Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CASTLE HILL
Begin an exploration of the city by making the trek up to
Castle Hill
(Grajska Planota) to
poke around grand Ljubljana Castle. The castle area offers a couple of worthwhile exhibi-
tions, and the castle watchtower affords amazing views over the city. The prospect of
lunch at one of the city's best restaurants, Gostilna na Gradu (
Click here
)
, provides an
added inducement.
CASTLE
Ljubljana Castle
(Ljubljanski Grad; 306 42 93;
www.ljubljanskigrad.si
; Grajska Planota 1; adult/child
incl funicular and castle attractions €8/5, castle attractions only €6/3; with guided tour
€10/8; 9am-11pm May-Sep, 10am-9pm Oct-Apr)
There's been a human settlement
here since at least Celtic times, but the oldest structures these days date from around the
16th century, and were built following an earthquake in 1511. It's free to ramble around
the castle grounds, but you'll have to pay to enter the Watchtower, the Chapel of St Ge-
orge and to see the worthwhile exhibition on Slovenian history.
There are several ways to access the castle, with the easiest (and for kids, the most fun)
being a 70m-long funicular that leaves from Old Town not far from the market on Vod-
nikov trg. There's also an hourly tourist train that departs from south of the Ljubljana
Tourist Information Centre. If you'd like to get some exercise, you can hike the hill in
about 20 minutes. There are three main walking routes: Študentovska ulica, which runs
south from Ciril Metodov trg; steep Reber ulica from Stari trg; and Ulica na Grad from
Gornji trg.
There are several admission options available; some include the price of the funicular
ride, while others include a castle tour. Consult the castle website for details. The
Ljubljana Castle Information Centre
( 306 42 93;
www.ljubljanskigrad.si
; Grajska
Planota 1; 9am-9pm Apr-Sep, 9am-6pm Oct-Mar)
can advise on tours and events that
might be on during your visit.
Watchtower
(Razgledni Stolp; 306 42 93;
www.ljubljanskigrad.si
; included in general castle ad-
mission; 9am-9pm May-Sep, 10am-6pm Oct-Apr)
The 19th-century watchtower is loc-
ated on the southwestern side of the castle courtyard. The climb to the top, via a double
wrought-iron staircase (95 steps from the museum level) and a walk along the ramparts, is
worth the effort for the views down into the Old Town and across the river to Center.
