Written by Mak, your host at Trubarjeva City Apartments
Ljubljana is one of Europe's most underrated capitals — small enough to explore on foot, yet packed with world-class food, architecture, and nature. Our apartments sit on Trubarjeva cesta, one of the Old Town's most vibrant streets, just 50 metres from the iconic Dragon Bridge. Here's everything I tell my guests about making the most of their stay.
Yes. Stay on Trubarjeva if you want to walk to Dragon Bridge, the Central Market, the castle funicular, and Prešeren Square without a car. Choose The Terrace for families and The Ground Floor for couples or remote work; both apartments sleep 2–4, so a group of eight can book both together. The tourist and promotion tax is 3.13 EUR per adult per night. Guests aged 7 to 18 pay 1.57 EUR per night, while children under 7 are exempt, according to the official tourism information.
Trubarjeva cesta is named after Primož Trubar, the father of Slovenian literature, and it's been a central artery of Ljubljana life for centuries. Today it connects the medieval Old Town to the Tabor district, lined with local bakeries, wine bars, independent boutiques, and family-run restaurants.
What makes it special for visitors is its authenticity. This isn't a tourist strip — it's where locals live, shop, and eat. You'll hear Slovenian on the street, buy bread from a neighbourhood bakery, and discover restaurants that don't bother with English menus because the food speaks for itself.
From our front door, Dragon Bridge is a one-minute walk. The Central Market is about a 3 to 5-minute walk away, the Ljubljana Castle funicular is also close by, and Prešeren Square is about five minutes away. Yet step outside and you're in a real neighbourhood, not a hotel district.
The Terrace is my first choice for families because it has a private terrace, a flexible king-bed-and-sofa-bed layout, and space for 2–4 guests. Both apartments can provide a baby cot on request; compare them on the homepage apartment table.
Yes. Each apartment sleeps up to four, so booking both gives a group of up to eight guests two separate one-bedroom apartments at the same address. Contact Mak directly so availability for both units can be coordinated.
No for a city break. The Old Town sights, market, riverfront, restaurants, and castle funicular are walkable from Trubarjeva. A car is useful for day trips to Bled, Bohinj, or the coast; if you drive, use the parking guide rather than trying to reach the pedestrian street.
From Ljubljana Airport, the official public-bus information is the best starting point; a pre-booked GoOpti shuttle is about €12 or a taxi about €40, and the journey takes about 30 minutes. From the train and bus station, Trubarjeva 31a is about 750 metres away—roughly a 10-minute walk—or a short taxi ride. Use the airport bus information and LPP transit fares for current options.
The Ground Floor is on the ground level, so there is no staircase to an upper floor. I describe it as ground-floor rather than fully step-free: entrance thresholds and mobility needs can vary, so please ask Mak to confirm the exact route before booking if step-free access is essential.
The Ground Floor is the better fit for remote work: it has a laser printer, fast Wi-Fi 6, a separate bedroom, living area, and direct courtyard access for a quiet break between calls. The Terrace also has fast Wi-Fi, but its private terrace is the main differentiator.
Ljubljana punches well above its weight for food. The city has a thriving farm-to-table scene, Michelin-recognised restaurants, and a street food culture centred around the weekly Open Kitchen market. Here are other notable places to consider within walking distance:
Friday street food market on Pogačarjev trg with dozens of local chefs — a Ljubljana institution
The famous Carniolan sausage kiosk next to the Central Market — a must-try
Restaurant inside Ljubljana Castle serving Slovenian heritage dishes with panoramic views
Award-winning steakhouse in the heart of Ljubljana. Selected wines & genuine hospitality. Since 2003.
Rates, fares, and opening hours can change. These official pages are the best places to confirm details before you travel.
Slovenians take their coffee seriously. Ljubljana's café culture rivals Vienna's — you'll find everything from third-wave specialty roasters to classic European terraces overlooking the river.
Riverside terrace café perfect for people-watching over a macchiato
Artisan chocolate and coffee shop — try the handmade pralines
Located in the Museum of Modern Art in Ljubljana city centre, offering specialty coffee and craft cocktails.
These are places I genuinely enjoy and regularly recommend to guests. Each one is within a short walk of the apartments.
Fresh pasta made in-house, with a good selection of Italian and Slovenian wines. An easy choice for a relaxed meal close to the apartment.
My recommendation: Go for the freshly made pasta and pair it with a glass of local or Italian wine.
Open in Google MapsA riverside spot for breakfast, brunch or a drink. The setting beside the water is especially lovely in the morning.
My recommendation: Visit in the morning and take your time over breakfast by the river.
Open in Google MapsA favourite for good coffee, with a lovely terrace overlooking the river. It works equally well for a quiet morning coffee or a sightseeing break.
My recommendation: Find a table on the terrace and enjoy your coffee with a river view.
Open in Google MapsA good place to begin if you would like to try Slovenian food, with familiar dishes presented with a modern touch.
My recommendation: Choose one of the traditional Slovenian dishes to experience the country through its food.
Open in Google MapsTry real Slovenian štruklji: rolled dumplings with different fillings, available in both savoury and sweet options.
My recommendation: Choose a savoury or sweet filling to try one of Slovenia’s classic traditional dishes.
Open in Google MapsThe market is lively on weekdays and Saturdays, with seasonal fruit, vegetables and regional products, alongside cafés and speciality shops.
My recommendation: Go in the morning, especially on Saturday, when the market is at its liveliest.
Open in Google MapsLjubljana is an excellent city for families. The pedestrianised centre makes exploring with children easier, and there's plenty to keep them entertained. Both our apartments accommodate families — baby cots are available on request.
