Long ignored by visitors to the Balkans, the Slovenian capital – Ljubljana – is experiencing a tourism renaissance at the moment! Whilst it doesn’t have any specific attractions, many visitors choose the city for its laid-back atmosphere, interesting history and vibrant culinary scene. It’s also a great stopover for itineraries that include Italy and the Balkans.

As a relatively recent destination in most guide books, figuring out where the different areas of Ljubljana start and end can be difficult. Boundary lines are not well defined, but it’s important to be able to gather your bearings before you arrive.

Hence we have created this guide! We’ve figured out the seven best neighborhoods in Ljubljana and categorised them by what they are best for.

So let’s jump right into it!

Quick Tips – Where to Stay in Ljubljana

• Where to stay inLjubljana for your first time? Old Town
• Where to stay in Ljubljana close to everything? Train Station
• Where to stay in Ljubljana for nightlife? City Centre
• Best neighborhood in Ljubljana for families? Koseze
• Where to stay in Ljubljana on a budget? Rozna Dolina
• Where to stay in Ljubljana for couples? Trnovo
• Trendiest neighborhood in Ljubljana? Metelkova

Where to Stay in Ljubljana

Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Ljubljana.

Ljubljana 7 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in

Let’s take a look, in more detail, at the seven best neighbourhoods in Ljubljana. Each caters to different interests, so be sure to pick the neighbourhood that’s right for you.

Neighborhood #1 – Old Town

Best neighborhood in Ljubljana for your first time!

• COOLEST thing to do in Old Town – take the Free Street Art Tour to learn about Ljubljana’s evolving culture
• BEST place to visit in Old Town – climb to the top of the hill and visit Ljubljana Castle for unbeatable views of the city

Whilst the Old Town is formally part of the City Centre, it truly does have a unique atmosphere that makes it an area in its own right! As the name suggests, this is the oldest part of the city and a great starting point for learning about the turbulent history of Slovenia. Ljubljana Castle looms over the area, serving as the main attraction.

It is also an area in transformation, and where you can begin to see the impact of increased tourism on the city. An alternative scene has risen in the Old Town, creating an interesting contrast between old buildings and modern street art!

• Check out Ljubljana’s iconic bridges – including the Dragon Bridge that is marked by four of the mythical creatures
• Ljubljana Cathedral burst into life in the evenings when the city lights showcase the marvellous colours
• The Town Hall is another gorgeous architectural gem, as well as an interesting exhibit to the city’s history inside
• STRELEC Restaurant is the highest eatery in the area with breathtaking views across the Old Town and City Centre
• Pritlicje Bar is the only nightclub on this side of the river and is therefore quite popular with the local youth

Best Budget Hotel in Old Town

B&B Petra Varl

This small bed and breakfast might only have two stars – but it still comes with fantastic guest ratings! You can prepare your own breakfast every morning from the freshly stocked ingredients, and every room comes with a kitchenette – perfect for those who are self-catering. It is housed within a historic building.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Old Town

Hotel Emonec

The Emonec Hotel has a beautiful and modern design, with it being decorated with wooden furniture and dark parquet floors. It also has one of the most sought-after locations in the city, in the heart of the Old Town, with the famous Prešeren Square being just a stone’s throw away.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Old Town

Vander Urbani Resort

This luxurious hotel right in the heart of the Old Town features a spectacular rooftop pool terrace – perfect if you are visiting during the summer! They also provide regular massage and beauty treatments, as well as a complimentary breakfast buffet with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

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Need more info? Here’s a rundown of things to do in Ljubljana to fill your time there!

Neighborhood #2 – Train Station

Where to stay in Ljubljana close to everything!

• COOLEST thing to do in Train Station – wander along Miklosiceva Street to admire the architecture and indulge in some retail therapy
• BEST place to visit in Train Station – Ljubljana Train Station itself is a beautiful building that harks back to the city’s past as the pride of Yugoslavia

Sandwiched between the City Centre and Metelkova, the area surrounding the train station is the perfect neighborhood for those on short trips that want to stay close to all the main attractions! Ljubljana is a very small city, and you can reach almost everywhere mentioned in this guide on foot within 30 minutes. If you were short on time, you could even see most of Ljubljana in only one day.

Aside from the convenient location, the train station area also has some attractions in its own right! This is the first place most people see when they visit Ljubljana, meaning the buildings have been well preserved and perfectly showcase the gorgeous architecture the city is known for.

