Ljubljana Car Hire

Guide to Ljubljana

History

First settled around 1000BC, early residents of what’s now Ljubljana were the Celts, Illyrians and Veneti. The Romans built a walled encampment here in the 1st century BC, which developed into the strategically important Emona settlement ‐ highly-prized as it sat on the route to Pannonia.

Destroyed by Attila the Hun in the 5th century AD, it was rebuilt by the Slovene Slavic tribes in the 12th century, with its name recorded as Luvigana in 1146AD. The Hapsburg dynasty took control in the 13th century and the city became the capital of their Carniola province, but by the 19th century it was flourishing as a newly-industrialised centre of Slovene nationalism, albeit under Austro-Hungarian rule. Subsequently, Ljubljana was occupied by the Italians in 1941, became part of Yugoslavia along with the rest of Slovenia in the post WWII era and became the capital of independent Slovenia in 1991. Ljubljana has emerged from a tumultuous history to take its place as an elegant, welcoming city which can rightly take its place shoulder to shoulder with the rest of Europe’s capitals.

Culture

A European hub of art, culture and fabulous festivals, Ljubljana is famous for its contemporary creativity, excellent quality of life and unique ambience that effortlessly blends ancient and modern elements. The city’s packed cultural calendar spans lifestyle, folklore, customs, cuisine, classical music and street theatre, supported by the flagship annual ‘Summer in Ljubljana’ programme. This features jazz performances held in city squares, and the internationally-renowned Ana Desetnica International Street Theatre Festival, which transforms the city’s streets into the world’s most memorable stage for a few days each year. Meanwhile, if your tastes are more modern or urban, there are rich pickings at the Metelkova Cultural Centre, Spanski Borci Contemporary Performing Arts Centre, and Kino Siska Centre of Urban Culture. Last but by no means least, treat your tastebuds to a tour of Krizevniska. One of the oldest streets in the city, it leads you to the Soteska quarter, which is Ljubljana’s headquarter for authentic crafts and cuisine. Civilisation in Ljubljana has evolved from a rich cultural wellspring, so its unique attractions can easily compete with those of better-known global cities.

Famous figures

Famous people born in Ljubljana include rockstar philosopher and psychoanalyst Slavoj Zizek, aristocrat Carlos, Duke of Madrid, singer Ben Dolic, architect Joze Plecnik (whose legacy you’ll see all around you), and musician DJ Umek. It’s also a bit of a hotbed for authors, bringing poet Anton Askerc, playwright Peter Bozik, essayist Taja Kramberger and literary critic France Vodnik to the world. Meanwhile, famous faces who have lived in Ljubljana include Austrian composer Gustav Mahler, French author Charles Nodier, Austrian engineer Gabriel Gruber and Viceroy of Italy Eugene de Beauharnais. And lastly, you’ll be following in the footsteps of some rather famous visitors when you stroll around Ljubljana ‐ the city has played host to everyone from socialite Paris Hilton and DJ David Guetta to Queen Elizabeth II over the years. We don’t think these three partied together, but you never know!

Things to do in Ljubljana

Discover Plecnik’s Ljubljana

As you might have gathered, architect Joze Plecnik (1872-1957) is kind of a big deal around these parts. In fact, his iconic landmarks are the reason that Ljubljana has such a stellar place on the UNESC World Heritage List. Plecnik’s grand vision for Slovenia’s (at that time) new capital was to use modern styles to evoke the majesty of ancient Athens, and you can see it realised from micro to macro level in colonettes, pillars, lintels, facades and rooftops. Take a guided walk around the city and you’ll learn about just how influential Plecnik remains to this day. Highlights include the Triple Bridge (formed when Plecnik added side pedestrian bridges to the original 1842 structure), the National and University Library buildings, the Ljubljana river embankments, Krizanke Summer Theatre and Bezigrad Stadium. Plecnik’s mastery extended from his home city to Vienna (he designed several ground-breaking buildings under the tutelage of Otto Wagner) and Prague (he reinvented Prague Castle and its gardens as the official presidential residence).

