What You Will Do
This tour is definitely different for many reasons:
- it is run by locals and locals only. We are not only licensed tour guides but have also lived in Ljubljana for decades and know the city like our own pocket.
- most of the guides have high formal education, and are glad to explain more also about economy, art, politics, contemporary social issues and how people of Slovenia live today.
- the tour is a private tour. Which means we dedicate our time and knowledge to you and to you only. It also means you do not have to share the attention and squeeze with 30 other tourists, which often happens at "free" or other non-private tours.
- we are aware of negative impacts of tourism on local environment. We will always present you locally made products and not products of multinational companies and will introduce you to sustainable tourism practices in Ljubljana.
- the tour can be customized.
- we will not bore you with numbers and years of every laid brick. The tour is also fun :).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
The meeting point is by a fountain of the Krekov trg Square. You will find the square in the very center of the city in between the main Ljubljana food market and the castle funicular railway.
1
Ljubljana Old Town
We will walk through the old town of Ljubljana. We will visit the food market, see the Ljubljana Cathedral, Robba Fountain, Town Hall, the Cobblers` Bridge, National and University Library, river Ljubljanica, Congress Square, Preseren Square with a statue of the poet, Triple Bridge, Butchers` Bridge and Dragon Bridge.
2
Central Market
10 minutes
We will see the central food market of the city, operating on the same spot for about 120 years! You will see the merchants and goods they are selling. From fruits and vegetables to other home made produce brought from different parts of Slovenia and mostly ecologically produced: dairy products, meat, bread, oils, juices, flowers....ever seen a milk machine?
3
Cathedral of St. Nicholas (Stolnica Sv. Nikolaja)
10 minutes
We will talk about the history of the cathedral and see the famous two doors, masterpieces of sculpture: the Slovenian door and the Ljubljana door. Both representing the history of the Christianity in Slovenia.
4
Fountain of Three Carniolan Rivers (Vodnjak treh kranjskih rek)
5 minutes
We will stop and admire the beauty of this Baroque fountain and explain its artistic and historical value.
5
Town Hall (Magistrat)
10 minutes
We will see the Town Hall from the outside and part of it from the inside. It was built in the late 15th century and Ljubljana mayors have governed the city in the very building since that time.
6
Shoemaker's Bridge (Cevljarski Most)
10 minutes
We will see this charming bridge designed by the famous architect Joze Plecnik. We will talk about the judiciary and punitive practices of the Middle Ages here. Why here? As this bridge witnessed a number of cheating butchers and bakers dipped in the river. We will also talk about the river itself and its importance for the city in the past and today.
7
National and University Library
5 minutes
We will see the biggest homework of The Architect and witness rich symbolics of his architecture. This temple of knowledge is definitely worth of all the attention.
8
French Revolution Square (Trg Francoske Revolucije)
10 minutes
We have three historical stories at this square to see and to talk about: Teutonic knights and their monastery, Napoleonic wars and Illyrian Provinces, and Joze Plecnik, the architect.
9
Congress Square (Kongresni trg)
10 minutes
You will see the Congress Square and Star Park, Ursuline Church, the building of Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra - one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Europe, the Ljubljana University building and more. You will also hear why the name of the square is such as it is.
10
Preseren Square
10 minutes
You will see some of the most important Ljubljana landmarks from the Preseren Square. It offers a great view of the square, the Triple Bridge, the Franciscan Church, some of the biggest Art Nouveau architectural masterpieces of Ljubljana and of course a view of the statue of the poet, after whom the square is named. You will hear about his importance for Slovenian literature and also about his unheard love.
11
Triple Bridge (Tromostovje)
5 minutes
One of the biggest landmarks of Ljubljana is also one of the greatest works of the architect Joze Plecnik. We will talk about its history, its purpose and symbolics that the Architect loved to incorporate in his works. Why three bridges you ask?
12
Franciscan Church (Franciskanska cerkev)
3 minutes
You will see this beautiful Baroque church with a pink facade, that resembles Il Gesu church in Rome.
13
Butcher's Bridge
10 minutes
The bridge is named also a "Love Bridge" today because of all the locks locked to it. You will get to know why this bridge is pretty new, why is it named Butcher`s Bridge and what is the meaning of those grotesque statues on it.
14
Dragon Bridge (Zmajski Most)
10 minutes
Dragon Bridge is one of the most well-known bridges in Ljubljana and a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. You will get to know why a dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana.
15
The Ljubljana Castle
20 minutes
We will take the castle railway funicular to the top of the castle hill. You will hear more about the history of the castle and get to know what purposes it has served since it was built at the end of the 15th century. We will also climb the viewing tour for astonishing views above Ljubljana and Slovenia.
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