About

One-of-a-kind, artistically transformed from an old military prison into a funky hostel.
Social hostel with lively atmosphere, great events, sustainability-oriented. Unique & fun!

Appreciated and awarded by cult travel specialists for its unique & unusual design:
- No.1 hippest hostel in the world by Lonely Planet
- the 25 ultimate places to stay in the world by Rough Guides
- No.1 hostel in Slovenia according to Hostelworld.com guests' reviews- 2010 Hoscar Winner
- World's 1st sustainability-oriented hostel || GreenKey certificate

GREAT LOCATION
- 5-minute walk from the main bus & train station; perfect for late arrivals or early departures
- 10-minute walk to the old Ljubljana city center
- 15-minute walk to the funicular which gives you a ride to Ljubljana Castle
- the hostel's surrounded by the funkiest environment ever || Metelkova City area with cult bars, pubs, galleries, museums, theatre etc.

UNIQUE CONCEPT & STORY
A must stay experience when visiting Ljubljana. Spend the night in one of the 20 unique former prison cells with prison bars on windows and doors. Not entirely your cup of tea? Make your bed in one of the hostel's more traditional 4-, 5-, 7- and 12-bedded dorms featuring unique artistic elements.

FREE STUFF
parking | WiFi || towels and bed linen || guided tours of the hostel || city maps || book exchange || board games || tourist info || tour booking || smiles for everyone || FREE all-you-can eat breakfast

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by Celica staff:
- Tuesday concerts (free entry)
- Tours & Trips info desk for daily excursions around Slovenia - pick up place near the hostel
- City info, maps, schedules, travel arrangements, events
- Rent-a-bike ~ comfy vintage cruisers to go out exploring Ljubljana and surroundings
- Rent-a-car
- Plenty of space for motorbike parking
- Special prices for Ljubljana Castle Experiences.

No curfew, no lockout, 24/7 reception.

Being locked up will never be more FUN!

COVID-19 Information
Due to the Covid-19 being present in our society, we would like to inform you about the precautions we have adopted to be as responsible as possible. These changes include:
- Keeping up to date on a daily basis with the recommendations and instructions issued by the National Institute for Public Health.
- We have installed hand sanitizer dispensers all over the hostel (all bathrooms, main entry points, common areas).
- We disinfect surfaces multiple times a day (door knobs, toilets, common surfaces).
- We rearranged common areas so that the safety distance between guests can be maintained.
- Guests are encouraged to use our Summer garden, when the weather permits.
- Our café is open from Monday until Friday from 7 AM to 10.30 PM.
Thank you for understanding these new measures!

House Rules

Check In

15:00 - 24:00

Check Out

until 11:00

  • Taxes Not Included
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Facilities

  • Free Breakfast
  • Free Parking
  • Free City Maps
  • Free WiFi
  • Free Internet Access
  • Free Luggage Storage
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Meeting Rooms
View all facilities

Reviews

9.3Superb(5754)
  • Value for Money
    9.4
  • Security
    9.6
  • Atmosphere
    8.9
  • Cleanliness
    9.6
  • Staff
    9.3
  • Location
    9.2
  • Facilities
    9.1
Summary of traveller reviews

Hostel Celica in Ljubljana offers a unique stay in a former prison, praised for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and excellent free breakfast. Its convenient location is ideal for exploring the city. Some rooms can feel cramped, and the surrounding area may seem a bit edgy at night, but overall it's a highly recommended experience.

Stayed in Aug 2026
9.1
C
Camelia
Female, 25-30, Canada
Cool place with neat history, nice staff, fun atmosphere and lots of hangout spots to socialize with other travelers. The showers in the larger rooms leaked which made a bit of a mess otherwise great!
Stayed in Aug 2026
10
L
Li
All Female Group, 18-24, USA
Can’t say enough good things as far as hostels go—one of the best, proven by real adults happily staying here. Why: AC (rooms were cool & dark at night), beautiful communal spaces, great included breakfast, towels included, easy-lock lockers, good-size bathroom, lots of hooks & outlets, bed made, 15 min walk to center, free easy parking, good Slovenian kombucha at bar, former prison—cool not creepy, even has a little museum. Con: upper floor’s slanted roof may mean a low ceiling over your bed
Stayed in Aug 2026
9.7
C
Chelsey
Female, 25-30, USA
Loved this hotel! It’s so unique(once being a prison). A towel is provided at no cost and the breakfast is good in the morning (also included). Everything was very clean and the staff were nice and helpful. One of the best hostels I have stayed in. The only con is if you like privacy there are no curtains!
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Location

Metelkova 8, Ljubljana, Slovenia
1.1km from city centre