Ride the funicular up to the castle for a puppet museum, tower climb, and medieval exhibitions
Compact, child-friendly zoo set in a hillside forest with native and exotic animals
Interactive optical illusion museum that kids (and adults) love
The renovated children’s playground by Tivoli Pond, with open green space and park paths nearby
Only consider BicikeLJ for older children who are tall enough to control a standard adult-size bike and can ride confidently under close adult supervision; use requires advance online registration
Stand-up paddleboarding through the city center — rentals available at several points along the river
Ljubljana is an easy city to explore with children. The historic centre is compact, much of it is pedestrianised, and many of the main attractions are within walking distance of the apartment.
My advice is not to plan too much. Leave time for the children to explore, stop for an ice cream and return to the apartment for a rest when needed.
I have also created a Ljubljana with Kids map with family-friendly places that you can save and use during your stay.
After checking in, start with a short walk to Dragon Bridge, only about one minute from the apartment. Finding the four dragon statues is a fun introduction to Ljubljana for children.
Continue past the Central Market and follow the river towards the Butchers’ Bridge, Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square. This is an easy first walk that introduces the family to the centre without requiring a strict schedule.
For dinner, RawPasta is a convenient choice just five minutes from the apartment. Afterwards, walk back along the river and enjoy the city lights.
Begin with breakfast at EK Bistro beside the river. From there, walk back through the Central Market to the lower funicular station.
Children usually enjoy the funicular ride up Castle Hill. At the top, explore the castle grounds and enjoy the views over Ljubljana. Families with older children can also try one of the castle’s interactive experiences.
After returning to the Old Town, stop for lunch and take a break at the apartment if the children need some quiet time.
Later in the afternoon, take a boat ride along the Ljubljanica. It is a relaxing way to see the bridges and city centre from a different perspective, especially after a morning of walking.
For dinner, try Slovenska Hiša Ljubljančanka. It is a good opportunity for the whole family to taste Slovenian food presented in an approachable, modern way.
For curious children, start at the House of Experiments. It is very close to the apartment and gives children a chance to touch, test and explore instead of simply looking at exhibits.
Afterwards, head to the renovated children’s playground by Tivoli Pond, about 1.5 km or a 20-minute walk from the apartment. Tivoli Park also has plenty of open space and paths where the whole family can walk and relax.
Families who want to make a full day of it can continue to Ljubljana Zoo. Families with younger children may prefer to spend more time at the Tivoli playground and return to the centre at a slower pace.
Later, stop at Kavarna Specialka for coffee while enjoying the terrace overlooking the river.
If departure time allows, visit the Central Market in the morning. It is at its best on weekdays and Saturdays, when the stalls are filled with fruit, vegetables and products from local producers.
Pick up something for the journey, have one final coffee beside the river and take a last walk past Dragon Bridge before leaving Ljubljana.
Ljubljana is best enjoyed slowly. Most of this itinerary can be changed depending on the children’s ages, the weather and the family’s energy.
Because the apartment is in the centre, it is easy to return for lunch, a nap or a short rest before heading out again. You can also use my Ljubljana with Kids map to find more family-friendly places nearby.
Slovenia is tiny — you can reach the Alps, the coast, and some of Europe's most spectacular caves all within 90 minutes. Here are the trips I recommend most:
Iconic Alpine lake with a church on an island, surrounded by mountains. Swim, row, hike, or just take in the view.
Quieter and wilder than Bled — crystal-clear glacial lake inside Triglav National Park. Great for swimming and hiking.
The world's most visited show cave, followed by a dramatic castle built into a cliff face.
A Venetian-style coastal town on the Adriatic — cobblestone streets, seafood restaurants, and Mediterranean sunsets.
The emerald-green Soča River is perfect for rafting, zip-lining, and hiking. Some of the best adventure sports in Europe.
Massive underground canyon system — less crowded than Postojna and arguably more spectacular.
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On foot: The entire Old Town is pedestrianised. From our apartments, you can reach every major sight within 15 minutes on foot. This is how most visitors explore Ljubljana and it's the best way.
By bike: Ljubljana has an excellent public bike-sharing system called BicikeLJ. Visitors can purchase a €1 weekly subscription, and the first hour of each ride is then free. BicikeLJ uses standard adult-size public-share bicycles and requires advance online registration. For children, consider it only for older riders who are tall enough to control the bike and can ride confidently under close adult supervision.
By bus: The Urbanomats and LPP city buses cover the wider city. A single one-zone ride is €1.50 with a prepaid Urbana card. Useful for reaching the zoo or the train station in bad weather.
By car: Not needed in the centre, but useful for day trips. Multiple parking garages are within a 5-minute walk of the apartments — see our parking guide for details.
From the airport: Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) is 25 km away. GoOpti shuttle (~€12) or taxi (~€40) will get you to the apartment in about 30 minutes. We can help arrange transfers upon request.
Both apartments have full kitchens, and there are two supermarkets within a short walk:
For fresh produce, the Central Market (about a 3 to 5-minute walk) operates every morning except Sundays. In summer, the outdoor section extends along the riverbank with local farmers selling fruit, vegetables, cheese, and honey. It's also home to the famous Friday Open Kitchen street food market (March–October).
The nearest pharmacy is at Prešernov trg 5 (5 min walk), open weekdays 7:30–19:30.
Ljubljana is beautiful year-round, but each season offers something different:
Mild and green. Cafés start setting up riverside terraces. Perfect for walking and cycling. Ljubljana Festival events begin.
Warm, lively, long days. Open Kitchen street food market every Friday. Outdoor cinema, concerts, and the Ana Desetnica street festival.
Golden colours, fewer tourists, wine harvest season. The Martinovanje wine festival in November is a highlight.
Ljubljana's Christmas market transforms the Old Town with lights and mulled wine. The Festive Fair runs from late November through New Year.