Enjoying Ljubljana With Kids: 18 Ideas To Explore

Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Leslie Stroud

Before booking flights to Slovenia, I could not have told you where Ljubljana was or how to say it (loo-blee-aa-nuh). Even Slovenia wasn’t on my radar until someone in my Portuguese class told me he would have settled in Slovenia over Portugal if the visa laws were easier. I was surprised, but I quickly googled Slovenia, and the pictures of Lake Bled were enough to convince me!

Slovenia is perhaps Europe’s best-kept secret. Stunning landscapes, lakes, caves, and walkable towns are all at lower prices than many other European hot spots. Slovenia’s family-friendly vibe welcomes families.

Kids will love that the symbol of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, is a dragon, and you can spot them everywhere! Make a game of how many you can spot.

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Why You Should Visit Slovenia With Kids

• Prices for accommodations are family-friendly and can easily fit your budget. We stayed at the EuroStar Hotel, steps from the main square. The kids liked the (small) pool, and we all loved the breakfast buffet. The automatic pancake maker was terrific!

• Slovenia is part of the European Union and uses euros, which means you may not need to exchange currency if you are coming from another EU country (unlike other Eastern European countries like Poland and Hungary).

• Ljubljana is extremely walkable. Kids will love hidden gems like the faucet and playing stream we found while wandering. Check out the sewer covers, too, with dragons on them.

• Ljubljana is ideally located for day trip explorations around Slovenia. It’s also easy to rent a car for the day.

• The Old Town is car-free and has been for decades. This means no stress watching out for cars when walking around with kids.

• We LOVED the free water fill stations all over town. Be sure to bring your refillable water bottles!

Where To Stay In Ljubljana With Kids

Here are some of the top-rated, family-friendly hotels you can check out when traveling to Ljubljana with kids:

• InterContinental Ljubljana, an IHG Hotel is a family-friendly hotel in the City Centre. Check out the Ljubljana Fair, an event, or a game at Tivoli Hall if you’re looking for an activity to do with kids.

• Hotel Heritage serves complimentary breakfast. This hotel is 10 minutes walk away from the Ljubljana Castle. Cankerjevo Nabrezje and the Slovenian Museum of Natural History are some of the highlights worth visiting.

• Hotel Cubo offers 24-hour fitness and is next to a golf course and near a train station. Outdoor adventures are available in the area, like cave exploring and hiking/biking trails.

What To Do in Ljubljana With Kids

For a smaller town of only about 270,000 residents, this place packs a big punch when it comes to family activities. We explored for two days and still didn’t see everything on our list. We used our third day for a day trip to Lake Bled, which was well worth it!

1. Ljubljana Castle

Visit Ljubljana Castle, which sits atop a hill overlooking the city.

• You can take a funicular ride to reach the castle, or you can walk right from downtown. Follow the signs and walk up for about 15 minutes of a steep climb.

• At the castle, kids can explore the castle’s ramparts, visit the museum, and enjoy panoramic views of Ljubljana.

• We opted for the escape game at the castle. It is an extra cost in addition to the entry tickets, but very fun! We split into two groups (due to the size of our large family) and competed against each other. It was a good challenge and a wonderful memory.

• You can also enjoy a more traditional audio guide of the castle.

• The castle boasts a restaurant and a café, in case you are hungry. However, reservations are recommended for the restaurant during the busy season.

2. Tivoli City Park

Tivoli Park is a vast green space with playgrounds, walking paths, and beautiful gardens.

• Kids can run around, play on the playground equipment, or rent a paddleboat on the park’s pond. Parents can enjoy a coffee at Colnarna while kids play!

• Lumpi Park, located in Tivoli Park, is a large outdoor play center. It offers bouncy castles, boats, trampolines, and more.

• Another excellent playground option for smaller kids is Mala Ulica Playground. A small entrance fee gets you in, and you can enjoy the cafe.

3. Ljubljana Zoo

The Ljubljana Zoo is a great place for a family outing. It’s home to a variety of animals from around the world, and kids can learn about wildlife conservation while enjoying the animals.

4. Ljubljana Puppet Theatre

Check out a show at the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre (Lutkovno Gledališče Ljubljana). They offer entertaining puppet shows and performances suitable for children.

• Puppetry is a long-standing tradition in Ljubljana. Check for performances your kids will like.

• It’s open from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday, and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.

5. River Ljubljanica

Take a relaxing boat tour along the Ljubljanica River, which runs through the heart of the city.

• Kids will enjoy the unique perspective of the city from the water and love going under all the bridges.

• Kids under six are free.

6. Street Art in Metelkova Mesto

While it’s known for its alternative culture, Metelkova Mesto has colorful and imaginative graffiti art that can capture kids’ imaginations.

• Note that some parts of Metelkova may be a bit sketchy, so choose your route carefully.

