Where to stay in Ljubljana with suggestions of the best places and areas

If you landed here, you are probably already considering a visit to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city. Finding the right accommodation for your trip starts by deciding which is the best area to stay in Ljubljana. Let us help you out.

We are based in Ljubljana and have received visits from many friends and family over the years, so we have quite a bit of experience when it comes to recommending places to stay in Ljubljana.

As someone who will be visiting Ljubljana for the first time, we know it can be confusing to decide on the best area or location to stay. So, in this article, we’ll break everything down to make it simple for you.

Don’t want to read the whole post? Here are our top recommendations

Best locations to stay in Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a relatively small city, but let me start by explaining a bit about how the neighborhoods are distributed so you can have a better idea before visiting for the first time.

The city revolves around the Ljubljana Castle, located in the city center. The Old Town is the pedestrian zone of the center where most touristic attractions are located, which is also the core of what we consider the city center.

The best areas and locations to stay in Ljubljana as a tourist are the city center, the Old Town, Prule, Krakovo, and Bezigrad. We’ve marked these areas on the map below to make it easier for you to visualize them.

The city center: the best place to stay in Ljubljana for first-time visitors

There is no better area of Ljubljana to stay in than the city center, especially if this will be your first time visiting the city.

The main advantage of staying in the city center of Ljubljana is mobility. You can easily explore the whole center by foot if you will be staying here. And, if you need to go further away, you will have easy access to buses that run to all areas of the city, to taxis, city bikes… you name it.

There are areas of the city center that are pedestrian-only zones, and other areas where cars are allowed. If you will be renting a car in Slovenia, make sure you stay within the car areas so you can park close to your accommodation.

Here are our top 3 places to stay in the Ljubljana city center:

• Intercontinental: This is in our opinion the best hotel in town. Located right on the edge of the city center, the hotel has incredible views overlooking the whole city. As a five-star hotel, you get all the amenities and perks, including a spa and a rooftop bar.
• Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel: Located right by the Ljubljanica River, this hotel was recently renovated and is now even more stunning. Some of the rooms give you incredible views of the Ljubljana Castle, which are to die for.
• Vila Selena: A more budget-friendly option for a place to stay in the center of Ljubljana while having the comfort of a full apartment. Located in one of the back streets of the city center, this B&B is a great option for a place to stay – Fe even recommends it to her family when they come to visit.

The Old Town: The best area to stay in Ljubljana for short stays

If you will be staying in Ljubljana only for a couple of days, the best way to make sure that you make the most of it is by staying in the heart of the city. The Old Town is exactly this place.

The Old Town is a pedestrian-only zone, so this is a good area to stay if you will be traveling without a car. You can easily reach the Old Town from the main train and bus stations, or with a transfer from the airport.

During the summer, this is the busiest area of the city so make sure you select your accommodation carefully if you are bothered by noise. Ljubljana is a city that sleeps early in general, but this is something worth considering depending on your taste.

Our top 3 recommendations for places to stay in Ljubljana’s Old Town:

• Vander Urbani Resort: A boutique hotel located in the heart of the Old Town. Besides the rooms, which have a very modern touch, the hotel also features a rooftop pool (which can come in handy in the summer) and a good restaurant in front.
• Hisa pod gradom: Located right on the edge of the Old Town, this is one of the places we recommend the most when people ask us where to stay in Ljubljana. We love the complete apartments and the fact that they are located just on the edge of the center, which makes it accessible and quiet at the same time.
• Stella Sky: A set of apartments for rent located on the feet of Ljubljana’s Castle. What I like the most about Stella Sky is the rooftop. They have a common area that all guests can enjoy with views over the city and a pool that works during the warm months.

Krakovo: the best place to stay in Ljubljana for families

Krakovo is a small neighborhood located just on the side of the city center.

What I like the most about Krakovo is that even though it is only 5 minutes away, it is a very quiet and residential area. You will be within walking distance from anything in town but have the comfort of staying out of the buzzing areas.

Another perk that makes this neighborhood great for families is that these are not pedestrian-only streets, which means you can park your car close to your accommodation.

These are the best places to stay in Krakovo, Ljubljana:

• Vila Emona: Great place to stay with free parking included, which is a luxury in Ljubljana. This place is located very close to the center and has fully equipped apartments for very affordable prices.
• Central Apartments with Parking: Another very good option for the place to stay if you will be traveling on a budget. They have a variety of apartments offered, all equipped for a comfortable stay, and free parking on site. 

Bezigrad: the best place to stay in Ljubljana on a budget

If you are looking for cheap options of places to stay in Ljubljana, Bezigrad is a good neighborhood to start.

Bezigrad is a large neighborhood that starts next to the city center and extends until the city limits with the ring. The closer to the city center you will be staying, the more expensive it will be. However, anywhere in Bezigrad is already considerably cheaper compared to accommodations in the Old Town, for example.

