Ljubljana, Slovenia

• Ljubljana is Slovenia's capital city along the Ljubljanica River, with about 295,000 people. The entire city center is car-free, so you walk everywhere on cobblestone streets lined with baroque buildings. It has the feel of a large town rather than a capital. The castle sits on a hill above the old town - you can take a one-minute funicular ride up if you don't want to walk.
• People sit alone in cafes for hours here, reading or working on laptops. Nobody thinks twice about dining solo. Most people speak English in the center and tourist areas, though you'll hear more Slovenian as you get into residential neighborhoods. The riverside has cafes and restaurants where locals and tourists mix.
• Crime rates are low. According to available data, 91% of women report feeling safe walking alone at night. The Tourist Information Centre is open every day if you need help with something. Standard city precautions apply - watch your bag in crowded areas like the Central Market.
• Most attractions are within 15-20 minutes' walk of each other. The Urbana card costs €2 and you load it with credit - each bus ride is €1.30 and gives you 90 minutes of transfers. You can also tap contactless credit cards but won't get the transfer benefit. The city moves at a slower pace than most European capitals, with plenty of green space including Tivoli Park.

Slovenian is the official language. English is common in the city center, tourist areas, and among younger people. Tourist Information Centre and emergency services have English-speaking operators. Most restaurant and hotel staff speak English.

• Be on time. Slovenians take punctuality seriously. Most people in the city center speak English, but they'll appreciate hearing 'hvala' (thank you), 'prosim' (please), or 'dober dan' (good day).
• If someone invites you to their home, bring flowers for the woman hosting and wine for the man. Show up on time or within 5 minutes. Dress smart casual. There's more formality around hospitality here than you might expect.
• Tipping is weird here. You can't add a tip when paying by card in most places - it doesn't work because of tax rules. Leave cash if you want to tip, 5-10% for good service. Don't try to bargain except at flea markets or antique shops.
• Cover shoulders and knees in churches. Keep your voice down and don't use flash photography unless you see signs saying it's okay. The city is really clean - locals care about public spaces staying nice, so don't litter.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services (EU standard): 112. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Get an Urbana card for buses - it's a €2 reusable card you load with credit. Each ride costs €1.30 and gives you 90 minutes of transfers. You can tap contactless credit cards instead, but you won't get free transfers.
• Buy Urbana cards at Urbanomats (vending machines), newsstands, tobacco shops, petrol stations, tourist offices, and post offices. There's a mobile app for loading credit. Monthly pass is €37 if you're staying longer.
• You can walk to most things in the center - major attractions are within 15-20 minutes on foot. The whole downtown is pedestrianized, no cars. The funicular to the castle costs €3.50 one-way and takes about a minute.
• Taxis and ride-sharing work fine for late-night trips or going outside the center. The city is small enough that taxi rides won't break the bank.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Ljubljana with local guides and curated experiences.