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The Slovenian Philharmonic on Congress Square

76 of the best · Ljubljana, Slovenia

Arts & Culture in Ljubljana

A philharmonic with roots in 1701, a summer festival in Plečnik’s Križanke and museums from Roman Emona to contemporary art.

Our 76 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026

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Insiders' picks

Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Ljubljana.

  1. Since 1701

    Slovenian Philharmonic

    City Centre·Concert hall·€€

    The concert hall of the Slovenian Philharmonic on Congress Square, home of its orchestra and choir.

    Kongresni trg 10Explore View on map

  2. The architect at home

    Plečnik House

    Trnovo·House museum·€

    The house and studio of the architect Jože Plečnik, kept as he left it; guided tours.

    Karunova ulica 4-6Explore View on map

The full list: Arts & Culture, A–Z

Show 68 of 76 places on a map
Neighbourhood

The back story 3

In-depth stories behind the list.

  1. The back story

    France Prešeren and the poets: the back story

    Ljubljana·In depth: literature

    The poet whose verse became the national anthem, his muse Julija, and the literary city that still celebrates its writers.

    Explore View on map

  2. The back story

    Ljubljana Art, Architecture & Culture: the back story

    The Ljubljanica & Trnovo·In depth: arts & culture

    Plečnik’s bridges, library and UNESCO-listed city, Cukrarna and Metelkova, the Biennial of Design and the Ljubljana Festival at Križanke: the story behind one of Europe’s most beautifully designed small capitals.

    Explore View on map

  3. The back story

    Ljubljana’s music: the back story

    Ljubljana·In depth: music

    One of the oldest philharmonic societies in Europe, the young Gustav Mahler, a festival in Plečnik’s Križanke and a busy concert season all year.

    Explore View on map

Visual arts

Museums 15

Great collections.

  1. Your weight in gold

    Bank of Slovenia Museum

    Centre·Money museum·€

    The central bank’s museum, with every Slovenian banknote and coin since independence, the story of the tolar and interactive exhibits.

    Cankarjeva cesta 1Explore View on map

  2. The world’s oldest wheel

    City Museum of Ljubljana

    Old Town·Museum·€

    The story of Ljubljana in a Baroque palace, with Roman remains and the Ljubljana Marshes Wheel.

    Gosposka ulica 15Explore View on map

  3. Early computers and games

    Computer History Museum

    Šiška·Museum of computing·€

    A museum of early computers, games and the first days of the web, with workshops and talks, in Šiška.

    Celovška cesta 111Explore View on map

  4. Hands-on science

    House of Experiments

    City Centre·Science centre·€

    A hands-on science centre on Trubarjeva, good for families.

    Trubarjeva cesta 39Explore View on map

  5. In a Renaissance castle

    Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO)

    Fužine·Museum of architecture & design·€

    The national museum of architecture and design, in Fužine Castle, the only preserved Renaissance castle in Ljubljana, and home of the BIO design biennial.

    Rusjanov trg 7Explore View on map

  6. The 20th century

    National Museum of Contemporary History

    Tivoli·Museum·€

    A museum of 20th-century Slovenian history in the Cekin Mansion in Tivoli Park.

    Celovška cesta 23Explore View on map

  7. The Vače situla

    National Museum of Slovenia

    City Centre·Museum·€

    The national museum of archaeology and history, home of the Iron Age Vače situla and a Neanderthal flute.

    Prešernova cesta 20Explore View on map

  8. Try your hand at puppetry

    Puppet Museum, Ljubljana Castle

    Castle Hill·Puppet museum·€

    The Ljubljana Puppet Theatre’s museum in the castle, on Slovenia’s rich puppet tradition, where you can try puppeteering yourself.

    Grajska planota 1Explore View on map

  9. Steam engines

    Railway Museum

    Šiška·Museum·€

    The railway museum of Slovenian Railways in an old depot, with steam locomotives.

    Parmova ulica 35Explore View on map

  10. Everyday life

    Slovene Ethnographic Museum

    Metelkova·Museum·€

    A museum of Slovenian traditions and everyday life, from beehive panels to costumes, in the Metelkova museum quarter.

    Metelkova ulica 2Explore View on map

  11. Mammoth, minerals and the olm

    Slovenian Museum of Natural History

    Centre·Natural history museum·€

    Slovenia’s main natural history museum, sharing the National Museum’s palace, with the Zois minerals, a mammoth skeleton and the cave-dwelling olm.

