What to do in Ljubljana in April?

As March waves goodbye and April says hello the city of Ljubljana comes to life as the temperatures get higher and there is more and more sunshine in which visitors can rejoice. Located between the majestic Alps and the waters of the Ljubljanica River, Ljubljana offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that truly comes alive in the springtime. Whether you’re a history fanatic, a food enthusiast, or an outdoor adventurer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this magical time of year in Ljubljana.

What kind of weather can you expect in Ljubljana in April?

April in Ljubljana marks the transition from the chill of winter to the warmth of spring. While mornings may still be cold with temperatures hovering around 5°C, the afternoons tend to be pleasantly mild, reaching highs of approximately 20°C. It’s advisable to look at the weather forecast before you travel. Even though April normally comes with warm and nice spring weather, there are days in which you can experience lots of rain and heavy wind and if you catch one of those, you better bring a good umbrella and a jacket resistant to wind.

What to eat in Ljubljana in April?

No visit to Slovenia would be complete without tasting its rich culinary heritage. There are some delights you can eat all year around, and others are more special for the spring months. Here you have a couple of dishes and ingredients you should include as you order your food in a restaurant in Ljubljana in April.

  1. Potica: A delectable nut roll pastry, often enjoyed as a sweet treat or dessert.
  2. Štruklji: Rolled dumplings filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings, such as cottage cheese, fruit, or herbs.
  3. Jota: A bean stew, perfect for warming up on cooler spring days.
  4. Asparagus: Freshly harvested asparagus is a springtime delicacy in Slovenia, often served in soups, salads, or as a side dish.
  5. Easter Ham (Pasanja Šunka): A traditional dish enjoyed during Easter celebrations, featuring succulent ham seasoned with herbs and spices.

There are some special ingredients or dishes you should look for in Ljubljana in April! Do not forget about all the other traditional Slovenian meals which are available all year around in addition to these.

food in slovenia
The popular Potica in Slovenia.

Five Must-Do Activities in and near Ljubljana in April.

  1. Funicular or Walk to Ljubljana Castle: Begin your exploration of Ljubljana by ascending to the historic Ljubljana Castle, which offers panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Choose between walking yourself or getting to the top using the popular funicular that will give you a beautiful view along the way.
  2. Visit the Open-Air Market: Immerse yourself in Ljubljana’s vibrant culinary scene by exploring the Open-Air Market, where you can sample an array of fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and cured meats. Don’t miss the chance to taste traditional Slovenian delicacies and mingle with local vendors.
  3. Excursion to Bled: Embark on a day trip to the enchanting town of Bled, located just a short drive from Ljubljana. Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Lake Bled, with its picturesque island and medieval castle, and buy a slice of Bled’s famous cream cake while watching the beautiful lake with the harmonic island in the middle. The easiest way to visit Bled is on an organized day-trip from Ljubljana, but if you have a car, it is easy to travel there on your own.
  4. Visit the Plitvice Lakes: Even though you are in Ljubljana to discover the city and the country, you should consider a day-trip to the awesome Plitvice Lakes National Park in neighboring Croatia. Explore the park’s cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests on a guided tour, immersing yourself in the natural splendor of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once again, the easiest option is to join a group tour from Ljubljana, but if you have a car at your disposal, the ride between Ljubljana and the Plitvice Lakes should take you less than 3 hours (the distance is only 190km).
  5. Visit Tivoli Park: Escape the stress of the city and relax in Tivoli Park, Ljubljana’s largest and most beautiful green space. Stroll along tree-lined paths, discover hidden sculptures and fountains, and walk around in the peace of nature as you recharge amidst the beauty of springtime in Slovenia.

These are just some ideas for activities ideal for a spring trip to Ljubljana.

bled in slovenia

Ljubljana in April – A Great Idea!

April in Ljubljana offers a perfect blend of cultural experiences, culinary delights, and outdoor adventures, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking to explore the wonders of springtime in Slovenia. Whether you’re exploring historic landmarks, eating traditional cuisine, or immersing yourself in nature, Ljubljana promises an unforgettable journey filled with warmth, beauty, and hospitality.

