The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana is one of Europe's greenest cities and well worth a visit. Slovenia is a small country tucked around Italy, Austria, Hungry, and Croatia.
The landscape ranges from alpine mountains to a small stretch of coast on the Adriatic Sea.
In 2016 the city of Ljubljana won Europe's greenest city award, and for the last 10 years the historic city center has been completely car-free making it an ideal destination to explore by bike or on foot.
To experience all the city has to offer, I recommend staying at a hotel in the old town. You’ll have easy access to great restaurants, art galleries, and coffee shops.
For an eco-friendly hotel, stay at B&B Hotel Park Ljubljana. Its located in the heart of the city and features a rooftop garden/ apiary, locally sourced food, and sustainable practices.
It’s surrounded by beautiful parks and its location makes it easy to access the old city center, popular cities, and the train station.
photo by @greenvalleypictures
To see the city from a local perspective book a tour with Tours by Locals. There are different tours for wine lovers, history buffs, or if you just want to see some of the lesser-known spots.
The food scene in Ljubljana is full of great options, from small family-owned restaurants serving up local specialties to Skuhna, a social enterprise restaurant employing migrants from all over the world. Their menu changes each day to feature authentic dishes from different parts of the world.
For an upscale but relaxed dining experience check out Manna, serving contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with a bountiful wine list. It also happens to be one of the few restaurants in Slovenia listed in the prestigious Gault-Millau dining guide.
Slovenia may be a small country but it certainly holds its own when it comes to positive environmental policies, a vibrant cultural scene, and plenty of outdoor adventures. In another article, I’ll cover some of the best spots to explore the beautiful mountains, lakes, and small towns outside of the capital.