• Hop onboard a train and discover another part of Slovenia – most towns are easily reached within an hour
• Miklosiceva Park is a popular meeting point in the city, surrounded by gorgeous historic buildings and leafy avenues
• Sample typical Slovenian cuisine at Gostilna Stari Tisler – it’s far more popular with locals than with tourists
• B-Restaurant and Bar is a more upmarket option, with glass panels and a small balcony area providing unbeatable views of the city

Best Budget Hotel near Train Station

Guesthouse Stari Tisler

As a relatively new tourist destination to Western Europeans and North Americans, Ljubljana is packed with guest houses – by far the most popular accommodation option in the city. These are perfect for budget travellers – and Stari Tisler is our pick for guest houses that are close to the train station!

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Best Mid-range Hotel near Train Station

InterContinental Ljubljana

Towering over the city, the InterContinental Ljubljana offers the best views of the city all from the comfort of your room! There is a wellness and spa centre that features panoramic views, a well-stocked gym and multiple holistic therapies. There is also a rooftop restaurant offering complimentary breakfasts every morning.

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Best Luxury Hotel near Train Station

Grand Plaza Hotel & Congress Center

The Grand Plaza Hotel & Congress Center is one of the few 5-star hotels in Ljubljana and we can see why with the hotel has elegant and sleek facilities through. The hotel has air-conditioned rooms, some of which have sweeping views overlooking the city. Along with this, it has a stunning lobby area, a state-of-the-art fitness center, along with a chic bar.

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Neighborhood #3 – City Centre

Where to stay in Ljubljana for nightlife!

• COOLEST thing to do in City Centre – hop on board one of the many tour boats and explore the banks of the Ljubljanica River
• BEST place to visit in City Centre – visit the riverfront area of the City Centre in the evenings to discover the best pubs in town

Just across the river from Old Town, Ljubljana City Centre is the heart of the city’s nightlife! Though not the most popular destination for partygoers, there are plenty of fantastic bars and traditional pubs lining the banks of the river in the city centre that you will be spoiled for choice on how to spend your evening.

The City Centre is also home to many of the best-known attractions during the day. With museums, art galleries and restaurants around every corner, the City Centre should be on anyone’s itinerary when visiting Ljubljana! It is also only a short walk away from the Old Town and train station.

• Visit the Museum of Modern Art and discover creative works from the final days of Yugoslavia until now
• Nobel Bürek are a popular hole-in-the-wall restaurant and takeaway that offer the iconic Balkan dish at very cheap prices
• There aren’t many nightclubs in Ljubljana, however, Klub TOP SIX is by far the most popular, located within the city’s only skyscraper
• The National Museum of Slovenia showcases a variety of exhibits, including their famous prehistoric displays
• Cutty Sark Pub is one of the most popular bars along the riverfront and offers nightly live music

Best Budget Hotel in City Centre

ibis Styles Ljubljana Centre

The famous chain of Ibis has really pulled out all the stops with their Ljubljana City Centre branch, with the hotel offering a selection of deluxe room options at budget-friendly prices. It also has some fantastic common areas, including a co-working space and rooftop bar.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in City Centre

City Hotel Ljubljana

A fancy and modern hotel with mid-range prices City Hotel Ljubljana offers a à la carte restaurant, deluxe rooms, and a lobby bar. It also has a beautiful summer terrace that provides stunning views of Ljubljana Castle.

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Best Luxury Hotel in City Centre

Cacao Rooms

Ljubljana doesn’t have many hotels, but this four star guest house is a great alternative for those that want to stay in the city centre in style! Rooms are fully air conditioned and come with luxury finishings to justify the property’s four star rating. Free high speed WiFi is also included in all the rooms.

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Neighborhood #4 – Koseze

Best neighborhood in Ljubljana for families!

• COOLEST thing to do in Koseze – take a walk around Koseze Pond for a relaxing, family-friendly afternoon
• BEST place to visit in Koseze – Tivoli Park is the largest green space in the city and is packed with attractions

Located on the northern end of Tivoli Park, Koseze has a calmer and more laid-back atmosphere than the city centre – perfect for families visiting Ljubljana! Whilst the city is, thankfully, already quite family-friendly, Koseze has some great attractions that will appeal to kids and adults of all ages.