Climbing Mount Nanos in Slovenia.

Mount Nanos is a mountain at nearly 1250 meters near the seaside of Slovenia in which you can find the four popular cities Koper, Izola, Portoroz, and Piran. These are the most expensive cities in Slovenia if you want to buy property, as everyone wants to have a property near the sea. Are you a tourist visiting one of those four cities, or are you in Ljubljana looking for somewhere to go hiking? Would you like to visit Mount Nanos? Is it a hard trip? Is it for children? How much time is needed? This article aims to give you all info you need on where to start, how to walk the trip, how much time is needed, and other useful advice.

First of all, the trip to Mount Nanos is a well-prepared trip and a very nice walk. There are different options concerning where to start the trip, but if you follow our advice, you should start from Razdrto Parking Lot. This parking lot is created for hikers and the ideal place to start walking.

mount nanos

The basic information about the trip.

Starting from Razdrto, you will start at about 550 meters above sea level. There are two natural ways from Razdrto to the top of Nanos, an easier (but longer), and a harder (but shorter) way. The shorter contains some minor climbing and a couple of situations where you need to hold onto iron ropes, but they do not require much experience and most people find them safe and cool.

The shorter road is 2,5km in total, while the easier road is about 4,8km. The easier road is without climbing and what some might refer to as dangerous areas, but it is a slow killer as it is 4,5km with continuous upward walking, making it really tiring for the legs.

The easy or the hard way?

As you start from Razdrto walk across the bridge. There you will see a map of the area. Walk to the left and then a small path will come up at your right side within a minute. Walk to the right and then follow this path for 600-700 meters. You will then see a sign on your right side showing you that you must turn right to walk the advanced (hard) way, or continue straight forward to walk the easy way. My personal advice is to walk the hard way towards the top and then return on the easier path.

If you follow the hard path, you are in for about 1,5 hours of walking. Walking without stopping might be faster, but if you take some breaks, it might turn into more.

The path is well-marked no matter your choice, so just follow the signs and you will get to the top. After you have reached the top there is a tourist cabin where you can get something to eat and drink before returning to the parking lot. If you plan on taking the easier path back to the parking lot, walk along the cliffs of Mount Nanos for at least 1 kilometer before the road takes a turn and you return towards the parking lot continuously downwards for a couple of kilometers.

climbing mount nanos

Is this trip suitable for kids?

You know your kids better than anyone. Are they used to walking? Do they enjoy climbing and challenges? If your answer is yes, they should be capable of doing this trip. If you don’t think they are capable of walking 7,5km on their own, then it can be very demanding to bring a kid on your back due to the climbing, so that is not recommended (unless you have a lot of experience climbing with a kid on your back). We know kids at an age of six who 100% enjoyed this trip, so it is fully possible.

How much time is needed to climb Mount Nanos?

According to the official signs, it should take about 100 minutes from Razdrto to the top of Nanos if you choose the hard path. That is a quite realistic estimation if you walk constantly without big stops. The return from Mount Nanos to Razdrto along the easier path (but longer) is estimated at around 120 minutes. If you add all this up, the trip should take approximately 4 hours.

I have done the trip in three hours myself, but then it was only with a few drinking stops, so you should probably plan to use more time so that can enjoy the view, take longer breaks, and grab something to eat on the top.

mount nanos with kids

When is the best time to climb Mount Nanos?

The hard path is dangerous when it is wet, cold, icy, and snowy, so it is not recommended in the winter (unless it is a mild winter without much snow and ice). It is easier to fall if the stones are wet, so you should try to avoid very cold and wet days. It can also get muddy if there is a lot of rain, which isn’t ideal either.

If the temperature is 30 Celsius in Koper, then you can expect the temperature to be 5 degrees colder at Razdrto and maybe as much as 10 Celsius colder on the top. But, if the sun is shining on a warm summer day, climbing Mount Nanos is extremely demanding as there is little shade and you will sweat like a pig. In other words, if you want to climb Mount Nanos on a warm summer day, start extremely early (between 6:00-7:00 from Razdrto) as you will then avoid the strongest heat.

What temperatures can I expect at the top of Nanos?

