Old town
First-timersBelow the castle, along the river.
Ljubljana city guide
Things To Do In Ljubljana
A small, green capital with a castle on the hill, a river lined with cafés and bridges by the architect who shaped the city. Car-free in the centre, relaxed and easy to love.
29
Hostels in the city
8.1
Average, from 35,719 reviews
2021
Plečnik's works join UNESCO
2016
European Green Capital
1 h
To Bled by bus
The city Plečnik built
Ljubljana is one of the smallest capitals in Europe, built along the Ljubljanica river below a castle on a wooded hill. After an earthquake in 1895, much of the centre was rebuilt in Vienna Secession style, and in the twentieth century the architect Jože Plečnik gave the city its bridges, markets, riverbanks and library. His works in Ljubljana are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The centre is closed to cars, and the riverbanks fill with café tables from spring to autumn. It was European Green Capital in 2016, and it feels it.
Ljubljana is also the hub of the country: Bled, the caves and the coast are all within two hours. Two days in the city is right, with day trips from here.
Where to stay
The centre is small and car-free. Stay in the old town or near the station.
Center
TransportAround Prešeren Square and the station.
Metelkova
NightlifeThe autonomous arts centre.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Ljubljana
Start at Prešeren Square and cross the Triple Bridge, one of Plečnik's best-known works, into the old town. The Central Market, with Plečnik's riverside colonnade, is busiest in the mornings, and on Fridays from March to October, Odprta Kuhna turns it into an open-air food market.
Take the funicular or walk up to Ljubljana Castle for the view; on a clear day you can see the Alps. The Dragon Bridge, guarded by four dragons, the city's symbol, is a short walk along the river.
Metelkova, a former army barracks turned into an autonomous arts centre in 1993, is covered in sculpture and graffiti and comes alive at night.
Tivoli Park, the city's great park, leads into forested hills at the edge of the centre.
More on things to do in Ljubljana
Free things
Free things to do in Ljubljana
The old town, the riverbanks, the bridges and the market are free.
Walking up to the castle is free; the funicular and the tower cost extra.
Metelkova and Tivoli Park are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Ljubljana
Slovenian food mixes Alpine, Italian and Balkan influences. Odprta Kuhna, on Fridays at the Central Market, is the best way to try it cheaply.
Kranjska klobasa, the Carniolan sausage, and potica, a rolled nut cake, are the classics. Student lunch menus are cheap.
A gostilna lunch is €10 to €14.
Nightlife
Going out in Ljubljana
The riverbanks are lined with bars busy from spring to autumn. Metelkova is the alternative scene, with clubs and concerts in the old barracks.
A beer is €3 to €4. The city is quieter in July and August when students leave.
Getting around
Getting around Ljubljana
The centre is walkable and car-free, with free electric buggies, the Kavalir, for anyone who needs them. City buses take the Urbana card.
Buses run from Jože Pučnik Airport to the centre in about forty-five minutes.
Buses reach Bled in about an hour, Piran in about two and a half, and Bovec in about three and a half. Trains run to Maribor, Zagreb and Vienna.
Costs
What Ljubljana costs
Ljubljana is cheaper than Austria and Italy next door. Dorms start around €18. A careful day is €45 to €60.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for mountain huts and small cafés.
Safety
Staying safe in Ljubljana
Ljubljana is very safe, with very low crime and no scam culture aimed at visitors.
Cyclists share the pedestrian areas; look before stepping out.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Ljubljana
Lakes, caves and mountains, all within two hours.
Bled
The lake, the island church and the castle.
Škocjan Caves
A UNESCO-listed underground canyon.
Velika Planina
A high plateau of herders' huts.
Lake Bohinj
A bigger, quieter lake in Triglav National Park.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Ljubljana Festival fills July and August.
Staff pick
17–18 October
Ljubljana Marathon
The NLB Ljubljana Marathon in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is the country’s premier running event, welcoming thousands of participants from around the world each year. Since…
Staff pick
11–22 November
Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFE)
The Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFe) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a celebrated annual event that brings together film lovers and creators from around the…
Staff pick
27 Nov – 15 Jan
Festive December in Ljubljana
Festive December in Ljubljana, Slovenia, transforms the city’s historic center into a dazzling winter wonderland, renowned for its imaginative universe-themed light installations by artist…
Staff pick
30 Nov – 6 Dec
Animateka International Animated Film Festival
Animateka International Animated Film Festival in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a celebrated annual event dedicated to showcasing innovative short animated films, with a special focus…
15–17 October
Sejem Tečem
Sejem Tečem is the central event of the 30th Ljubljana Marathon, bringing together runners and enthusiasts in one place. You can explore the latest…
14 November
Severina
Severina brings her energetic show "Ja Samo Pjevam" to Ljubljana, promising a night filled with emotion and her greatest hits. The concert will take…
20 November
Sarah Brightman
Legendary soprano Sarah Brightman brings a magical Christmas-themed concert to Ljubljana. The event promises a spectacular evening filled with enchanting music and festive spirit.…
21 November
Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra
World-renowned conductor and violinist André Rieu will perform in Ljubljana as part of his 2026 world tour. The concert takes place on November 21…
Hostels
Where to stay in Ljubljana
The top-rated places to stay in Ljubljana right now, live from Hostelworld.
Sustainable
Hostel Celica
Dorms from €15 a night
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AdHoc Hostel
Dorms from €21 a night
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ibis Styles Ljubljana Hostel - The Fuzzy Log
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Aladin hostel
Dorms from €27 a night
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H2O Hostel
Dorms from €16 a night
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Party Hostel Zzz
Dorms from €27 a night
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Hostel Tabor Ljubljana
Dorms from €18 a night
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C-punkt
Dorms from €12 a night
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Sax Pub Hostel
Dorms from €21 a night
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Turn Hostel
Dorms from €20 a night
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Hostel Tivoli
Dorms from €22 a night
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Fluxus Hostel
Dorms from €13 a night
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When to go
May, June and September are best. December brings the lights and markets.
Jan
Cold and foggy
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Odprta Kuhna starts
Apr
Spring
May
Excellent
Jun
Warm
Jul
Festival
Aug
Festival
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Autumn
Nov
Foggy
Dec
Lights and markets
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Summers are hot, winters cold and foggy.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Excludes day trips.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Ljubljana travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many days do you need in Ljubljana?
Two, plus day trips.
Is Ljubljana expensive?
Cheaper than Austria and Italy.
What is Odprta Kuhna?
An open-air food market at the Central Market on Fridays from March to October.
How do I get from the airport?
By bus, about forty-five minutes.
Can I do day trips from Ljubljana?
Yes: Bled, the caves and the coast are all within two hours.
Who was Plečnik?
The architect who shaped much of the city; his works are UNESCO-listed.
When is the best time to visit?
May, June and September.
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