While Ljubljana is very family friendly and there are plenty of things kids can do here – from museums to the zoo and galleries, kids’ favorite are playgrounds. And the capital of Slovenia has plenty of them. So, I asked my kids to help me pick a few of the best playgrounds in Ljubljana. Make sure you include them in your next visit.
1) Playground in the Tivoli Park
The obvious and most widely known playground can be found in Ljubljana’s largest and most beautiful park, Tivoli, which stretches into the city center.
The playground is I’d say is also the biggest of all the playgrounds. Playing there is one of my kids’ favorite things to do in Ljubljana. It offers something for every kid, from toddlers to preteens and even parents might get tempted. I know that on rainy days, when there’s usually no crowd, I have tried the fun zipline.
Follow Kids’ Guide to find the Best of Ljubljana for kids.
One more thing that makes this playground so great is the drinking fountain, benches for us parents and some nice shade.
Anything for parents? Playground is located next to a nice pond and close to a lovely café, where you can take a break and kids can continue playing there as well.
How to get there? Easy, walk over to the National Gallery, also a great place to visit with kids, cross the street and go through an underpass till you reach the park. Turn left and after a few meters you’ll notice the playground in the distance.
If you turn right, it will lead you to the big parking space, where I recommend parking, since it’s very affordable and there is also a small playground.
2) Šmartinski Park
The location might be somewhat macabre, since it stretches between the busy Šmartinska street and Žale Cemetery, but the recently opened playground and park is anything but. It is big, bright and lively. The only problem is that in the summer you might miss the shade.
Every kid will find something to play with here: they have a huge slide, small slides, rope climbing, swings, water toys, which get them splashing around … Prepare extra dry clothes.
Anything for parents: Not much, except observing the kids have fun.
How to get there: If driving, then park at the Žale Cemetery Parking place. If relaying on public transport, the bus stop is right next to the playground. Catch the buses number: 2,7,22 or 24.
3) Severni mestni park Navje
Pirate’s ship and a lighthouse in Ljubljana? Yes, within the walking distance from the central train station.
How to get there: Bus number 6 stops close by. Or as it is fairly close to the city center, you can take a walk.
As mentioned at the beginning, those are only a few out of the many playgrounds we are lucky to have in Ljubljana. And we wanted to only mention those that are free of charge. Because the zoo offers a few more and then there are indoor playrooms, but that’s a whole other thing. That calls for a new post.
Located outside the hustle and bustle of the city centre, right along the banks of the river Sava, this playground isn’t well known. Even we first visited it, once we started doing research for this post. But it’s worth it, because it offers a break from the city and getting close to nature. Along with the playground, you also get a small animal farm with sheep, goats, chicken,…, stables with horses, you can arrange to ride.
Find more of the cool playgrounds in the post we wrote for VisitLjubljana Stories, where the post was originally published.