Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia, a compact, green and walkable city on the Ljubljanica river between the Alps and the Karst. Its car-free Old Town, Plečnik's bridges and market colonnade, the hilltop castle and a thriving café and festival scene make it an easy base for two to four days, with Lake Bled, Postojna Cave and the Adriatic coast within a day trip.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Honey and bee products
Slovenia has a strong beekeeping tradition; honey, propolis and honey-painted products are sold at the Central Market and Old Town shops.
Price: Jar of honey €5-12 (~$5.50-13)
Where: Central Market stalls (Vodnikov trg; Mon-Sat from about 07:00)
Pumpkin-seed oil
Dark, nutty oil from Štajerska, used on salads and soups.
Price: €10-20 (~$11-22) per 250 ml
Where: Central Market and delicatessens in the Old Town
Kraški pršut and Slovenian cheeses
Dry-cured Karst ham and cheeses such as Tolminc and Bovec are sold vacuum-packed for travel.
Price: €8-25 (~$9-28)
Where: Plečnik Colonnade stalls (Mon-Fri to about 18:00)
Slovenian wine and spirits
Rebula, Teran and orange wines, plus fruit brandies; bottles can be packed in checked luggage.
Price: €8-30 (~$9-33) per bottle
Where: Vinoteka Movia (Mestni trg) and Old Town wine shops
Glass and ceramics
Hand-crafted glass and ceramics from Slovenian studios; the Rogaška glass shop on Mestni trg sells crystal.
Price: €15-120 (~$17-132)
Where: Rogaška, Mestni trg 22
Painted beehive panels (panjske končnice) and lace
Traditional folk-art panels and lace from Idrija; reproduction panels are sold as souvenirs.
Price: €10-60 (~$11-66)
Where: Old Town craft shops on Stari trg and Gornji trg
Ljubljana-themed design goods
Dragon symbols, posters and design pieces from Slovenian studios.
Price: €8-50 (~$9-55)
Where: Concept stores on Trubarjeva cesta and Old Town boutiques
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Ljubljana Central Market
Fresh produce, honey, cheeses, cured meats and flowers
Where: Old Town, beside the cathedral
Hours: Open-air stalls Mon-Sat roughly 07:00-16:00; colonnade to about 18:00 Mon-Fri; mostly closed Sunday
Sunday Flea Market
Antiques, books, vinyl and bric-a-brac
Where: Old Town riverside quay
Hours: Sunday mornings, roughly 08:00-14:00 (weather permitting)
Odprta kuhna (Open Kitchen)
Street food from Ljubljana restaurants
Where: Central Market square
Hours: Fridays about 10:00-21:00, roughly March to October
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Old Town (Stari trg, Mestni trg, Gornji trg)
Slovenska cesta and Čopova ulica
Trubarjeva cesta
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
BTC City
Hours: Shops Mon-Sat roughly 09:00-21:00; Sunday opening varies
Citypark
Hours: Shops Mon-Sat roughly 09:00-21:00; Sunday varies
Mercator Center Šiška
Hours: Shops Mon-Sat roughly 09:00-21:00
Maximarket
Hours: Mon-Sat generally 09:00-20:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices in shops are fixed; only the Sunday flea market allows light haggling.
Compare honey and oil prices at two or three stalls at the Central Market before buying.
Ask for a receipt on high-value purchases to claim VAT refund (see customs below).
Buy wine from specialist shops that can pack bottles for flight travel.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Slovenia uses the euro; cards are accepted in most shops, but small market stalls prefer cash., Shop opening hours are shorter on Saturday afternoons and most small shops close on Sundays outside the Old Town., VAT (22%) can be refunded to non-EU residents on goods above about €50.01 (~$55) per receipt from a participating shop; export stamps are applied at the airport customs desk., Meat and dairy products bought in Slovenia may be restricted when entering non-EU countries; check the import rules for the destination.