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Ljubljana
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Ljubljana – a brief overview
Ljubljana is one of Europe’s smallest capitals, but also one of its most delightful and visitor-friendly cities. Spread around the meandering Ljubljanica River, the city shows the mixed influences of Slovenia’s history, with traces still remaining of its Roman origins. Baroque Italianate palaces stand alongside the whimsical Modernist monuments of its revered city architect, Jože Plečnik; all overlooked by its solid medieval castle.
Ljubljana is a city to explore on foot or by bike: with riverside walkways, footbridges and bicycle lanes, parks and gardens. It has a wealth of museums and galleries, excellent restaurants and an innovative cultural scene.
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Top 10 sights in Ljubljana
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Ljubljana Castle
Grajska planota 1
Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 306 4293
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 306 4293
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-2300 (Jun-Sep)
Daily 1000-2000 (Jan-Mar, Nov)
Daily 0900-2100 (Apr, May, Oct)
Daily 1000-2200 (Dec)
Standing on a hilltop overlooking the river, this massively built medieval castle has played a vital role in the city’s history. A funicular railway goes up to the entrance, from where you can take a tour or wander around its grounds.
Old Town & Town Hall
Mestna hiša, Mestni trg 1
Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 306 1020
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 306 1020
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Opening times:
Tours, Sat 1300
The old city spreads along the east bank of the river at the foot of Castle Hill. It’s a lovely area for walking, through shady squares and cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings such as Mestna Hisa (Town Hall).
Tivoli Park
Tivoli Park
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana’s main park is an expansive grassy area, on its western outskirts. It’s a wonderful place for a picnic, with attractions including an art gallery, glasshouses and sports facilities.
Plečnik Collection
Karunova 4-6
Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 280 1600
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 280 1600
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Opening times:
Closed for renovation until end May 2015
This former house of Ljubljana’s revered avant-garde architect, Jože Plečnik, includes his studio and some of his original sketchbooks.
University Botanic Gardens
Ižanska cesta 10
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Opening times:
Daily 0700-2000 (Jul-Aug)
Daily 0700-1900 (Apr-Oct)
Daily 0700-1700 (Nov-Mar)
Lying to the southeast of the city centre, these gardens include meadows, ponds, glasshouses and rockery, containing some 4,500 species of plants and trees.
National & University Library
One of the masterworks of Jože Plečnik; this bold brick and stone block is adorned with carved shells and statues. From its black marble stairway to its brightly lit reading rooms, the library makes a fine home for its manuscripts and books dating from the Middle Ages.
City Museum
Gosposka ulica 15
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Opening times:
Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 1000-1800
Thu 1000-2100
This impressive museum housed in the Auersperg Palace contains some 200,000 artefacts charting the city’s history from prehistoric times. One standout exhibit is the world’s oldest wooden wheel, thought to be 40,000 years old.
National Museum of Slovenia
Prešernova 20
Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 241 4400
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 241 4400
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Opening times:
Fri-Wed 1000-1800
Thu 1000-2000
Housed in a neo-Renaissance palace with a modern extension, the highlights of this ambitious history museum include Roman mosaics, Stone Age jewellery and coins.
National Gallery of Slovenia
Puharjeva ulica 9
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800 (first Thursday of the month until 2000)
With a permanent collection of Slovenian art, from medieval icons to the Realists, this is arguably the best art gallery in the city.
Ljubljana Museum of Contemporary Art (MSUM)
Maistrova 3
Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 241 6800
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 241 6800
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800
This eclectic museum exhibits the best of modern Slovenian art, photography and design, combined with temporary exhibitions covering themes, from tapestry to printmaking.
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Good to know
Country information
Country overview
For first-time visitors, Slovenia looks as if it has more in common with its Alpine neighbours of Austria and Italy, than those of former Yugoslavia.
Geography
This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north-south and east-west transit routes.
Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the southeast, with a 47km (30-mile) Adriatic Sea coastline, where the main port is Koper.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 1992690
Population Density (per sq km): 98
Capital: Ljubljana.
Language
Slovene, which is closely related to Croat and Czech. Most Slovenes speak German, Hungarian or Italian, with English as a second language.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.
General business opening hours
Business hours are generally Monday to Friday 0900-1700 (or 1900), although quite a few still operate 0700-1500. Working the weekends is not the norm, though many shops now also open on Saturdays and some on Sundays too.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December 2021.
