City Trips

No one knows this European capital, but it is the perfect cheap city trip

By Tessa Heinhuis | #!31Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:30 +0200+02:003031#31Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:30 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202531 12am31am-31Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:30 +0200+02:005Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2025312025Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:30 +0200005007amSaturday=9#!31Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:30 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam7#07-12-2025#!31Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:30 +0200+02:003031#/31Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:30 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202531#!31Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:30 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam7#

Look, it's not as pretty as Barcelona or Paris, but if you want to save a bit of budget for the rest of the year, you might as well choose this cheaper city trip. Just in Europe. In fact: it's a capital in Europe, but almost no one knows it.

Europe is full of beautiful cities that are often overshadowed by the more well-known destinations. We all just go to London. And Lisbon. One of these hidden gems is Ljubljana. What? Yes, you read that right: it's the capital of Slovenia and it's an upcoming hype.

Ljubljana has a unique charm that is hard to explain if you haven't been there. The compact historic center is dominated by the imposing Ljubljanski Grad (Ljubljana Castle), which overlooks the city and offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. Stroll through the cobbled streets, admire the colorful buildings, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. You'll find many shops and nice terraces in these neighborhoods, so don't worry about that. It's calm, relaxed, and nice. It feels like a village because it's not a huge city. Dutch people compare it a bit to Utrecht. You can go out and about, but it's not the biggest city like Madrid or Berlin.

Ljubljana

And what do you eat there exactly? Slovenia is known for some special dishes. Try local delicacies like the traditional Kranjska klobasa (Carniolan sausage), fresh seafood from the Adriatic Sea, and delicious pastries in one of the many bakeries and cafes in the city. Walking with your coffee to go, you can stylishly grab your breakfast: pastry in one hand, coffee in the other. Don't forget to visit the lively open-air markets, like the famous Central Market, where you can taste local products and artisanal treats and enjoy some drinks and chats.

And let's be honest... One of the biggest advantages of a city trip to Ljubljana is its affordability. Compared to other European capitals, accommodation, food, and activities in Ljubljana are often much cheaper, making it an ideal destination for travelers on a budget. You can already get by with a few tens of euros for food and drinks. Just score a good deal for your ticket and hop, what are you waiting for?