Accommodation in the area also tends to be locally run, giving you a bit more of an insider experience whilst staying in Ljubljana! The large Tivoli Park to the south contains some great attractions and provides easy connections to the city centre and Rozna Dolina.

• For the more adventurous eaters out there, you can try a large horse burger at Hot Horse on the northern end of Tivoli Park
• Visit the Museum of Contemporary History to learn about the fall of Yugoslavia and Slovenia’s accession into the European Union
• Hotel Bellevue is an abandoned hotel in the grounds of Tivoli Park – enter at your peril, as there is no lighting and smashed glass everywhere
• Mini Golf Café is an interesting concept combining breakfast, coffee and mini golf – perfect for a family-friendly morning
• In the evenings, head to Lepa Zoga – though it is a local sports bar, it’s laid-back vibes make it a popular choice with families

Best Budget Hotel in Koseze

Guest House Pri Vodniku

Another fantastic guest house in the city, Pri Vodniku is locally owned and is surrounded by the beautiful nature Koseze is known for! There is a small restaurant on-site that offers an Italian style breakfast with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. They also have car rental facilities.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Koseze

ApartHotel Vila Minka

ApartHotel Vila Minka is a beautiful 3-star hotel situated just outside of the center of the city in Koseze. One of the best features of this hotel is its lobby area, which is furnished in Baroque style with elegant furniture and has a glass rooftop making the area perfectly lit by natural light.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Koseze

M Hotel

Whilst the M doesn’t stand for magnificent – it absolutely could! This four star dream is perfect if you want to splurge on something a bit more luxurious whilst staying away from the busy city centre of Ljubljana. For added peace and comfort, the rooms are fully soundproofed and equipped with air conditioning.

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Neighborhood #5 – Rozna Dolina

Where to stay in Ljubljana on a budget!

• COOLEST thing to do in Rozna Dolina – head to the top of Roznik Hill where you can marvel at the spectacular views across the Lake and Ljubljana
• BEST place to visit in Rozna Dolina – the southern end of Tivoli Park has some great attractions for those interested in nature

Rozna Dolina is at the opposite end of Tivoli Park, and is the ideal destination for those on a strict budget! Popular with students, Rozna Dolina is only a short walk from the city centre however offers some of the cheapest accommodation options in Ljubljana. There are also some fantastic bars and restaurants to fit your budget.

Its proximity to Tivoli Park – as well as some of the best natural attractions in the area – meaning that Rozna Dolina is also a good choice for those that want a break from city life! At times it feels like a town in its own right, and the locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming to visitors who choose to stay there.

• Ljubljana Zoo is a very popular attraction with local and visiting families – they are owned by a conservation trust
• Escape rooms have taken over the world – however Prison Break, in Rozna Dolina, has a twist as it is housed within a former working prison
• Art Bread offer freshly made baked goods every morning, and function as a fantastic cafe through the afternoons
• Cirkus Club is on the boundary between Rozna Dolina and the city centre and is a great starting point for your night out

Best Budget Hotel in Rozna Dolina

Luwiana Suites

Luwiana Suites is a small guest house right in the heart of Rozna Dolina. Though fairly basic, the rooms are well equipped with WiFi, cable TV and modern furnishings! Free parking facilities are also available on-site, and there is a gorgeous garden where you can relax and mingle with other guests.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Rozna Dolina

Sport Hotel Ljubljana

For those who like to keep active when they’re way, this is the ultimate place to stay with the hotel featuring a fitness center, tennis courts, and a football field. It also has modern and air-conditioned rooms, all of which are equipped with en-suites.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Rozna Dolina

Vault Hotel

Speaking of gorgeous gardens, the Vault Hotel comes with a gorgeous one that can compete with Tivoli Park itself! This four star hotel is still much more basic than other luxury hotels in the city but comes with excellent levels of service and attention to comfort that make it worth the money.

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Neighborhood #6 – Trnovo

Best neighborhood in Ljubljana for couples!

• COOLEST thing to do in Trnovo – if you are visiting during August, you have to catch some live performances during Trnfest
• BEST place to visit in Trnovo – for those interested in historic attractions, you can check out the Roman fortifications at Rimski zid na Mirju

Trnovo is located just south of the City Centre and Old Town, and is one of the more up and coming neighborhoods in the city! For young couples, this is the place to be to soak up the local culture and sample the most innovative parts of the culinary scene. It is also teeming with young and hip bars.

