10 Off-The-Beaten-Track Tips For Your Ljubljana Bucket List

Hostelworld Blog 7 min read

From the moment I was greeted in my hostel dorm by a group of Irish boys belting out “Down Under” for our Australian roommate, I knew Slovenia was going to be a unique experience.
Ljubljana, Slovenia… Anyone who loves nature or outdoor activities needs to buy their plane ticket on the ASAP. But the city and its surroundings offer more than just stunning scenery. If you’re hunting for Ljubljana hidden gems, or things to do in Ljubljana as a young adult on a backpacker budget, here are 10 things to do when you visit this underrated gem. For the bigger picture, our Ljubljana travel guides and best things to do in Slovenia have you covered.

  1. Party At A Former Military Barracks Turned Urban Squat

Metelkova Mesto Former military barracks turned cool party location in Ljubljana (c) Alex Jones
Head to the Metelkova Mesto and party with the locals at this former military barracks which is now an urban squat and the hottest party location in town. I don’t have photographs from the night-time because I can’t be trusted with nice things after 10pm, but if you look hard enough you’ll find snapchats of cool live reggae jams and crazy outdoor raves. Venues inside the complex include Channel Zero for punk and hardcore, Menza pri Koritu for reggae and world music, and Gala Hala for gigs and electronic nights. Things rarely get going before 10pm. Want company for the night out? Jump into the City Chats in the Hostelworld app and see who else is heading to Metelkova.

  1. Take A Refreshing Dip In Paradise

Vintgar Gorge Ljubljana Slovenia (c) Alex Jones
Jump on an Arriva bus from Ljubljana bus station (about 1 hour 20 minutes) and hop off at Bled. Swerve the tourist crowds and head 4km out of town to the Vintgar Gorge: walk it, or take the electric VINTGAR Shuttle from Bled’s main bus station. You will be greeted with unbelievable waterfalls, and crystal clear water that shines bright blue and emerald green. The gorge is open from April to October, adult entry is €10 and the Green Access shuttle ticket is €2.50 (official prices, checked October 2026). Visitor numbers are capped, so book your time slot online before you go. If you fancy a dip afterwards, Lake Bled is right there, but bring warm clothes to change into because the water’s icy cold. Staying over? Compare hostels in Lake Bled.

  1. Spend The Night At the World’s Friendliest Prison

Quirky Hostel Celica former prison Ljubljana
Celica Art Hostel is a former prison turned hostel in the bohemian area of Metelkova. I won’t ruin the story, book yourself a stylish cell for the night and do the free tour to learn about the prison’s colourful history. Its 24-hour reception doubles as a tourist info point, so it’s a handy base for the rest of this list.
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  1. Eat Your Way Around Odprta Kuhna (Open Kitchen)

Gostilna Dela, the social-enterprise café my dorm mates swore by, is now listed as permanently closed. Instead, make a beeline for Odprta kuhna, the open-air food market on Pogačarjev trg by the Central Market. It runs on sunny Fridays from spring to autumn, 10:00 to 21:00 (until 22:00 on warmer evenings), and the 2026 season brought more than 65 vendors and over 280 dishes. It’s cancelled in bad weather, so check the forecast. Go hungry, bring your dorm mates and share as many plates as you can. Please order twice for me.

  1. Catch A Gig At Kino Šiška

Pod Skalco, the student bar with swings for bar stools, has sadly closed. Swap the swings for a sweaty gig at Kino Šiška Centre for Urban Culture instead. This former cinema in the Šiška district opened as a culture venue in 2009, and its music programme runs from indie rock to heavy metal, with theatre, dance and art in between. The big Katedrala hall hosts the headline acts, while the smaller Komuna hall is for intimate shows. Check the listings before you go.

  1. Get Sweaty On The Roznik Walk

Roznik walk Tivoli Park Ljubljana (c) Alex Jones
One of the best ways to recover after a wild Ljubljana night is to head to the city’s Tivoli Park and take the tranquil Roznik walk – although personally I would classify this as more of a sweaty hike, especially in the summer. Follow the signposts for “Cankarjev vrh” (394m) to reach the top and you’ll be rewarded with amazing views, day or night. The shady trails are unpaved in places, so wear decent shoes. Hostel Tivoli puts you close to the park.

  1. Visit The Jazz Club With A Stage Smaller Than A Normal Toilet

Sax Pub and Hostel Ljubljana (c) Alex Jones
For live jazz music and lots of new friends, head down to the cosy Sax Pub at Eipprova 7 in the Trnovo district. On their website they describe themselves as having “a stage smaller than a normal toilet”, so you know they don’t take themselves too seriously. The décor was left in the hands of a local street artist and you can sit among the colourful chairs and fairy lights out the front, or head inside for cosy pub vibes. Live music is usually on Thursday nights, but check their social media before you go. If you are that guy that doesn’t like to go home, you can sleep in the Sax Pub Hostel under the roof.
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  1. Reconnect With Nature At Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinjsko near Ljubljana in Slovenia (c) Alex Jones
Lake Bled is beautiful but if you want to feel at one with nature and avoid the crowds, then look no further than Lake Bohinj – it’s located in Triglav National Park, and if you’re feeling really adventurous you can hike into the nearby Alps. The direct Arriva bus from Ljubljana to Bohinj Jezero takes just under 2 hours, so set off early and make a full daytrip of it. Hooked on the Slovenian outdoors? Read our things to do in Slovenia for nature lovers.

  1. Chow Down On The Best Vegan Burger You’ve Ever Tasted

Vegan burger at Zaziv near lake Bled Slovenia (c) Alex Jones
The tasty yet oh-so-healthy burgers at Zaziv in Bled will make you cry real tears of joy. And the generous portions make it the perfect spot for a post-hike feed when you visit Lake Bohinj and Bled. It’s tiny, with only a few seats, so grab yours to go and eat it by the lake. You’re welcome.

  1. Dranks And Chill In Tivoli Park

Colnarna Cafe in Park Tivoli, Ljubljana
Head to the oh-so-beautiful Čolnarna café by the pond in Park Tivoli, which has reopened after a full renovation, and kick back with a drink for a chill afternoon. The perfect end to a long day exploring Ljubljana’s hidden delights. The park itself is free to wander, and our guide to free things to do in Europe’s best backpacker cities has more budget ideas.

Meet Other Travellers In Ljubljana

Ljubljana is small, so you’ll keep bumping into the same faces. Make it easier with the Hostelworld app: join Linkups like walking tours, bar crawls and group dinners organised by hostels and backpackers, from 14 days before check-in. You can also chat with travellers staying at any hostel in the city in City Chats. Not booked yet? A Social Pass opens up the social features without a booking. For festivals, markets and what’s on, check the Hostelworld Events pages.

Where To Stay In Ljubljana

From a former prison to a hostel above a jazz pub, Ljubljana’s hostels are part of the fun. Before you pack, read our hostel packing list.


Compare all hostels in Ljubljana


Why are you still reading this?! Book your hostel in Ljubljana now and discover Europe’s most underrated city!
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Got a hot tip for things to do in Ljubljana? Leave a comment below and help out your fellow travellers!
About The Author
Alex Jones is a globe-trotting Sydney native currently exploring the wonders of Greece. Follow her adventures @a_lexandrajones
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