4 Must 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 of the places to walk near the city center. 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.

Interested in Slovenia hikes outside of Ljubljana? We offer our top tips on hiking in Slovenia at the end of the article!

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Our 4 Favorite Ljubljana Parks

There are a number of parks in Ljubljana that are in the city center, including the popular Tivoli Park Ljubljana and Ljubljana Botanical Garden. The Ljubljana parks are the best places to visit in Ljubljana for a taste of nature…without leaving town! 

 

#1 Tivoli City Park Ljubljana

The flat Tivoli Ljubljana City Park has wide, green lawns that are crisscrossed by paths. Benches are hidden among tall pines. Sculptures; fountains and flower beds enhance the Tivoli City Park atmosphere. An art-lined promenade leads from Ljubljana to the Tivoli Castle, a mansion that was built in the 17th century and is now used as a museum and a café with a popular patio.

 

#2 Roznik Hill Ljubljana

Roznik Hill Ljubljana is part of a conglomerate of Slovenia nature parks that conveniently sit a short walk from downtown Ljubljana – and is an ideal place for Ljubljana hiking. Numerous dirt paths wind through the dense forests that connect both Roznik and Sisenski Hills and the Tivoli City Park. 

Feeling rather ambitious one afternoon, we climbed Roznik Hill to the pink, hilltop church, Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Under the same care as the pink Franciscan church in the center of Ljubljana, this church 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: Behind the church, the path continues past a café, a museum and a few houses. We followed trails through the hills and, eventually, all the way to Tivoli City Park.

 

#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, it is free to the public and boasts more than 4,500 plant species.

 

#4 Ljubljana Castle Hill

Known as Castle Hill for the obvious reason that the Ljubljana Castle sits on it, it is also know as a top Ljubljana park. Many hiking trails lead to the top from the Ljubljana Old Town, which makes it an easy and excellent nature escape from the city. While many visitors to Ljubljana take the funicular to the castle, we’ve made the hike up, more than once, for the stellar views of Ljubljana and a quick workout!

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Parks in Ljubljana Map

Use this link to Google Maps to find our favorite Park in Ljubljana!

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More Hikes From Ljubljana, Slovenia

The four Ljubljana parks we mentioned are not the only places to visit in Ljubljana to get a dose of nature! If you are looking for something different, check out these Ideas for 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! 

 

Lake Bled Hiking

We love the Bled hiking trails – especially the ones that lead to scenic viewpoints of Lake Bled. Read more about the best things to do when visiting Lake Bled (included the very popular Vintgar Gorge)!

 

Hiking at Lake Bohinj

Located in Triglav National Park, there are many trails at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia. Our favorite Bohinj hiking trails are located at Mostnica Gorge. Read more about all the options for Hiking Trails Near Lake Bohinj. 

 

Slovenia Hiking Tours

Want a guide to take you to the best hiking near Ljubljana? Join one of the many Slovenia hiking tours from the city! Check out this Hiking on the Edge Tour!

 

Start planning your trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing!  Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page!

 

Interested in seeing more of lovely Slovenia? Fantastic! Check out our complete guides to the seaside town of Piran, the wine mecca of Maribor and cute (and often overlooked) Kranj. Are you also keen to see incredible caves and some of the most magical castles in Europe? We’ll get you there with our top tips to visiting Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle, Skocjan Cave and the town of Divaca, the pleasant town of Skofja Loka, and the commanding castle in Celje.

 

We want to know: What are your favorite Ljubljana parks? Any others you would add to our list? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

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