Ljubljana has to be one of my favourite European cities. I just love it. It doesn’t have the crowds of some of the main, usual centres but it is still packed full of character and charm and it’s just got a lovely vibe about it. It’s certainly somewhere I could linger for a long time. If you’re looking for Ljubljana things to do there’s plenty here for a family trip and we recently took our second trip to the city (the first was in winter as a day trip from skiing in Kranjska Gora with kids nearby). We found a city full of lovely sights, packed full of Ljubljana attractions and really easily navigable by foot. Here are our top 10 things to do in Ljubljana with kids…but those travelling without kids will love them too. Check out all of the rainy day options for what to see in Ljubljana and read to the bottom for our top tips too.
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Table of Contents
1. Lose your mind at the House of Illusions – The best things to do in Ljubljana with kids (or without!)
Great for all ages Ljubljana’s House of Illusions is a treat for anyone who likes to feel slightly befuddled.
Strange mazes, puzzles for the eyes, optical illusion effects, Ljubljana’s House of Illusions is great fun as you go from room to room exploring the many different exhibits.
This is very interactive and was one of our favourite things to do in the city.
Rainy day option
Find out more about it here.
2. Enjoy the trip to Ljubljana Castle
You can walk up to Ljubljana Castle but it is much more fun to take the funicular up.
At the top there are amazing views across the city and some exhibits to look around. Kids will love the Puppet Museum in particular and the cells.
The Medieval Castle is great to look at and there are costumed actors telling some of the history there.
Find out more about it here.
3. Find a fun job at MiniCity
Just out of the main city at the shopping centre is MiniCity. A small city with streets, roads, houses and a park.
There are lots of fun little shops where children can join in and have a go at the jobs from a dentist to a bakery.
We enjoyed the small cafe there with well priced coffee and snacks for the adults while the children run around having fun.
There’s a great indoor playground too.
Rainy day option
Find out more here.
4. Take to the river – one of the great things to do in Ljubljana with kids
A boat trip is a great way to see the city and rest tired feet.
The Ljubljana is a beautiful river and drifting long it, looking at the buildings that line the waterfront is a great way to experience the architecture.
It’s probably best enjoyed on a sunny day but many of the boats are also covered so even if the weather is a little temperamental it is a comfortable ride.
Find out more about them here.
5. Jump for the skies
Woop Trampoline Park is absolutely huge with over a hundred trampolines.
This is somewhere all the family will love, although there is a place to grab a coffee and watch the action if you don’t want to join in.
Rainy day option
Find out more about them here.
6. Take a trip on the urban electric train
The urban electric train is a great option in every season. Bright and airy in summer and heated in winter.
The train takes guests on a tour around the main attractions, from the Town Hall to the Castle, the Botanical Garden to the Parliament and on to the Opera House close to the Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery.
Make sure you book in advance to be sure they have availability.
Rainy day option
Find out more here.
7. Get interactive at the House of Experiments
The House of Experiments isn’t the largest museum in the world, with three rooms, but it really packs a punch in terms of fun activities.
There are science experiments, family exercises and interactive workshops which make it a really trip out despite its size.
Rainy day option
Find out more here.
8. Enjoy a cold, fruity treat
The gelato is every bit as good as their neighbour Italy but a fraction of the price of some of the Italian cities.
With wonderful, fresh flavours and interesting takes on some of the classics enjoying the ice cream, at a number of different outlets should be vital on any trip to Ljubljana.
9. Enjoy the culture – another of the great things to do in Ljubljana with kids
The City Museum of Ljubljana is set in Auersperg Palace, which in itself is a beautiful sight.
They have a huge number of artefacts from prehistoric Ljubljana right up to the present day.
There’s a cafe and shop and it’s the perfect place to find out about the origins of the city and some of the things that make it a special place.
Rainy day option
Find out more here.
10. Take a trip out to a thermal pool
Slovenia is well known for its thermal pools and just outside of Ljubljana, in the Tuhinj Valley is the Terme Snovik.
It’s a bit of a drive out but it’s a great place to relax in the waters.
On sunny days there are outside pools and water slides but even in winter or rainy days you can enjoy the indoor pool with its many areas.
There’s a place to grab some food and the drive up through the Slovenian countryside is spectacular. Kids will love it but the adults will too.
Rainy day option
Find out more here.
Top tips for visiting Ljubljana with kids
- Get a Ljubljana City card. This will allow you entry to many of these for a fixed price. You can take out either a 24, 48 and 72 hour card. Get your skip-the-line tickets here.