Party at Metelkova Mesto

If you’re a bit of a secret (or not so secret) hippy, you’ll adore a trip to Metelkova Mesto. This semi-autonomous city within a city developed from a squat in an old army barracks into an explosion of freedom, colour and creativity that’s a beacon in Ljubljana and beyond. You’ll find underground clubs, events and happenings featuring local and international DJs and artists every night of the week – it’s where the city’s students, musos and professionals mingle democratically on the dancefloor. Metelkova Mesto’s history stretches back to 1993, when part of the original army barracks was captured by a pioneering band of around 200 arty squatters known as the Metelkova Network, in order to prevent its demolition. After the battle was won and the buildings remained, they were transformed into a warren of weird and wonderful attractions that’s constantly evolving. If you want to put your finger on the pulse of creative Ljubljana, there’s nowhere better. One slight note of caution – don’t get so caught up in the vibe here that you start partying on Saturday and wake up back at your hotel on Wednesday!

Blow your mind at the Museum of Illusions

The world often feels topsy-turvy, so what better way to go with the flow, launch yourself down an existential helter skelter and generally tickle your fancy than spending a few hours at Ljubljana’s Museum of Illusions? If you’ve ever wanted to channel your inner Alice and see the world through the looking glass, this is the place to be. For instance, walking through the kaleidoscopic Vortex Tunnel is dizzyingly dynamic ‐ by the time you reach the other end, your senses will be scrambled, and your synapses sparked. Meanwhile, walk into the Ames room and everyone is squeezed, stretched and miniaturised as they go – blink and suddenly your kids look 20 feet tall (gulp). The Upside Down Room does what it says on the door and it’s an awesome spot for a space age selfie, while the Disco Room allows you to shake off those extra sensory cobwebs while you bust a few moves to blissful beats. All in all, this is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry!

Eating out in Ljubljana

Old Town romance

Close your eyes for a couple of seconds and picture a romantic, retro-style central European restaurant. Seeing vast vaulted ceilings? Candle-lit tables? Crisp, white table linen? Impeccable service from superb staff? Ljubljana old town’s Spazja makes this culinary fantasy a delicious reality and adds a dash of je ne sais quoi that makes it even better than you imagined. Favourites here include horse steak accompanied by black truffle, beef tartar, tuna tataki, slow-cooked ox cheeks and rabbit wrapped in bacon. For dessert, how does a home baked apricot strudel or chocolate souffle with fresh raspberries sound? But don’t forget the wine ‐ your waiter will be happy to recommend the ideal accompaniment to your meal from the comprehensive list, but you’ll find everything from delicious full-bodied Slovenian reds to crisp whites that match seafood starters like delicately prepared scallops perfectly. You can dine inside or out on the scenic terrace ‐ the choice is yours.

Hip bistro fare

Looking for somewhere laid-back and cool to grab brekkie or brunch in the city centre? A place where you can set yourself up for the day then sit back and drink in the atmosphere with a bucket-sized cappuccino while you peel over your shades and indulge in a spot of people watching? In that case, EK Bistro is a bistro-style beacon of trendiness on the banks of the Ljubljanica river that you’ll be drawn to like a moth to a flame. Think exposed brickwork, minimalist bare bulb lighting and utilitarian tables and chairs for décor and you can imagine the ambient acoustics that amplify the chattering convos and add human colour to the stark surroundings. In terms of the food, salmon-topped egg muffins with smashed avocado are the tastiest hangover cures ever, while another favourite is the French Melt ‐ a simple yet stunning sandwich with baked mushrooms, onions and gruyere cheese. Wash it all down with a tasty drop from the wine menu or opt for a healthy smoothie if you’re driving.

