiece. It was completed in 1941 and houses over 2.6 million books. Even though the architecture follows the Renaissance architectural rules, you’ll find yourself in quite an atypical building with grey and black marble columns.
   
   
2. Ljubljana Castle is an architectural mishmash on top of a 375m-high hill east of the Old Town. The easiest way to reach the castle is by funicular, which leaves not far from Vodnik Square, but you are also free to explore the castle grounds and walk all the way up to the top. Head to the Watchtower for some of the most beautiful city views and visit the Chapel of St. George, the Slovenian History Exhibition or the Puppet Theatre to brush up on your culture.
   
   
3. Alternative music, urban street art and an autonomous cultural centre: Metelkova is a one-of-a-kind town within a city and probably one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Ljubljana. This abandoned Slovenian military barracks has its own vibe, bizarre buildings and curious art installations. It’s weird in a good-way, a place for everyone to hang out together and, as soon as the sun sets, where you’ll find some of the city’s best nightlife.
   
   
4. Ljubljana’s Central Market consists of both an open-air market and an indoor market. The market is open every day except on Sunday and is a popular meeting point for the locals. The market building was designed by Slovenia’s famous architect Jože Plečnik and stretches between the beautiful Dragon Bridge and the Triple Bridge.
   
   
5. About an hour away from Ljubljana you’ll find yourself in picture-perfect Lake Bled. With its bluish-green lake, pine forests and a small church in the middle of an islet, this place is every bit as lovely in real life. If you’re a fan of hiking, biking or canyoning, a visit to Lake Bled and its surroundings is a must.
   
   
6. The 2864m limestone peak of Mount Triglav in the Julian Alps has been an inspiration for more than a millennium – it even appears on the country’s flag. It was also believed that the mountain was the home of a three-headed deity who ruled the sky, earth and underworld. If you’re planning to climb Slovenia’s highest peak, be prepared and well informed upfront. The hike up has some steep and exposed sections in the last part, but you won’t be disappointed if you’re up for a challenge.

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flights arrive at and depart from Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, located 26km north of the Slovenian capital.  
  
• Currency: Euro
• Country dialling code and Wi-Fi access: Slovenia’s country code is +386. Simobil, Telekom Slovenija and Telemach are the largest mobile carriers and offer cheap, prepaid SIM cards. As Slovenia is a member of the European Union, there is free roaming for all EU-citizens.
• Electric sockets: The power plugs and sockets in Slovenia are of type F, while the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
• Travel Information: European Union and North American citizens don’t need a visa for a stay of less than 90 days in Slovenia; a passport is sufficient.

Dos and Don’ts in Ljubljana

• The city centre is car-free. The best way around is on foot or bicycle. It is also hard to hail a cab on the street in Ljubljana – you have to go to assigned parking places or call for one.
• If you plan to travel across Slovenia, you have several options: the train network runs across the country to Austria and Croatia, and the bus network reaches parts of the country not covered by the train network. If you plan to rent a car and drive in Slovenia, you will have to purchase a vignette to be allowed to drive on the highways.
• Respect the local opening hours. Shops close at 8pm in Ljubljana.

Some Slovenian vocabulary

The official and national language is Slovene. Although some of the words might be similar to Russian, Czech or Polish, most Slovenians don’t speak these languages. In bigger cities like Ljubljana, you will be fine using English. But learn a few words in the local lingo and impress the locals!

• Ljubljana : the name of the capital is pronounced lub-lee-yana.
• Hello : zdravo
• Thank you : Hvala vam
• Cheers: na zdravje
• Do you speak English? : Govoriš angleško?
• Please : Prosim
• Yes : da
• No : ne
• Goodbye : Nasvidenje
• How much is this? : Koliko je to?

When to visit Ljubljana?

Slovenia offers something for everyone all year round, whether you head for the mountains or the coast. Summer is the most popular season for visitors – the weather is at its most reliable and ideal for biking, hiking and other adventure sports. The streets of Ljubljana also come alive with locals flocking to outdoor cafes or having picnics in parks or by the river. Outside the summer months, spring and autumn offer resplendent colours in the countryside while the crowds in the city are thinner and hotel prices lower. Winter brings heavy snowfall and there are excellent skiing opportunities in the northwest of the country.

What to eat in Ljubljana?

Slovenia’s cuisine is a charming mix of influences from its neighbouring countries. The country’s geographical position means that the Slovenian kitchen offers fresh fish from the Adriatic Sea as well as meat, vegetables and lots of fruit. The daily fare also includes freshly baked bread, cured meats and cheese.

• The most classic Slovenian dish is Štruklji – essentially boiled or baked dumplings with various types of fillings, from cheese to fruit. It’s a hearty dish and the most popular filling in Slovenia is tarragon.
• Kremšnita, from the Bled area, is probably the most famous of the country’s sweet delights. If you like layers of fresh cream and thick, rich custard between crispy pastry, you’re in for a treat.
• Another popular option is prekmurska gibanica – a multi-layered pastry with poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, raisins and quark. If you’re visiting during a festive period, be sure to try potica: a sweet bread usually filled with ground walnuts.

Slovenia also produces its own wines, and has vineyards from the coastal Primorska region to the more inland Štajerska region that has a slightly cooler climate. Some of the more famous varieties include Teran, Refošk, Sivi Pinot and Zelen.