19 Best Sights in Slovenia

Situated in the grand Auersperg Palace, this museum's beautifully designed exhibits trace the city's history from pre-Roman times through the Austrian domination, the World Wars, the Tito years, and finally, the establishment of independent Slovenia. In the basement, you can walk on a piece of the ancient Roman road or see a cross-sectioned excavation that shows the burning of Emona by Attila the Hun through a black charred stratum. If you're interested, you can arrange for a museum guide to take you to other ancient Roman sites around the city. The city museum also houses the world's oldest wooden wheel, dating from 4000 BC.

Its color may now garner more attention than its history, but Ljubljana's famous Pink Church has plenty of stories waiting within. A High Baroque beauty built in the middle of the 17th century, the church flourished a century later under the watchful eye of the Franciscans, who decided to paint it red (hence the faded pink of today). The church's prime location on the city's main square makes it a prominent meeting point for people of all ages today.

Ljubljana's hilltop castle affords views over the river and the Old Town's terra-cotta rooftops, spires, and green cupolas. On a clear day, the distant Julian Alps are a dramatic backdrop. The castle walls date from the early 16th century, although the tower was added in the mid-19th century. Architect Jože Plečnik landscaped the surrounding park in the 1930s. The castle also houses a virtual museum showcasing Slovenian history through digital technology. Take a step back through time and do the tour; it's a great introduction to Ljubljana. The castle is also home to the Museum of Puppetry, one of the most underrated museums in the city.

An idyllic way to while away a day, Ljubljana's riverside is packed with cafés and restaurants that are perfect for people-watching. Prices have skyrocketed recently, but you're paying for location and atmosphere above all else.

This proud Baroque cathedral overlooking the daily market on Vodnikov trg is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen and boatmen who created a powerful guild in medieval Ljubljana. The building took place between 1701 and 1708 under the Italian architect Andrea Pozzo, who modeled it after the church of Il Gesù in Rome. The magnificent frescoes on the ceiling of the nave are by the Lombard painter Giulio Quaglio and depict the transfiguration of St. Nicholas and the persecution of Christians under Diocletian and Nero. In honor of Pope John Paul II's visit in 1996, bronze doors were added to the church. The main entrance tells the story of Christianity in Slovenia, whereas the side door shows the history of the Ljubljana diocese.

Four fire-breathing winged dragons crown the corners of this locally cherished concrete-and-iron structure. The dragons refer to the mythological origins of the city when Jason, returning home from winning the Golden Fleece, killed a monster in a swamp on the present site of Ljubljana. It's undoubtedly one of the most photographed attractions in a city full of photogenic spots.

Slovenes love to get out and about, so don’t be surprised to see whole families packing the hiking and biking trails around the city on the weekend. Less than a mile from downtown Ljubljana, Golovec is a popular choice, with the path starting close to the Botanical Garden. The views from the top are fantastic.

The current town hall is the work of the Ljubliana architect Gregor Maček, who substantially renovated the 1484 original building from 1717 to 1719. The interior was completely reworked in the 19th and 20th centuries and now frequently hosts temporary art exhibits.

Right up the street from the Old Town end of the Triple Bridge, this cobbled square extends into the oldest part of the city. Baroque town houses, now divided into functional apartments, present marvelously ornate facades: carved oak doors with great brass handles are framed within columns, and upper floors are decorated with balustrades, sculptures, and intricate ironwork. Narrow passageways connect with inner courtyards in one direction and run to the riverfront in the other. The street-level floors contain boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries.

The strikingly modern one-story structure was designed by Plečnik student Edvard Ravnikar (1907–93) in the 1930s and finally finished in 1948. It contains a selection of paintings, sculptures, and prints by Slovenian and Eastern European 20th-century artists. In odd-number years, it also hosts the International Biennial of Graphic Art, an exhibition of prints and installations by artists from around the world. The gallery also has a permanent collection devoted to 20th-century avant-garde and the art of the Partisan Resistance.

The permanent exhibition on Slovenes in the 20th century takes you from the days of Austria-Hungary through World War II, the victory of the Partisan liberation movement and the ensuing Tito period, and up to the present day. Relics and memorabilia are featured along with a dramatic sound-and-video presentation (scenes from World War II are projected on the walls and ceiling, accompanied by thundering gunfire, screams, and singing). You'll find the museum in a pink-and-white Baroque villa in Tivoli Park.

This massive building houses an extensive collection of Slovenian art from the 13th through the early 20th century and a smaller but impressive collection of European paintings. It also houses the original of Francesco Robba's Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers.

The National Museum—home to more than 400,000 archaeological artifacts, rare books, historical documents, and artworks from the prehistoric era through modern times—is not to be missed. The centerpiece here is a bronze urn from the late 5th or 6th century BC known as the Vače Situla. Discovered in Vače, Slovenia, it is a striking example of Illyrian artistry and is decorated with friezes depicting a procession of men, horses, and chariots. Extensive collections of classic artworks from Western and Northern Europe, Russia, and Japan complement the already impressive exhibit of Yugoslav pieces.

Built from 1936 to 1941, the National Library is architect Jože Plečnik's secular masterpiece. The external facades present a modernist version of an Italian Renaissance palazzo, using brick, stone, and even archaeological remains from excavations around Ljubljana. However, these are not arranged in registers as in a traditional palazzo but instead are scattered haphazardly over the entire exterior, creating a dynamic and three-dimensional look that makes the massive building seem light and airy. Inside is a beautiful, colonnaded black marble staircase and a reading room with huge windows at either end to let in light. Plečnik also designed the austere furniture in the reading room. Don't miss the beautiful horse-head door handles on the main entrance.

Architecture enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to architect Jože Plečnik's house, which is home to his preserved studio, living quarters, and garden. A strange combination of refined aestheticism and severe, almost monastic, asceticism permeates the residence of the man who played a large part in transforming Ljubljana between the two World Wars. Exploring the house itself is only possible on one of the hourly tours, but the gardens and exhibition are accessible with a ticket.

This hall was built in 1891 for one of the oldest music societies in the world, established in 1701. Haydn, Brahms, Beethoven, and Paganini were honorary members of the orchestra, and Mahler was resident conductor for the 1881–82 season.

This neo-Renaissance palace, with an ornate facade topped by an allegorical sculpture group, was erected in 1892. When visiting ballet and opera companies visit Ljubljana, they perform here. The opera house fell into disrepair during the Yugoslav years but has been carefully and lovingly restored since Slovenian independence, with a major renovation in 2011.

The central tourist information office provides a broad range of guided tours of the city, covering everything from castle tours to extensive journeys through Plečnik’s Ljubljana. Book in advance in their office or on the website. The departure point is in front of the Town Hall.

This striking structure spans the river Ljubljanica from Prešernov trg to the Old Town. The three bridges started as a single span, and in 1931, the two graceful outer arched bridges, designed by Plečnik, were added.