Ljubljana Castle crowns the wooded hill at the heart of the city, a fortress with roots in the Middle Ages and sweeping views over the rooftops to the Alps beyond. A funicular whisks ticketed visitors up to the ramparts, where a watchtower, museums, exhibitions on Slovenian history and a puppet museum await, along with restaurants and regular events. Both the climb, or ride, and the panorama make it the essential first stop for orienting yourself and understanding the story of the capital.