7. Ljubljana Castle Puppet Museum

Located within Ljubljana Castle, the Museum of Puppetry will entertain kids with hands-on exhibits.

• This museum is dedicated to the history of puppetry and is interactive, making it engaging for children.

8. The House of Experiments (Hiša Eksperimentov)

This science center offers hands-on experiments and interactive exhibits that encourage kids to learn about physics, chemistry, and other scientific concepts through play.

• Check hours, as they may only be open on weekends.

9. Museum of Illusions

Visit the Museum of Illusions, where kids can explore optical illusions, puzzles, and mind-bending exhibits that challenge their perception of reality.

• It is an affordable museum in an old town and an easy way to kill a couple of hours.

10. Križanke Open-Air Theatre

During the summer, Križanke hosts various outdoor events, including concerts and theater performances suitable for families.

11. Ljubljana Botanical Garden

Explore the Ljubljana Botanical Garden, which features a variety of plants and a collection of succulents. While not the most compelling family activity, it’s a peaceful place for a family stroll.

12. National Museum of Slovenia – Metelkova

The museum offers kid-friendly exhibits, including a collection of dinosaur fossils, prehistoric artifacts, and cultural exhibits.

13. Enjoy Sweet Treats and Restaurants Around Ljubljana

Many restaurants in Ljubljana offer child-friendly menus and outdoor seating where families can enjoy a meal together.

• Visit Lolita for some award-winning ice cream, or try another local favorite, De Lelie.

• Grab our favorite Eastern European treat, the chimney cake, at Dragon Street Food. We got the Dragon King, which comes with Nutella and ice cream.

• Gostilna na Gradu is a highly-rated restaurant and suitable for families. It is located in the castle and is open for dinner.

• In Old Town, opt for Gostilna Sokol.

• We love mochi donuts and found some great ones at Donut Tell.

14. Visit Local Markets

Take your kids to Ljubljana’s vibrant outdoor markets, such as the Central Market (Osrednja tržnica), where you can peruse fresh produce, local crafts, and delicious food stalls.

• Enjoy lots of free samples of traditional Slovenian food.

• You can also find souvenirs to take home.

• The Central Market is closed on Sundays.

15. Explore Dragon Bridge and the Triple Bridge

Spanning a river means lots of bridges in Ljubljana. Kids will love the Dragon Bridge, with four massive dragons, and the Triple Bridge.

16. Ljubljana Open Kitchen

In case you are in town on a Friday between May and October, be sure to check out the open kitchen!

• Sample many traditional foods in a short time, as well as international cuisine.

17. Minicity Ljubljana

A mini city for kids where they can pretend to be everything from police to bakery workers.

• You’ll need to drive a car or take public transportation here (10-30 min).

• It’s a great rainy-day option.

18. Waterparks Near Ljubljana

Kids will love swimming at Atlantis or Auqaluna, two waterparks close to Ljubljana.

• Both include indoor and outdoor pools, so you can visit in all weather.

• Parents can enjoy spa options and saunas.

• Entry can be daily or hourly.

Day Trips From Ljubljana

• Lake Bled is a must! Get there by car, train, bus, or taxi, and enjoy some of the many things to do there. Read about our amazing day in Lake Bled.

• Slovenia boasts lots of thermal spas. One option in the Tuhinj Valley is the Terme Snovik.

• Heart Shaped Road in Špičnik in northern Slovenia. Grab an IG-worthy picture! The vantage point you need is actually located just a few meters away in Austria.

• Lake Bohinj is a larger, quieter version of Lake Bled. Lots of watersport options await here in the summer.

• The city of Kranj, the 4th largest city in Slovenia, has nearly a mile of underground tunnels to explore under a picturesque town.

• Skofja Loka is a charming medieval town complete with a castle and romantic bridge.

• The world’s largest cave castle exists at Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave.

Other Guided Tours To Try In Ljubljana

• Get close to nature with a tour at Triglav National Park. Set your feet to hiking the three major observation points for panoramic views of the park, and wonder in the beauty of the Julian Alps.

• A guided day tour to Soča and Kranjska will let you catch the unique emerald color of the Soča River, discover the majestic Soča Valley, and explore the biggest alpine resort in the country, Kranjska Gora.

Other Tips for Visiting Ljubljana With Kids

• Make sure you ask taxis to use their meter. We were ripped off twice! Our hotel quoted us a rate of 35€, and my taxi driver asked for 75€! I had to push back and get him to be honest.

• If you want to use the bus, grab an Urbana Card. Rides are about 1.5€ each. Make sure you load enough money on the card, as the re-load machines are not easy to find.

There is so much to see and do in Ljubljana, and so many of these experiences are perfect for families. Plan ahead so you won’t miss out! Let me know about your experience in the comments below.

Xoxo,

Leslie

Additional Reading

How To Visit Lake Bled With Kids: 11 Things To Do as a Family

Amazing 5-Day Scotland Itinerary for Families

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