    Prešernova cesta 20Explore View on map

  12. The magic blackboard

    Slovenian School Museum

    Centre·Museum of education·€

    A museum of the history of education in the former Ursuline schools on Plečnikov trg, built around a blackboard full of hidden drawers.

    Plečnikov trg 1Explore View on map

  13. Theatre history on Mestni trg

    Slovenian Theatre Museum

    Old Town·Theatre museum·€

    The museum of the Slovenian Theatre Institute on Mestni trg, telling the history of drama, opera, dance and puppetry in Slovenia.

    Mestni trg 17Explore View on map

  14. In the old tobacco factory

    Tobačna 001 and the Tobacco Museum

    Vič·Gallery & museum·€

    A cultural centre in Ljubljana’s former tobacco factory, with the Tobacco Museum and Galerija 001 for contemporary art.

    Tobačna ulica 1Explore View on map

Galleries 14

Painting, sculpture and photography.

  1. A sugar refinery reborn

    Cukrarna

    City Centre·Contemporary art·€

    A gallery of contemporary art in a former sugar refinery on the river.

    Explore View on map

  2. Photography and photobooks

    Galerija Fotografija

    Centre Rog·Photography gallery·€

    A photography gallery in Centre Rog that also sells photobooks and prints by Slovenian and international photographers.

    Trubarjeva cesta 72 (entrance from Petkovškovo nabrežje)Explore View on map

  3. Home of the Biennial

    International Centre of Graphic Arts (MGLC)

    Tivoli·Gallery·€

    A centre for printmaking in Tivoli Mansion, home of the Biennial of Graphic Arts, with a second venue at Švicarija.

    Explore View on map

  4. Art from the 1960s to now

    Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (MSUM)

    Metelkova·Contemporary art·€

    A museum of contemporary art from Slovenia and Eastern Europe, in the Metelkova museum quarter.

    Maistrova ulica 3Explore View on map

  5. Slovenian modern art

    Museum of Modern Art (Moderna galerija)

    City Centre·Art museum·€

    The national museum of 20th-century Slovenian art, in a building by Edvard Ravnikar.

    Tomšičeva ulica 14Explore View on map

  6. Cankar’s “refuge for sinners”

    Švicarija (MGLC)

    Tivoli·Artists’ house·€

    A former hotel in Tivoli Park, once home to writers and artists, now a creative centre with studios and exhibitions run by MGLC.

    Pod turnom 4Explore View on map

Street art & murals 2

Art on the walls of the city.

  1. Murals and clubs

    Metelkova Mesto

    Metelkova·Alternative culture centre

    Former barracks turned into an autonomous cultural centre, covered in murals and sculptures.

    Masarykova cestaExplore View on map

  2. One of 17 legal graffiti walls

    Šiška graffiti underpass

    Šiška·Street art

    The underpass beneath Celovška cesta by Kino Šiška, one of Ljubljana’s official graffiti walls and a canvas for the 1107 Klan crew.

    Celovška cesta 135Explore View on map

Architecture & landmarks 17

Great buildings, old and new.

  1. Plečnik by the river

    Central Market & Plečnik’s colonnade

    Old Town·Market

    The open-air market on Vodnik Square and Plečnik’s riverside colonnade, busiest on Saturday mornings.

    Explore View on map

  2. A church on piles

    Church of St Michael in the Marshes

    Črna vas·Plečnik church

    One of Plečnik’s most original works, a church on piles in the Ljubljana Marshes, built 1937–1940 with a slim open belfry.

    Črna vas 48Explore View on map

  3. An open-air room

    Cobblers’ Bridge

    Old Town·Bridge

    Plečnik’s columned bridge linking the old town with Congress Square.

    Explore View on map

  4. The city’s crown

    Ljubljana Castle

    Castle Hill·Castle·€€

    The castle on the hill above the old town, reached on foot or by funicular, with a tower, museums, restaurants and the best views in town.

    Grajska planota 1Explore View on map

  5. By Bevk Perović

    Ljubljana Islamic Cultural Centre

    Šiška·Contemporary architecture

    Slovenia’s first Islamic cultural centre and mosque, a dazzling white complex by the architects Bevk Perović.

    Džamijska ulica 10Explore View on map

  6. Where the river leaves the city

    Ljubljanica Sluice Gate

    Poljane·Plečnik monument

    Plečnik’s monumental river barrier by Cukrarna, marking the point where the Ljubljanica leaves the city, built 1939–1944.

    Ambrožev trg, LjubljanaExplore View on map

  7. Plečnik’s masterpiece

    National and University Library

    Old Town·Library

    Plečnik’s great library of patterned brick and stone, with a famous reading room.

