The lazy Ljubljanica River strolls through the city, but before it enters it, the river’s path is divided. The artificial channel dug more than 200 years ago makes a shortcut, avoiding the city centre where the natural stream flows. Where the river is divided there are some simple barges serving as bars. We call this place ‘Spica’, which means spike and if seen from above it actually looks like a land spike that points into the water.

It is a green oasis that makes a perfect getaway from the urban hustle and bustle. The short ten minute walk from the centre is worth the effort, no matter which side of the river you take.

The bars offer simple drinks you can drink either on the wooden benches on the shore or on the boat. I would recommend this place to everyone who likes nature and doesn’t mind simplicity. Here you can get a good portion of sun and a pristine smile. At Spica you won’t meet any big shot name, just regular people enjoying the atmosphere and some ducks passing by even in winter.

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Spica | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks | Coffee € 1.30
Privoz | Rudnik
11:00 – 19:00 daily

One of those, a bit forgotten, places is hippodrome, a few kilometers from the centre. It can be easily reached by all means of transportation, among others it is also really easy to get there with public transport.

There is also a bar, but what I prefer is to sit on the stands of the hippodrome watching people training with horses. The view over the track is just the beginning, behind it there is a beautiful panoramic view over Kamnik – Savinja Alps .

This is also the place where really big events are being held, like the mass by Pope John Paul II in 1996. In August 2009 we were expecting Madonna to perform here, but unfortunately the show was canceled.

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Hippodrome Stožice | Relaxing | Free
Hippodrome Stožice | Bezigrad
During the day

Sunny days are back! It’s time for relaxing at Ljubljana finest beach.

Trnovski pristan is a popular destination among young generations and how could it not be. The stone stairs designed by JozePlecnik offer the perfect seats and there is also a nice surrounding with Ljubljanica river. Just add your best friends, maybe a radio or a guitar and you will have a perfect night!

Just clean up after yourself because at daytime, Trnovski pristan is an important place for jogging and relaxation. In summertime there is also a library under treetops and you can sit on a chair, read a book and just enjoy the sunny weather.

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Trnovski pristan | Relaxing | Free
Trnovski pristan | Vic
24 hours daily

Miklošičev park is located between Ljubljana’s supreme court and labour union and with its over a century old trees it offers passersby some nice shade, if they decide to take a nap on the benches. The park is named after Slovenian philologist and linguist Franc Miklošič whose statue lies in the front of the park.

It is generally visited by pensioners and students who come to read or study, but for me its importance lies beneath that. Because it is situated between two important institutions, lots of protests and strikes start here in this park. I come here to participate in them and on the 1st of May, on Labour day, it was nicely decorated with flowers and labour union set up a maypole.

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Miklošičev park | Relaxing | Free
Miklošičeva cesta | Center
24 hours daily

As for relaxing in the evening, Trnovski pristan is always crowded with people, especially with drunk youth, so I prefer to go to Park Gradaščica. It is located in Trnovo next to the Gradaščica stream, one of the affluents of river Ljubljanica.

I like it, because contrary to Tivoli, it is often empty, peaceful and away from the main roads. Being near the river makes it also less warm than other parks. I come here to study, read or do some tai chi in the evenings.

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Park Gradaščica | Relaxing | Free
Finžgarjeva ulica | Vic
24 hours daily

In the ancient times Ljubljana was a Roman fortress called Emona. It was walled in by Roman walls. Remains of the South part of the wall still exist and were restored by plans by the famous architect Jože Plečnik. He also designed the park behind the wall. Nowadays the wall and the park are are favorite of pupils and students of nearby high schools and faculties. They come here to read, study, talk or hang up with friends and spend a great time together.

As far as the wall goes it’s not totally straight, rock climbers found it very useful to practice their climbing skills on it. In spring, summer and autumn, when the wall is warm enough to climb on, many climbers come and practice on it. I come here twice a week in the evening, when it’s not too hot and try to climb along it for a while.

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Rimski zid | Relaxing | Free
Mirje | Vic
24 hours daily

Are people afraid of big public spaces?

It appears like that. Near autonomous public zone Metelkova mesto, lies a big, but unused platform. It is surrounded by three important museums: Ethnographic Museum, National Museum of Slovenia, Museum of Contemporary Arts. In the middle there is a bank where there should be open air cinema events, organized by Kinoteka. But after all of the museums were built the place became kind of extinct. Even the children’s playground is empty most of the time.

That’s why urban theatre groups and some other individuals try to revive it a little bit, by organizing workshops, events, exhibitions. If I am seeking solitude I go there, watch the skies or sit underneath the (slovenian national) lime trees, and I am at peace.

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Muzejska ploščad | Relaxing | Free
Metelkova ulica | Bezigrad
24 hours daily

What most people don’t know is that Ljubljana above all has one of the biggest shopping complexes in Europe. This is BTC City, located in suburbs, that spreads on a little less than half million square meters. Retailers, shopping centers, car washes, restaurants, clinics, cinemas, swimming pools, hundreds of car parks, everything is at your fingertips. It scares me a little bit, because it spreads without even noticing. Skyscrapers grow out of nothing.

There are only few places we can go to avoid constant euphoria and shopping rush, and one of them is Šmartinski park. Just few years ago, there were little gardens, cultivated by the citizens. But the late mayor forced them to remove their belongings and then demolished the place. The good thing that came out of this is the new park. It will need few years to become popular among neighboring citizens, they say it is kind of sterile.

But I don’t agree with them. The park is very wide, the mayor even left some (fruit) trees that give shade and in the autumn apples, pears, apricots and cherries blossem. It is big enough to play football or Frisbee game. The park also has a monument and cemetery Žale, designed by architect Jože Plečnik, that are also worth a visit.

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Šmartinski park | Relaxing | Free
Šmartinska cesta 64 | Surroundings
24 hours daily

When you walk through the old part of the city, right before Stari trg, you turn right into a narrow paved street called Reber which ends on the right side with approximately ninety steps. They curve its’ way beneath old houses that hug Ljubljana castle’s hill.

A few steps before the end of staircase you will see on your left the beautiful view on the south part of Ljubljana, with the bell tower of the St. Jacob’s church on the left and the National Library on the right.

The spot is regularly visited by couples, lonely wonderers and elder people. Only few of them know that the house which stands at the top of the stairs played major role in Slovenian classic movie.

I usually come here after my lectures, sit on the fence, with my legs dangling down and watch the sunset.

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Reber | Relaxing | Free
Reber | Center
24 hours daily

Smarna gora is a hill at the most northern part of Ljubljana. It’s a butte and looks like two humps of camel. You can reach it with city bus number 8 (Gameljne). The bus drives in 10-20 minute period.

There are many ways to reach the top of Smarna gora. There are paths that are a bit steep, but take only 20 minutes. There are also more gentle paths, which are most of the time full of climbers, especially on Sundays. But if you are not walking on the main paths, you can relax and enjoy the fresh air.

Smarna gora has two peaks. Smarna gora and Grmada. The first peak is the popular one and is full of guests. On this peak you will also find an inn called Ledinek. Here you can buy some typical Slovenian dishes, a cup of tea or a beer. It has a nice view on Ljubljana, especially when the weather is nice.

Grmada is a located a bit higher and only has a bench on the top, so it doesn’t have so many visitors. It’s better if you would just like to relax, read a book or study.

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Smarna gora | Relaxing, Restaurants (Slovenian) | Tea € 1.20
Smarna gora | Surroundings | +3861511655
07:00 till dusk daily