Ninety seconds on Ljubljanica River Cruise
Gliding low along the Ljubljanica, you see the old town's bridges from beneath, with the best views of the architect Jože Plečnik's Triple Bridge and a close look at the Dragon Bridge's dragons.
The Ljubljanica runs through the middle of the old town, and much of the city's best architecture lines its banks. From a boat you see it from below and in sequence, which gives you a real feel for how compact the centre is.
From the water you get the best views of the architect Jože Plečnik's work, the Triple Bridge above all. Watch for it as the boat comes near, and look up rather than ahead.
A footbridge further down is hung with padlocks left by couples. At the Dragon Bridge the boat comes close to the city's famous dragon statues, which stand for Ljubljana itself.
On the guided cruise, the guide tells the story of the medieval craftsmen who once worked above the water at the Cobblers' Bridge. If you take the standard boat, look for the bridge just upstream of the pier.
Before departure, give yourself at least 15 minutes at the pier. If you hold a Ljubljana Tourist Card, collect your free ticket there before you board.
The boat is covered, with large panoramic windows that shelter you from rain and wind and give you a view all the way round. You stay seated for the whole trip and watch the banks slide past at water level.
The route stretches from leafy Špica upstream to the Dragon Bridge downstream. Along the way you pass the stone steps of Trnovo Pier, which locals call the Ljubljana Beach, then the Cobblers' Bridge and the Triple Bridge.
The guided cruise adds a guide who brings the city's past to life, in Slovenian and English, on a trip of the same length as the standard one.
Pick the guided one if you want the history, and the standard boat if you only want the views. Both leave from the same pier.
Book ahead even outside the summer, because off-season departures have sold out. Bring a light jacket, since the river carries a breeze even on a warm day.
Depending on your departure time, the sun may be in your eyes for part of the route. Dogs are welcome on the Ljubljana Tourist Boat, so you need not leave yours behind.
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