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The parks in Ljubljana, Slovenia are fabulous places to visit – for locals and tourists alike. The best Ljubljana parks are the sprawling green spaces, trail etched hills and colorful flower gardens that are just steps from the city center. Spending time in these parks is one of the Best Things To Do in Ljubljana.
Why Travelers Should Visit Ljubljana Parks
Like most cities in Slovenia, Ljubljana is very walkable. However, the quaint Ljubljana Old Town with it’s wide pedestrian-only streets that run along the Ljubljanica River, are just the beginning. We think the best place for sunny day strolls are the lush inner-city Ljubljana parks.
Green Ljubljana, Slovenia
Back in 2016 Ljubljana, Slovenia was awarded the title of European Green Capital. Not only is the city focused on environmental awareness, but Ljubljana features astounding green spaces.
The mountains of Slovenia that linger in the distance outside Ljubljana are ripe with natural beauty. They are the logical destination for Slovenia hiking, but a trip to Triglav National Park and the Slovenia Alps isn’t necessary to get in touch with nature. There are ample green spaces in the Ljubljana city center.
Ljubljana nature paths are abundant in the heart of the city – and walking on them is one of our favorite things to do in Ljubljana. In our time spent discovering the capital of Slovenia, we’ve stretched our legs on the trails of many Ljubljana parks and love how the city and nature coexist.
4 Best Parks in Ljubljana
There are a number of parks in Ljubljana that are in the city center. The popular recreation areas are Tivoli Park Ljubljana and Ljubljana Botanical Garden – but there are two other parks where visitors can get a full dose of nature.
#1 Tivoli City Park Ljubljana
The flat Tivoli Ljubljana City Park has wide, green lawns that are crisscrossed by paths. It’s one of the best places to visit in Ljubljana – and should definitely be on your trip itinerary – even if you only have One Day in Ljubljana.
At Tivoli City Park, benches are hidden among tall pines. Sculptures, fountains and flower beds enhance the atmosphere. An art-lined promenade leads from Ljubljana City Center to the Tivoli Castle, a mansion that was built in the 17th century and is now used as a museum. The art center features modern art – and it hosts a café with a patio that is popular on sunny days.
#2 Roznik Hill Ljubljana
Roznik Hill is part of a conglomerate of Slovenia nature parks that conveniently sit a short walk from downtown Ljubljana. The 391-meter-high hill is an ideal place for Ljubljana hiking and has been a place for recreation for decades. Numerous dirt paths wind through the dense forests that connect both Roznik and Sisenski Hills with Tivoli City Park.
Feeling rather ambitious one afternoon, we climbed Roznik Hill to the pink, hilltop church, called the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Under the same care as the pink Franciscan church in the center of Ljubljana, it was built in 1746 on the site of a previous church dating back to 1526.
Only open on summer Sundays for a single weekly mass, there are eyelets in the doors that allow for a glimpse into the Baroque interior. The painting behind the altar tells the story of when pregnant Mary visited Elizabeth.
Pro Tip: Trekkers that hike the trail from Tivoli City Park to the hilltop church might consider stopping for a bite to eat at the Gostilna Roznik restaurant at the top (try the strudel!).
#3 Ljubljana Botanical Garden
South of the city center on the east side of the Ljubljanica River is the five acre Ljubljana Botanical Garden. Its origins date back to 1810, making it the oldest botanical garden in Southeastern Europe.
Run by the University of Ljubljana, the Botanicni vrt Univerze v Ljubljani features and tropical greenhouse, a lovely tea house and boasts more than 4,500 plant species. Plus, it is open to the public for free!
#4 Ljubljana Castle Hill
Known as Castle Hill (for the obvious reason that the Ljubljana Castle sits on it), the forest covered knoll is also known as a top Ljubljana park. Many Ljubljana visitors are quick to hop on the funicular for a ride to the castle, but we think hiking up is the better route.
Many hiking trails encircle the hill, leading from the Ljubljana Old Town up to the castle at the top. The well-trodden trails offer an easy and excellent nature escape – plus they provide fantastic viewpoints over the city center and beyond to the snow-capped mountains!
Parks in Ljubljana Map
Use this link to Google Maps to find our favorite Park in Ljubljana!
More Hikes From Ljubljana, Slovenia
The four Ljubljana parks we mentioned are not the only places to visit in LJ to get a dose of nature! Slovenia is a haven of outdoor adventures. We feature a few of the best in our guide to Ljubljana Day Trips.
Ljubljana Marshes
We have not yet been to the Ljubljana Marshes, but have heard it’s a great way to enjoy nature near the city. The wetlands are south of the city center and attract both walkers and cyclists as well as birdwatchers.
Lake Bled Hiking
Beautiful Lake Bled is easy to reach from Ljubljana. Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, lone church perched on an island and the cliff-topping castle that overlooks the lake – Bled also features numerous trekking routes.
In our opinion, the best Bled hiking trails lead to Scenic Viewpoints of Lake Bled. Read more about the Best Things To Do at Lake Bled (including a visit to the very popular Vintgar Gorge)!
Hiking at Lake Bohinj
Located in Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj is natural gem! Our favorite Bohinj hiking trails are located at Mostnica Gorge, but you can read more about all the top treks in our guide to the best Hiking Trails Near Lake Bohinj.
Looking for more things to do in Bohinj? Read our 3-Day Itinerary for Lake Bohinj, Slovenia!
Slovenia Hiking Tours
We enjoyed hiking in the parks in Ljubljana on our own, but there are guides that lead treks to the best hiking near Ljubljana, too. Visitors who want to follow in the footsteps of a trusted guide can join one of the many Slovenia hiking tours – like this Hiking on the Edge Tour!
Planning a Trip to Naturally Beautiful Slovenia
There is no doubt that Slovenia is one of the most beautiful and completely underrated destinations in Europe. We have spent ample time seeking out the prime places to visit. Our guides are designed to help fellow travelers plan their best trip!
- Visit the Seaside Town of Piran
- Journey to the Wine Mecca of Maribor
- Check Out Overlooked Kranj
- Spend a Day at Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle
- Travel to Divaca and Skocjan Cave
- See the Quaint Town of Skofia Loka
- Conquer the Castle at Celje
- Go South to the Bela Krajina Countryside
Start planning your trip to Slovenia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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