Ljubljana City Guide
Image by Aleš Kravos via wikipedia

Slovenia

Ljubljana City Guide

Ljubljana City Municipality

Ljubljana is Slovenia's capital, set between the Alps and the Adriatic. The city center is mostly car-free, with the Ljubljanica River running through it. It's known for a relaxed pace, good infrastructure, and a mix of old charm and youthful energy, making it a solid spot for travelers and remote workers.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Local dishes include Carniolan sausage, štruklji, and potica. There are international options like Italian and Asian food. Vegan and vegetarian options are growing. Late-night food is available near the center and student areas.

Local Dishes:
Carniolan sausage, Štruklji, Potica
International Cuisine:
Italian, Asian, Balkan
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Nightlife is varied with pubs, wine bars, clubs, and cultural spots mainly in Old Town and Metelkova Mesto.

Coffee Culture
Excellent
8

Strong coffee scene with traditional and specialty cafes offering relaxed vibes.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is not required but appreciated. Usually 5-10% in restaurants if satisfied, rounding up taxis common.

Top Attractions
Ljubljana Castle
historic
Historic castle accessible by funicular with city views.
Triple Bridge
landmark
Iconic pedestrian bridge over the Ljubljanica River.
Dragon Bridge
landmark
Famous bridge decorated with dragon statues.
Prešeren Square
cultural
Central square and gathering place in Old Town.
Tivoli Park
park
Largest park with paths and green spaces.
Central Market
market
Fresh produce and local goods market by the river.
Lake Bled
nature
Iconic nearby lake with an island and castle.
Postojna Cave
nature
Famous cave system with guided tours.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are easy to get at the airport, mobile stores, or some supermarkets. Major providers are Telekom Slovenije, A1, and Telemach. ID is needed to activate.

Available at:
Telekom Slovenije
A1
Telemach
Airport shops
Some supermarkets
Recommended Apps
LPP(transport)
Kavalir(transport)
Bolt(transport)
Wolt(food)
Google Maps(navigation)
Nextbike(transport)
Visit Ljubljana(travel)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
9

Known for cleanliness and efficient waste management, especially in the city center.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Some pharmacies and minimarts open 24/7, plus late-night fast food options, but overall 24/7 services are limited.

Groceries
Mercator
Spar
Hofer
Lidl
Tuš

Supermarkets like Mercator, Spar, Hofer, Lidl, and Tuš offer local and international products. Central Market has fresh produce and local items. Shops usually open 7-9 AM to 8-9 PM weekdays and Saturdays; shorter hours or closed Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most shops and restaurants accept cards, but carrying some cash helps for markets and smaller places.

ATMs

ATMs are common in banks and shopping centers, including NLB, Nova KBM, and SKB. Fees depend on your bank and ATM operator.

Schools
International

Local schools teach in Slovenian. International schools include QSI International and British International School with English curricula. Early application is advised.

Available Schools:
QSI International School Ljubljana
British International School Ljubljana

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
7
Available Spaces:
ABC Hub
Located in BTC City with memberships and events.
Poligon Creative Centre
Flexible workspaces popular among creatives.
Kreativni center Švicarija
Studios for artists; sometimes open to others.
Impact Hub Ljubljana
Focuses on social innovation and startups.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Čokl Cafe
Specialty coffee with a relaxed vibe.
Kavarna Rog
Spacious with good internet.
Moderna
Quiet, near the Modern Gallery.
Slovenska hiša
Traditional cafe with good atmosphere.
Magda
Central location, popular spot.
Tozd
Cozy cafe by the river.
Alternatives:
National and University Library (NUK)
Quiet reading rooms with Wi-Fi.
City Library of Ljubljana
Study areas across several branches.
Hotel lobbies
Comfortable seating and Wi-Fi for quiet work.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
5

The digital nomad scene is growing but still small. Some coworking spaces and meetups are available.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
9

Excellent green spaces like Tivoli Park and riverbanks provide parks and walking routes.

Running
Excellent
9

Good running routes along the river, in Tivoli Park, and the city’s circular trail (PST). City is safe for runners.

Gyms
Available

Multiple gyms and sports centers offer classes and equipment.

Available Gyms:
Fitnes Center Top Fit
BTC City Fitness
Gymnasium Ljubljana
Športni center Millenium
Fitness Ema
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts are available with booking systems; padel courts are growing in number.

Padel
Limited
5

Padel is gaining popularity with dedicated courts emerging.

Yoga
Good
7

Yoga studios offer various styles with many English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Multiple dojos offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, and boxing. English spoken in some gyms.

Skiing
Good
7

Several ski resorts nearby like Krvavec, Stari Vrh, and Vogel, reachable within 1.5 hours with slopes for all levels.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular on the Ljubljanica River and at nearby lakes Bled and Bohinj.

Surfing
Poor
1

Slovenia's coastline is calm; no surf spots near Ljubljana.

Diving
Poor
2

Limited diving opportunities mainly in lakes and rivers; not a diving destination.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Public and private options available, with many English-speaking professionals, especially in private clinics. University Medical Centre Ljubljana is the largest hospital. Pharmacies (lekarne) generally operate regular hours, some 24/7.

Hospitals:
University Medical Centre Ljubljana
Pharmacies:
Lekarna Ljubljana
Lekarna Celovška
Lekarna Bežigrad
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe and of high quality.

Common Scams
Pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots, Overcharging by unofficial taxi drivers

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
9

The city has many playgrounds and kid-friendly cafes. Attractions like Ljubljana Castle, Tivoli Park, and the House of Experiments are popular with families.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
7

Ljubljana is relatively accepting with some LGBTQ+ venues and events, but discrimination still occurs occasionally.

Pet Friendly
Excellent
8

Many parks allow dogs; pet-friendly accommodations and services are common.

Communities
Expats in Ljubljana (expat)
Digital Nomads Slovenia (nomad)
Ljubljana Foodies (food)
Ljubljana Events (events)

Quick Facts

Population
284,293
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power supply is reliable with rare and short outages; modern infrastructure.

Mountains
Available

Mountains surround the city; easy access to nearby Alps and hiking trails.

Languages
Slovenian(100%)
English(75%)
German(25%)
Italian(15%)
Emergency
112
Emergency Services
113
Police

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
6

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Smoke/haze
December, January, February
Winter temperature inversions can cause smoke and lower air quality.
Extreme heat
July, August
Summers can be hot, with occasional heatwaves.
Flooding
Spring, Autumn
Ljubljanica River may flood after heavy rain, but city center flood control helps prevent issues.

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