One thing I really like about Bezigrad is the transport connections. There are a lot of bus lines and bike stations in this neighborhood, so it is very easy to go to the center. Finding parking is also easier if you will be staying in Bezigrad.

These are our top recommendations for places to stay in Bezigrad, Ljubljana:

• Holiday Inn Express: Get all the comfort of the Holiday Inn brand, located just 15 min away from the city center. The best thing about this hotel is that it is located in a back street, so it is very quiet. They also offer free parking, so it is a good option for people traveling with a car.
• TiliaStay: This comfortable apartment is located right next to the central train and bus stations, which makes it very accessible. The city center is only 3 min away by foot and you will have an incredible view of the city from the place. And the best part? The apartment also includes a sauna!
• Dragons Dream Hostel: This is a good option for a place to stay if you will be traveling on a budget. This hostel offers several different accommodation types, from capsules to deluxe rooms with hot tubs included. They also have a large common area.

Prule: the best apartments to stay in Ljubljana

Prule is a neighborhood located just on the side of the city center. It is a small neighborhood, but a very residential one. The city center is quickly reachable on foot, so Prule has a really good location.

If you prefer staying in apartments instead of hotels, this is a good area to stay in Ljubljana. The neighborhood is very quiet and there are quite a few good options of apartments available for renting.

Most travel blogs don’t mention Prule in their guides, in my opinion, because it is a residential area that most tourists overlook. As someone who lives in the city, I find this region one of the best places to stay in Ljubljana for tourists because of its central location and quietness.

Here are 3 great options for places to stay in Prule, Ljubljana:

• House Trta: A small family-run place, located just by the Ljubljanica River. House Trta offers apartments and rooms, and they have a pizzeria with the same name on the bottom floor (which is worth checking out as their pizza is quite good!).
• Villa Riverside: This small villa is located right next to Spica, one of the best places to hang out during the summer. This is a good option for a place to stay if you will be traveling with a car, as each apartment is entitled to one free parking spot.
• City Centre Apartments: This is a great option for a place to stay if you will be traveling in a group of up to 5 people. They have a few options of apartments for rent, including a very good and spacious apartment suitable for 5, which is a quite rare find in Ljubljana.

Didn’t find the spot you are looking for?

No worries, there are plenty of other options for places to stay in Ljubljana – maybe something else will spark your interest.

What to see in Ljubljana?

Ljubljana may be a small city, but there are plenty of things to see to keep you entertained.

To help you out, we have put together our ultimate list of things to do in Ljubljana, check it below. You can choose between exploring the city on foot independently or you can book a tour with a guide that will show you around.

FAQ – Popular questions about where to stay in Ljubljana

Is it a good idea to stay in Ljubljana when traveling to Slovenia?

Yes, Ljubljana is the most central location in the country so staying here will be the optimal option for exploring different areas of Slovenia.

From Ljubljana, you can easily do day trips to almost every place in the country – at least the ones worth visiting during your first trip! Check out some of our favorite day trips from Ljubljana.

Is it better to stay in Ljubljana or Bled?

If you will be traveling around Slovenia, I recommend staying in Ljubljana because it is more central. As the capital, Ljubljana also offers more options for restaurants, hotels, and all types of facilities.

Depending on your itinerary, you may also prefer to move around the country and choose 2 or 3 cities as a base instead. Bled is a good destination to stay if you will be exploring Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, and the surroundings.

Read our full comparison between Ljubljana and Bled to know more.

How do you move around Ljubljana if staying away from the center?

Ljubljana has a very effective public transport system. As long as you are located close to a bus station, you will have no problems reaching the city center.

Read our guide about the public transport system in Ljubljana to understand everything about how it works.

What other areas of Ljubljana are good options for places to stay?

Other popular areas to stay in Ljubljana are Mirje, Poljane, and Koseze.

Mirje and Poljane are adjacent to the city center so you will be within walking distance to everything in the Old Town. They are also great regions to stay, but we simply prefer the ones mentioned above in this article. It’s just a personal preference.

Koseze is located far from the city center, almost bordering the Ljubljana Ring. The reason why Koseze is a popular place to stay is because it is very quiet and residential, so some people recommend it for families. I personally think it is too far out of the center for people who will be visiting Ljubljana for the first time or with the goal of touristing and exploring.

If you choose to stay in Koseze, you will have to take the bus which takes around 30 min to the city center. However, it is one of our favorite areas here and it does have some incredible hotels and apartments to offer.

Need more help planning your trip to Slovenia?

• Driving in Slovenia as a foreigner
• Visiting Postojna Caves and the Predjama Castle
• Best things to see in Lake Bohinj
• Visiting Tolmin Gorge, one of the most beautiful locations in Slovenia
• Best SIM cards for your trip to Slovenia
• Best glamping experiences in Slovenia