Ljubljana Castle

What makes it special

The castle sits on Castle Hill at the southern edge of the old town, and the courtyard, the walls and the Outlook Tower are the reasons to climb. What stands today is the third castle on the hill, built in the 15th century.

The Outlook Tower stands on the site of the old Pipers' Tower. You climb it on a double spiral staircase left from its fortress days. The walls give good views too, so walk them after the tower.

From 1814 the castle was spared demolition by being turned into a prison, and its old cells are one of the rooms you can still walk through. The Chapel of St George is the other old room to find. The Museum of Puppetry, set up by the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, tells the history of puppeteering and is the stop to make with children.

Visiting

Buying the Castle Ticket comes first: it covers the Outlook Tower and a return ride on the funicular. If you are walking up Castle Hill, buy the ticket without the funicular.

After the tower, see the Chapel of St George and the old prison cells, then pick from the exhibitions: Slovenian History in the old gunpowder store, the Virtual Castle and the Museum of Puppetry. Check whether the puppetry museum is covered by your ticket before you plan around it.

Finish on the walls and in the courtyard. The courtyard hosts performances, exhibitions and film screenings, so check what is on before you come up.

Guided or on your own

A guide is optional here. The Time Machine is an interactive guided tour sold as its own ticket, apart from the Castle Ticket.

The audioguide comes in 15 languages with a printed plan of the castle, so you can work through the rooms without a guide.

Tips

Leave the bike, scooter or rollerblades at the bottom, because none are allowed into the castle courtyard. Smaller bags fit in the key lockers, and you can refill a bottle at the drinking fountains in the courtyard, so there is little to carry up.