Ljubljana Holidays

Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, already had a good thing going with its Baroque and art nouveau architecture, but visiting has become even more appealing since its mayor banned cars from the city centre – it’s now one of Europe’s greenest capital cities. A good place to start on Ljubljana holidays is at Presernov trg, the Old Town’s main square. In the riverside square stands a statue of romantic poet, France Preseren. Close by, the quirky Triple Bridge, designed by local-hero architect Joze Plecnik, crosses the Ljubljanica River, and boats glide along its waters underneath.

Depending on your interests, there are guided tours to suit every taste, themed around everything from beer to stand-up paddle boarding (not at the same time, of course) and traditional food. Ljubljana’s 900-year-old castle is its hilltop heart – catch a funicular and gaze down at the city’s red roofs and the mountains that lie beyond. While there you can visit the museums of weaponry, Slovenian history and puppetry, and grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants, cafes or wine bars.

There’s even a reading corner in the moat if you fancy a quiet moment. While the 19th-century museum quarter is interesting, holidays to Ljubljana are just as much about wandering its compact centre, strolling over its bridges and joining in the fun at its riverside terraced cafes – particularly lively during the summer and the perfect spot to raise a glass to a beautiful European capital – ‘Na zdravje’!