A weekend between work visits to Switzerland and Spain gave me the chance to look for places to visit. I made my own arrangements to travel from Switzerland to Spain via Croatia with two one-way flights.
I arrived the previous night from Zurich on Croatia Airlines 465. The flight was delayed and by the time I collected my bag and made it to the bus stop, I had missed the 10:00 PM bus to the city. There were a couple of other gentlemen there who were in the same situation, so we decided not to wait for the next bus at 11:00 PM and share a taxi to the city center. I booked a taxi using Bolt for €17.30 to where I was staying, close to the main train station.
I got up this morning and the plan for today was to take a day trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia. I got ready and walked to the main train station which was not far. I bought a return ticket from Zagreb to Ljubljana for EUR 18.
I picked up some breakfast at Mlinar at the train station and then boarded the train. It was quite empty at first but became full just as we were about to leave.
We departed on time at 8:40 AM and the train ride was nice and comfortable. We made a stop at Dobova, a key border town where the transition between the Croatian and Slovenian rail networks required a change of locomotive. Slovenian police also boarded the train for a quick walkthrough. From there, the tracks were along the Sava river, offering pleasant riverside views all along the route.
We climbed through the hills and passed Zidani Most, a scenic and vital railway junction where the lines from Ljubljana, Maribor, and Zagreb converge amidst steep river gorges. We reached Ljubljana a little after the scheduled time.
I left the station to first see AKC Metelkova mesto, an autonomous social centre known for its edgy street art and quirky, repurposed military barracks. I also saw the Neo-Gothic Rimokatoliški samostan Misionske Družbe-Lazaristov Maistrova on the way.
From there I walked to Vurnikova hiša, often called the “Cooperative Business Bank,” which stands out with its vibrant, geometric facade in the colors of the Slovenian flag. Designed by architect Ivan Vurnik and his wife Helena Kottler Vurnik in 1921, Helena designed the geometric patterns based on Slovenian folk embroidery.
I saw the District Court in Ljubljana on the way, an example of Neo-Renaissance architecture, characterized by its grand, symmetrical facade and imposing presence.
Next was the famous Dragon Bridge, a stunning Art Nouveau structure guarded by four fierce-looking dragon statues that have become the symbol of the city.
Then, The Butchers’ Bridge, a contemporary footbridge filled with “love locks” and intriguing, slightly macabre bronze sculptures.
And then finally Triple Bridge, a unique cluster of three pedestrian bridges that serves as the central artery connecting the historic medieval town with the modern city.
I saw the Prešernov trg, the main square and primary meeting point of the city, and Spomenik Francetu Prešernu and the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, which dominates the square with its iconic salmon-pink facade and Baroque interior.
I crossed over the Ljubljanica river to the other side and saw Town Square, the heart of the old city lined with medieval buildings, and Robbov vodnjak, a Baroque masterpiece also known as the Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers.
My next stop was Ljubljana Castle, accessible by foot or a scenic funicular ride. It was a well marked hike up in the shade of the greenery.
Ljubljana Castle is a medieval fortress perched on a green hill just above the city center.
It offered panoramic views of the city’s red roofs and the distant snow-capped mountains from its ramparts.
I walked back down on a different path and reached Vodnik Square.
I refilled my water bottle at the Kenguru drinking water fountain, and saw the Tobacco fountain nearby. The Ljubljana Castle Funicular Railway base station was located here.
Walking back to the Town Square, I passed by Saint Nicholas’ Cathedral.
After this I decided to head back to the train station and I stopped by Fast Food Ajda and packed a burger for a late lunch.
I reached the train station and waited for the train to Zagreb which was scheduled at 4:45 PM.
The journey back was comfortable and only a few people were on board. We stopped at Zidani Most and then at Dobova where the locomotive was changed again. From there it was not too long before we pulled into Zagreb train station.
I went back to the hostel, relaxed for a while, and then stepped out for dinner with one of my roommates. We went to Umami Branimir Centar, where the fusion flavors were excellent and the portions were quite generous—a perfect end to the first day of the weekend.
✈️ Croatia Airlines 465
🚖 Bolt
🍽️ Mlinar
🍽️ Fast Food Ajda
🍽️ Umami Branimir Centar
🛏️ Palmers Lodge Hostel