Where to stay in Ljubljana, area by area

Old town and river, the best area

In the old town or along the Ljubljanica. From there Plečnik’s bridges, the market, Prešeren Square and the castle are a few steps away, and you have the city at night, when it looks its best, right outside. The catch is the car, because the historic centre is closed to traffic and you will have to leave it in a garage on the edge or at park and ride. I explain how in parking in Ljubljana.

By the station, the practical area

If the capital is your base, the area between the station and Prešeren Square makes sense. The bus station runs more than 20 daily departures to Bled and buses that stop outside Postojna Cave, and from hotels such as City Hotel Ljubljana it is about five minutes on foot. The InterContinental is also nearby, a glass tower with boardrooms on the 19th floor and a rooftop restaurant, according to its tourist board listing. Less charm than the river, but it saves time every morning.

Trnovo and Krakovo, the quieter side

South of the centre, along the river, Trnovo and Krakovo are Jože Plečnik’s home ground, where he settled in 1921, with his house museum, the Trnovo Bridge and the Trnovski pristan embankment. They are a stroll from the old town and quieter at night. For a second visit or a couple’s break, I like them a lot.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Ljubljana before prices climb.

The north and the chain hotels

To the north, the business and shopping district has chain hotels such as the Radisson Blu Plaza, by the motorway and near Stožice stadium, convenient if you are driving or going to an event. The tourist board also highlights Four Points by Sheraton, the first hotel in Slovenia with BREEAM certification. For a visitor who wants to wander, I would not choose the north.

Among newer openings, the tourist board points to Hotel Adore, a family-run boutique hotel with a ground-floor bistro and free parking, a combination that is rare in the capital. And if sustainability matters to you, look out for the Slovenia Green label, which the tourist board uses to flag accommodation with certified green practices.

Camping and motorhomes in Ljubljana

Ljubljana Resort campsite is on the city’s northern edge beside the Sava, with 133 pitches, mobile homes and the Laguna pool next door. A few kilometres away, Camp Smlednik is also by the river, near Škofja Loka and Kranj. For motorhomes, P+R Stanežiče has 15 bays, according to the city.

If you are staying several nights and want to plan outings, have a look at day trips from Ljubljana, and for food near your hotel, see where to eat in Ljubljana.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Ljubljana and choose by the reviews.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Ljubljana before prices climb.