Ljubljana hotels

From the cobbled streets of its graceful old town to the leafy cafe-lined banks of the river that snakes through it, Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city, oozes laid-back charm.

Find Hotels in Ljubljana

Slovenia’s capital and largest city is home to some of the best restaurants and hotels in the country. Accommodation in Ljubljana’s pedestrian-friendly centre and old town range from modern guesthouses to spa hotels, and put the main museums, lively outdoor cafes and hilltop castle all in easy reach.

When it comes to eco-friendliness, Ljubljana is officially streets ahead of other capital cities. The transformation of rundown urban plots into green spaces, free electric transport in the otherwise pedestrianised old town and a zero-waste programme are just some of the forward-thinking initiatives that bagged Ljubljana the European Commission’s Green Capital of Europe title in 2016.

The theme is reflected in the natural beauty of Ljubljana, which has an abundance of greenery, including the leafy, car-free banks of the emerald-green Ljubljanica River, which winds through the city centre. Large chunks of central Ljubljana have bans or heavy restrictions on traffic, giving free rein to cyclists and pedestrians. It makes the river banks, which come alive in the springtime with al fresco dining and drinking, very strollable and adds to Ljubljana’s charming atmosphere.

Dining and Nightlife in Ljubljana

Home to Slovenia’s oldest and best university, Ljubljana has an enormous student population. More than 60,000 enrolled graduate and undergraduate students make the University of Ljubljana one of Europe’s largest universities, helping to contribute to the thriving clubbing scene and lending the city’s already vibrant nightlife a youthful edge.

There is an impressive dining scene in Ljubljana too, with everything from street food to fine dining readily available. Warm weather brings with it Ljubljana’s vibrant outdoor cafe culture, where laid-back bars and cafes spill out on to the pavements and fill up with locals sipping coffees or Lasko beers.

Things to See and Do in Ljubljana

Culture buffs will be pleased to discover that both the National Gallery and National Museum of Slovenia are in Ljubljana. You will find a rich collection of fine art in the gallery, with everything from Medieval frescoes to Romantic-era landscapes displayed across two floors, while Stone Age artefacts, Roman artefacts and ceiling frescoes are among the highlights at the museum.

Check in to a hotel in Ljubljana’s old town and you will have the hilltop castle’s easiest and most novel access route, a funicular, on your doorstep. A patchwork of architectural styles, the castle is mostly 16th century with a 15th-century chapel and a 19th-century watchtower. It is free to enter the castle grounds, where you can have a wander and relax with a coffee in the courtyard. Or you can pay to explore the frescoed chapel, see the excellent exhibition of the history of Slovenia and climb the watchtower for views out over the old town. The castle’s 90-minute ‘time machine’ tours are worth signing up for – they’re led by costumed guides and provide a lively history lesson.