Throughout the year, Trnovo is also home to major cultural attractions! Aside from Trnfest every August, there are plenty of theatre and live music performances scheduled throughout the year – and street performers are being drawn to the area in increasing numbers. This creates a vibrant and exciting neighborhood.

• KUD France Presrern, the main cultural venue in the city, showcases theatre, dance and music performances throughout the year
• Trnovo Bridge is one of the most modern river crossings in the city, with wide pavements and incredible views
• Nostalgija Vintage Cafe not only offer a great cup of joe, but they also have displays of vintage items from throughout Slovenia’s history
• The Trnovski Pristan Walkway lines the Trnovo portion of the riverfront and is a calmer alternative to the city centre section
• Sax Pub is a popular bar with the alternative crowd – decorated in graffiti on the outside, they have great prices on drinks

Best Budget Hotel in Trnovo

AURA Guesthouse

Though it only has one star, AURA Guesthouse has a great guest rating thanks to the welcoming atmosphere and adequate facilities! The kitchen and lounge area are shared, giving you the opportunity to mingle with other guests. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Trnovo

Ahotel Ljubljana

This beautiful four-star hotel offers a chic lounge bar that serves a wide range of drinks, along with a stunning summer terrace that can be enjoyed in Slovenia’s warmer months. The hotel also offers a range of deluxe rooms from cute doubles to larger family-sized rooms.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Trnovo

Lesar Hotel Angel

This gorgeous four star hotel is known for its spacious rooms – perfect for couples that want to experience some added luxury to a romantic getaway in Ljubljana! There is a huge garden surrounding the area, giving it a bit more seclusion and a great atmosphere. A continental breakfast is included every morning.

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Neighborhood #7 – Metelkova

Trendiest neighborhood in Ljubljana!

• COOLEST thing to do in Metelkova – catch some interesting performances in the evening at Metelkova Mesto
• BEST place to visit in Metelkova – Tabor Park has some interesting sculptures on display depicting the nation

Located next to the train station neighborhood, Metelkova is known for its alternative culture – making it one of the most popular spots with hipster tourists! The streets are lined with graffiti depicting the history, culture and politics of Slovenia. Metelkova Mesto is a major community project featuring alternative bars and art venues.

To the west of the area, things get a little more peaceful. Tabor Park is one of the best spots in the city to unwind and soak up the atmosphere. There are also plenty of fantastic shops and restaurants serving local cuisine. If you want to mingle with Ljubljana’s youth, this is the place to be!

• The Slovenian Ethnographic Museum is one of the most visited attractions in the city, featuring a wide range of cultural exhibits
• During the day, Metelkova Mesto is still an interesting place to visit thanks to their cultural and alternative museums
• Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova is a community alternative to the larger museum in the city centre – with some more daring pieces
• Utrip is a popular eatery in the evenings – they sell typical takeaway grub like kebabs and pizza, as well as the famous bürek
• K4 is another popular nightlife venue in the city, specialising mostly in techno music as well as occasional rave events

Best Budget Hotel in Metelkova

Tabor

This two star hotel is pretty basic but has everything you need for a short stay in Ljubljana! As it is a guest house, the bathroom and kitchen are shared – however, the rooms are spacious and come with WiFi. If you want a little more privacy they do offer some rooms that also come with kitchenettes.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Metelkova

Atelier Hotel

Atelier Hotel is a beautiful 3-star hotel that has a fantastic location in the city with it being within walking distance to top sites and attractions including Ljubljana Castle, National Gallery, Ljubljana City Theatre, and Tivoli Park.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Metelkova

Central Hotel

This four star luxury hotel is bursting with character thanks to the innovative interior design that draws inspiration from Metelkova’s street art culture! They have a rooftop bar where you can admire the views of the city, as well as a co-working space – making it a top choice for digital nomads that want to splurge.

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Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Ljubljana?

Ljubljana is a gorgeous city that should not be missed on any itinerary to southern or eastern Europe! It perfectly combines the cleanliness, beautiful architecture and simple living you would expect from a Northern European destination with the grittiness of its Balkan past.

For the best area, we’re going to go with Metelkova! Ljubljana is a city in regeneration, and nowhere embodies this quite like hip and youthful Metelkova.

That being said, it is a small area that is easy to get around on foot – so there’s no reason you can’t visit everywhere mentioned on this list! We hope this guide has helped you plan your itinerary.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!

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