Before we headed off to hike the mountains of Triglav and explore the vineyards of Goriška Brda, we started our trip with one day in Ljubljana.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect and wasn’t overly enthusiastic, but one day in Ljubljana was surprisingly refreshing. 

The takeaway: Ljubljana is a totally walkable city. You can see the best of Ljubljana in one day without rushing. It’s the perfect introduction to Slovenia’s food and culture before you head into the rest of your trip. Definitely don’t skip Ljubljana. 

How to Spend One Day in Ljubljana

A Potica for a Pre-Lunch Snack in Ljubljana

Start your one day in Ljubljana with a little snack at Butik lePotica. This is a famous boutique bakery and shop in Ljubljana that specializes in potica, a traditional Slovenian festive pastry.

They offer around nine different flavors of poticas. The most traditional are walnut, poppy seed and tarragon. We decided to try all three of those. These pastries are quite unique, not too sweet, and definitely worth the calories.

Lunch in Ljubljana

For your first real meal in Slovenia, you have to try the Kranjska klobasa (Carniolan sausage). It’s a protected Slovenian treasure – garlicky, smoky, and usually served simply with a roll and mustard.

We were a large group and we found a seat outside at Moji štruklji Slovenije. A no fuss place with a diverse menu of local favorites like jota (sauerkraut and bean stew) or my favorite, struklji (rolled dumplings).

If you happen to be in Ljubljana for just one day and it’s a Friday (from March to October), head straight to Odprta Kuhna (translates to Open Kitchen). It’s a massive outdoor food market where the city’s best chefs cook street-food versions of their top dishes. It’s right in front of the Central Market, open every day with vendors inside and outside. We grabbed some fresh fruit, delicious cherries, peaches, plums, some nuts and other snacks for our upcoming hike. 

After lunch, enjoy a delicious ice cream from Cacao, so many flavors!

The Ljubljana Castle

The Ljubljana Castle has watched over the city for 900 years. You can hike up the steep hill if you want a little pre Triglav workout. We chose this option. Or, you can take the glass-walled funicular to save your legs

Much of the castle courtyard is actually completely free to enter. If you want to climb the tower, you’ll need a ticket (it costs €12–€16 and includes the funicular ride). 

We decided not to enter, so I can’t speak to that experience, but if you only have one day in Ljubljana you must at least see the city from above.

Hop on a River Boat Tour

Seeing the city from the Ljubljanica River gives you a totally different vantage point, much like a canal ride in Amsterdam. You glide under the Dragon Bridge and the Triple Bridge without the sidewalk crowds and can admire the impressive architecture from afar.

• Starting Point: Most tours leave from the Breg embankment or the Ribji trg pier.
• Cost: Expect to pay around €15 per person.
• Duration: The tours depart every 15-30 minutes and last 45 to 60 minutes.
• The Vibe: You’ll learn some fun facts about the city and it’s a nice way to rest your legs and soak in the city.

Shop The Main Streets: Mestni Trg and Stari Trg

For shopping, skip the malls and stick to the historic Mestni Trg (Town Square) and Stari Trg. These cobblestone streets are lined with Baroque boutiques and local shops.

The Must Visit Shop: If you only visit one shop during your one day in Ljubljana, make it Piranske Soline. They sell world-famous salt harvested by hand from the Piran coast using a 700-year-old traditional method. If you do miss it, you can also stop by their shop in Lake Bled, it’s just below the Hotel Park. 

What to buy:

• Fleur de sel: Often called the “cream of salt,” it’s harvested from the very top layer.
• Salted chocolate: This is my favorite “worth-it” souvenir, so good! Just buy it.

And that’s all for how to spend one day in Ljubljana. Explore more of my favorite places in Slovenia.

Where to stay:

We did not spend the night in Ljubljana, instead we headed straight for our hike the mountains of Triglav. If you do choose to stay there are many affordable options available on Booking.com.