We have already described it earlier in the article, but you can take a look at https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Nanos-Slovenia/forecasts/1313 to find a more detailed forecast for the upcoming days.

soon at the top of mount nanos

How much do I have to pay to park my car at Razdrto?

The parking lot made for Razdrto hikers is free, meaning you can leave your car there without paying. You shouldn’t leave valuables in your car, as the car is left unprotected during your walk.

How do I know the difference between the steep and the gentle path?

When you see the signs, the steep path is marked as “strma” while the gentle path is marked with “polozna.”

Is there somewhere I can buy something to eat or use a toilet on the top?

There is a hut on the top named “Vojkova Koča.” This is normally open; you buy something to eat and drink and use the toilet here. This building has been under renovation for quite a while, as of 2022-2023, but hopefully, it will be open as normal by the time you reach the top of Mount Nanos.

How far is Razdrto from the seaside?

If you live in Koper, you need approximately 25 minutes of driving to reach the Razdrto parking. From Izola, 35 minutes is needed, while you should add 15 more minutes if you live in Piran or Portoroz.

Christmas market in Ljubljana 2017

Are you planning a trip to Ljubljana before Christmas to experience the cities beautiful Christmas markets? This year the Christmas markets will be open from December 1st, 2017, until January 2nd, 2018.

Ljubljana is still living in the shadows of the Christmas markets in Zagreb, Vienna, and Budapest, but it is getting and better for every year passing by. It is also getting more and more popular to do so called Christmas market trips to new cities before Christmas, meaning that the importance of quality markets is getting bigger and bigger.

Christmas market in Ljubljana 2017
Enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere in Ljubljana – By Matej Kastelic / Shutterstock

The Christmas markets in Ljubljana are mostly organized in the very heart of the town, so if you walk around in the center, you will for sure discover everything within a couple of minutes.

At the Christmas markets, you can buy hot drinks, cold drinks, lots of warm and cold food, and of course buy hand-made souvenirs. Do not forget to check out the Christmas markets by night, as they are beautiful when the lights are turned on in the evening.

Ljubljana Christmas markets 2017

December 1st, 2017 – January 2nd, 2018
Breg and Cankarjevo nabrežje embankments, Prešernov  square

Do you have any further comments or questions related to the Christmas markets in Ljubljana? Use the comment field beneath!

Come to Ljubljana when you visit Zagreb

Just recently Lonely Planet awarded Zagreb at the top of their list presenting cities to visit in Europe in 2017. We just recommend you to come visit Ljubljana on a day-trip during your stay in Zagreb!

Zagreb and Ljubljana are both European capitals that have lived in the shadow of more famous cities such as Budapest, Vienna and Prague. But, the win is blowing in another direction now, and that can be proved by the latest recommendation made by Lonely Planet as they recommend Zagreb as the number one place to visit in Europe in 2017.

Visit the city of LJubljana
Do you understand why you need to visit Ljubljana now?

We must say that Ljubljana is just as nice as Zagreb (and probably even nicer), but if you decide to follow the recommendation made by Lonely Planet, then we suggest that you at least book a hotel for an extra day so that you will have time to visit Ljubljana as well.

The Slovenian capital is only 1,5 hours from Zagreb, so it is easy to depart from Zagreb in the morning and upon arrival to Ljubljana you enjoy a delicious Slovenian lunch. After that you discover the beauties of the city, visit the castle, eat some ice cream and then have an early supper before departing for Zagreb again. It will be a beautiful day to remember for a long time, and maybe you decide afterwards that you need more time in Ljubljana, and thus your next travel will be to the Slovenian capital, for 2-3-4 days (at least).

If you want to know more about Zagreb, then you can find lots of information about the city in the Zagreb Guide.

Have you got a question about Ljubljana? Look around in our Ljubljana Guide, or use the comment field beneath!

Christmas and New Years Eve in Ljubljana

Are you coming to Ljubljana for Christmas or for New Years? Wonder what’s going on in Ljubljana in this period? Here are some of the highlights!

