Autumn for students in Ljubljana

Every city has its own special charms in autumn with the seasons changing.

Ljubljana is well-known for chilly and foggy mornings that later turn into beautiful sunny and warm autumn days all the way until the end of October.

Days can therefore be spent outside as the surroundings have lots of nature spots to offer. The city also offers a variety of cosy cafes, fun pubs, scenic restaurants, and different activities too including the theatre, concerts, or other special seasonal events.

It is interesting to experience Ljubljana at this time of the year as it shows a contrast to what can be seen during the summer. The tempo in the city begins to simmer down as the tourist crowds are mostly gone and life starts to be a bit more work-oriented. Streets get quiet in the morning, while there is still a lot going on in the afternoon and later in the evening.  

As summer is coming to an end, the beginning of the academic year 2021/2022 at the University of Ljubljana is also approaching. Officially it starts on the 1st of October and this is when all faculties begin their courses. The first semester lasts from Friday, October 1st to Friday, January 14th and the second semester is from Monday, February 14th to Friday, May 27th with exams in between and after. Other information depends on specific faculties.

To make the most of the sunny days all through September and October, stroll through the Tivoli Parc to take a break from the city life. For those who like doing outdoor sports, there are lots of hiking trails and running paths in every part of Ljubljana. The most popular are those that go to Rožnik, Šmarna gora and Golavc.

In Ljubljana, everyone can find something that sparks their interest in terms of culture. Seeing the Ljubljana castle may be a bit touristy, but it is definitely worth a visit for anyone that hasn't been there yet. It also offers a variety of art exhibitions, films, and concerts. It is a perfect spot for jazz lovers as it has its own Jazz Club where music can be enjoyed every Friday night between September and December.

For those who are interested in theatre, most of the theatres in Ljubljana offer subscriptions specifically for students, which are lower in cost. The best known are SNG Drama, SNG Opera and Ballet, Ljubljana City Theatre, and MGL.

For anyone interested in art, it's worth paying a visit to art galleries and museums, such as The National Gallery which exhibits the works of Slovene artists, usually for a shorter period of time, the Museum of Modern Arts, and the Museum of Contemporary Arts on Metelkova Street.

The Museum of Modern Arts will be exhibiting some of Picasso's work this autumn. When visiting it, it's worth taking some time off and enjoy a cup of freshly roasted coffee in Kavarna Moderna (their own café).

Similar to other parts of the year, Ljubljana will host numerous foreign musical artists and concerts this autumn. The music genres vary and offer a treat for every individual. These events usually take place in Arena Stožice, Hala Tivoli, Kino Šiška and Cankarjev dom. Smaller and more intimate concerts, happenings, and parties usually take place in bars and clubs, such as Orto Bar, Cvetličarna, Shooters Club, Centralna postaja and Parlament Pub.

For anyone who wants to meet new people, there are also different activities starting in September and October, such as dancing classes of all kinds. The classes go on until June and offer lots of events and opportunities to spend the evenings with your new friends.

Of course, autumn is the perfect time to spend some leisure time or even work in cozy cafes. Some good spots can be found in the city centre or not far from it. Most scenic places can be found by the Ljubljanica river on Petkovškovo nabrežje. To enjoy the lively surroundings, visit places such as Pritličje with its artsy interior, Cacao, which is known for good ice-cream, Cafetino with its great coffee, and Le Petit Cafe, where they serve a variety of breakfasts.

As life changes its pace everywhere when September starts, Ljubljana still remains a great place to stay at during the colder parts of the year. Students return to the city for their studies and therefore it remains a lively place, perfect for both studying or working and having fun.