Neighbourhood guide · Ljubljana, Slovenia
The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
The left bank is the city’s grander side: Prešeren Square and the Triple Bridge, Art Nouveau Miklošičeva, Congress Square and the Philharmonic, the Nebotičnik and the museums towards Tivoli.
About The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
Prešeren Square is the meeting point of the city, with Art Nouveau buildings rebuilt after the 1895 earthquake along Miklošičeva. Wolfova and Čopova lead to Congress Square, the university and the Philharmonic.
Beyond Slovenska cesta lie Republic Square, Cankarjev dom, the National Gallery, the Opera, the National Museum and Tivoli Park.
Where The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares is
Our 47 places in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
Restaurants in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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MICHELIN Guide 2026
Aftr
A modern restaurant on Nazorjeva, listed in the MICHELIN Guide Slovenia 2026.
Nazorjeva ulica 2Explore View on map
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MICHELIN Guide 2026
Altrokè
A modern restaurant blending Italian and Slovenian ideas, listed in the MICHELIN Guide Slovenia 2026.
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Ćevapi on Trubarjeva
Baščaršija
A Bosnian grill on Trubarjeva for ćevapi, burek and Bosnian coffee.
Trubarjeva cesta 52Explore View on map
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Pizza by the theatre
Foculus
A long-running pizzeria near the Drama theatre, with a big menu of wood-fired pizzas.
Gregorčičeva ulica 3Explore View on map
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A hidden courtyard
Gostilna AS
A classic of Ljubljana dining in a courtyard off Čopova, known for fish and seafood, with the AS Aperitivo lounge alongside.
Čopova ulica 5aExplore View on map
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First recorded in 1776
Gostilna Šestica
One of the oldest inns in Ljubljana, first recorded in 1776, opposite the Nebotičnik.
Slovenska cesta 40Explore View on map
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Chef Janez Bratovž
JB Restavracija
The long-established fine-dining restaurant of chef Janez Bratovž, on Miklošičeva.
Miklošičeva cesta 19Explore View on map
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MICHELIN Guide 2026
Landerik
A modern restaurant of seasonal Slovenian cooking, listed in the MICHELIN Guide Slovenia 2026.
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MICHELIN Guide 2026
Sushimama
A Japanese restaurant near Prešeren Square, listed in the MICHELIN Guide Slovenia 2026.
Wolfova ulica 12Explore View on map
Cafés in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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At the Moderna galerija
Kavarna Moderna
The café of the Museum of Modern Art, with a terrace looking towards Tivoli.
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Views from the skyscraper
Kavarna Nebotičnik
The café and bar at the top of the Nebotičnik skyscraper, with a terrace over the city.
Štefanova ulica 1Explore View on map
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On the right bank
Kavarna Rog
A stylish café and bistro on Petkovškovo nabrežje, open from breakfast to evening tapas.
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Art Nouveau grandeur
Kavarna Union
The café of the Grand Hotel Union, an Art Nouveau landmark of 1905.
Miklošičeva cesta 1Explore View on map
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Cakes on Congress Square
Kavarna Zvezda
A popular café and cake shop on Congress Square, known for its cakes and ice cream.
Kongresni trg 3Explore View on map
Bars in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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A Ljubljana institution
Cutty Sark
A long-standing pub in the Knafljev passage, popular with locals and students.
Knafljev prehod 1Explore View on map
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A cosy pub
Sir William’s Pub
A cosy pub off Slovenska cesta, with a good beer list and a friendly crowd.
Tavčarjeva ulica 8AExplore View on map
Nightlife in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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A student classic
K4
A basement club on Kersnikova with electronic and alternative nights.
Kersnikova ulica 4Explore View on map
Hotels in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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A historic address
Best Western Premier Hotel Slon
A long-established hotel on Slovenska cesta, on the site of one of the city’s oldest inns.
Slovenska cesta 34Explore View on map
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By Tivoli Park
Exe Lev
A large hotel by Tivoli Park, a short walk from the centre.
Vošnjakova ulica 1Explore View on map
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Art Nouveau, 1905
Grand Hotel Union
An Art Nouveau landmark of 1905, a minute from Prešeren Square.
Miklošičeva cesta 1Explore View on map
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Clean modern design
Hotel Cubo
A modern design hotel on Slovenska cesta, a short walk from Congress Square.