Amazing Asian

Fancy transporting your tastebuds to Japan for the evening? You’ll love the calm, cool, elegant surroundings of Sushimama in the city centre. This is a picture of Feng Shui fabulousness complete with bamboo furniture, understated décor, and Zen-like customer service that feels like a blissful breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of the city as soon as you walk through the door. Expect wonderful Wagyu beef steaks cooked to your precise taste and before your very eyes on a hotplate, terrifically sticky teriyaki, colourful rice bowls with spicy tuna, tempura shrimp, grilled yellowtail with miso garlic sauce, and immaculately smooth sushi and sashimi. Delish desserts include moreish mango pudding, black sezam panna cotta, and hazelnut chocolate Fujiyama. Meanwhile, the drinks menu is almost as eclectic, with choices like mint and ginger green tea, yuzu mandarin Martini, sakejito fusion cocktails, an excellent local wine list, authentic Japanese sake and dry, palate-cleansing Asahi beer. If you want a little respite from the tasty but heavy Slovenian cuisine choices, Sushimama is the discerning diner’s choice.

Transport in Ljubljana

Airports

Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU) is Slovenia’s largest air hub, and it serves a large number of domestic and international destinations. Located northwest of the capital, near the town of Brnik, and it’s still sometimes referred to as ‘Brnik Airport’ by locals. Opened in December 1963 to replace Polje Airport as the capital’s main airport, it started commercial flights the following January and the sky has been the limit since. Scheduled carriers at present include Air France, Brussels Airlines, British Airways, easyJet, El Al, Finnair, Iberia, Lufthansa, Swiss, and Turkish Airlines. The airport first broke the million annual passengers milestone in 2004 and processed 1.7 million passengers in 2019. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal complex, there are several ATMS if you need to draw cash, and there are several shopping and dining options landside and airside. If you’re travelling with kids in tow, you’ll be glad to know that there are ample nappy changing facilities and kids play areas both landside and airside. Arranging car hire at Ljubljana Airport is child’s play with Enjoy Travel and there are always lots of deals available. Once you hop in your hire car, getting into the city is simple ‐ it’s just 26km away via the E61 motorway, which is clearly signposted.

Public transport

Ljubljana’s public transport network comprises an innovative mix of buses, bicycles and EVs and if you want to take a rest from driving for a while, it makes the city easy to navigate. The city buses are operated by LPP, and you should buy an Urbana card from official LPP ticket offices, newspaper kiosks, post offices or tourist information centres to use it. The card is cheap and you can top it up to 50 Euros for use across the city ‐ a 90 minute ride with unlimited transfers to reach the destination is just over one Euro, so it’s great value for money. Alternatively, in the summer season (April to October), you can hire a distinctive green Ljubljana Bike from the tourist information centre for durations of between two hours and a full day, for next to nothing. Finally, the most distinctive public transport vehicles in Ljubljana are the dinky green Kavalir EVs. Designed to help visitors, mobility-impaired passengers and the elderly navigate the city’s central pedestrianised area, they’re operated by professional drivers, carry up to five passengers and operate between 6am and 10pm.

Driving

Always drive on the right in Ljubljana (and throughout Slovenia) and observe the speed limit of 50km/h in villages, 110km/h on expressways and 130km/h on motorways. There’s an extensive motorway network in Slovenia but you’ll need to buy a toll sticker to access it, and there are around 250 EV charging stations for electric cars across the nation. Leave your headlights on day and night (it’s mandatory), don’t drink and drive and always use your seatbelt. As well as domestic road trip destinations, international locations like Austria’s Villach and Croatia’s Zagreb are also easily accessible via Ljubljana’s motorways.

Top Tips when hiring a car in Ljubljana

● A big number of users encountered rental cars in Ljubljana for less than £31 per day.

● Booking your rental car in Ljubljana in advance even if it's by at least 1 day before your trip ensures you'll get cheap car hire deals.

● Intermediate hire cars in Ljubljana are cheaper and more popular than other vehicle types.

● There are several car hire companies at Ljubljana Airport that offer a variety of rental options for travelers who need Ljubljana airport car hire services.

● The car rental companies in Ljubljana Airport are cheaper than car rentals in other locations in Ljubljana. In fact you can get the best car hire deals in the Airport terminal.

● When you rent a car in Ljubljana, it's always a good idea to ensure that the car rental company provides roadside assistance, so that you can have peace of mind while exploring the city and its surroundings.

● If you're arriving by train to Ljubljana and looking for car deals, there are several car rental companies near the train station that offer a variety of car categories to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect rental car to explore Slovenia's capital city.