    Turjaška ulica 1Explore View on map

  8. A 1933 skyscraper

    Nebotičnik

    City Centre·Skyscraper

    Ljubljana’s skyscraper of 1933, with a café and terrace on top.

    Štefanova ulica 1Explore View on map

  9. Ljubljana’s flatiron

    Peglezen

    Poljane·Plečnik building

    Plečnik’s narrow wedge-shaped building where Poljanska and Kapiteljska streets meet, nicknamed after a charcoal iron.

    Poljanska cesta 1Explore View on map

  10. The architect at home

    Plečnik House

    Trnovo·House museum·€

    The house and studio of the architect Jože Plečnik, kept as he left it; guided tours.

    Karunova ulica 4-6Explore View on map

  11. A roof cut for a lime tree

    St Bartholomew’s Church, Šiška

    Šiška·Plečnik church

    Šiška’s “Old Church”, redesigned by Plečnik, who left an opening in the roof so the lime tree beside it could keep growing.

    Šiška, LjubljanaExplore View on map

  12. Baroque frescoes

    St Nicholas Cathedral

    Old Town·Cathedral

    Ljubljana’s Baroque cathedral, with frescoed ceilings and bronze doors of 1996.

    Dolničarjeva ulica 1Explore View on map

  13. Plečnik, 1928–1930

    Triglav Insurance Palace

    Centre·Plečnik building

    Plečnik’s grand insurance palace on Miklošičeva, with a corner entrance, a trapezoidal marble-columned staircase and monumental brick columns.

    Miklošičeva cesta 19Explore View on map

  14. Plečnik’s masterpiece

    Triple Bridge

    Old Town·Bridge

    Three bridges side by side over the Ljubljanica, Plečnik’s most famous work, linking Prešeren Square with the old town.

    Explore View on map

  15. Birch trees on a bridge

    Trnovo Bridge

    Trnovo·Plečnik bridge

    Plečnik’s broad bridge over the Gradaščica in front of Trnovo Church, with pyramids, columns, a statue of St John and two rows of birch trees.

    Trnovo, LjubljanaExplore View on map

  16. Slovenian national style

    Vurnik House

    Centre·Art Nouveau landmark

    Ivan Vurnik’s richly decorated Cooperative Bank building of 1921 on Miklošičeva, the finest example of the Slovenian national style.

    Miklošičeva cesta 8Explore View on map

  17. Plečnik’s garden of all saints

    Žale cemetery

    Bežigrad·Cemetery & architecture

    Ljubljana’s main cemetery, with Plečnik’s monumental entrance and chapels, part of the UNESCO site.

    Explore View on map

Performing arts

Concert halls & music 5

Where to hear music.

  1. Concerts, theatre, film

    Cankarjev dom

    City Centre·Cultural centre·€€

    The largest cultural and congress centre in Slovenia, on Republic Square.

    Prešernova cesta 10Explore View on map

  2. Jazz since 1994

    Gajo Jazz Club

    Centre·Jazz club·€€

    One of Ljubljana’s best-known nightspots, serving nothing but jazz since 1994, with a long list of famous guests.

    Slovenska cesta 58Explore View on map

  3. Concerts of every kind

    Kino Šiška

    Šiška·Concert venue·€€

    A centre for urban culture in a former cinema, with concerts from indie to electronic.

    Trg Prekomorskih brigad 3Explore View on map

  4. The summer festival stage

    Križanke

    Krakovo·Open-air venue·€€

    A former monastery of the Teutonic Knights, transformed by Plečnik into the open-air stage of the Ljubljana Festival.

    Trg francoske revolucije 1Explore View on map

  5. Since 1701

    Slovenian Philharmonic

    City Centre·Concert hall·€€

    The concert hall of the Slovenian Philharmonic on Congress Square, home of its orchestra and choir.

    Kongresni trg 10Explore View on map

Theatre & musicals 4

Plays, musicals and the playhouses.

  1. At Ljubljana Castle

    Ljubljana Mini Theatre

    Castle Hill·Theatre for children and adults·€

    A theatre at Ljubljana Castle for children, young people and adults, which hosts the international Mini Summer puppet festival.

    Grajska planota 1Explore View on map

  2. For all ages

    Ljubljana Puppet Theatre

    Old Town·Puppet theatre·€

    A puppet theatre below the castle, with shows for children and adults.

    Krekov trg 2Explore View on map

  3. Slovenia’s most travelled theatre

    Mladinsko Theatre

    Bežigrad·Experimental theatre·€€

    Founded in 1955 as Slovenia’s first professional children’s theatre, now an internationally acclaimed experimental company.

