Cradled between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia boasts amazing landscapes and a blend of various cultural influences, reflected in their local cuisine, architecture, and language. The country has often been referred to as the hidden gem of Europe, but as tourists are increasingly flocking to Slovenia, it has made itself known to the whole world. It is hard t believe that it used to be one of the underrated European destinations. You will rediscover your love of nature, gaze at some of the most picturesque castles you'll ever see in complete childlike amazement and people-watch while sipping coffee on cobblestone streets – and the best part is, Slovenia is so small you can drive through it in just two hours.

The country's capital is Ljubljana. Its perfect size will leave you feeling invigorated and not at all worn out. Here are some ideas around which you can plan your ideal weekend itinerary.

10 Indulge In Ljubljana's Coffee Culture

Slovenia is tucked between Italy and Austria, two countries that definitely know how to do coffee right. One of the first things you might notice while walking around the city center is how full all the cafes are. Črno Zrno serves exceptional Colombian coffee, Cafetino offers a wide selection of coffee beans from all over the world and if you want to try the Balkan-influenced Turkish coffee, Slovenska Hiša is your go-to place.

9 Browse The Concept Stores Near The Town Square

Ljubljana city center is so small you should really take your days slow. Check out some adorable concept stores, such as GUD Shop, Babushka Boutique, and SMILE Concept Store. They sell posters, jewelry by local artists, notebooks, and all kinds of other aesthetically pleasing items. All of these concept stores are located on the same street that runs from Town Square to Gornji trg ('Upper Square').

8 Treat Yourself To Some Really Good Ice-Cream

Not many tourists realize this, but Ljubljana sells some top-notch ice-cream. There are two ice-cream shops absolutely mandatory to check out: Vigo and Cacao, one on each side of the Triple Bridge. Once you see how many flavors there are and how yummy they all seem to be, you will want to eat ice-cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Vigo is famous for its cheesecake flavor and Cacao for mango and whitepista, white chocolate with pistachio.

7 Walk Up To Ljubljana Castle

Ljubljana castle offers amazing views of the whole city. The entry into the Ljubljana castle courtyard is free and the walk takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a funicular to the top, but walking by foot offers better sights. There are many footpaths that take you up to the castle. The best one starts in a street called Reber, across from an amazing tapas place called Vino&Ribe. Follow Reber up, turn to the right, and start climbing some stairs.

6 Friday Afternoons At The Central Market

A hike up the castle will probably leave you hungry, so the next thing you can do is visit the Central market. On Friday afternoons, there is a food festival called Odprta kuhna (Open Kitchen) that serves international and local cuisine. It can get really crowded, especially after 4 PM when the locals start getting off work and flock here to start their weekend on a happy note. Try 'šmorn' (a shredded pancake) at Dvor Jezeršek's stall.

5 Check Out The Alternative Hub, Metelkova

Located 20 minutes away on foot from the city center, Metelkova is a tiny city within a city. Lovers of alternative art installations, graffiti, and underground culture should come during the day and stay well into the night. There are a few clubs in the area, as well as Ljubljana's most famous hostel Celica, redesigned from a prison. Gala Hala is a club with a lovely summer garden in the back.

4 Like A Local: Take A Walk Up To Roznik

Saturdays in Ljubljana call for some recreation. There are many trails that lead up to Roznik, a hill with a restaurant, and a pink church on top. The most popular one starts in Tivoli city park where people love to picnic and sunbathe in spring and summer. On top of the hill, treat yourself to a 'flancat', a fried pastry topped with sugar. The trail is not steep at all - it is more of a walk rather than a hike.

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3 Join A Free Walking Tour

You can see the essentials of Ljubljana city center on a 2-hour free walking tour. It is a great way to learn about the town's history in a fun and engaging way. The tour usually starts at Prešeren Square, the heart of the city center. Tour guides take tourists across all the unique bridges. There's Butcher's bridge with lovebirds' lock-pads, Cobbler's bridge, and the famed Dragon bridge. Make sure to learn about why a dragon is the city's spirit animal.

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2 Enjoy The Views From The Skyscraper

The Skyscraper was completed in 1933. Even though it is not that tall by today's standards, it used to be the tallest building in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The name stuck with the locals, so everyone still calls it the Skyscraper. If you like to chase amazing views, you can treat yourself to a drink on top. You can see the Ljubljana castle, Tivoli park, and the surrounding mountains.

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1 Ljubljana Is An Exciting Foodie Destination

Ljubljana is steadily becoming a real foodie destination. You could head to Gostilna Sokol for a typical Slovene fare: potatoes and meat galore. If you are looking for something more flavorful or spicy, head to El Patron for possibly the best tacos you will ever taste on this side of the pond. It is located on Ljubljana's most beautiful street, Gornji Trg, right across that amazing place with Colombian coffee.

Next: European Gem: Top 10 Things To Do In Slovenia