Europe's 'City of Dragons' is a Prague alternative with an 'unbelievable' market

Metro

2 days ago

You've eaten tapas in Madrid, wandered the Colosseum in Rome, and visited the salt mines in Krakow — so where next?
If you're after a lesser-known European city break, it's time to put Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, on your radar.
With its quaint streets and historical charm, it's been likened to Prague — but without the stag dos and crowds of tourists (a staggering 8 million visitors headed to the Czech city last year).
Located in the heart of Slovenia, Ljubljana has been praised on TikTok for being 'one of the cleanest, prettiest, and safest cities ever', with many saying it's an 'underrated' gem.
And, during summer, Lonely Planet says the city feels like 'a nightly street party' thanks to the laid-back revellers enjoying drinks in the cafes that line the river.
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Tempted to book those flights? Here's everything you need to know.
Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. You might not have heard of it, let alone how to pronounce it (Loo-joob-leana).
In Central Europe, Slovenia shares borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. Meanwhile, Prague is around 280 miles north of Ljubljana.
Known as one of Europe's greenest and most liveable capitals, visitors won't have to worry about fighting for restaurant tables or tripping over tourists here — Ljubljana saw just 1.2 million tourists last year.
Still, though, the city is the most visited in Slovenia, and international visits are on the rise, so it might not stay hidden for too long.
Much like Prague, Ljubljana is brimming with beautiful buildings, cafes, and medieval charm. Both were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so their similarities are hard to ignore.
Ljubljana has a river running through it, scattered with beautiful bridges, connecting the old city and the new city.
One of its most famous, The Butcher's Bridge, connects Ljubljana Central Market and Petkosvek Embankment, a lively street filled with bars and restaurants.
The city's Dragon Bridge, built in 1901 features a design referencing the myth that Ljubljana was founded by the Greek mythological hero, Jason, who fought and defeated a dragon there. You'll see dragon imagery scattered around Ljubljana, also known as the City of Dragons.
There's also Tromostovje, or The Triple Bridge, a group of three bridges which are completely pedestrianised, and run from the city's central square to the Old Town.
With its cobbled and narrow streets, the Old Town is also a great place to sit down and enjoy some food, with plenty of restaurants scattered about.
Foodies visiting between March and November won't want to miss out Open Kitchen, an outdoor street food market hosted every sunny Friday between 10am and 9pm in the Old Town. You'll find an array of options on offer, with Slovenian cuisine a mixture of Northern Italy (think seafood and pasta) and more traditional Balkan dishes featuring buckwheat and game.
Tripadvisor reviewers said 'the sheer amount of different types of cuisine that were available was unbelievable', and added that the pricing was 'fair' too.
For more food and drink reccom,endations, Metro's Audience Trends Editor, Ellie Hutchings, visited the city recently and found some great bars.
'The Nebotičnik rooftop is a great spot for a drink with a view of the snow-capped mountains in the distance,' she says.
'Or, if you want to try Slovenia's famous orange wine, make sure to check out Vinoteka Movia.'
After filling up, Ljubljana's Museum of Modern Art (Moderna Galerija) is a great place to while away an afternoon. It's also located next to Tivoli Park, the largest, and arguably the most beautiful, in the capital.
If you're after something a little adventurous, though, you can trek to Ljubljana Castle from the Old Town, an 11th-century fortress which stands on a hilltop above the city. Here, you'll get a great view of the city below.
It's probably not the first destination you search for when considering a city break, but both EasyJet and British Airways offer flights to Ljubljana from London.
Return tickets in June can be found from £160 on Skyscanner, and the journey takes just over two hours. More Trending
It's also conveniently located next to Lake Bled, a popular tourist spot that's been compared to the more famous Italian Lakes.
The picturesque lake is surrounded by mountain peaks, covered in snow, and many refer to it as the pearl of Slovenia.
Visitors can admire the bright blue lake by taking a traditional wooden boat ride, or you can also stroll around it, which takes just under two hours to complete.
If you're looking to take some pics of the lake, Bled Castle is a great spot. Located on a clifftop overlooking the lake, visitors can walk or take a bus to admire the Gothic castle.
Here are some of the top things to do in Ljubljana, according to Tripadvisor. River Ljubljana Canal – a scenic canal which runs through the old town. Ljubljana Old Town – the city's charming old town, filled with cobblestone streets and riverside cafes. Preseren Square – a historic pedestrian area famous for its triple bridge and Art Nouveau architecture. Ljubljana Castle – an 11th-century castle offering panoramic views of the city. Triple Bridge – pedestrian bridge connecting the old town with the vibrant town square.
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