Easyjet from Gatwick and an Airbnb room in a central flat for a total of £110 made it almost rude not to!
I arrived after dark, so settled for a falafel, a couple of splendid dark beers and some night shots of the bridges over the River Ljubljanica.
Up bright and early for breakfast supplied by my generous host, my first port of call was Old Rog, an old bicycle factory turned Bohemian squat.
There are a few similar such places in Ljubljana and suffice to say they divide opinion with some believing they are artistic expressions of a free society, whilst to others they are a blight to make your eyes sore.
I quite enjoyed my saunter around the graffiti, rusting metal and creative objects. I may have felt differently if I lived in the city I suppose…….
Ljubljana is well known for its bridges, the first of which I crossed being the Dragon’s Bridge. Legend has it that a dragon used to live in the river, possibly due to vapor rising on a hot day resembling dragon smoke. The dragon is now the symbol of the city and every year there is a dragon carnival with dragon themed fancydress and floats.
The cobbled thoroughfares alongside the river are stuffed nowadays with bars & restaurants, whilst there are several novel statues to catch the eye.
Before long you come to the next bridge known as Butcher’s Bridge. This is the one that has had the lovers padlock treatment, which people seem to either love or hate. I actually quite like them as they do make for some interesting shots in the sunlight.
It was now time for me to stop at tourist information and join the Jože Plečnik tour that I had pre-booked at the airport.
It turned out that this would be a very private tour as I was the only punter!
Mario my guide was extremely knowledgeable, not only about Slovenia, Ljubljana and Plečnik, but also world affairs as a whole, with BREXIT especially being a well discussed topic.
As well as designing his capital city, Plečnik is also attributed with planning much of modern day Prague and you can definitely see a lot of similarities. He is to Ljubljana what Gaudí is to Barcelona, considered a national hero.
We took the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for some splendid views and then walked down the other side to a far quieter part of the city away from the main touristic parts.
We ended in Plečnik’s house, all pretty much left as it has been at the time of his death in 1957.
That evening after a tasty inexpensive meal, I found a rock club for some thrash metal entertainment. Not my favourite music, but with a lovely crowd and a couple of beers it was highly enjoyable.
I really enjoyed my stay in Ljubljana and would definitely recommend a visit. Once I have visited Berlin next January I will have to update my European capital ratings. I have at least one contender to break into my top ten.
What a fantastic break and what luck to get your own private tour guide! Ljubljana is somewhere I really must go to, have read only good things! #citytripping
We loved Slovenia and Ljubljana. Slovenia is such a gem and somehow still overlooked by tourists.We toured around the country visiting the vineyards in the East and the short coastline in the West.
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We’re off to Lake Bled for a few days next Summer and were wondering whether to incorporate Ijubljana into our itinerary, so you have piqued my interest even more now! I love a good bridge so that’s one good thing 😉 You’re doing well with your European cities list then – I think I have a long way to catch up to you! #citytripping
You definitely should visit- I think there is a good train connection. I still have loads more to see! Wilbur.
I loved Ljubljana when I visited – especially the cafes along the river and the dragons. We did a great food tour as well and a bike tour which took us to some of the street art. Not sure I would have made a special trip otherwise! Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Plenty to keep you occupied there for sure.
Love Ljubljana! The only thing I didn’t like was the pervert who drove the canal boat who told us Butcher’s Bridge was his favorite because then he could look through the glass up women’s skirts. Both times we went though, it was only for half a day or less, so one day we will properly stay and do a thorough visit. #CityTripping
What a jerk! Definitely worth a longer visit.
Oh, I’d love to visit this place. It looks absolutely amazing!!
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It is. Next time I will combine with Lake Bled.
I love Ljubljana, but then I like dragons. Hate the stupid “love locks” – they are ugly and turn bridges into eyesores.
I did a very good food tour the last time I was in Ljubljana. Did not visit the squats, didn’t know about them. I often like street art, but that didn’t look like very good street art.