Escape the crowds!
Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia often appears on those lists of 'Europe's best kept secret' or 'Europe's up and coming cities'. I have to admit that initially I used Ljubljana as a convenient entry point to other parts of Europe, the airport is small and convenient and the bus station has good connections to places I wanted to go to. Having now done a few short visits to Ljubljana, it's now become a favourite European city.
For native English speakers the first major hurdle with Ljubljana is trying to pronounce the name! I've heard some dreadful versions, it's not 'Loo-bi-an-ah' or 'Loo-ji-bi-an-ah'! The lj is one sound 'lyh', the letter j is always an English phonetic 'y' sound, so pronounced as 'lyu-blya-nah.
I've now visited in autumn, including an atmospheric foggy day and in summer, during a heatwave! The city is a university town and has a young population, you'll see locals zipping around on bicycles. There's a whole trendy area with bars and cafes and lots of street art or as I like to downplay it 'lots of graffiti'!
Approaching the Triple Bridge by boat in autumn.
The main focal point of the city is the square that leads to the Triple Bridge over the river Ljubljanica, this is a popular area for tourists all having their photos taken.This past summer I was in Ljubljana during the first of the major heatwaves that hit Europe (37 degrees Celcius, (99 degrees F?)) and compared to the previous week when I came through, it looked deserted! Downstairs from the bridge on the market side of the river is where you can find public toilets, apparently the first public toilets in Ljubljana. Having made use of them I can attest they have been upgraded and are clean!
The Triple bridge was originally one bridge, the centre bridge was opened in 1842 (although there are records of a wooden bridge being in this location in 1290), to ease traffic congestion two new bridges at slight angles from the original were built in 1931 and opened in April 1932, the whole area is now a pedestrian zone so vehicles no longer use the bridges.
Triple Bridge area in a heatwave, just a few hardy souls walking and riding their bikes!
Boat cruise of Ljubljanica River
During my first stay in Ljubljana I did a river cruise along the Ljubljanica River, I can recommend that it was a great way to get an overview of the city. The guide on the boat also gives you a crash course into Ljubljana's history and that's helpful in getting to know the area.
Willow trees along the river
Ljubljana Central Market
Between the Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge is the Central Market, the beautiful building that follows the curve of the river was built between 1940 and 1942. The lower levels house the fish markets, that was planned as it was closer to the river. The side away from the river faces the open market, the under cover areas is where you can find stalls with a variety of items, including souvenirs. There are cafes and outdoor seating areas in the covered market area.
Autumn at the open market
The market is open daily except for Sundays.
Ljubljana in the fog.
A rather nice photo of the river, the Butchers Bridge across the river from the market and the covered market reflected in the water. The top level of the market with cafes and outdoor seating.
Trubarjeva Street
Trubarjeva Street (Trubarjeva cesta) leads off from the main square and is the trendier non touristy bar and cafe street with lots of street art, the last part of the street is pedestrian only, further out it's open to vehicles.
Looking up to Ljubljana Castle
The old part of the town is all pedestrian only, all very attractive with small shops and cafes along the river. The cathedral is well worth going into as it's decorated baroque style, very ornate.
St. Nicholas's Cathedral
The castle up on the hill offers some nice views of the city, if you don't go up there in a fog like I did!
Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana is lovely perhaps visit now before others discovers it and the city ends up being on everyone's tourist's trail!
Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia often appears on those lists of 'Europe's best kept secret' or 'Europe's up and coming cities'. I have to admit that initially I used Ljubljana as a convenient entry point to other parts of Europe, the airport is small and convenient and the bus station has good connections to places I wanted to go to. Having now done a few short visits to Ljubljana, it's now become a favourite European city.
For native English speakers the first major hurdle with Ljubljana is trying to pronounce the name! I've heard some dreadful versions, it's not 'Loo-bi-an-ah' or 'Loo-ji-bi-an-ah'! The lj is one sound 'lyh', the letter j is always an English phonetic 'y' sound, so pronounced as 'lyu-blya-nah.
I've now visited in autumn, including an atmospheric foggy day and in summer, during a heatwave! The city is a university town and has a young population, you'll see locals zipping around on bicycles. There's a whole trendy area with bars and cafes and lots of street art or as I like to downplay it 'lots of graffiti'!
The main focal point of the city is the square that leads to the Triple Bridge over the river Ljubljanica, this is a popular area for tourists all having their photos taken.This past summer I was in Ljubljana during the first of the major heatwaves that hit Europe (37 degrees Celcius, (99 degrees F?)) and compared to the previous week when I came through, it looked deserted! Downstairs from the bridge on the market side of the river is where you can find public toilets, apparently the first public toilets in Ljubljana. Having made use of them I can attest they have been upgraded and are clean!
The Triple bridge was originally one bridge, the centre bridge was opened in 1842 (although there are records of a wooden bridge being in this location in 1290), to ease traffic congestion two new bridges at slight angles from the original were built in 1931 and opened in April 1932, the whole area is now a pedestrian zone so vehicles no longer use the bridges.
During my first stay in Ljubljana I did a river cruise along the Ljubljanica River, I can recommend that it was a great way to get an overview of the city. The guide on the boat also gives you a crash course into Ljubljana's history and that's helpful in getting to know the area.
Between the Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge is the Central Market, the beautiful building that follows the curve of the river was built between 1940 and 1942. The lower levels house the fish markets, that was planned as it was closer to the river. The side away from the river faces the open market, the under cover areas is where you can find stalls with a variety of items, including souvenirs. There are cafes and outdoor seating areas in the covered market area.
The market is open daily except for Sundays.
A rather nice photo of the river, the Butchers Bridge across the river from the market and the covered market reflected in the water. The top level of the market with cafes and outdoor seating.
Trubarjeva Street (Trubarjeva cesta) leads off from the main square and is the trendier non touristy bar and cafe street with lots of street art, the last part of the street is pedestrian only, further out it's open to vehicles.
The old part of the town is all pedestrian only, all very attractive with small shops and cafes along the river. The cathedral is well worth going into as it's decorated baroque style, very ornate.
The castle up on the hill offers some nice views of the city, if you don't go up there in a fog like I did!
Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana is lovely perhaps visit now before others discovers it and the city ends up being on everyone's tourist's trail!
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