Ljubljana is now one of my favorite cities in Europe.

Beautiful, clean, walkable, and quaint, you’ll quickly see why Slovenia’s capital city Ljubljana previously won the title of ‘Europe’s Greenest City.’ While small, it feels very livable and lively—I wish I had had more time!

But I was at the end of my European summer trip. Coming off of three months mostly in the heat of Europe summer, my late-August/early-September visit to Ljubljana was exactly what I needed. The start of that crisp fall feeling in the air, some changing leaves, but still warm enough to walk around with shorts and a t-shirt.

Walk along the river, and take in the views.

Ljubljana is a very walkable city, and the river is no exception. With a nice walking (or running) path on both sides, you can leisurely (or not so leisurely) take in the views of the colorful buildings and the castle. It’s particularly lovely in the mornings, and lively with locals after work / school hours.

Extra Tip: If you go in the morning, grab a coffee from this cafe. The best iced oat latte I had!

Mala Pražarna
Krakovski nasip 10
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Grab a beer at a hidden bar under one of Ljubljana’s many bridges.

In my Google Maps research, I came across Klub Rečnih Kapitanov, which had great reviews for being a quaint spot under a bridge, ideal for grabbing coffee or beer—especially on a hot summer day, when you need to hide from the sun. It did not disappoint! The staff there was so friendly, and wonderfully chill vibes all around. (Pun originally not intended, but now intended.)

They even have wifi if you want to bring your laptop and get some work done from there 😉

Klub Rečnih Kapitanov
Google Maps Link
Opekarska 1 (Pod Prulskim mostom)
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Get a birds-eye view and a slice of traditional Slovenian cake.

This building in downtown hosts a restaurant with an indoor/outdoor panoramic roof terrace where you can see a 360 degree view of Ljubljana. Great place for an aperol spritz on a nice day and a slice of traditional Slovenian cake!
Nebotičnik – Skyscraper
Štefanova ulica 1
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Missing quality craft beer? Head over to Labjah.

Labjah is the best craft beer bar in Ljubljana with a huge selection of beer, great atmosphere, weekly events, and delicious food. Popular with both locals and tourists, check out their calendar and time your visit on a day when they have music—when I went on a Tuesday, there was a great Slovenian DJ playing in the beer garden.
Lajbah – Craft Beer Bar
Grudnovo nabrežje 15
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Grab a nightcap and vibe out to some live music at the Metelkova Art Center.

Metelkova is a unique alternative culture and arts center that developed from a squat in a former army barracks and grew into one of the best-known attractions of Ljubljana. Now, Metelkova is a famous underground arts scene, LGBTQ+ friendly, with a lot of unique street art and metal sculptures to explore outdoors, representing an alternative side of Ljubljana. It’s packed with live music venues and hosts a regular calendar of concerts, club nights, and one-off club events featuring international underground artists and DJs. 
Extra Tip: The party starts kicking off around 11pm.
Metelkova Art Center
Google Maps
Metelkova ulica 10
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia