The best view of Ljubljana is from the top of Nebotičnik. A must-see!
Nebotičnik is a fascinating historic building where you can spend a very pleasant moment sipping a spritz, a cocktail or your morning coffee with a view of the Julian and Kamnic Alps, the hills, Ljubljana Castle…
Neboticnik was Ljubljana’s first skyscraper. Today, it is one of the distinctive features of the Slovenian capital and one of its must-see monuments.
This Yugoslav skyscraper measures 70m. It was designed in the 1920s by Vladimir Šubic. It took two years to build and was completed on 21 February 1933, the day it was opened to the public.
In 1933, this Ljubljana skyscraper was the tallest building in Yugoslavia and one of the tallest in Europe
This skyscraper is now a residential and office building. At the very top of the building, you’ll find one of the nicest bars in Ljubljana. From the terrace, you can admire the entire Slovenian capital with a 360° view. You can even see the Alps! The view from this bar is the best in Ljubljana, even better than the one from Ljubljana Castle.
This rooftop bar is a must when visiting Ljubljana.
When you visit Ljubljana, you’ll easily spot this skyscraper located in the city centre because it’s at the top of Ljubljana’s main avenue (the slovenska cesta) but not its entrance, which almost all tourists miss. They walk past the building without knowing that there is a historic panoramic bar at the top. Enter the lobby and take one of the two lifts.
Before the Second World War, this was the hottest spot in the Slovenian capital, the place to be. The skyscraper terrace is incredibly pleasant in spring or summer, especially between 6pm and 9pm when the sun goes down. It’s one of the best places to watch the sunset. If it’s very hot in Ljubljana, which happens quite often in summer, go and have a drink at Neboticnik at the end of your day, an aperol Spritz for example. Thanks to a light summer breeze, it will be cooler there.
Tip: Once in the entrance hall, while waiting for the lift, head for the staircase and then stand in the centre. You’ll be able to take a superb photo of the spiral staircase (for your Instagram account, for example!)
Secret tip: I like to go down the stairs, but you won’t find them easily. Go down into the restaurant, then push open the large wooden door on the left, which will lead you to these beautiful, colourful spiral staircases that are well worth the diversions.
At night, climb them too for a view of Ljubljana by night! From the top floor of the Neboticnik bar, you can admire the lights of Ljubljana at 360°. In winter, head up to the third floor of the bar to join a large glassed-in room with cosy sofas. Sit back and enjoy your €4 beer with this superb view of Ljubljana.
Neboticnik (Bar roof top) – Štefanova ulica 1 – Ljubljana – ( +386 40 601 787)
The beautiful old dining room of the
Neboticnik was also a restaurant. Sure, it was not the best in town, but the dining room is fascinating in my opinion. The time you spent eating was taking you on a wonderful journey back in time. As you can see, not much has changed between these photos I took and this old one. This is really the kind of thing I like. Lunch is not always served, so check before you come. The same goes for dinner. For 2024, no restaurant.
4 things you should know about Neboticnik
- It was built at the same time as the Empire State building, which is 373 m high, 300 m higher!
- For its architectural style, Neboticnik can be compared to the Empire State Building and the Rockfeller Center.
- Neboticnik was built to withstand very strong earthquakes, copying Japanese techniques, because in Ljubljana in the early 1930s, the 1895 earthquake was still fresh in everyone’s minds
- In the entrance hall, as you wait for the lift, you will see 4 heads of penates, Roman divinities charged with guarding the home (possessions, the fire for cooking and the larder).
The rooftop of the Intercontinental Hotel
Those who prefer a rooftop bar with a more contemporary, modern feel can head to the terrace of the nearby Intercontinental Hotel. Upstairs, lounge music, cocktails and big sofas, also a beautiful place but without a 360° view and without history because the hotel was built in 2017. I was able to follow its construction as I live right next door. If you can afford it, it’s a great place to stay. Cocktails cost around €12.
Tip: To get to the terrace, enter the hotel and take the corridor on your right towards the lifts on your left without going through reception. This will take you to the top floor.
