Check out? Don't miss the Slovenian compact capital

In the moody town, an impressive castle goes up. Tourists take an elegant bridge on the bending river, and the public fills tall glasses with a clear and foamed lager. Cafe chat in several languages ​​is fused with street musicians' notebooks playing in a baroque square. It sounds like Prague, a favorite pick in Hollywood in a fairy tale European location. This is LJUBLJANA (LOO-JOOB-LEANA), a Slovenian compact capital. It creates the same atmosphere as a bigger rival, but there are much less tourists. The Czech capital housed 7.44 million visitors in 2023, but Lubligana welcomed only 1.1 million. Fighting for a restaurant table, it is rarely clogged on a historic street.

“Luburana has a lot of similar beautiful buildings, cafes and parks, but there is no need to fight through a large number of tourists like Prague. It is a small large city with great potential.” I know well.

Medieval character in Luburana similar to Prague

Both cities were once a part of the Austrian Hungarian Empire, so you can see the similarities when exploring the neighborhood of Luburiana. Luburiana's Krakobo area, like Prague's Mala Strana, preserves medieval characters. Once the city of fishermen in the city and the gardener in the market, there is an urban garden between the ancient townhouses. At the same time, the Micro Sheba Street and the surrounding streets are introduced to Luburana's art Nouveau's heritage, and is comparable to the same example of Prague's famous swirling style. Visitors should not overlook the buildings of the Cooperative Bank, which are intense coral and blue color bombs. Other art Nouveau landmarks include Municipal Savings Bank and Hauptmann House.

(Related: Local Gaid about Slovenia's Lubuliana.)

Sloveni architects leave his stunning mark in both cities

The similarities continue. The Rubyanica River, covered by the Luburana's will, passes under the triple bridge, which is covered by the Luburana's will, as the VLTAVA river in Prague flows under the Gothic span of the Charles Bridge. LJUBLJANA's beloved architect JožEplečnik has been asked to redesign early span of the 1930s, and his masterpiece is now enjoying the designation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like other buildings in the city. Plečnik has given LjUBLJANA a unique character by blending a modernism touch with classic elements and multiple landmarks. His work includes a dramatic black marble stairs and a national and university library with a part of the central market of Vodnikov TRG and Pogačarjevtrg square cities. Although there is no stranger in Prague, Peltinic left a mark in both capitals and gave Lubriana a unique architectural character while recovering Prague Castle.

History of Lubligana Castle, scenic scenery, growing meals

The Citadel on the hill of Ljubljana may not match Prague's fortress in terms of size, but the position on the cape is ordered to the same symbolic force to the city below. It is a place of residence since the Bronze Wagin Age, and was gradually constructed for several centuries for centuries. The current form of the castle was established in the 15th century and later restored in 1980. Meander on the hill on foot, whisk and whisk, whisk you to see the red -covered roof of the old town and the panoramic view of Jurian Alps (Julian Alps).

The castle wine bar can see the best scenery overlooking the old town. “It's the magic, the most romantic place for Slovenian sparkling wine glasses,” says Simona Scubich, a tour guide to speak knowledge. Visitors can arrange guided tours through the Visit Luburana website.

The castle is also characterized by an attractive exhibition on Slovenia's history, but unlike the Prague Fortress, visitors can enjoy intimate jazz concerts at the Archers Tower in Streelk. Masu. The Michelin -rated restaurant has changed a menu derived from local agricultural products and meat combined with local wine. “The food is exquisite. It's worthy of that star,” she says.

(Related: In the list of this 10, discover the best of LjUBLJANA.)

LJUBLJANA market, coffee house, craft beer

Such an elevated dining is part of a larger food scene and is the most experienced on the ground level. “The central market is the stomach of Luburana,” Skubic declares.

From mid -March to October, locals and visitors will gather on Friday for an open kitchen. This market plaza is an outdoor food festival where the number of chefs that rotate everything, from many traditional fusions supplied from Slovenian farm produce to traditional cuisine to modern fusion I will transform it. The two -story Colonnaded building, which is a covered market of Plečnik, is a place to go to Slovenir products like honey, olives and pumpkin seeds.

The charm of Luburina's coffee house is the appeal of Prague rivals, especially along the cobblestone streets of the old town. At Cafe Chokuru, Baristas offers a historic building and offers single -origin beans. Their roaster blows the smell of roasted beans into the space. Try the Grand Hotel's 1905 Cabaruna Union for the magnificence of the old world. Under the crystal chandelier, he hosted a journalist in Austrian shoguns in Bemitar, Welfareya, and Muton Chop. Now, while his grandson gathers in the cafe, a cafe that is sensitive to the municipal museum, he gathers a cup with the splendor of the disappeared Vienna. For both generations, visiting cafes is not in a hurry.

“Slovenians drink a lot of coffee. We are the best we consume coffee in East Europe,” says Skubic. And we don't have a Starbucks -not a single Starbucks. Instead, we meet friends. We talk. We take time. “

When the coffee break succumbed in the evening, the craft beer scene of Luburana will be taken over. At the Cafe Bunka Center Pritoriche, students and experts have local brewery such as the latter tiknic and Row Bra Nah to help visitors to pronounce the name of the city. Make the pints messed up. Order a house burger with AJVAR (the taste of red peppers) so that Ljubljana is a way to mix tradition and international dishes. The late -night DJ rotated toward the Gritter scene until 2:00 am and headed to Meter Koba. Metelkova has transformed a graffitis plushing cultural center with street art, bars and music performances depicting a mix of quia and straight audiences.

Where to stay

When planning to visit Ljubljana, luxury travelers need to consider staying at 165 Intercontinental LJUBLJANA, 5 stars, featuring Alpine Views. For small charm, 16 Vander Urbani, which is hidden in the old town, has a rooftop pool and boutique sensitivity.

The APRIL1550 is an example of the intimate scale and personal touch of Ljubljana. The boutique hotels in these eight rooms are housed in one of the oldest buildings in the city (up to 1550, as the name suggests), and the original exposed wooden beams and stone walls are modern. Combined with comfort.

In each room located in the Stari TRG (old square) in the center of Luburana, there is a unique decoration that combines Slovenian craftsmanship and modern design. And the guest sleeps well. Most of the cars are banned from the Central District of Lubulana. This is not surprising in a country named by National Geographic as one of the most sustainable countries in the world.

“You are in the center of a city with a larger footsteper than the engine,” says Skubic. “I feel like a time warp for a simpler thing. Don't hurry. Slowly. Sit near the river to order coffee or order wine. We do not judge. But there is a soul of a small city.