Central Slovenia (Osrednjeslovenska) is the small but dynamic region around Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, where a car-free medieval and Art Nouveau city meets alpine foothills, marshland and castle-topped hills. Within an hour of the capital are the Kamnik Alps and Velika Planina herder settlement, the Ljubljana Marshes, the Sava river valley and the flower-filled Volčji Potok Arboretum. The region combines easy public transport, a relaxed café culture and a strong farm-to-table food scene.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Ljubljana Zoo
A hillside zoo on the slope of Rožnik with elephants, giraffes, lions and a petting area, reached by city bus 18 from the centre
Duration: Half day
Ljubljana Castle and Funicular
A glass funicular climbs from Krekov trg to the castle on the hill, with a puppet museum, virtual castle show and clock tower
Duration: 2-3 hours
Tivoli Park and Playgrounds
Ljubljana's largest park with wide lawns, playgrounds, a rose garden and paths up Rožnik hill
Duration: Half day
Atlantis Water World
Indoor water park at BTC City with slides, pools and a children's area, handy in wet weather
Duration: Half day
Technical Museum of Slovenia (Bistra)
Hands-on collections of vehicles, aircraft and farm machinery in the former Carthusian monastery at Bistra, near Vrhnika
Duration: 2-3 hours
Arboretum Volčji Potok
A large botanical park near Kamnik with flower gardens, a children's playground, miniature train and seasonal exhibitions
Duration: Half day
Velika Planina Herders' Settlement
An Alpine plateau with traditional herders' huts, cows grazing in summer, cheese tasting and easy walks above Kamnik
Duration: Full day
Ljubljana Botanical Garden
Slovenia's oldest botanical garden with ponds, greenhouses and shaded lawns
Duration: 1-2 hours
Ljubljana Puppet Theatre
Puppet shows for children, mostly in Slovenian but visual enough for any age; schedule at lgl.si
Duration: 1 hour
Šmarna Gora Hike
An easy forest hike of about an hour to a hilltop church and hut with views over the Ljubljana basin
Duration: 2-3 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hotel Park Ljubljana
A modern hotel near the railway station with family rooms, a short walk from Tivoli Park and the old town
Family features: Family rooms, breakfast buffet, city-centre location
Hotel Lev Ljubljana
Large central hotel with a pool and spacious rooms near Tivoli Park
Family features: Indoor pool, family rooms, breakfast buffet, central location
Apartments and farm stays around Kamnik
Self-catering apartments and tourist farms near Kamnik and Velika Planina with outdoor space and home cooking
Family features: Garden space, farm animals, kitchens, quiet setting
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Slovenian restaurants offer a children's menu or half portions of pasta, schnitzel and fries
Štruklji, a rolled dumpling dish, and soup are mild dishes children usually enjoy
Ice cream shops line the Ljubljanica embankments, with scoops at about €1.50-2.50
The Open Kitchen street-food market on Pogačarjev trg has varied small portions for picky eaters, March to October
Lunch menus (malica) are cheaper than dinner, about €8-12, and many include soup and a main dish
High chairs are common in restaurants, but call ahead for large groups
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Ljubljana's historic centre is car-free and flat, so strollers work well; cobbles are the main bump
City buses take the Urbana card, which costs about €2, and children under 6 ride free
The funicular to the castle avoids a steep climb with young children
Playgrounds in Tivoli Park are free; the Rožnik hill paths are suitable for older children
Pharmacies display a green cross; Lekarna Miklošičeva, Miklošičeva cesta 24, is open 24 hours
Emergency number is 112; Pediatric Clinic at UKC Ljubljana, Bohoričeva ulica 20, via the UKC switchboard +386 1 522 50 50
Child car seats are required for children under 150 cm in rental cars