The pint-sized capital of Slovenia punches above its weight with a thriving cultural scene, buzzing riverside bars and cafés, and an Old Town that’s truly photogenic. It’s a charming destination for a weekend hop.
CENTRAL MARKET
Vodnikov trg
Go first to the vast open-air market (Tržnica na Prostem) just across Triple Bridge to the southeast of Prešernov trg on Vodnikov trg. Here you’ll find a daily (except Sunday) farmers’ market. In the neighbouring square there are always stalls selling foraged wild mushrooms and forest berries, honey and farmhouse cheeses.
LJUBLJANA CASTLE
ljubljanskigrad.si
Crowning a 375m-high hill east of the Old Town, this castle is an architectural mishmash, most of it dating from the early 16th century. It’s free to ramble around; you’ll have to pay to enter the Watchtower and the Chapel of St George, and to see the worthwhile Slovenian History Exhibition, visit the Puppet Theatre and take the Time Machine tour.
BEE HAPPY
Slovenia is one of the biggest producers of honey and honeyrelated products in Europe, and Honey House stocks enough varieties of the sweet sticky stuff, including liqueur, to satisfy any taste (honeyhouse.si).
PREŠERNOV TRG