2020
Novo leto (New Year’s Day): 1 und 2 January 2020
Prešernov dan (Culture Day): 8 February 2020
Velika noč (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Velikonočni ponedeljek (Easter Monday): 13 April 2020
Dan upora proti okupatorju (Resistance Day): 27 April 2020
Praznik dela (Labour Day): 1 and 2 May 2020
Dan državnosti Slovenije (Statehood Day): 25 June 2020
Marijino vnebovzetje (Assumption): 15 August 2020
Dan reformacije (Reformation Day): 31 October 2020
Dan spomina na mrtve (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2020
Božič (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
Dan samostojnosti in enotnosti Slovenije (Independence Day): 26 December 2020
2021
Novo leto (New Year’s Day): 1 und 2 January 2021
Prešernov dan (Culture Day): 8 February 2021
Velika noč (Easter Sunday): 4 April 2021
Velikonočni ponedeljek (Easter Monday): 5 April 2021
Dan upora proti okupatorju (Resistance Day): 27 April 2021
Praznik dela (Labour Day): 1 and 2 May 2021
Dan državnosti Slovenije (Statehood Day): 25 June 2021
Marijino vnebovzetje (Assumption): 15 August 2021
Dan reformacije (Reformation Day): 31 October 2021
Dan spomina na mrtve (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2021
Božič (Christmas Day): 25 December 2021
Dan samostojnosti in enotnosti Slovenije (Independence Day): 26 December 2021
All information subject to change.
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Nightlife in Ljubljana
Ljubljana punches above its weight when it comes to nightlife. There’s a plethora of nightclubs and live-music bars, where you can hear everything from reggae to jazz.
For more refined tastes, the city also has its resident Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, opera and ballet companies.
Metelkovo Mesto
Masarykova cesta 24
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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This alternative commune is home to several live music clubs, including gay and lesbian nightclubs.
Jazz Club Gajo
Beethovnova ulica 8
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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The city’s oldest jazz club hosts top-class artistes from home and abroad.
En Pub
Celovška 150
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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If you want to know what Turbo Folk music is, this hot and heaving club is the place to go.
Cankarjev Dom
Prešernova 10
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana’s top arts centre has more than a dozen auditoriums, hosting an impressive range of live shows.
Križanke
Trg francoske revolucije 1
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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This former monastery is now an open-air theatre, home to Ljubljana’s summer festival and other events throughout the year.
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Restaurants in Ljubljana
Eating out in Ljubljana is a satisfying adventure, with a range of cuisines, from Italian pasta to hearty Balkan stews. Sip Slovenian wine in a riverside café, or dine on dumplings in a rustic tavern.
Hotspots include the Old Town and along its central artery, Slovenska cesta.
Gostilna na Gradu
Grajska planota 1
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Price: Expensive
Stunningly set inside the castle, this is one of the best places for traditional Slovenian cuisine.
Manna
Eipprova ulica 1a
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Price: Expensive
For contemporary cuisine in an elegant setting, Manna is heavenly indeed.
Kavarna Zvezda
Wolfova ulica 14
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Price: Moderate
This Old Town café with outdoor tables serves dreamy cakes and pastries.
Špajza
Gornji trg 28
1000 Ljublana
Slovenia
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1000 Ljublana
Slovenia
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Price: Moderate
Authentic local cuisine is Špajza’s speciality, including horsemeat amuse-bouches.
Pizzeria Osmica
Nazorjeva 8
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Price: Cheap
Bring a big appetite to this good-value fast-food joint, which dishes up large and tasty deep-pan pizzas.
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Calendar of events
Shrovetide Carnival
March 2020
Venue: Various locations in the city centre
The streets of Ljubljana come to life with this colourful carnival, which is always held on the Saturday before Shrove Tuesday. With participants dressed as traditional Slovenian carnival figures such as ‘kurenti’, ‘pozvacini’, ‘oraci’ and ‘godlarji’, a costumed parade with marching bands sets out from Krekov trg Square and heads towards Presernov trg Square, where a series of entertainment events take place, including brass bands, puppet theatre and dancing. The event has religious origins as a last chance for merriment before Lent.
Slovenian Music Days
Showcase of contemporary music.
Exodos Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts
Since its modest but daring start in 1995, the Exodos Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts has become a major international festival in Slovenia.
Druga Godba
Established in 1984 as an alternative to the country’s mainstream music festivals, Druga Godba is dedicated to the weird and wonderful sounds of world music. Everything from Slovene folkloric music to African jazz finds a home at this eclectic five-day event that takes place at the Krizanke Theatre in the centre of Ljubljana. In addition to a great line-up of world music artists, the festival also includes animations, film screenings, music workshops, children’s events, art exhibitions, seminars and political debates.
Ljubljana Jazz Festival
With three or four performances each evening, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival is a popular event that sees international bands and local talent take to the stage. The festival includes a variety of styles ranging from trad jazz and blues through to experimental and Latin American jazz.
Ljubljana Summer Festival
Ljubljana’s stages fill with performers from around the world and the city’s population swells.
Ljubljana Marathon
Starting and finishing at Subieeva ul in front of the Parliament building in the centre of Ljubljana, runners follow a circular course that takes in some of the best sites of this laid-back city. For anyone not up to running the full 42km (26-mile) marathon, runners can attempt the 21km (13-mile) half marathon or the 7km (4-mile) fun run.
Ljubljana International Film Festival
The annual Ljubljana International Film Festival is one of the biggest events of its kind in Slovenia and features over 100 films, animations and documentaries, with a focus on avant garde work. The festival attracts a mix of film lovers, fans and industry specialists who can pick their way through a varied schedule that includes everything from French cinema through to Asian film.
