Ljubljana City Guide
National Gallery of Slovenia (Narodna galerija)
The National Gallery Ljubljana (Narodna galerija of Slovenia) is the nation's premier historical art museum. The National Gallery of Slovenia (Narodna galerija) is the nation's premier historical art museum, situated in the Museum Quarter bordering the eastern edge of Tivoli Park. Established in 1918, the museum occupies an expanded complex combining the late-nineteenth-century neo-Renaissance Narodni dom with a soaring contemporary glass-roofed central atrium. The collection displays over six hundred artworks spanning the thirteenth to the mid-twentieth century, including medieval Gothic church wood carvings, Baroque masterworks, and the celebrated Slovenian Impressionists. The wider city directory and travel planner starts on the Ljubljana City Guide homepage.
Quick answer Collections overview, original Robba Fountain, and free days
The National Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (extended until 8:00 PM on Thursdays; closed Mondays). Adult admission to the permanent collection is €10.00, while children under 18 enter free. Entry is completely free for all visitors on the first Sunday of every month. The soaring glass atrium houses the original, authentic 1751 marble Robba Fountain, moved indoors to protect it from acidic rainwater.
Key takeaways
- Slovenia's finest art museum: Traces art from medieval Gothic altarpieces to 20th-century realism.
- Original Robba Fountain: The authentic 1751 marble fountain figures are displayed in the glass hall.
- Impressionist icons: Features celebrated canvases by Ivan Grohar, Rihard Jakopič, and Matija Jama.
- Free admission day: Completely free admission on the first Sunday of every calendar month.
- Ljubljana Card included: Cardholders receive 100% free permanent collection admission.
Key facts
Opening hours
| Tue, Wed, Fri–Sun | 10:00–18:00 |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 10:00–20:00 |
Closed Mondays, 1 Jan, 1 May, 1 Nov, 25 Dec
Admission
- Adult
- €10.00 permanent / €12.00 combo
- Reduced
- €5.00 student/senior / €6.00 combo
- Free
- Under 18 free; first Sunday of month free
Planning it
- Time needed
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Book ahead
- Optional — walk-up usually fine
- Address
- Puharjeva ulica 9, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Admission to the permanent collection includes 800 years of Slovenian fine art and the original Robba Fountain; temporary exhibitions are available with a combined ticket.
| Ticket Option | Price | What is Included | Cancellation Policy | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Collection Admission | €10.00 | 800 years of Slovenian art, Impressionist gallery, and original Robba Fountain | Purchased at box office | Official site |
| Ljubljana Card (24h/48h) | €36.00 | Free complete entry to the National Gallery plus 30 city attractions | Free digital download | Check Availability |
| Private Ljubljana City Tour | €120.00 | Personalized guided walking tour covering National Gallery exterior and Old Town | Free up to 24h prior | Check Availability |
Tours and Passes for the National Gallery
City sightseeing cards and private cultural tours connecting the National Gallery with Tivoli Park.
from $106.48
Ljubljana: City Card with 30+ Attractions & Public Transport
Official sightseeing pass offering free entry to Ljubljana Castle, Plečnik House, National Gallery, Ljubljanica river cruise, and city buses.
Check Availability
from $23.20
Ljubljana: Small Group Guided City Tour
Small-group guided historical walk introducing Roman Emona ruins, medieval market squares, and riverside bridges with a local historian.
Check Availability
from $220.41
Ljubljana: UNESCO cultural heritage tour
In-depth private architectural walking tour exploring Jože Plečnik's UNESCO World Heritage masterworks across central Ljubljana.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own, checked in Q3 2026; dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
National Gallery Location and Entrances
Located at Prešernova cesta 24, on the cultural corridor between the Modern Center and Tivoli Park.
The Original 1751 Robba Fountain
When visitors photograph the famous Fountain of the Three Rivers of Carniola in Town Square (Mestni trg), they are admiring a precise replica carved in 2006. The authentic eighteenth-century masterpiece created by Venetian sculptor Francesco Robba between 1743 and 1751 was carefully dismantled and moved into the climate-controlled atrium of the National Gallery in 2008 to rescue its delicate Carrara marble from environmental erosion and motor exhaust.
Standing beneath the daylight of the museum's glass atrium, the original fountain can be studied at eye level from all angles. Robba drew direct inspiration from Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome's Piazza Navona. The three monumental male allegorical figures pouring water from heavy amphoras represent the three principal rivers of historical Carniola: the Ljubljanica, the Sava, and the Krka.
National Gallery chronological wings and masterworks
Key artistic eras and flagship masterpieces displayed in the permanent exhibition:
| Chronological Wing | Time Period Covered | Key Artists Displayed | Must-See Masterpieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medieval & Gothic Art | 1200 - 1550 | Unknown master carvers | Polychrome wooden Madonnas, Gothic winged altarpieces, stone reliefs |
| Baroque in Slovenia | 1600 - 1800 | Francesco Robba, Giulio Quaglio | Original marble Robba Fountain, dramatic religious canvases |
| 19th-Century Realism | 1800 - 1890 | Anton Karinger, Marko Pernhart | Panoramic Alpine landscapes, Biedermeier bourgeois portraits |
| Slovenian Impressionism | 1890 - 1920 | Ivan Grohar, Rihard Jakopič, Matija Jama | Ivan Grohar's 'The Sower' (Sejalec) and 'Larch' (Macesen) |
| Zoran Mušič Collection | 1935 - 2000 | Zoran Mušič | Permanent wing of paintings, Dachau drawings, and Venetian landscapes |
Frequently asked questions about National Gallery
What is Slovenia's most famous painting in the gallery?
Ivan Grohar's 1907 Impressionist masterpiece 'The Sower' (Sejalec) is considered Slovenia's national painting. Depicting a solitary peasant scattering grain across a misty hillside against the morning sun, it symbolizes the resilience and survival of the Slovenian nation. An image of the painting appears on the Slovenian 5-cent euro coin.
Is there a coat check and cafe on site?
Yes. The museum offers free secure lockers and a cloakroom on the ground level. The elegant Galarija Cafe in the glass atrium serves espresso, local Slovenian wines, and cakes beside the original Robba Fountain.
Is the National Gallery free on certain days?
Yes, admission to the permanent collection is completely free for all visitors on the first Sunday of every month, as well as on Prešeren Day (8 February) and Museum Night in June.
How much time should you allocate for the National Gallery?
Most visitors spend 90 minutes to two hours exploring the permanent galleries, admiring the Ivan Grohar Impressionist works, and viewing the original Robba Fountain in the glass atrium.
Is there a cafe inside the National Gallery?
Yes, Kavarna Narodna galerija is located in the bright central glass entrance hall. It serves premium coffee, fine Slovenian wines, light lunches, and pastries with indoor and courtyard seating.
Next steps in the Museum Quarter
These key attractions border the National Gallery:
Tivoli Park
Ljubljana's premier park begins immediately through the pedestrian underpass behind the gallery.
Triple Bridge
Walk five minutes east along Cankarjeva cesta directly back to Prešeren Square.
Reviewed Q3 2026 (July–September 2026); next review Q4 2026. Prices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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