10 Top Things to Do in Ljubljana in a Rainy Day With No Sun

For tourists and travelers, visiting Ljubljana on a rainy day is not on the itinerary. Even then, bad weather can be a pain to deal with, and rainy days happen. That shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the beauty of the Old Town with its many rainy day activities.

Rainy weather is not uncommon in Ljubljana, so people have many things they can do indoors. The town itself has many travel spots that let you stay indoors for as long as you want. From food to art to historic places, you’ll astonish yourself with the sheer number of places you can visit.

Rainy days in Ljubljana should not stop you from wandering around. Get your umbrellas ready and find yourself a local guide. Here’s everything you can do in Ljubljana on a rainy day.

Cross The Tromostovje or Triple Bridge

Among the most iconic places, you can visit in Ljubljana is the Tromostovje or the Triple Bridge. The original central bridge came from the work of Giovanni Picco, an Italian architect. 

The additional two bridges, together with their entire architecture, came from Jože Plečnik. Plečnik is among the most famous architects in Slovenia, designing most of Ljubljana.

The bridge consists of the Špital Bridge, which is the central bridge made initially for vehicular traffic. The two on its side are pedestrian bridges, which are super fun to walk into.

Many people who walk on these bridges do so during rainy weather. Because they’re now pedestrian-only, there’s no risk of fast-moving vehicles that can come by. If it’s rainy, all you need is a coat or an umbrella, and you can still appreciate this wonder of architecture.

What makes the Tromostovje more beautiful is the existence of the Franciscan Church behind it. The magnificent design speaks of the genius of Jože Plečnik and the everlasting beauty of Ljubljana.

Have A Nice Cold Brew At The Pivovarna Union Brewery

If you’re a person who loves beer, one of the places you can visit is the Pivovarna Union Brewery. A nice glass of cold, refreshing beer is never a bad thing. Learning how the locals make it is a great way to pass the time.

The Pivovarna Union Brewery is among the largest breweries in Slovenia. Founders built the brewery in 1864 as a small-time family business called the Kosler Brewery. The brand itself came out in 1909 due to an increase in demand for its beers.

In 2015, the Union Brewery became a part of the Heineken International family. Even then, the historic building still has the original interior design. People who love their beer history would enjoy the tour on a rainy day in Ljubljana.

If you have a local tour guide, expect a lot of knowledge from them. They’ll engage you in the depth of technology, politics, and history that influenced the Union. If you’re lucky, you’ll even find someone who can teach you beer pouring techniques.

Once you’re tired of looking at Pivovarna Union’s rich history, you can visit their Pub Union. It has a selection of the most excellent beers in Ljubljana, and you can even sample in your free time. Tours are available from Monday to Saturday, from 2 – 6 PM.

Have A Bike Tour in Ljubljana

If you don’t mind a little mud and wearing rain gear for an adventure, this is the activity for you. We’re talking about a bike tour in Ljubljana, one of the best ways to get around. While the Old Town is not as colorful as a typical day, biking around it will get you far.

A good chunk of Ljubljana is pedestrian-only, and much of it are small, central suburbs. You likely would want to see the inner city, but a car will only get in the way. This moment is a good time for bicycles.

There are areas of Ljubljana that you can visit through a bike. Some tour guides even offer bike tours, which are fast and impressive. 

You will hear funny and quirky stories of how Ljubljana ticks beyond the eyes of tourists. Listen to the stories and understand what hides inside the walls of the beautiful town.

You don’t have to worry about the effort of biking. Ljubljana is quite flat, with little elevations in many parts of town. Whatever your age is, you will likely have a fun time biking around.

Go To Other Plečnik Architecture

When you venture to the center of town on a rainy day, you’ll likely explore the quiet parts of the locale. You will see many abandoned buildings, but you’ll also see many of the works of Plečnik sprinkled around Ljubljana. 

For starters, you can find Plečnik’s House and explore his life and works. There’s also the Slovene National and University Library, also called the “house of knowledge.” If you find yourself around the Ljubljana Marshes, there’s also The Church of St. Michael.

Visit Local Third-Wave Coffee Shops

Ljubljana, and Slovenia in general, love coffee. Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the country, so a nice hot cup of joe on a rainy day is a good day. Where can you drink coffee in such a big coffee-drinking city?

Many would want to visit third-wave coffee shops that offer single-source brews. They’re easy to visit and available almost everywhere. 

