Sitting pretty between Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy, Slovenia is a delightful part of Europe. One of the less frequented countries of the continent, Slovenia is quite the catch! From picturesque cities to incredible scenery of mountains, forests and coasts, Slovenia is sure to captivate you and entice you into its wonder.
Charming and romantic, Ljubljana is an idyllic capital city full of elegant buildings, tree-lined boulevards and welcoming locals. It’s no wonder the city is becoming an increasingly popular destination in Europe. Let’s take a closer look at why the city is ought to be on your list!
Photo by Priscilla Aster
1. Its architecture
Pretty as a picture, you can thank Jože Plečnik for Ljubljana’s beautiful bridges and buildings, even down to the lamp posts! It wasn’t until the 20th century that Plečnik’s impact on Ljubljana’s architecture came to life. He reinvigorated the city and had an architectural impact that some liken to that Antoni Gaudi had on Barcelona. It’s rare that a city’s architecture is influenced so largely by one person, but that’s what makes Ljubljana so magical. Perhaps the greatest example of Plečnik’s work is the Triple Bridge. In 1932 Plečnik added two adjacent pedestrian bridges to the 1892 central bridge, creating a sustainable way for the traffic of Ljubljana to freely move.
Photo by Adam Dickson
2. Its history
While Plečnik’s work in Ljubljana was done in the 20th century, the city has had a long history to become what it is today. Dating back all the way to the 1st century when it was a small Roman town, Ljubljana has witnessed a myriad of events throughout its history over thousands of years. From the Middle Ages when Ljubljana Castle was constructed, to being occupied by Italy during World War ll and to gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, the city has a very interesting story to tell!
Photo by Dennis Bunnik
3. Its food scene
Ljubljana’s food scene has adapted over the years, with influences from Mediterranean, Alpine, and Pannonian cuisines, and a little from the Balkans, culminating to create the delicious food you can find in the city today. The city is big on using fresh produce, whether that’s vegetables from city gardens or meat from rural Slovenian farms, all dishes are fresh and tasty. We can’t forget dessert! The city produces some extremely sweet and delicious desserts as well. Our favourite? Potica! A yeast-dough cake made with a variety of ingredients that has, with good reason, become Slovenia’s most popular dessert.
Photo by Dennis Bunnik
4. Its all round charming atmosphere
With cars banned from entering the city centre streets and a river that runs through the entirety of the city, at any time of the year charm is in the air in Ljubljana. One of the smallest capital cities in all of Europe, Ljubljana is never overcrowded, and its green leafy streets allow for walking to be the best way to explore the city. Time is never rushed in the city, with locals living a relaxed lifestyle making the most of their beautiful city.
