The pretty capital city with £2.5 pints and just 2 hour flight from UK

With its beautiful architecture, green spaces, and the Ljubljanica River running through the heart of the city, can be easily described as a real-life fairytale. The Slovenian capital is far from the stress and fast-paced atmosphere one would often associate with a capital city. Just a two-hour 15-minute direct flight from the UK with EasyJet, Ljubljana gives a small town feel while still being plenty of sites to see and cobbled streets to lose yourself in.

The city is centred around its emerald-coloured river and otherworldly bridges like the 19th-century Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge, which has dragon sheet-copper statues and Art Nouveau elegance. Dragons hold particular significance to the city as the legend says that the city was founded by the Greek hero Jason and the Argonauts, who, after defeating a monster in a lake near the Ljubljanica River, created the mythical Ljubljana Dragon, which is now also a symbol atop the city's coat of arms.

From the Tivoli Park to the Ljubljana Castle and the Old Town, the city is filled with breathtaking sites and architecture that will transport you to another time.

The Old Town boasts stunning architecture and beauty with its baroque town hall, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas and the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, the Gornij Trg clock tower and its Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers.

With scenic river views and countless riverside cafés and terraces, Ljubljana offers a relaxed atmosphere with a fascinating history, visible in everything from Roman ruins to medieval structures, and from Baroque to Austro-Hungarian and Art Nouveau architecture.

Towering above the city on a hill is the Ljubljana Castle, a remarkable medieval fortress dating back to the 12th century, offering panoramic views of the city, which is also home to many art galleries and museums, including the National Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art.

Compared to other European capitals, Ljubljana is also much more affordable, with £2.50 pints and just £12.3 to eat a meal in an inexpensive restaurant, according to .

A TripAdvisor user from Preston described the stay as a "magical few days": "Cobbled streets, classical music playing, cafe culture, hot chestnuts, mulled wine, blankets, the wonderful river, bridges, a tremendous castle, fantastic restaurants, all so walkable! Amazing trip."

Rob from Lewes wrote: "Friendly, beautiful, clean and affordable! Ljubljana and Slovenia in general surpassed any expectations I had before visiting. Booked on a whim, I wasn't really sure what to expect from a country that on paper not many people would consider as a place to spend a holiday. What I found was quite possibly one of the most beautiful, friendly and clean places I've ever had the good fortune to visit.

"Stunning scenery, friendly people, cheap food & drink - what's not to love?!"

Kirsty from Leeds wrote: "We stayed in a hotel close to the city centre. It's a small capital especially compared to the UK where I am from but there is still plenty to do. the architecture is beautiful. It's clean and I loved all the bridges and dragons."