Dog Friendly Ljubljana
- fajndogwear
- Feb 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 2
Dog Friendly Ljubljana Bars and Restaurants:
Dog Friendly Ljubljana Activities:
Walk or Furnicular to the Castle
Old town (University Library, Opera House, Government buildings and around the Central Marketriverfront)
Tivoli Park
Metalkova District and Street Art
Dog Bakery/Shop - Pasja Pekerna Hov Hov
Our Journey
Train from Lesce Bled to Ljubljana - around 1 hour
No dog ticket required!
DAY 1 - European Green Capital
We arrived in Ljubljana around midday, setting off on a 30-minute walk under the summer sun to reach our accommodation in the old town. As we made our way down Miklošičeva Cesta, we started scouting for food.
Although Fari’s had been on our list of potential food stops, we actually stumbled upon it by chance. A small falafel takeaway with indoor seating, it offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. On the day we passed by, they happened to be running a 50% discount—an offer too good to refuse! If you're looking for a quick, affordable bite near the train station, it's definitely worth a stop.
After refuelling, we continued to our apartment in the heart of the old town. Bags dropped we set out to explore. Ljubljana is a really compact city with most key sights within walking distance. Wandering through the old town, we passed the striking university buildings all with incredible architecture, many designed by world-famous architect Jože Plečnikto and Kongresni trg square, the central square in Ljubljana. From there, we made our way to Tivoli Park via Trg republike, the government buildings and the opera house, where an open window let us catch a glimpse of a live performance.
Ljubljana is an incredible city to explore on foot, full of stunning architecture, rich history, and a well-preserved, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. Unlike many European cities, its old town has been car free since 2007, which contributed to Ljbuljana being named the European Green Capital in 2016.
Strolling through Tivoli Park, we stopped to admire the outdoor art exhibition along the main promenade leading to the art centre before hugging the shade and making our way towards the sport complex. There, we caught glimpses of an international tennis tournament through the fences.
Continuing along the main road, we arrived at Pivnice Union, Ljubljana’s main brewery, which also has a taproom. The modern interior contrasts with its enclosed courtyard, where towering beer crates form makeshift walls, offering shade and a break from the summer heat. If you're without a dog, you can also take a brewery tour.
After cooling off, we walked back toward the old town, following the river to see the iconic Triple Bridge and Cobbler’s Bridge before heading to our apartment to freshen up for dinner.
On the east side of the Ljubljanica River, beneath the castle, lies Stari Trg—a lively hub of bars and restaurants. While we had a list of potential dinner spots, we ended up at Green One Bistro / Gujzine This entirely vegetarian/vegan restaurant specialises in Slovenian-style dishes, and it did not disappoint. The vegan bograč, in particular, was excellent—a must-try for anyone after a plant-based take on traditional flavours.
After dinner, we wandered back toward our apartment and unknowingly walked into a student hangout bar—far classier (and cheaper) than the student spots back home!
DAY 2 - Getting our steps in
Our second day in Ljubljana began by making sure Nora was content by visiting a very small Dog Bakery/Shop - Pasja Pekerna Hov Hov to get some treats before wandering over to Central Food Market to make sure we were well-fed too.
Before making our way up to the castle, we stopped at the Dragon Bridge, renowned for its impressive engineering and striking dragon statues at each end. While a well-known landmark, I have to admit it felt a little underwhelming compared to the rest of the city. It’s also one of the few areas in the city center where cars are still allowed, which makes it a bit harder to fully appreciate.
Instead of taking the funicular to the castle, we opted for the winding staircase from Krekov Trg, making the steep climb on foot. The effort was well rewarded with spectacular views over the city from the top. We didn’t go inside the castle, but dogs are allowed in the courtyard and can also take the funicular, provided they’re muzzled.
Another well-known part of Ljubljana is the Metalkova district, an alternative district with a cultural centre at its heart, which developed from a squat in a former army barracks. After descending from the castle, we crossed Dragon Bridge again before turning down Trubarjeva Cesta - a narrow road with numerous independent bars, shops and restaurants with street art and graffiti. This route makes an interesting walk on the way to Metalkova - so it’s definitely worth checking out.
After about 15 minutes, we reached Metelkova, and honestly, it's hard to describe. Every available surface is covered in art, murals, sculptures, and installations made from just about anything you can imagine. It’s chaotic, vibrant, and fascinating. While it did feel a little rough around the edges, that might just be our own misinterpretation - after all, despite its technically illegal status, it’s essentially a creative district that welcomes visitors. We only explored during the day, but apparently, the nightlife here is worth experiencing too!
As the afternoon heat kicked in, we grabbed some snacks and drinks before heading to Tivoli Park to relax in the sun for a few hours.
After packing so much into the day, we ended the evening with a final drink and ice cream by the river, before heading back to our accommodation for a quiet night. With a 5 AM train to Verona ahead of us, an early night was definitely needed!
Any questions about our time in Ljubljana? Just drop a comment in at the bottom of this blog and we will try to answer!
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