Between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps, the beautiful city of Ljubljana (Slovenia) located its possessions. This is the capital of the country, located on the banks of the Ljubljana River. The first records of the city are dated to the XII century. However, this region is much more years old. The first settlements, according to historians, date back to the II millennium BC.
Until 1918, Ljubljana was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, after which it became the heart of the then existing Kingdom. However, this status was unofficial, only after the end of World War II did the city receive official “powers”. He became the capital of the Republic of Slovenia.
Basic information about Ljubljana
The beautiful but very small city of Ljubljana is located on the banks of the river. The heart of this miniature capital was the castle of local feudal lords of Ljubljana Castle, located on the right bank. Today this place is necessarily included in any tourist program. This is not surprising – it is from here that the view of the whole of Ljubljana comes off.
The city, which is the main economic and cultural center of Slovenia, has a total of about 280 thousand inhabitants. Ljubljana spread its possessions for 275 km. sq. But this small space is enough to fit in one place a large number of attractions, beautiful and memorable places.
Europeans often visit Ljubljana, our compatriots only discover the beauty of Slovenia. Those who decide to relax here do not need to know the Slovenian language.
Many residents also speak English fluently, but the people who live near Italy and Austria are quite fluent in German and Italian.
A unique feature of Ljubljana is its popularity among students. About 60 thousand of them live here. This is not surprising, because it is here that the best university of Slovenia is located – University of Ljubljana (UL). It is he who is included in the 5% of the best academic ratings in the world. Foreigners are also taught various professions, however, they are only 4% of the total number of students. The cost of training, by the standards of Europe, is low – $ 2500 per year.
Tourists are interested in not only the photos of Ljubljana, but also the level of security of the city. Travelers can be calm – according to Reader’s Digest magazine, the capital of Slovenia is at the very top of the list of the safest places on the planet.
Tourist map of Ljubljana
The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is a very interesting city. You can order a lot of different excursions and spend a decent amount on it. However, there is a suggestion and it is better to use a special tourist card. This is a kind of a single ticket that allows you to get acquainted with various attractions of Ljubljana on favorable terms.
The electronic smart card is supplemented by a validation chip that will allow the user to go to specific places without payment. You can buy such an electronic card in special information centers, via the Internet or in hotels. It is offered by some services at a 10% discount.
Among the features and advantages of the card:
- Duration of use – you can purchase a card for 24, 48, 72 hours. The countdown of the action begins after the first use.
- You can use the card on city buses during the entire period of validity of the card. You can use the card to view attractions or other privileges once.
- It suggests the possibility of entering 19 museums, a zoo, galleries, etc.
- Allows you to use free wireless Internet for 24 hours.
- Free use of the network in STIC.
- Free bike ride (4 hours), tourist boat, cable car.
- Rent a digital guide and a free regular tour of the city accompanied by a guide.
- The total cost of the card for 24 hours is 27.00 € (for children under 14 years old – 16.00 €),
- 48 hours – 34,00 € (for children – 20,00 €),
- 78 hours – 39.00 € (children – 23.00 €).
When buying on the website www.visitljubljana.com, all types of cards offer a 10% discount.
Every day, every active tourist who visits sights, museums and memorial places, as well as travels around the city by bus, can save up to 100 euros.
Transport in Ljubljana
Numerous photos of Ljubljana (Slovenia) stimulate newly arrived tourists to explore numerous attractions. This means that you will need to use various modes of transport in order to have time everywhere and carefully study everything.
The city has a good location – it is located at a kind of crossroads of tourist roads.
Located near the Adriatic Sea, it lies on the way to Venice and Vienna. This fact often makes tourists stop by for a couple of days in the city for a passing inspection and acquaintance. Ljubljana has every reason to boast of its excellent roads and transport interchanges. Voyagers will have no difficulty choosing a transportation method.
It is from this place that many tourists begin acquaintance with the local regions. Just a 20-minute drive separates the main Slovenian airport (named after Jože Pučnik) from the city of Ljubljana. Flights to various countries of the world are most often organized by the Slovenian airline Adria Airways – it is quite reliable, it is one of the members of the Star Alliance international network.
You can get to the city from Ljubljana Airport by bus No. 28, which delivers passengers to the bus station. Buses run approximately once an hour, less often on weekends. The fare is 4.1 €. A taxi will cost you 40 €.
This is the most affordable and easiest way to travel, where you can also save on the condition of purchasing a tourist card, which we wrote about above. You can use transport cards, which are offered in the so-called “urbanomats” of green color. It is also sold in tobacco, newspaper, tourist stalls, post offices and information centers.
The card itself costs € 2.00. It is replenished for any amount of funds, given the fare of 1.20 €. An advantageous feature of such cards is that it allows you to make free transfers within the first 90 minutes of paying for the fare.
