Slovenia

Ljubljana

Last traveled · September – October 2026
City Snapshot
Best Months
May, Sep–Oct
Ideal Stay
2–3 days
Best For
Walkable old town, GF bakeries
GF Friendliness
7/10
Language
Slovenian
English
Widely spoken
City Size
Small capital
Currency
Euro (€)

Where to Stay

Recommended
The Ljubljanica river through central Ljubljana
Where I stayed

Exe Lev

Center, by Tivoli Park
Why Stay Here
A central hotel on the edge of the city center, between Tivoli Park and the old town. Prešernov trg and the Triple Bridge are roughly a ten-minute walk away, and the main bus and train stations are about the same distance in the other direction, which made it a practical base for catching intercity buses. I didn't take notes on breakfast, so if gluten-free options matter to you, ask about them when you book.
Walk to old town Near Tivoli Park Near bus & train stations
Book on Hotels.com

Gluten-Free Survival Guide

Key Phrases
"Imam celiakijo." I have celiac disease
"Brez glutena" Gluten-free
"Ali to vsebuje gluten?" Does this contain gluten?
"Je kuhano ločeno?" Is it cooked separately?
"Brez kruha, prosim." No bread, please
Grocery Stores
  • Glutines (Stari trg) — a big shelf of GF snacks and groceries alongside the bakery case
  • Mercator and Spar / Interspar — GF sections with pasta, bread and biscuits
  • Hofer — smaller GF range
  • DM drugstores — GF bread and snacks
Safe Cuisines
  • Plain grilled fish and meat (ask about flour dusting)
  • Polenta and buckwheat žganci (confirm preparation)
  • Risotto and salads at places that mark allergens
  • Jota stew (ask whether the stock or thickener contains gluten)
Watch Out For
  • Štruklji and potica — both wheat-based
  • Flour-thickened sauces and stock cubes
  • Breaded and fried dishes from shared fryers
  • Kranjska klobasa and other sausages, which can contain breadcrumbs
Certification to Look For
The crossed grain symbol on packaged foods, backed in Slovenia by the Slovenian Celiac Society (Slovensko društvo za celiakijo). On menus, EU rules mean the 14 major allergens are listed, often as numbered codes, so ask for the allergen list if you don't see it. Like most places in Slovenia, the menus I saw in Ljubljana listed them.
Score Breakdown
Dedicated GF restaurants
Menu labeling
Staff knowledge & safety
Density of GF dining
Grocery availability
7/10 Overall GF Score
Easy

GF Friendly Restaurants

9 spots
5/5 4/5 3/5 2/5 Hotel

Glutines

100% GF
Bakery & GF grocery
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
A fully gluten-free bakery, so everything in the case is fair game. They also had a large selection of GF snacks and grocery items, which makes it a good place to stock up before heading into the mountains.
What to Order
The cheese danish. It was so good I wish I could go back and get ten more. There were plenty of other pastries and breads that looked great too, and I didn't get to try nearly enough of them.
Location
Stari trg 11a, Old Town

Aurora Slaščičarna

100% GF
Bakery & desserts
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
A 100% gluten-free pastry shop right in the center, so there's no cross-contamination to worry about.
What to Order
I had a slice of hazelnut chocolate cake, which was really good, and two cake pops that were REALLY good. Don't skip the cake pops! Reviewers also mention cinnamon rolls, bread and cookies.
Location
Miklošičeva cesta 22, Center
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

DA BU DA, Asian Fusion & Bar

GF Options
Asian fusion
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Honestly, I probably shouldn't have eaten here. I was starving and trying to grab something before my bus to Kranjska Gora (which never came). They'll use GF soy sauce, but they don't guarantee against cross-contamination. I didn't feel great afterward, though that may have just been the stress.
What to Order
Pad thai made with GF soy sauce. Reviews say fried rice can also be made GF. Only worth it if you're comfortable with a shared kitchen.
Location
Šubičeva ulica 1a, Center
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Dežela Okusov

100% GF
Burgers & Slovenian
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
A fully gluten-free restaurant, which is rare anywhere and the closest thing to a worry-free sit-down meal in the city. It also has vegan options.
What to Order
Reviews single out the burgers made with Slovenian meat on GF buns, plus fries, GF beer and desserts.
Location
Eipprova ulica 11, Trnovo / Krakovo
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Cojzla

