Best Time to Visit Ljubljana

Spring: green, fresh and a bit damp

March is still chilly and grey, and the sun barely shows. April is when Ljubljana wakes up, and it's the first month we'd point you to. Afternoons are mild enough to sit by the Ljubljanica river with a coffee, and the crowds haven't arrived yet. Rain falls on about 12 days, so keep a cheap umbrella handy.

May is a good month too, though it's not quite as easy as April. The chestnut trees are in leaf and Tivoli Park is turning green, but it's the wettest spring month, with rain on 16 days. Showers tend to pass, so plan museums or the covered Central Market for the gaps.

Summer: warm days and long evenings

Once June arrives, you're in the easy season, and it runs through August. Days are warm, not scorching, and the evenings are perfect for riverside tables along the Cobblers' Bridge side of the old town. July is the hottest month, with highs of 27°C, and August matches it. Thunderstorms do roll in, so don't be surprised by a sudden downpour.

It's also the busiest time. Summer brings the Ljubljana Festival, with concerts in open-air courtyards, and plenty of street life along the river. If you want a day trip to Lake Bled or Postojna Cave, summer is simple for buses and trains, but expect more people at both. If you hate crowds, aim for early June instead.

Travelling with kids? Summer school holidays suit you, as the castle funicular and the park are at their best.

Autumn: calm, golden, a little wetter

September is still one of the best months, and it's lovely for walking. It's also the wettest month of the year, at 133 mm. Even so, the days stay pleasantly warm and the tourist rush fades. October is cooler and cosier, and it's still rated good. It suits hearty Slovenian food like štruklji (rolled dumplings) and a glass of local wine.

November changes the mood. It's damp, dark and foggy, and the city feels quiet. Prices and crowds drop, but so does the sunshine, so we rate it poor.

Winter: cold, grey and festive in December

January is the coldest month, with lows around -3°C, and February isn't much kinder. Nights fall below freezing and there's very little sun. You'll mostly want museums, cafés and the thermal spas outside the city.

December is the least comfortable month because of the cold, but it has one big draw. The festive market along the river brings lights, mulled wine and a real buzz to the old town. Dress for standing outdoors. If Christmas markets are your goal, this is your month. For everything else, pick April or June to September.