As you might know this is a fantastic time to travel and an awesome season to visit Ljubljana. In the weeks before Christmas visitors can enjoy the magnificent Christmas markets in Ljubljana and stand in awe at the beautiful lights the city has to show. But, are there any special programs worth checking out if you come to Ljubljana on December 24th or maybe on December 31st? Or in  between the two dates?

christmas-and-new-years-eve-in-ljubljana
Anze Mulec / Shutterstock.com

Programs in Ljubljana around Christmas and New Years Eve

Programs on December 24th

On December 24th there is a fantastic open-air concert with great musicians in Ljubljana. Could there be a better way to celebrate Christmas than outdoors with lots of other people? In 2016 this event will be arranged at Mestni trg square and the concert itself will start at 17.00.

Programs between Christmas and New Years in Ljubljana

The coolest event in this period will be arranged between December 26th and December 30th. This is called the Grandpa Frost procession. This guy is quite similar to Santa Claus and he is drawn in his carriage by real Lippizianer horses. He is also surrounded by other fairy tale creatures, making this a real heaven for kids and families. The carriage will visit areas such as Breg, Cobblers’ Bridge, Town Square, Stritarjeva Street, Prešeren Square and the Congress Square. On the days between December 26th and December 30th this procession will start at 17.00.

New Years Eve in Ljubljana

There will be some open-air programs in Ljubljana on New Years Eve as well. The most important square to visit is Kongresni trg square where there will be programs on stage from 16.00 on the last day of the year. From 21.00 there will also be programs at Trg francoske revolucije and at Mestni trg square. As the new year starts there will be fireworks sent up from these squares, so make sure to be outdoors so that you can enjoy the start of 2017 on one of these squares in Ljubljana!

Do you want to know more about what’s going on in Vienna for Christmas? Or maybe in Zagreb? Click the links to find out more about those beautiful cities not far away from Ljubljana!

We wish all our readers and visitors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Christmas markets in Ljubljana in 2016

Ljubljana is a magnificent city all year around, but especially around Christmas with the beautiful lights and the annual Christmas markets.

There will be Christmas markets in Ljubljana in 2016 as well. There is no need to worry. Ljubljana is an extravagant city all year around, but of course the Christmas markets make the city even more magnificent.

There are several Christmas markets in Ljubljana, and a very important day in the calendar this year is November 25th. This is the opening date for the Christmas markets in Ljubljana, and exactly at 17.15 the Christmas lights will be turned on at the Christmas market and the Christmas streets all around in Ljubljana. This is a fantastic event, so make sure to be outdoors to check it out on November 25th!

christmas-market-in-ljubljana-in-2016
Come to Ljubljana for the Christmas markets in 2016

The open air Christmas markets in Ljubljana will open on November 25th and they will remain open and available until January 1st, 2017. As a result you will be able to enjoy the atmosphere and joy of some Christmas market shopping, even if you arrive to Ljubljana between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

It should be mentioned that there will be a small Christmas fair at the Prešernov trg square between December 3rd and December 6th. If you are in Ljubljana during this period, make sure to check it out!

Christmas markets in Ljubljana in 2016

Dates: November 25th, 2016 – January 1st, 2017

Location: Center of Ljubljana and Prešernov trg square

Are you looking forward to the Christmas markets in Ljubljana? Have you got a question? Or maybe you have been there and want to write a few words about how you liked the markets? Use the comment field beneath!

If you have more time to spare read other articles in our Ljubljana Guide about what’s going on in Ljubljana and other recommended activities. You could also consider traveling to Zagreb to check out the Christmas markets there on a day trip from Ljubljana!

Our Ljubljana Guide is now finished

We have been working on it for a while, but now we can say that our Ljubljana Guide is basically finished. It does not mean that we will not update it anymore, but it simply means that the basic information that any city guide should contain can now be found here.

We will in the future of course write lots of articles about upcoming concerts and events in Ljubljana, we will create top lists and recommendations lists and come up with interesting articles, but if you are looking for basic information about the most important attractions in Ljubljana, the coolest activities, about the public transportation, get ideas for restaurants or maybe find advises on where to stay, then all that information can now be found in our Ljubljana Guide.

We hope you will enjoy your visit to our website and we wish you a very pleasant stay in Ljubljana!