Christmas Market and Festive Lights
November – December 2020
Venue: By the banks of the Ljubljanica River
One of Europe’s great festive markets with practically the whole old city illuminated and stalls lining the river.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
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Hotels in Ljubljana
Ljubljana has a wide and growing selection of hotels, from luxurious 16th-century mansions, to quaint boutique hotels and budget hostels.
The most popular areas are in the Old Town; though most business-oriented hotels are to the west of the river, where most offices and banks are located.
Antiq Palace
Gosposka ulica 10
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Category: Expensive
Listed as one of the Luxury Small Hotels of the World, this is the best in the city.
Grand Hotel Union Executive
Miklošičeva cesta 1
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Category: Expensive
This classic hotel has luxurious rooms, plus business facilities and a swimming pool.
Garni Hotel Azur
Sattnerjeva ulica 2
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Category: Moderate
This funky modern boutique hotel has some larger family rooms and apartments.
Ahotel
Cesta dveh cesarjev 34d
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Category: Moderate
In a quiet suburb, this hotel offers excellent service and comfort for a mid-range option.
Penzion Pod Lipo
Borštnikov trg 3
Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Ljubljana
Slovenia
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Category: Cheap
This is a great budget choice with simple but cosy rooms, in a 200-year old building.
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Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 15.01.2021 07:00 UTC
sunny
temperature
-9°C
wind direction
southwestwind speed
0.625 mphhumidity
92%7 days forecast
Saturday
16.01.2021
-1°C / -7°C
Sunday
17.01.2021
-2°C / -10°C
Monday
18.01.2021
-1°C / -10°C
Tuesday
19.01.2021
1°C / -5°C
Wednesday
20.01.2021
3°C / -3°C
Thursday
21.01.2021
4°C /
Friday
22.01.2021
4°C /
Climate & best time to visit Slovenia
Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters (snowfalls in the Alps). Mediterranean climate on the coast.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13 °C | -25 °C | 1 °C | -4 °C | 88 % | 89 mm | 9 | 1.5 h |
| Feb | 19 °C | -25 °C | 4 °C | -3 °C | 83 % | 89 mm | 8 | 2.7 h |
| Mar | 23 °C | -18 °C | 10 °C | 0 °C | 79 % | 76 mm | 8 | 4.0 h |
| Apr | 29 °C | -5 °C | 15 °C | 4 °C | 77 % | 98 mm | 10 | 5.3 h |
| May | 31 °C | -2 °C | 20 °C | 8 °C | 77 % | 121 mm | 12 | 6.6 h |
| Jun | 38 °C | 2 °C | 24 °C | 12 °C | 77 % | 134 mm | 11 | 7.3 h |
| Jul | 38 °C | 5 °C | 26 °C | 13 °C | 77 % | 116 mm | 10 | 8.1 h |
| Aug | 35 °C | 3 °C | 25 °C | 13 °C | 80 % | 126 mm | 9 | 7.4 h |
| Sep | 33 °C | 0 °C | 21 °C | 10 °C | 84 % | 143 mm | 8 | 5.1 h |
| Oct | 26 °C | -6 °C | 15 °C | 5 °C | 87 % | 150 mm | 10 | 3.4 h |
| Nov | 21 °C | -15 °C | 7 °C | 2 °C | 89 % | 131 mm | 11 | 1.4 h |
| Dec | 15 °C | -20 °C | 3 °C | -2 °C | 91 % | 114 mm | 10 | 0.9 h |
| year | 38 °C | -25 °C | 14 °C | 5 °C | 82 % | 1387 mm | 116 | 4.5 h |
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Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +386
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
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Shopping in Ljubljana
Key Areas
With modern malls, organic food markets and arty boutiques, Ljubljana has something for everyone’s inner shopaholic. Slovenska boulevard has mainstream department stores, but the Old Town’s small, specialist shops offer a more relaxed experience.
Markets
Central Market, in the Old Town, has a mix of fresh local produce and foodie treats, together with souvenirs and handicrafts (open Mon-Sat). On Sunday mornings, stalls line the riverbanks, selling an array of antique knick-knacks, jewellery and artworks. The biggest food market is Mestna tržnica (Pogačarjev trg 1), with everything from fresh bread to horse pate (open Mon-Sat).
Shopping Centres
BTC City (Šmartinska 152) is the biggest new mall, with hundreds of shops, as well as restaurants and many other attractions. Nama (Tomšičeva 1) is an old city institution, with a huge range, from groceries to cosmetics. Maximarket (Smartinska 152g) also has a supermarket, with a health food section.
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Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Usual European social conventions apply and informal dress is widely acceptable.
Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas, theatres, public offices and in waiting rooms.
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Health
Food & Drink
Mains water is considered safe and drinkable. However, bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Other Risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forests. Walkers should take precautions against tick bites. Vaccination is advisable. Immunisation against hepatitis B, diphtheria and tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek immediate medical advice.
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Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.