Search
Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
SlovakiaSlovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican RepublicTurkey
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Sports · Ljubljana
On an autumn Sunday, the streets of Ljubljana host Slovenia’s largest running event, featuring a marathon, a half marathon and a 10 km race, finishing at Kongresni trg and following a course that passes through the historic center.
In the photo: Ljubljana
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Click a photo to enlarge it.
Ljubljana Marathon — Ljubljana
On a weekend in the second half of October, with the main races on Sunday.
October
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
The festival
The Ljubljana Marathon was first held in October 1996 and has become Slovenia’s biggest running event. It is organized by the capital’s municipality and attracts runners from dozens of countries, from elite athletes to amateurs.
The program includes a marathon, a half marathon and a 10 km race, plus children’s races. Events take place across the weekend, according to each edition’s schedule. The course has international certification and the marathon is listed among the World Athletics quality-label races.
The start is on Slovenska cesta, the avenue that cuts through the center, and the finish is at Kongresni trg, a few steps from the Ljubljanica River. The route is mostly flat and passes residential neighborhoods, parks and the historic center. Along the way, residents, bands and entertainment groups support the runners.
Autumn is a good season for running in Ljubljana, with mild temperatures and park trees in autumn colors, and the compact center makes it easy for family and friends to follow the race on foot at several points.
It’s worth the trip to run a marathon on a fast course in a small capital that you can explore on foot in the days before and after the race.
The start on Slovenska cesta on Sunday morning. The finish at Kongresni trg with spectators. The children’s races on Saturday. A walk through the center and along the Ljubljanica after the race.
To run, register in advance on the official website, because places often sell out. To watch, the best spots are in the center, near the finish at Kongresni trg and along Slovenska cesta. On race Sunday several streets are closed to traffic: move around on foot or by bicycle. In October mornings can be cold and damp; bring layers of clothing.
Stay in the center, close to the start and finish, and book early. Check the official website for the date, the course, registration rules and bib pickup information, which is usually done in the days before the race.
In the city
October
Your questions
On a weekend in the second half of October. Check the official schedule for the exact days of each race.
The start is on Slovenska cesta, the avenue that cuts through the center, and the finish is at Kongresni trg, near the Ljubljanica River.
A marathon, a half marathon and a 10 km race, plus children’s races. The days for each event are published in the official schedule.
Festivals and events in Slovenia
February/MarchOn the days before Lent, in February or March depending on the date of Easter, ending on Shrove Tuesday. The duration varies according to the program.
Slovenia’s largest carnival takes over Ptuj’s old town: the kurenti, figures dressed in sheepskins with horned or feathered masks and large bells at the waist, parade alongside other traditional regional characters to drive away winter.
February/MarchOn the Sunday and Tuesday of Carnival, which fall between early February and early March according to the Easter calendar; the laufarji begin to appear in the streets on the preceding Sundays.
In Cerkno, in the hills of western Slovenia, the laufarji—figures wearing carved wooden masks—parade through town at Carnival and stage the trial and execution of the Pust, the moss-covered figure who carries the year’s misfortunes.
MarchIn March, from Thursday to Sunday, at the event that closes the Ski Jumping World Cup season.
Every March, the Planica valley, near Kranjska Gora, hosts the final stage of the Ski Jumping World Cup, held on the Gorišek Brothers’ flying hill, one of the largest in the world.
AprilOn a weekend in April, usually after Easter and before the May 1 public holiday.
For a weekend in April, the old town of Radovljica, near Bled, turns into a large chocolate showcase, with producers from across the country, tastings, workshops and demonstrations at Linhartov trg square and the town manor.
May/JuneFor about two weeks, from late May to early June, during the flowering season of Bohinj’s meadows.
In late spring, Bohinj, in the heart of Triglav National Park, devotes two weeks to the flowers of the Julian Alps, with guided botanical walks, exhibitions, workshops, and restaurant menus featuring wild plants from the valley.
JuneOn the third weekend of June, from Friday to Sunday.
On the third weekend of June, Idrija, the former mining town in western Slovenia, celebrates bobbin lace with exhibitions, fashion shows, workshops and the national contest for young lacemakers in the main square.
