City Hotel Ljubljana, a four-star between the station and Prešeren Square

Where City Hotel is, and why it matters

It sits at Dalmatinova 15, on the edge of the pedestrian zone. The hotel says Prešeren Square is about three minutes on foot and the railway and bus stations 400 to 500 m, around five minutes. In a city where almost everything is done on foot and day trips leave from the bus station, that combination is its main selling point. For what lies around it, start with my guide to Ljubljana.

Rooms, breakfast and facilities

It has 207 rooms, from singles to family rooms, and the hotel highlights the black-and-white photographs of Ljubljana by Žiga Koritnik on the walls of each. Standard doubles measure 17 to 20 m², with a 180 x 210 cm bed or two singles. Some categories have a balcony or terrace, several with castle views. Breakfast, a buffet from 6:30 to 10:30, is included in every rate and in summer is also served on the first-floor garden terrace. There is a 24-hour gym, Thai massage, free Wi-Fi and a conference centre with four halls for up to 180 people.

The garage, its biggest advantage

With the historic centre closed to traffic, parking is the headache for anyone arriving by car. The hotel has two secure garages with 55 spaces, one entered from Tavčarjeva and the other, Dalmatinka, directly opposite. It costs €24 a day for cars up to 2.10 m high and €19 for motorbikes, with EV charging on request. You must book, and the space is only guaranteed once confirmed. If it is full, parking in Ljubljana covers the park and ride sites and municipal garages.

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Getting there from the airport

Jože Pučnik Airport is about 25 km away. The hotel offers a shared shuttle at €13 per person, a taxi at €40 for up to three and a private transfer at €62 for two, each way. Arriving late or with lots of luggage, that seems a sensible alternative to hunting for the bus.

A building with a past

In the early 19th century the site held the Pri Bitencu inn, where Prešeren was a regular. In 1903 the Hotel Štrukelj opened, in 1949 it became the Hotel Turist, and in the 1980s its basement disco was the city’s best night out. After independence it returned to the Krajc family, who renamed it, and the 1905 building gave way to the current one, opened in 2007. It now belongs to Elephant Group, which also runs the Slon hotel.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in City Hotel Ljubljana on GetYourGuide.

Who I’d recommend it to

People arriving by car or train, families needing larger rooms, and anyone using Ljubljana as a base for day trips. If you want a characterful stay in the old town or by the river, there are other options in where to stay in Ljubljana. Pay-at-hotel rates can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before arrival, the website says.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Ljubljana for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.