What are Ljubljana best photography and Instagram spots?

Discover the most beautiful views of Slovenia’s capital and which are the best photography spots in Ljubljana!

Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia, a country well-known for its outdoor activities. Both in Summer and Winter, tourists and locals gather around lakes, such as Lake Bled, and mountains, especially at the Triglav National Park. However, don’t think of Ljubljana as a city with an airport and nothing relevant to do or see.

Its cute old town and the historic vibe are a great place to get lost in. No cars are allowed in the city centre (during the daytime). This means no cars in your photos!

Moreover, Ljubljana is very instagrammable. Alleys, lots of bars and restaurants, gardens… it has it all! Make sure to check the spots listed below but also explore the city and wander around. It is really worth it.

Tivoli park

Slovenia is a very foresty country, and you don’t need to leave its capital to see it. At the heart of Ljubljana, there is Tivoli Park, the city’s largest garden. It is within a 10-minute walking distance from the old town, and it has (among other attractions), a beautiful pond with swans that I really enjoyed photographing.

If you need some time away from the cars and noises, this is the place. It can be a nice place for a portrait shooting session, especially during spring and autumn.

The photos below were taken in December, which, unless it is snowy, is not the best month to visit Tivoli Park, as it feels a bit empty.

Dragon Bridge

Dragons and Ljubljana have a close relationship. One of the most iconic bridges in the city is the Dragon Bridge. Legend says that the founder of the city killed a dragon, depicted in the statue and that when a virgin crosses the bridge, the dragons will move their tails.

Legends apart, it is an impressive bridge and an obvious photography spot. I especially enjoyed it when it was snowing. The white tones gave a nice contrast to the green of the statues.

From the Dragon Bridge, there is a nice view over the Central Market. Its long shape reflected on the river makes for a nice photo.

Central Market

I recognize I am biased toward markets. I love photographing them and visiting them. In the Ljubljana case, it is worth photographing it during the day when the square is buzzing and people are doing their errands. Of course, it is perfect for street photography. Don’t leave without trying some of the local products!

The Ljubljana Central Market is mostly outdoors, which makes it difficult to visit on rainy days. However, you can still find some covered areas at the old stone building by the river in front where the market is held nowadays, that in fact is the old market building.

Ljubljana Cathedral

This is the only religious building on this list and one of the two with an entry fee. I would not classify it as an Instagram spot but as one of the relevant photography spots in Ljubljana.

Its interior is interesting, despite being quite small if you compare it with some of the most impressive cathedrals in Europe. If you only want to take a photo, it might not be worth it paying 2€, but if you enjoy architecture and cathedrals, give it a try!

Prešeren square

The Franciscan church of the Annunciation is one of the most iconic buildings in Ljubljana, and this is just one of the places where it can be photographed. Preseren Square is at the heart of the city, just by the triple bridge (see below). This spot is ideal with a wide-angle lens, as it is not a large square and you will be close to the building when taking the photo.

View from Fishmarket Footbridge

This is the most iconic view and one of the best photography spots in Ljubljana. From this bridge, you can capture the famous triple bridge and the Franciscan church of the Annunciation reflected on the river. Most Instagram photos in Ljubljana are taken from this spot.

If you use a tripod, be careful with the number of people crossing the bridge. When some people are around, the photo might have some noise. You can feel the movement of the bridge when passersby cross it.

During wintertime, the channel/river gets really beautiful, and this view is worth getting out when it is snowing.

View from Cobblers bridge

Another great photography spot by the river. The colourful houses reflected in the water are a really nice view, especially on a sunny day, with a clear blue sky. The area between the Cobblers Bridge and the Fishmarket Foorbridge is also a nice place to capture these unique houses in Ljubljana.

Ljubljana Castle and tower viewpoint

The Ljubljana castle is the second most iconic spot in the city, after the Triple Bridge. It dominates the city from above, and its architecture is really impressive. However, what makes the visit really worth it is the view from the tallest tower. The panorama is impressive, with incredible views over the city and the castle interior square.

It is worth getting up to the tallest tower (10€ entrance fee), including the museum and other castle areas. From there, you have if not the best, one of the best photography spots in Ljubljana. From there you can see the channel, bridges, cathedral, and all the iconic buildings of the city.

There are three ways to get to the castle: using a cable car, walking, or driving. On the way up, there are some nice views over the city as well, although it can not be compared to the final reward when you reach the tallest viewpoint over the city.

Aim for a panoramic image, and try to time your visit with the sunset, as it is when there are the best light conditions.

Metelkova

Ljubljana’s alternative neighbourhood is a magnet to tourists and artists. During the daytime, it is a peaceful and almost empty area, with some unique buildings and street art expressions. Graffiti are everywhere, and it is a great Instagram photo spot.

During the nighttime, the area becomes alive, with bars, pubs and lots of people who gather around. I’d recommend visiting it during the daytime if you are interested in taking photos, as it can get a bit busy later on.

Triple bridge

Ljubljana is famous for its triple bridge, which is located just in front of Preseren Square. It is difficult to capture the three bridges in the same picture, as the area is quite large and there is not an accessible viewpoint nearby. Besides that, it’s a busy spot.

Moreover, the central bridge is wider than the other ones. Thus, it is challenging to give photos the feeling that there are three bridges. An early morning or late-night approach could be key, with fewer people on the scene.

Even the view from the Ljubljana castle tower is not a good one to capture the triple bridge, as there are buildings that obstruct the vision of the two lateral ones.

Town Hall + Robba Fountain

The Ljubljana town hall is at the heart of the city, and it is a very characteristic building. It is not the best Ljubljana photography spot, but the square where it is located has some interesting elements to photograph.

The Robba Fountain is an old and beautiful fountain located in the same square where the old town is. From the Robba fountain, you can see the cupula of the Ljubljana Church, and the main bridge of the triple bridge. It is a nice place for street photography, as there is a lot of movement of people in the area.

Old town streets

Ljubljana is not a city with amazing photography spots. It does not have a distinctive element that attracts tourists and visitors. However, its old town, the streets, and the vibe of the city make it perfect for photography. Instagram and non-Instagram photos can be taken at every corner, even with non-optimal weather conditions as you can see in the images included in this article.

Get lost on its old town streets, and enjoy a kind of city that is not that common anymore, one that feels authentic and not artificially adapted to tourists (or at least not as much as others).

These are the best Instagram photography spots in Ljubljana. If you have any questions regarding your trip to Slovenia, you can get in touch with me on my Instagram (@aniolvisuals), and I’ll gladly help you. Planning a trip to Slovenia? visit my dedicated Slovenia travel page or get inspired with any of the articles listed below!