Slovenska cesta 15Explore View on map
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Steps from Prešeren Square
Hotel Emonec
A simple, good-value hotel a few steps from Prešeren Square.
Wolfova ulica 12Explore View on map
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Five stars, high views
InterContinental Ljubljana
A five-star hotel in a tower on Slovenska cesta, with high-floor views, a spa and a rooftop restaurant.
Slovenska cesta 59Explore View on map
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Rooftop terrace
Urban Hotel
A modern design hotel near the Nebotičnik, with a rooftop terrace.
Štefanova ulica 4Explore View on map
Sights in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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Named after 1821
Congress Square & Zvezda Park
The grand square named after the Congress of Ljubljana of 1821, with the university, the Philharmonic and the Ursuline Church.
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Four bronze dragons
Dragon Bridge
An Art Nouveau bridge of 1901 guarded by four bronze dragons, the symbol of the city.
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Inside a Roman town
Emona House & the Jakopič Garden
Remains of Roman houses of Emona, shown in situ under the modern city.
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The pink church
Franciscan Church of the Annunciation
The pink Baroque church on Prešeren Square, built in the 17th century.
Prešernov trg 4Explore View on map
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A 1933 skyscraper
Nebotičnik
Ljubljana’s skyscraper of 1933, with a café and terrace on top.
Štefanova ulica 1Explore View on map
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The heart of the city
Prešeren Square
The central square by the Triple Bridge, with the pink Franciscan Church and the monument to the poet France Prešeren.
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Where independence was celebrated
Republic Square
The modernist square of the Parliament and Cankarjev dom, where independence was celebrated in 1991.
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Baroque on Congress Square
Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity
A Baroque church of the early 18th century facing Congress Square.
Slovenska cestaExplore View on map
Arts & Culture in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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Concerts, theatre, film
Cankarjev dom
The largest cultural and congress centre in Slovenia, on Republic Square.
Prešernova cesta 10Explore View on map
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A sugar refinery reborn
Cukrarna
A gallery of contemporary art in a former sugar refinery on the river.
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Hands-on science
House of Experiments
A hands-on science centre on Trubarjeva, good for families.
Trubarjeva cesta 39Explore View on map
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City cinema
Kinodvor
The city’s arthouse cinema near the railway station, with a café.
Kolodvorska ulica 13Explore View on map
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Slovenian modern art
Museum of Modern Art (Moderna galerija)
The national museum of 20th-century Slovenian art, in a building by Edvard Ravnikar.
Tomšičeva ulica 14Explore View on map
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Slovenian art
National Gallery of Slovenia
The national collection of art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including the Slovenian Impressionists and the original Robba Fountain.
Puharjeva ulica 9Explore View on map
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The Vače situla
National Museum of Slovenia
The national museum of archaeology and history, home of the Iron Age Vače situla and a Neanderthal flute.
Prešernova cesta 20Explore View on map
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A 1933 skyscraper
Nebotičnik
Ljubljana’s skyscraper of 1933, with a café and terrace on top.
Štefanova ulica 1Explore View on map
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The heart of the city
Prešeren Square
The central square by the Triple Bridge, with the pink Franciscan Church and the monument to the poet France Prešeren.
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Film classics
Slovenian Cinematheque
The national film archive’s cinema, with classics and retrospectives.
Miklošičeva cesta 28Explore View on map
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Opera and ballet
Slovenian National Opera and Ballet
The neo-Renaissance Opera House of 1892, home of the national opera and ballet.
Župančičeva ulica 1Explore View on map
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Since 1701
Slovenian Philharmonic
The concert hall of the Slovenian Philharmonic on Congress Square, home of its orchestra and choir.
Kongresni trg 10Explore View on map
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The national theatre
SNG Drama Ljubljana
The Slovenian National Theatre Drama, in an Art Nouveau building.
Erjavčeva cesta 1Explore View on map
Shopping in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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A city of literature
Bookshops: Konzorcij, Beletrina & Trubarjev antikvariat
Ljubljana’s best bookshops, with English titles, Slovenian authors in translation and an antiquarian shop on Mestni trg.
Getting around in The centre: Prešeren & Congress Squares
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Trains and buses
Railway & bus station
The main railway station and bus station side by side on Trg Osvobodilne fronte, ten minutes’ walk from Prešeren Square.
Trg Osvobodilne fronteExplore View on map
See the full list: Getting Around Ljubljana: Airport, Trains, Buses, Bikes & Onward Travel