Get Authentic Turkish Coffee From Klub Daktari

Those who wish to experience the true blue charm of the Old Town would want to visit Daktari. It’s a superb place that changes its face, depending on what time of day you visit.

Daktari looks like a small, homely pub and cafeteria inside, but it’s more than meets the eye. Klub Daktari is among the oldest, most posh locales in the city, located in Krekov trg 7. It’s decorated like a cozy living room, with a plush interior and a homely feel.

Depending on what time of the day you visit, you can get two entirely different experiences. During the daytime, Daktari offers some of the best authentic Turkish coffee in town. They even provide Čokolino, which is a mushy chocolate cereal for kids and adults.

At night, taste their ice-cold selection of local beers and warm your throat with cocktails and hard liquor. They have live music, DJ nights, and much more. You can find them near the Central Market and the Funicular railway to Ljubljana Castle.

Explore Science In The Hiša Eksperimentov

If you’re touring with your family, chances are you have kids with you. While Ljubljana is very family-friendly, inclement weather can be a pain when kids are around. You have fewer places you can explore, mainly because they’re easily bored.

One of the best places to visit in Ljubljana on a rainy day is the Hiša Eksperimentov. Known as the House of Experiments, it is the first hands-on, interactive science center in Slovenia. It’s intended for families to arouse the curiosity and help kids develop critical thinking.

The entire science center is almost like a gigantic playground. The exhibition hosts 60 fully interactive exhibits and experiments that explain science in a fun, wholesome way. Many focus on several topics like optics, perception, art, medicine, anatomy, and more.

While your kids can have fun, there’s no reason you shouldn’t try them yourself. People who enjoy doing small science experiments can engross themselves in some enjoyable experiences.

Discover Ljubljana’s Counter-Culture Through Metelkova City

Slovenia is a new player in the idea of counter-culture. It is, however, a fast-growing idea in Ljubljana and offers a colorful take into the Slovene lifestyle. The Metelkova city is a melting pot for radical ideas if you’re visiting Ljubljana on a rainy day.

Once you reach Metelkova city, the entrance will wow you in an instant. It looks like an entrance to a horror funhouse, with a lot of disembodied figures. Once you’re inside, you’ll have a smile on your face.

Metelkova city has a ton of graffiti on its walls, together with a ton of art in a 3D medium. The color and structure are fantastic, reminiscent of various graffiti across the UK and Berlin. The artists are great at using colors, combining them with a post-modern punk fairytale aesthetic.

Metelkova has a ton of nightlife. It has bars, clubs, and gigs, together with street art that you can appreciate during the morning.

Pass Through The Central Market

There’s nothing that can beat the pouring rain like eating and drinking. You can’t visit Ljubljana without going to its world-famous Central Market, and for a reason. All you need is to go to the center of the city and pass right through!

You’ll likely pass the Central Market between the Tromostovje and Dragon Bridge. Apart from the fresh produce and food, you can find many other must-see structures are in this historic section of town.

For starters, you’ll see the artistic Plečnik Colonnade, which can offer both shade and protection from the rain. It’s great for photos, and it has some places where you can eat.

The market is also open even during the rain. Find different varieties of fruits, vegetables, desserts, and other pastries. You can also get a delicious lunch like local deli meats, and the world-famous Carniolan sausage.

Visit the Ljubljana Castle

There’s no better way to spend your time on a rainy day in Ljubljana other than doing so inside the Ljubljana Castle. Depending on the time of the year, you’ll find a ton of things to do while waiting for the showers to end.

First, you can try to enjoy the historic tour and see the interior of the castle. Like any castle, it has some of the most luxurious exterior decors.

You can also visit the Chapel of St. George and marvel at the beautiful alfresco inside. While you relax, sit down inside the castle’s restaurant and sip some wine or a cup of coffee.

A Rainy Day Won’t Stop You

Visiting Ljubljana on a rainy day is never a dull time. While the outdoors of this beautiful Slovenian locale is excellent, you can do a ton of things indoors. What we offered you are only a small part of the many things you can enjoy.

If you plan on trotting around the Old Town, find yourself a local guide. Local guides are some of the best people to have, especially in unexpected rainy days. They can bring you to nooks and crannies of Ljubljana that many don’t dare to discover.

Explore the beauty of Ljubljana, regardless of the weather. You’ll love it for sure. You’ll enjoy it more if you have a guide helping you on the way.