Common Mistakes to Avoid when Visiting Ljubljana for the First Time
Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a superb city to visit. It is full of beautiful architecture and is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The charming Old Town with is cobbled streets, grand churches and old bridges are like something out of a fairy tale. Due to this, Ljubljana has become an incredibly popular tourist destination. While the Slovenian capital is absolutely worth visiting, here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when visiting Ljubljana for the first time. We have also included some suggestions of what to do instead.
Avoid Visiting Ljubljana During Peak Season
One of the main things to avoid when visiting Ljubljana for the first time, is a trip during the busy summer months. Unless crowds don’t bother you, of course! Personally, we prefer to go to new places in the off season when the city goes back to normal after the tourists have left. April to June and September to October are great times to visit Ljubljana. The weather is pretty pleasant and everything is still open, you will even find cheaper flights and accommodation outside of the summer months.
Be Aware that Many Places are Closed on Sundays
Whatever time of year you visit, Ljubljana’s shops will be closed on a Sunday. Make sure you plan around this if you plan to go shopping during your visit. Even the international chain stores like Zara and H&M will close their doors. This gives you a great opportunity to see what else the city has to offer.
Make Sure you Don’t Miss the Little Statues Dotted Around the City
When visiting Ljubljana for the first time, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the curious little statues and sculptures around the city. Some of the, like the dragon, are not so subtle and you can’t miss them, others are hidden down alleys and around corners.
Pack Smart for your Visit to Ljubljana
This really applies to most trips you might take. However, it is good to be aware that Ljubljana can be pretty rainy and it gets cold at night – even in the summer. We had a few nights that dipped to 3C in August so bring a jacket if you’re out late. Don’t worry, there is still plenty of amazing things you can do in Ljubljana when it rains!
Be Aware of Pickpockets
Ljubljana has become a pretty popular place for tourists to explore. With popularity comes crowds and crowds, unfortunately, attract pickpockets. Ljubljana is a really safe city to visit. However, as with anywhere, it’s worth keeping a close eye on your belongings in tourist areas.
Plan Day Trips to Explore More of Slovenia
Ljubljana is a beautifully ornate city, well worth visiting. However, the centre is small and the rest of Slovenia is not to be missed! If you have time, take a day trip from Ljubljana to somewhere like the stunning Lake bled or the rather charming town of Kamnik.
Avoid Rallies and Demonstrations in Ljubljana
Strikes and protests aren’t particularly common in Ljubljana. However, they can turn violent at times so it’s best to avoid them. They primarily take place at Congress Square or outside of government buildings.
Don’t Abandon Cash Entirely
Most places in Ljubljana accept card. However, it is a good idea to have cash on hand for small expenses and trips to the countryside. Slovenia uses Euros so make sure you take some with you or withdraw a few from an ATM.
Don’t Miss Krizevniska Street – Ljubliana’s Most Beautiful Street
Krizevniska street is considered by most to be Ljubljana’s most beautiful location. Make sure you don’t overlook it when visiting Ljubljana for the first time.
Avoid Buying Cheap Souvenirs Made in China
As in almost every city in the world, you will find cheap souvenirs in shops across Ljubljana. The items are mass produced and usually pretty tacky. If you like that kind of thing, fill your boots! However, if you look hard enough, you will find unique handmade souvenirs based on traditional items. Some of them carry the distinctive mark Art&Craft Slovenija. There are some great souvenirs to bring back from Ljubljana such as bobbin lace from Idrija, knitted and felted products, stone craft, forged ironwork and other products by Slovenian designers.
Take a look HERE for some inspiration before you go.
Don’t Miss Open Kitchen Fridays
Don’t miss the food! The city is full of amazing cuisine so we would avoid visiting any of the usual Western chains while visiting Ljubljana. There are so many other amazing places to eat! Restaurants, cafes and street food stalls are all across the city.
We would especially recommend trying out Open Kitchen Fridays! This takes place on Ljubljana’s Pogačarjev trg square where food and drink vendors throughout Ljubljana, and across Slovenia, congregate for Open Kitchen (or ‘Odprta Kuhna’ as it’s known locally).
What to Pack when Visiting Ljubljana for the First Time
Some of these go without saying, however, we have put together a helpful list for you so you won’t forget any of the basics you might need when visiting Ljubljana for the first time.
- Hiking boots or waterproof shoes
- Backpack with protective cover
- Water bottle
- Waterproof jacket
- Umbrella
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Phone
- Charger
- EU adaptor
- Charging bank if needed
- Decent camera (phone) with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
- Cash (euros)
- Driving licence – if hiring a car
- Passport and travel documents
Avoid Pronouncing Ljubljana Wrongly – and Learn a Few Other Slovenian Words
We have heard many variations on the pronunciation of the city of Ljubljana, not very many of them correct! “J”s in Slovenian are pronounced as “Y”s in English, therefore Ljubljana is pronounced as lyoo-BLYAH-nah
When you visit Ljubljana for the first time, learn a bit of the language. Slovenian is not an easy language to learn. But any attempt is greatly appreciated by locals. Here are a few words to get you started –
| English | Slovenian | Sounds Like |
| Hello | Živjo/Zdravo | ZHEE-vyoh/ZDRAH-voh |
| Goodbye | Nasvidenje | nahs-VEE-deh-nyeh |
| Please | Prosim | PROH-sihm |
| Thank you | Hvala | HVAA-lah |
| Yes | Da | Dah |
| No | Ne | Neh |
Despite all of this, we highly recommend visiting Slovenia’s capital city! On our first visit to Ljubljana, we weren’t that aware of many of these issues, and we still had an amazing time. But armed with this knowledge you will be even better prepared for a fantastic trip. If you avoid these mistakes when visiting Ljubljana, you’ll have the time of your life!
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not take a trip to spectacular Lake Bled, just an hour outside of Ljubljana
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Ljubljana or anywhere else in Slovenia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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