Ljubljana

Perched atop a hill overlooking the city, the magnificent medieval fortress provides a glimpse into the past through its reconstructed castle spaces, including a museum collection of Slovene history, various art exhibitions, a coffee shop, and two superb restaurants. The lookout tower offers a breathtaking panorama of Ljubljana. The castle can be reached by funicular or by tourist train during the warmer months.

The creations of the famous architect Jože Plečnik (1872–1957) put a mark on three cities of Central Europe: Vienna, Prague, but most of all his beloved hometown of Ljubljana. It was Plečnik’s objective to breathe new life into Ljubljana by redesigning it into a comprehensive masterpiece. The most prominent landmarks include the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), the Cobbler’s Bridge (Čevljarski most), the building of the National and the University library, the Križanke summer theatre, the Žale cemetery and others.

The magnificent statues of dragons, which are the symbol of Ljubljana, are one of the main attractions of the city. The Dragon Bridge was constructed between 1900 and 1901 and was dedicated to the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. It is considered a masterpiece of Secession architecture. Also, when completed, it was one of the first reinforced concrete bridges of contemporary Europe.

St Nicholas’ Church, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ljubljana, was completed in its current form in 1701 on the foundations of an older church. The church built by the Jesuit architect Andrea Pozzo is adorned with frescoes by Giulio Quaglio and is considered one of the jewels of Baroque art. Also famous is its entrance door made in the 20th century. The carvings on the main door depict the history, while the postern doors are decorated with portraits of Slovene bishops and Jesus.

The City Museum of Ljubljana boasts an extensive and rich permanent collection illustrating the history of Ljubljana since prehistoric times until today. The museum’s basement exhibits the archaeological remains of the Roman road once leading through the present-day museum. The museum also manages two archaeological parks, exhibiting the remains of the Roman city of Emona.

The principal Slovene museum houses the most significant artefacts of Slovenia's historical heritage. It displays the world's oldest musical instrument (the 60,000-year-old Divje Babe Flute), remains of the pile dwelling culture from the Ljubljana Marshes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a lapidarium with Roman tombstones, and other important items spanning history.

The National Gallery of Slovenia, the main museum of the country's history, displays permanent collections featuring Slovene artists from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, along with works by European painters. The gallery also houses the original Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers (Robba Fountain), while a replica stands in front of the Town Hall.

The Museum of Modern Art showcases a permanent collection of 20th-century Slovene artists, alongside temporary exhibitions. Since 2010, a selection of its avant-garde art collection has been on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MSUM) at Metelkova.

Ljubljana Zoo, nestled in the pristine natural surroundings of Tivoli Park, Rožnik, and Šišenski hrib, is home to both native and exotic animals. The zoo is home to over 100 animal species and offers a variety of interactive experiences, enabling visitors to have direct contact with the animals.

Tivoli Park is the green heart of Ljubljana. It lies on the edge of the city and gradually rises towards Rožnik, which is criss-crossed by numerous recreational paths. The park offers more than just walks. Within Tivoli Park, two of Ljubljana's major museums are housed in former mansions, alongside a popular outdoor exhibition space, a picturesque pond with a café, and a plant nursery featuring a permanent exhibition of tropical plants.

The Slovene Ethnographic Museum deals with preserving cultural and natural history collections. It exhibits items both from Slovene as well as international ethnological heritages. The museum’s mission is to showcase the lives of our ancestors from different periods in time.