The old town runs along the right bank of the Ljubljanica between the Triple Bridge and the castle hill. The area is compact — about ten minutes to walk end to end — and almost entirely pedestrianised. Narrow lanes connect the main street (Stari trg, Mestni trg, Gornji trg from north to south) to the river embankment on one side and the castle slopes on the other.
The old town is the historic core of the city, with buildings from the medieval period through the Baroque era. Church towers punctuate the roofline; the castle sits above everything. In summer the riverside cafes open their terraces and the area fills with people until late. The best time to walk the old town is in the early morning or evening, when foot traffic is lighter.