You can travel from Ljubljana here both for long and short distances. It is especially beneficial to travel within Slovenia, since in this case the transportation costs will be insignificant and the trips themselves short. From the capital you can reach other states: Austria and Germany, the Czech Republic and Croatia, Italy and Serbia. Trains also run to Hungary and Switzerland.
The following types of trains exist in Slovenia:
- Electrical – Primestni and Regionalni.
- International – Mednarodni.
- Intercity, which can also run between countries, is Intercity.
- Express trains – Intercity Slovenija.
- International Express – Eurocity.
- Night international express trains – EuroNight.
The fare will vary depending on the direction and travel time. For example:
- Maribor in the second class can be reached for 15 €.
- from Ljubljana to Koper, the cost of a ticket to Intercity (second class) will not exceed 10 €;
- and from Maribor to Kloper for 4 hours on the way you will need to pay 26 €.
All travelers can rent a vehicle if they turn to branches of the Slovenian company AMZS or foreign car rental locations.
Car enthusiasts who decide to travel by car will have to purchase a special vignette for the right to drive on the motorway that connects Slovenia with other countries. You can buy such permits at any gas stations, newsstands. So that the driver can freely navigate on the roads, special highways are marked with specific road signs.
Another type of transport that is convenient to use and does not harm the environment. You can choose a suitable “iron horse” in the club “Ljubljansko Kolo”. A tourist card will give you the opportunity to use your bike for 4 hours, you will have to buy extra time separately. For the day of travel you will need to pay 8 €, for 2 hours – 2 €.
Festivals Ljubljana
Ljubljana is a real cultural center that can boast the oldest philharmonic orchestra, as well as a jazz festival. However, this is not the only event of the year. Here, during this time, more than ten thousand events of cultural significance are organized. A special place is occupied by festivals.
In March, the time comes for a festival of classical music, at which numerous contemporary composers perform. Famous compositions sound from the stage
In April, the turn of Exodos – the festival of theatrical art comes, which brings together representatives of the cultural class from around the world
May meets an event at which ethnic motives will play, and a little later the time for the graduate parade will come.
At the very beginning of summer, the center of the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, becomes a real stage for performances and performances. All of them are held for free, and therefore tourists who will be in the city at this time of the year will be able to take part and watch the performance.
In July, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival opens. Another important event is Kinodvorishce – a huge cinema located in the atrium of the railway.
In July and August, a puppet festival starts, aimed not only at attracting the interest of children, but also dedicating all interested adults to the world of childhood.
In September, the International Biennale, the largest graphic event of the year, which is very famous, will open. In October, a festival dedicated to female art is held.
Cinema fans are waiting for November to get acquainted with new films. No less impressive is the wine festival, which also falls in November. This month, various wines are displayed in front of the restaurants and tastings are held.
In December, Ljubljana hosts performances and performances for all tastes. The culmination of the cultural year comes during the celebration of Catholic Christmas and New Year. But the real extravaganza will happen only in February, when the carnival procession will take place on the streets. An interesting entertainment program for children and adults will be launched.
Accommodation and meals in Ljubljana
Several dozen hotels offer their services to guests and travelers who need to relax in Ljubljana. Demanding tourists choose hotels of 4 and 5 star levels. The average voyager will be comfortable in a three-star hotel, where the cost of a room per day starts at 40 €. Often in three-star hotels there is also a small restaurant where you can eat delicious dishes of national and European cuisines.
Apartments in Ljubljana can be rented for 30-35 €, and the average price per night is 60-80 €.
Taste seafood and fish, meat, feast on the “Potitsa” walnuts and pancakes with “butcher” peanut butter – all this is a real gourmet’s dream. Travelers prefer to choose a place for meals by price level:
- Lunch at a mid-range restaurant will cost 30–40 € for two.
- Lunch for one person in an inexpensive institution will cost 8-9 €.
- Fast food will cost 5-6 €.
- Local bottled beer for 0.5 costs on average 2.5 €.
Weather in Ljubljana
The warmest month of the year is July. It is during this time that there are most sunny days, and the average monthly air temperature reaches 27 ° C. Pleasant warm weather is from April to the end of September, the temperature can range from +15 to + 25 ° C.
In October, frequent rains begin to rain. February is recognized as the coldest month with its average daily temperature of -3 ° C. However, at any time of the year in the heart of Slovenia it is pleasant to relax, get acquainted with the sights.
How to get to Ljubljana?
Travel can be arranged by air (or by transfer by land, but in this case you will have to spend several days on the road). The best way to get to the country is by air. Drive to the city for a short time – only 40-50 minutes. The airport is located 25 km from Ljubljana.
Tourist note
Holders of tourist cards will be able to use the wireless network for free on the first day after activation. Wi-Fi is in every hotel, guests can use it. Some hotels offer free network services for their guests.
The country uses euros. The best way to exchange your currency is at the train station in Ljubljana (Slovenia), where travelers are not charged a commission. It is unprofitable to make an exchange in banks – for such a pleasure you will have to pay 5%, in the post office – only 1%.