Ljubljana or Bled: which is the best city to stay in during your Slovenia trip?

Most travelers coming to Slovenia get stuck with the same question: is it better to stay in Ljubljana or in Bled? Let’s clear out all the confusion, once and for all. Since we live in Slovenia, we have been to both cities many times and we can say with confidence that it depends on your travel style. 

• If you are more of a city person, who values having great restaurants nearby and the city vibes, Ljubljana is the right choice for you.
• If you are more of an active traveler who is coming to Slovenia to soak in the Alpine views or practice outdoor sports, Bled may be a better choice of place to stay.

We know that nothing is so black and white like this, so let’s take a closer look at both Ljubljana and Bled, so you can make your own decision.

Staying in Ljubljana: pros and cons

Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital city, offering all modern amenities like shopping malls, restaurants, and museums. Compared to other European capitals, Ljubljana is fairly small, but it offers that buzz that a main city has and there are events going on all year round (but especially in the summer).

Pros of staying in Ljubljana

• Very centrally located – you can do day trips almost everywhere in the country
• Has an airport
• Lots of restaurants and entertainment options
• Various hotel options, for all budgets and needs
• Good public transport access

Cons of staying in Ljubljana

• Driving back and forth on day trips can be tiring
• Located further away from the mountain region and the Triglav National Park
• 2 days in Ljubljana is enough to see the main attractions of the city

Read also:

• Best day trips from Ljubljana
• What to see in Ljubljana
• Visiting the Ljubljana Castle

Where to stay in Ljubljana

If you decide to stay in Ljubljana instead of Bled, the best thing to do is get accommodation within walking distance of the Old Town. This is where everything happens and where you will find the best restaurants and museums.

Pro tip: You can easily spot the Old Town of Ljubljana when using Google Maps – it is the area marked in yellow located right in the center of the city. One place you can use as a reference is the mains square called Prešeren Square

Even though we live in Ljubljana, we have already stayed in a few hotels in the city. Below you will find our recommendations for the best places to stay in Ljubljana: 

• Old Quarter Residence – This is one of the coziest places to stay in Ljubljana, and one I always recommend whenever we have people visiting. We love the location and you get a great view of the street, which gets even prettier during the evening. The apartment is very modern and has everything you may need for a short stay. 
• Grand Hotel Union – This is one of the most traditional hotels in the center of Ljubljana and it is still popular because it has an unbeatable location. If you like the experience of staying in historical places while still being just a step away from the main square, Union is the place for you.
• Apartments Hiša Pod Gradom – If you will be coming to Ljubljana with a car, it is important to get a place that is accessible with a vehicle and has parking nearby. This is a good option for those cases (parking is paid separately though). The apartments are very comfortable and they are located above a restaurant with the same name, which is also a great place to eat in Ljubljana!
• Hostel Celica Art – The most famous hostel in Ljubljana, and for a good reason. This hostel is built in a repurposed prison, so it provides guests not only affordable prices but a very unique experience.

Need more info? Read our full guide about where to stay in Ljubljana.

Pros and cons of staying in Bled

Bled is an idyllic mountain village known for the famous Lake Bled, which is surrounded by lush forests and rolling hillsides. Bled has a very strategic location for travelers who want to visit the National Park and Slovenia’s Alpine region, which is one of the things this country is known for.

Pros of staying in Bled

• You will be minutes away from Lake Bled, one of the most beautiful places we have seen
• Short distance to Lake Bohinj, Kranjska Gora, and the Triglav National Park
• Lots of options for cozy mountain apartments
• The quieter atmosphere during the evening
• Many options for hikes and outdoor sports

Cons of staying in Bled

• Less restaurant and entertainment options since Bled is a much smaller town
• The main access is through one single-lane road that often gets stuck with traffic during the summer months
• Gets very busy during the high season

Where to stay in Bled

If you decide that Bled is a better fit for you, we recommend trying to get a place to stay that is as close to the lake as possible. This is the best trick to make sure you will be within walking distance from the center and the lake itself. Unfortunately, there are a lot of properties that say they are located in Bled, but they are actually quite far out and then you lose the charm.

We have carefully curated a selection of our favorite hotels in Bled, ranging from cozy mountain apartments to boutique hotels with stunning lake views.

• Hotel Park: We stayed in this hotel last October and we had an amazing experience. Our balcony had a view of Bled Castle, which was magical! We had half-pension which means we also had a dinner buffet and they had a wine fountain during dinner service! I cannot recommend this property enough.
• Garden Village Lake Bled: This is one of the best glamping properties in Slovenia. They took glamping to another level, building incredible tree houses and a structure perfect for couples or families.
• Old Bled House: This is one of the most unique places to stay in Bled. The owners renovated a 300-year-old farmhouse into a charming and rustic hotel. They also have an amazing restaurant on site.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Read our complete guide about the best places to stay in Bled

Need help planning your itinerary?

Check our complete Bled travel guide including a full itinerary, transport tips, accommodation suggestions, and more. If you will be visiting during the winter, check our guide for the best things to do in Bled in winter.

Ljubljana vs Bled: which one is cheaper?

In most cases, staying in Ljubljana will be cheaper than staying in Bled, especially if you will be traveling during the summer months. Accommodation prices in Bled tend to skyrocket during the summer and they can get full quite fast since Bled is such a small city.

Ljubljana’s prices also increase a bit during the summer but not as much as there are simply more options of places available, so it is easier to find good deals.

As a general reference, we still pay less in Ljubljana and Bled than in other major cities in other European countries like Austria, Netherlands, France, etc.

Read also: 6 Ways to Go From Ljubljana to Bled

Ljubljana vs Bled: which one is better?

If you only have a short time in the country and you must choose between Ljubljana or Bled, we would recommend Ljubljana if you intend on seeing more of the country and Bled if you are coming to Slovenia for the natural sights.

However, if you have more days to spend, we recommend splitting your time and staying a few days in Ljubljana and a few days in Bled. This way, you get to experience the best of both worlds.

Since Ljubljana is better connected, it makes sense to stay here during your first two nights and explore locations nearby. After this time, go to Bled and stay there for a few nights while you explore the Alpine region including Lake Bohinj and the amazing Vintgar Gorge.

Read also: Tolmin Gorge vs Vintgar Gorge: Which is Better?

All in all, it is safe to say that both cities have their own charm so it’s hard to pick just one. It will depend on what type of vacation experience you’re looking for. We hope that we have equipped you with enough information to decide for your own trip if it is better to stay in Bled or Ljubljana.

If you need any additional advice, send us here in the comments! We are always happy to help.

Happy travels!

Other guides about traveling through Slovenia

• Visiting the Soca Valley
• Driving in Slovenia as a foreigner
• Renting a car in Slovenia
• Best SIM card for traveling to Slovenia