About Ljubljana Castle

About 900 years old Ljubljana Castle, located at the top of the hill and built with a motto to present an efficient defence against never ending Ottoman invasions, which were the most frequent in the 15th and 16th century is Ljubljana's main attraction today. The castle's Outlook Tower and ramparts offer some of the most beautiful views of the city, while the castle houses a museum exhibition on Slovenian history, a puppet museum, and a number of historical rooms such as the Chapel of St George, the Prison, and a video presentation room called Virtual Castle.

Ljubljana Castle, which can quickly be reached by funicular railway, also provides space for art exhibitions, houses a cafe, a nightclub, and two restaurants (Strelec and Gostilna na Gradu), and serves as a venue for cultural events, family entertainment, dance evenings, and open-air film screenings held under the title of Film under the Stars in the summer.

Must See

The castle's 19th-century watchtower is located offering a view from its top is the biggest attraction of the castle for sure.

The views down into the Old Town and across the river to Centre. Within the watchtower, there is a 12-minute video tour of Ljubljana and its history in several languages.

Situated below the watchtower down a small flight of stairs, the remarkable Chapel of St George (Kapela Sv Jurija) is one of the oldest surviving remnants of the castle, dating from 1489. It is covered in frescoes and the coats of arms of the Dukes of Carniola.

The interesting and well-presented interactive Slovenian History Exhibition looks at the country through the ages, running from the very earliest Roman times, through the Middle Ages, the 19th century, WWI and WWII, and ending with socialist Yugoslavia and independence.

Also worth a look, the Museum of Puppetry explores the world of puppetry, from the manufacture of marionettes and glove puppets to the staging of the shows themselves. It's very interactive and lots of fun.

How to reach

On Foot - There are many pathways leading up the hill. 1.5 Km from the City centre and can be reached in 20 minutes by walking otherwise if not health constraint.

Tips

Although there’s a fee to enter the castle itself, walking up to and around it is free.

How to reach Ljubljana castle?

  • Drive up with a car (the road is paved and wide enough and on top, just before the castle, is a parking place)
  • Walk (you can walk up on few different paths – recommended, which takes you threw the narrow and steep street of Ljubljana old town – start at Gornji trg)
  • Funicular railway (if you don’t feel like walking, you can also take a funicular, which will take you up to the Ljubljana castle in exactly 60 seconds. The tickets can be bought at the ticket counter in front of the funicular. If you are under 18, there are some rebates one may expect, or if you are travelling with your family, there’s even a family ticket plan, which includes 2 adults and at least 1 child. It is recommended a combination of the funicular for up and a short walk to Ljubljana old town for down)
  • Take a ride with the road train (one more option, which you might enjoy – even more if you are travelling with kids. The train leaves every full hour from Stritarjeva ulica – Stritar Street (between the Triple Bridge and the City Hall).
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Visit Time

  • Castle and funicular:
    January, February, March and November – from 10 am to 8 pm
    April, May and October – from 9 am to 9 pm
    June, July, August and September – from 9 am to 11 pm
    December – from 10 am to 10 pm
  • Info Center, Viewing tower, Virtual castle, exhibitions:
    January, February, March and November – from 10 am to 6 pm
    April, May and October – from 9 am to 8 pm
    June, July, August and September – from 9 am to 9 pm
    December – from 10 am to 7 pm
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Waiting Time

Queue to get the Castle entry ticket

 

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Entrance Fee

Yes

Selected parts of the Castle are free to access.

Castle ticket (gives access to Outlook Tower, Virtual Castle, Puppetry Museum and Slovenian history exhibition)

With funicular/without funicular - adults €10/7,5,

Students/children/seniors/groups €7/5,20,

Families €26/19.

Funicular return/one way - adults €4/2.20,

Students/children/seniors/groups €3/1.50, families €10/6.

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Time you can spend

1 - 2 hours

 

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Weather

Broken Clouds 13.83°C

 

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