    Vilharjeva cesta 11Explore View on map

  4. The national theatre

    SNG Drama Ljubljana

    City Centre·Theatre·€€

    The Slovenian National Theatre Drama, in an Art Nouveau building.

    Erjavčeva cesta 1Explore View on map

Opera, ballet & dance 2

The great houses and companies.

  1. Opera and ballet

    Slovenian National Opera and Ballet

    City Centre·Opera house·€€

    The neo-Renaissance Opera House of 1892, home of the national opera and ballet.

    Župančičeva ulica 1Explore View on map

  2. Home of EN-KNAP

    Španski borci Cultural Centre

    Moste·Dance & culture centre·€€

    A cultural centre in Moste run by EN-KNAP Productions, with contemporary dance, performances, a gallery and a café.

    Zaloška cesta 61Explore View on map

Film 5

Cinemas and film.

  1. Midsummer, in the castle

    Film Under the Stars, Ljubljana Castle

    Castle·Open-air cinema

    A month of films under the stars in the courtyard of Ljubljana Castle each summer, in their original language with Slovenian subtitles. Closed for the winter; the 2027 season has not been announced yet.

    Ljubljana Castle, Grajska planota 1, 1000 LjubljanaExplore View on map

  2. City cinema

    Kinodvor

    City Centre·Arthouse cinema·€

    The city’s arthouse cinema near the railway station, with a café.

    Kolodvorska ulica 13Explore View on map

  3. 11–22 November 2026

    LIFFe, Ljubljana International Film Festival

    Centre·Film festival

    Ljubljana’s biggest film festival, every November at Cankarjev dom and cinemas across the city.

    Explore View on map

  4. Late August

    Open-air cinema on Congress Square

    Centre·Open-air cinema

    Kinodvor’s late-summer open-air screenings on Congress Square, shown even if it rains. Closed for the winter; the 2027 season has not been announced yet.

    Explore View on map

  5. Film classics

    Slovenian Cinematheque

    City Centre·Cinema·€

    The national film archive’s cinema, with classics and retrospectives.

    Miklošičeva cesta 28Explore View on map

Literature & poetry 2

Writers, libraries and bookshops.

  1. The heart of the city

    Prešeren Square

    City Centre·Square

    The central square by the Triple Bridge, with the pink Franciscan Church and the monument to the poet France Prešeren.

    Explore View on map

  2. Ljubljana’s first public library

    Seminary Library

    Old Town·Baroque library·€

    A Baroque library of 1701 in the Seminary Palace by the cathedral, with a ceiling painted by Giulio Quaglio and original oak furniture.

    Dolničarjeva ulica 4Explore View on map

Folk & cultural traditions

Crafts & makers 5

Traditional crafts and the people who keep them.

  1. The old bicycle factory

    Centre Rog

    Centre Rog·Creative centre·€

    The renovated Rog bicycle factory, now a public centre for crafts, design and making, with workshops, studios and galleries.

    Trubarjeva cesta 72Explore View on map

  2. Handmade lace

    Galerija Idrijske čipke

    Old Town·Idrija lace·€€

    A shop of Idrija bobbin lace, one of Slovenia’s finest crafts, on Mestni trg.

    Mestni trg 17Explore View on map

  3. A living workshop museum

    Sitar 1920

    Centre·Engraving workshop·€€

    A century-old stamp-making and engraving workshop on Resljeva cesta, still working and open as a living museum.

    Resljeva cesta 10Explore View on map

  4. Print your own souvenir

    TipoRenesansa

    Breg·Letterpress studio·€€

    A letterpress printing studio on Breg where you can print the Slovenian alphabet as a souvenir, using old type and inks.

    Breg 22Explore View on map

  5. Treasures of Slovenia

    Zakladi Slovenije

    Old Town·Slovenian crafts·€€

    A shop of Slovenian crafts and products by the cathedral.

    Ciril-Metodov trg 2Explore View on map

Festivals & heritage events 2

The cultural calendar.

  1. 11–22 November 2026

    LIFFe, Ljubljana International Film Festival

    Centre·Film festival

    Ljubljana’s biggest film festival, every November at Cankarjev dom and cinemas across the city.

    Explore View on map

  2. Summer at Križanke

    Ljubljana Festival

    Križanke·Summer arts festival·€€

    Ljubljana’s great summer festival of music, opera, dance and theatre, centred on Plečnik’s open-air theatre at Križanke.

    Trg francoske revolucije 1Explore View on map

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