100% GF
Deli & casual
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
A dedicated gluten-free deli, reportedly with takeaway. It's in the BTC City shopping area, well outside the center, so you'd need a bus or taxi to get there.
What to Order
Reviews mention burgers, bread, cakes, noodles, pancakes and falafel.
Location
BTC City (east of the center)

Hood Burger Center

GF Options
Burgers
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Not a dedicated kitchen, but reviewers report a dedicated gluten-free fryer and staff who know what they're doing.
What to Order
Reportedly almost the whole menu can be made GF on a GF bun (the steak sandwich is the exception), plus fries from the dedicated fryer.
Location
Nazorjeva ulica 4, Center
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Restavracija Most

GF Options
Mediterranean & Slovenian
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
This one was on my list, but I didn't get a chance to go. It's on the more upscale side and looked very good. Reviewers say allergens are marked on the menu and the waiters are helpful about adapting dishes.
What to Order
Salads and risotto, plus a GF dessert according to reviews.
Location
Petkovškovo nabrežje 21, by the Butchers' Bridge
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Foculus

GF Options
Pizza
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Shared kitchen, and reportedly they can't guarantee the GF pizza stays under 20 ppm. Some celiac reviewers say they had no reaction, but go in with that caveat in mind.
What to Order
Any of their long list of pizzas on GF dough, for a small upcharge.
Location
Gregorčičeva ulica 3, Center
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Pizzeria Bullizza

GF Options
Pizza
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
A regular pizzeria with several dough options, including gluten-free. There's not much information about cross-contamination practices, so ask how the GF pizzas are handled.
What to Order
Pizza on the GF dough. Confirm which dough is actually gluten-free, since they offer several specialty doughs.
Location
Poklukarjeva ulica 29, Vič (southwest of the center)
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Getting Around

Walking
The center is compact and much of it along the river is car-free, so it's easy to cover on foot. I even walked out to Stožice Stadium for a match.
Best for: Old town, bridges, Tivoli Park
LPP City Buses
City buses run on the rechargeable Urbana card rather than cash, and fares include free transfers for a short window. I took the bus back from the stadium after the game.
Best for: Stožice, BTC City, outer neighborhoods
Intercity Buses
Arriva and Nomago buses leave from the main bus station next to the train station and reach Bled, Bohinj, Kranjska Gora and the Soča Valley. I got around Slovenia by bus (plus a couple of taxis) without a car.
Best for: Onward travel to the Julian Alps
Airport Transfer
Ljubljana Airport is about 25 km north of the city. Bus line 28 runs to the main station, and shared shuttles and taxis are the faster options.
Best for: Arrival and departure days
Local Tip
Don't count on the last bus of the day out of Ljubljana. My evening bus to Kranjska Gora never showed up, and since you can't track buses live, I had no idea until it was too late. I ended up taking an expensive Uber and arriving after dark. Take an earlier departure if you can.

Landmarks & Must-See Spots

9 spots

Prešernov trg

Historic
The main square and the natural starting point for wandering the center, with the statue of poet France Prešeren and the pink Franciscan church facing the river.
Center
Went here

Triple Bridge

Historic
Three side-by-side bridges over the Ljubljanica linking Prešernov trg to the old town. The two outer footbridges were added by architect Jože Plečnik. You'll probably cross it a dozen times without trying.
Center
Went here
Triple Bridge over the Ljubljanica in Ljubljana

Dragon Bridge

Historic
The bridge guarded by the green dragon statues that show up on just about every Ljubljana souvenir. The dragon is the city's symbol.
Center, near the Central Market
Went here
Dragon statue on Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana

Butchers' Bridge

Walk
A modern footbridge between the Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge, known for its love locks and odd bronze sculptures. Restavracija Most sits right at its end.
Center
Went here

Stari trg & the Old Town

Walk
The old town's main lane, lined with baroque buildings, small shops and cafés below the castle hill. It's also where you'll find Glutines, which is reason enough to come this way.
Old Town
Went here

Locksmith Alley

Walk
A little alley with strange bronze faces set into the ground. It's easy to walk right past if you don't look down.
Old Town, off the river
Went here
Bronze faces set into the pavement of Locksmith Alley, Ljubljana

Tivoli Park

Nature
Ljubljana's biggest park, with tree-lined paths and an open-air photo gallery along the Jakopič Promenade. It's right next to Exe Lev.
Tivoli, west of the center
Traveler recommended

Ljubljana Castle

Historic
The hilltop castle above the old town, with views over the city's rooftops. You can walk up or take the funicular. I didn't make it up there this trip.
Castle Hill, above the Old Town
Traveler recommended

Metelkova

Culture
Former army barracks turned into an independent cultural center, covered in murals and street art and home to clubs and galleries. It was on my list, but I didn't make it here.
Metelkova, northeast of the center
Traveler recommended

Neighborhoods

Center

Squares, bridges, river cafés
The area around Prešernov trg and the river, with the Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge and the Central Market. Most of the GF spots on this page are here or a short walk away, including Aurora Slaščičarna, Hood Burger Center and Restavracija Most.

