Tivoli, Rožnik, Mostec
Tivoli park is a nice easy strolling green area close to the center. You can stroll up Jakopič promenade to Cekin mansion, see the tennis and basketball courts, mini golf, children’s playground, roller-skating rink and swimming pool. You can have a cake at Čolnarna – Glasshouse, adjacent to the Botanical garden.
Svicarija has been just reopened. From there you continue to the top of Rožnik hill. On the top there’s a Slovenian restaurant. Try something Slovenian, Pehtranova potica or struklji, possibly. There are also church and the birth house of famous Slovenian writer Ivan Cankar, one of four main “modernists” in Slovenian literature. All together it is a nice walk, from one to two or even three hours if you continue to Mostec on the other side of the Šišenski hrib, where there are ski flyers, learning their first ski jumps, before they head on to Planica…. |
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Golovec and Orle
Hiking from the center of Ljubljana from main market to Astronomski inštitut - Institute of Astronomy and then to Orle hill is my favorite. This green area has lots of pines and chestnut trees. I admire some respectful beeches trees. There are lots of ferns and I always spot a new shape of mosses.
This is man-made forest. The name Golovec derives from gol, which means naked. The long slope was actually forested. Follow the signs to Orle. On the top there is a nice Gostilnica - Orle with a wonderful view on Ljubljana. You will get the appetite for at least Pehtranova potica in the summer or Kranjska klobasa in colder days. Orle is also accessible by bike. Light hiking 2 – 3 hours in one direction but even shorter walk is a nice way of spending free time. |
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Šmarna gora
Šmarna gora is a rather steep hill with a church on the top, what is actually a Slovenian regularity. It is a beloved destination for Ljubljana people especially on Sundays. Going on the top it will make you sweat. Outdoor fitness guaranteed.
Ring the bell at the top and make a wish! It’s a must. There you would want to try at least presta, salty “sweet” pastry. The starting point would be in Tacen, known for its kayaking competitions. To get to the top it takes about one hour. |
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Biking and tours
You can rent City bike or go for an organized tour. Beside the center of the city you will see Trnovo, Krakovski nasip, Plečnik’s cemetery Žale, Path of Comradeship and Rememberance,…
The price with bikes and helmets included is approx. 20 – 25 euro. See Watermelon bike tours for more information. Daily e-bike tours are getting more and more popular. See Green heels e-bike tours. City bike parks are in Tivoli for the youngest, in Podutik there's a down hill park and on Linhartova street there's a bike park for all generations. |
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Dancing
Ljubljana has a wonderful Festival hall, which has been also designed by our famous architect Plečnik. The ballroom dancing season in Ljubljana takes place from October to May and we dance almost every Friday or Saturday. Every time Jenko’s quadrille is danced and there are also some group dance formations…The spirit is very much as it used to be many years ago. And this tradition is only likeable.
Salsa, sensual and other latin dances and swing dance nights are also very popular in Ljubljana. There's also a tango festival. Dances are also going on at Ljubljanski grad or Dvorana Union beside the many dance schools which offer friday dances, like Bolero or Urska for example. |
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Skiing in the winter
Ljubljana lies in the center of Slovenia, so it makes it a wonderful starting point if you want to try skiing on different Slovenian skiing slopes. The closest skiing slope is Krvavec, only half an hour away. The most popular is Kranjska gora, one hour drive by car.
Going to Vogel you get a wonderful view above Bohinjsko jezero, and there are Soriška planina and Cerkno to name just a few, so you can ski on 5 different slopes in 5 different days… Since I like cross-country skiing as well, we often go to Planica just for a day and visit three corners of Slovenia, Austria and Italy on skies. (In the summer by bikes). But Pokljuka plato is absolutly fabulous! All these places can offer you a wonderful hikes in the summer days. |
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SUP in the summer
Since Špica, legendary swimming area on Ljubljanica river has been opened again, there are more and more summer activities going on, like Stand-up paddling for instance. But having a river cruise all down to first inhabitants Mostiscarji is very good idea too. |
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Ljubljana for culture oriented
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Ljubljana for children
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