Date: 9-10th August 2023
Travelled: 250 kms from Gorizia to Ljubljana
Visited: Ljubljana
Stayed: Parking Ljubljana, โฌ25, N46.06440, E14.50210
Budget: 79 days @ โฌ92 per day
We start the day with a walk as usual, today itโs around the village of Gorizia in Slovenia. Probably best described as a town rather than a village as it has three big supermarkets.
Itโs a very neat and tidy place, no litter or graffiti. Thereโs also nothing that catches my eye for a memorable photo, so a photo of the church it is.
Five kms later were back at the Hymer having done the services we wave goodbye to our Slovenian neighbours who speak English very well. Over the next couple of days we find most people in Slovenia do as well.
The drive to Ljubljana is about 100 kms. Itโs a lovely drive, the road is excellent, itโs not a tollway and the countryside is picturesque.
The motorhome parking options are pretty thin in Ljubljana. The one closest to the city is basically just a car-park next to a supermarket with 5 electrical connections. We arrive to find all the dedicated spots are taken but thereโs another half dozen campers scattered around the car-park, so other than the โฌ25 cost it will do.
Whilst where having lunch a camper rolls out and we have a dedicated spot with power. The weather is very mild compared to France so itโs a great afternoon for exploring.
The #14 bus to the city centre takes less than 10 minutes for โฌ1.30. To our surprise the bus driver expects us to pay with an Ljubljana Travel Card which we donโt have.
From the bus interchange itโs only 200m to the old town. The pictures below are taken looking around Preลeren Square.
Ljubljana stands on the River Ljubljanica, but theres no shortage of bridges. Pictured above the Triple Bridge, Three identical stone bridge just a few metres from each other.
I have been working hard on my Slovene. Ljubljana is the city of dragons, remember the story of Jason and the Argonauts. Well Jason ended up here and founded the city of Ljubljana.
Too many people to bother trying to capture a good photo of Ljubljanaโs Dragon Bridge, so Pam provides some perspective to one of the four copper dragons that stand on each corner. Built in 1901 and originally named the Jubilee Bridge in honour of the German Emperor, with the loss of the war, the emperor was yesterdayโs man, so the bridge was renamed and the dragon added.
Enough wandering for today we walk back up and take the #14 back to the Hymer for some R+R. We book a table at the Italian Restaurant a short walk from the sosta. The place has great reviews and itโs seemingly full of people which is why we booked.
The best pasta dinner since I cannot remember when.
Next morning not too early we walk back up to the bus stop and continue our visit to Ljubljana.
The lady in the tourist office recommended โThe Skyscraperโ for a view of the city. It was built in the mid-1930โs with some lovely art-deco features, itโs still pretty well the tallest building in town.
Pictured below the Cathedral Church of Saint Nicholas, it finely detail bronze door, mural and three niches in an outer wall.
The citadel/fortress/castle of Ljubljana was originally constructed in the 11th century but it was substantially expanded and developed in the 16-17th century. It overlooks the city but the forest surrounding the castle certainly detracts from the views.
There is a funicular, but Pam thrives on a steep walk before lunch.
Back at the Dragon Bridge we continue on the Graffiti Street. The lady in the tourist office insisted itโs an artist space, but most of it was less than that. We love a mural not so much graffiti and this was mostly graffiti.
We late lunch at Sokol a traditional Slovenian Restaurant, it stands on the Ciril-Melodov probably the most touristy street in the city. We jag a table for two in the shade and go for the Slovenian specials menu. I bravely ordered the venison goulash in Slovene, the waiter said we donโt do vegemite sandwiches here.
The food was fabulous although Pam commented her glass of rosรฉ was too small.
Full of Bambi and whatever Pam ordered we call it a day and wander slowly through Ljubljanaโs old town to a #14 bus stop and back to the Hymer.
After a well deserved nap we take a big load of washing up to the laundromat spending 90 minutes with the backpackers doing the same thing.
Whilst our visit to Slovenia was short, we loved the place, but the motorway east is calling and we need to keep moving.
Michael + Pam
3 thoughts on “Ljubljana, Slovenia ๐ธ๐ฎ 2023”
1972 we stayed in Ljubljana how times changed we only could stay or should say had to stay in a Spartan camping place where they took our passport for the night. But we did get back to Australia
Safe travels Johannes โค๏ธ
And adding to johannes comment. We were locked in the camp ground and the hot water went off at 8pm. Tourists would steal the taps so lucky to operate showers anyway. ๐ณ
Cute building with all the intricate patterns around the windows.