Old Town

Cobbled lanes below the castle
Stari trg and Mestni trg run along the foot of Castle Hill, with baroque buildings, small shops and Locksmith Alley. Glutines is on Stari trg, and the funicular up to the castle starts nearby.

Trnovo & Krakovo

Quiet, residential, riverside
A calmer area just south of the center, with Plečnik's Trnovo Bridge and church, the Botanic Garden, and Špica park along the river. Dežela Okusov, the fully gluten-free restaurant, is on its edge.

Tivoli

Park and museums
Ljubljana's big green space on the west side of the center, with walking paths, the Jakopič Promenade and the National Gallery nearby. Exe Lev sits right on this side of town.

Metelkova

Street art and nightlife
An autonomous cultural zone in former army barracks, covered in murals, with clubs, galleries and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MSUM) next door. It's a few minutes' walk east of the train station.

Things to Do

Experiences

Write a Letter to Your Future Self at Neks

Paid
One of the best things I did in Ljubljana. At Neks, a cozy lounge bar near the old town, you sit down with a drink (I had a matcha latte), write a letter to your future self, and seal the envelope with wax. Neks keeps the letter and mails it to you two years later, which makes it a lovely, low-key way to spend an hour.
About an hour Rimska cesta 6, Center
Went here
Matcha latte in a Neks cup next to letter-writing paper and pen

Football at Stožice Stadium

Ticketed
I went to the Slovenia vs Scotland Nations League game here. I walked from the city center and took the bus back afterward. The stadium is home to the national team and NK Olimpija Ljubljana. I wouldn't count on finding gluten-free food inside, so eat beforehand.
A few hours Stožice, north of the center
Went here
Slovenia vs Scotland match at Stožice Stadium
Tours & Attractions

Ljubljana Castle Funicular

Ticketed
A short funicular ride from the old town up to Ljubljana Castle, an easy alternative to the walk up for the views over the city. I didn't get to the castle myself.
1–2 hours with the castle Krekov trg, Old Town
Book Tickets

Ljubljana Food & Walking Tour

Ticketed
A guided walk through the Central Market and old town with tastings of local cheese, cured meats and wine. Tastings like these usually include bread and pastries, so contact the operator before booking to ask whether they can adapt it for celiac disease.
About 3.5 hours Central Market & Old Town
Book Tour

Open Kitchen (Odprta kuhna)

Free entry
A seasonal weekly gourmet food market where restaurants from around Slovenia set up stalls near the Central Market. It's worth a wander for the atmosphere, but every stall is a shared, busy setup, so for celiacs it's mostly a place to ask questions and look rather than an easy meal.
1–2 hours Pogačarjev trg, Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Ljubljana was the easiest place in Slovenia for me to eat gluten-free, and I score it 7/10. There are 100% gluten-free bakeries like Glutines and Aurora Slaščičarna, plus a fully gluten-free restaurant (Dežela Okusov), and most menus list the 14 EU allergens, often as numbered codes. Staff knowledge varies at mixed kitchens, so it still pays to say you have celiac disease and ask about shared fryers and flour-thickened sauces.
My favorite was Glutines, a 100% gluten-free bakery on Stari trg in the Old Town. Their cheese danish was the best thing I ate in the city. Aurora Slaščičarna is another 100% gluten-free bakery I went to. Get the cake pops! Other dedicated options that reviews rate well are Dežela Okusov (restaurant) and Cojzla (deli in BTC City, outside the center). For mixed kitchens, Hood Burger Center is reported to have a dedicated gluten-free fryer, and Restavracija Most marks allergens on its menu.
Yes. Glutines had a large selection of gluten-free snacks and grocery items when I visited. Beyond that, the big chains (Mercator, Spar and Interspar, Hofer) reportedly carry gluten-free sections with brands like Schär, and DM drugstores stock gluten-free bread and snacks. Ljubljana has the best selection in the country, so it is the place to stock up before heading to smaller mountain towns.

Travel Tips

What I'd Do Differently
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