We wanted a destination where we could travel easily, make use of our Schengen visa, and not spend too much money. After some research, the answer was loud and clear: Slovenia!
So… What Is There to Do in Slovenia?
We started our trip in the capital city, Ljubljana. The first thing we noticed was the fresh air — seriously, it’s hard to miss. We’ve never seen a city this green before. In fact, Ljubljana was named the Green Capital of Europe in 2016.
The population is only around 300,000, so it feels small and cozy. You might even see the same people more than once just walking around town. The city is also full of Erasmus students, which gives it a fun and lively vibe.
At night, the area around the canal stays busy. But the real nightlife seems to center around a place called Metelkova — more on that later.
Top Things to See in Ljubljana
Prešeren Square
The city’s main square — a great place to start your walk.
Triple Bridge
Three bridges connected in one, with unique architecture.
Dragon Bridge
Four statues of dragons, the city’s symbol, make this bridge look seriously cool.
Congress Square (Kongresni trg)
Another major square with open space and beautiful buildings.
Tivoli Park
A huge, green park — perfect for laying on the grass and relaxing.
Ljubljana Castle
A historic castle that hosts events in its courtyard. Take the funicular to get there easily.
Museum of Modern Art
For lovers of modern artistic expressions.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Yes, it’s different — and ideal for contemporary art fans.
National Gallery of Slovenia
A must-see for those who want to understand Slovenian art and history.
Cooperative Bank Building
One of the most Instagrammable spots in the city.
The Unmissable Metelkova
We can’t sum up Metelkova in just one sentence. This place has a long, fascinating history. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it was used as a military prison. Later, under Yugoslav control, it became a military zone filled with barracks.
In 1991, after Slovenia gained independence, the army left the area. The city council wanted to tear down the barracks and build a shopping center. But a group of local youth resisted. Artists also moved into the abandoned buildings and tried to stop the demolition.
To pressure them, the city cut off water and electricity. Still, the resistance continued. In 1993, the protesters won. The area became a haven for art, freedom, and alternative culture.
Even today, it’s unclear whether Metelkova is 100% legal. None of the venues appear to be officially licensed or taxed — at least, that’s what we gathered from the mixed answers we received.
Regardless of legality, this place is bursting with freedom and creativity. You’ll find colorful street art, murals, and a wildly diverse crowd. During the day, it’s like an open-air gallery, perfect for photos and Instagram. At night, it turns into a buzzing nightlife zone.
Metelkova is a place where no one judges anyone. It’s a space where all kinds of people can mix together, chat, and have fun — no pressure, no problems. It truly feels like a parallel universe.
If you want a unique place to stay, check out Hostel Celica, which used to be a prison. You can now sleep in its bunk beds — an unforgettable experience.
How Long to Stay in Ljubljana?
As you can see, there’s a lot to do in Ljubljana. But we’re not big fans of museums, so we mostly walked around the city. That means we covered a lot in a short time.
-
If you want to visit museums too, 3 days is ideal.
-
If you’re like us and prefer exploring outdoors, 1 full day is enough.
After exploring the city, we rented a car and did day trips to nearby spots during the day. At night, if we still had energy, we always found ourselves back in Metelkova.