The back story 1
A green capital.
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The back story
Green Ljubljana: the back story
European Green Capital in 2016: a car-free centre, a forest park that reaches the city centre, a river for walking and a ring path around the whole city.
17 of the best · Ljubljana, Slovenia
Parks, Hills & the River in Ljubljana
European Green Capital 2016: a forest park in the centre, a river for walking and hills all around.
Our 17 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Ljubljana
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Ljubljana.
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The city’s great park
Tivoli Park
The city’s largest park, with Plečnik’s Jakopič Promenade, open-air photo exhibitions, Tivoli Mansion and paths into the woods.
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Plečnik’s promenades
The Ljubljanica embankments
The river and its stepped embankments, willows and bridges, Ljubljana’s favourite walk.
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Ljubljana’s favourite hike
Šmarna gora
The hill north of the city that everyone climbs, with a church, an inn and views of the Alps.
The full list: Parks & nature, A–Z
Show 16 of 17 places on a map
Neighbourhood
Parks & gardens 9
Green space in the city.
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Since 1810
Botanical Garden
The Ljubljana Botanical Garden, founded in 1810, with thousands of plant species.
Ižanska cesta 15Explore View on map
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Paths to the castle
Castle Hill
The wooded hill of the castle, with walking paths from the old town.
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Plečnik’s avenue in Tivoli
Jakopič Promenade
Plečnik’s promenade through Tivoli Park towards Tivoli Mansion, named after the Impressionist Rihard Jakopič and with open-air exhibitions.
Tivoli ParkExplore View on map
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Swans, frogs and dragonflies
Koseze Pond
A small lake in a former clay pit on the city’s western edge, with a walking path, wooden piers and rare plants and animals.
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On the slopes of Rožnik
Ljubljana Zoo
The city zoo on the wooded slopes of Rožnik hill.
Večna pot 70Explore View on map
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Plečnik, 1937–1938
Navje Memorial Park
A quiet memorial park behind the railway station, designed by Plečnik and Ivo Spinčič on the site of an old cemetery.
Between Vilharjeva, Železna and Linhartova, LjubljanaExplore View on map
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A walk in the woods
Rožnik hill
A wooded hill behind Tivoli, with a church, an inn and walking paths; Ljubljana Zoo lies on its slopes.
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The city’s great park
Tivoli Park
The city’s largest park, with Plečnik’s Jakopič Promenade, open-air photo exhibitions, Tivoli Mansion and paths into the woods.
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Pineapple, pepper and vanilla
Tivoli Park Glasshouse
The Botanical Garden’s tropical glasshouse in Tivoli Park, where you can see pineapple, black pepper, coffee and vanilla orchids growing.
Tivoli ParkExplore View on map
The river 2
The Ljubljanica.
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Ljubljana’s old town beach
Špica
A riverside park on the pointed tip of the Ljubljanica embankment, once the town beach, with wooden decks and a footbridge to the Botanical Garden.
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Plečnik’s promenades
The Ljubljanica embankments
The river and its stepped embankments, willows and bridges, Ljubljana’s favourite walk.
Hills & trails 5
Walks around the city.
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Boats and birdlife on the Sava
Lake Zbilje
A lake on the Sava near Medvode, created in 1953 for the hydroelectric plant, with boat hire, cafés and plenty of birds.
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Pile dwellings and wetlands
Ljubljana Marshes
The wetlands south of the city, a nature park with prehistoric pile-dwelling sites of UNESCO World Heritage status.
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The Marshes’ southern guard
Mount Krim
The 1,107-metre summit south of the Ljubljana Marshes, reached by six marked trails, with one of the finest views in Slovenia.
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A 33 km green ring
Path of Remembrance and Comradeship
A tree-lined trail of about 33 km around the city, for walking, running and cycling.
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Ljubljana’s favourite hike
Šmarna gora
The hill north of the city that everyone climbs, with a church, an inn and views of the Alps.
