Where To Stay In Ljubljana: 8 Best Areas For Every Traveler (Map Included)

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Want to know where to stay in Ljubljana? We tell you the best areas and accomodations for every taste and budget.

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Ljubljana is ridiculously beautiful and surprisingly small. Everything is a short walk away, which makes it very convenient.

I spent several days exploring the different areas of Ljubljana slowly during the Advent season when it was busy with both locals and tourists. You really can’t go wrong in any of these areas; all are relatively close to attractions, clean and safe.

Read on to learn about the places to stay in each area, what to expect from them and which area is best for certain types of travelers. We included a map for your convenience at the end of the list..

👉 In a Nutshell – Where to stay in Ljubljana:

Old Town – Best for most people 😊
Melelkova – Best for backpackers 🎒 💲
Krakovo – Best for local charm 👒
Koseze – Best for families and nature 🧒 🌲
Trnovo and Mrje – Best for budget 💲
Ljubljana City Center – Best for entertainment 🎶
Poljane – Best for budget closest to Old Town 💲🏰
Tivoli Park – Best for quiet nature 🌲

Where to Stay in Ljubljana – Areas and Hotels

Below are the 8 best areas of Ljubljana for tourists with attractions, distances, places to stay and suggestions for which kind of traveler might enjoy each area.

1. Old Town – Best for first timers and easiest sightseeing

Old Town Ljubljana — Triple Bridge and Franciscan Church

The Old Town is the heart of Ljubljana and the best place to stay for tourists and history lovers.

Ljubjana is also a foodie hub with excellent restaurants, many of which are located right in the old town.

If it’s your first time in Ljubljana I recommend staying here; it is literally in the center and the most convenient as everything is a short walk away.

Here, in a small radius are some of the best reasons Ljubljana is worth visiting: The Triple Bridge, Preseren Square, the pink Franciscan Church, the Central Market and the Town Hall.

If you are into museums, the area between the river and Tivoli Park is great. There you will find the National Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Opera, among other cultural hubs

Where to stay in Ljubljana – Old Town

📍Budget Option – Ad Hoc Hostel Next to the river with private rooms and shared dorms.

📍Mid Range Option – Lesar Hotel Angel Four star hotel at the foot of the castle.

📍Luxury Option –The Hotel Ljubljana Luxury rooms right near the water

👉 Where to eat in Old Town: 23 Best Restaurants in Ljubljana for Food Lovers

2. Metelkova – Best for backpackers and free spirits

Metelkova In Ljubljana — Metelkova City Autonomous Cultural Center in the city center

If you want to see something different, bohemian and alternative, the Metalkova area is where to stay in Ljubljana.

This autonomous social centre (created by squatters) in the north of central Ljubljana has become the cultural hub of the city.

This area bursts with colorful street art, alternative galleries, and vibrant nightlife.

Compared to Christiania Copenhagen for hosting diverse lifestyles and incubating subcultures, this is the perfect spot for backpackers, free spirits, and those seeking alternative scenes.

 👉 BIT OF HISTORY: It started in1993 when squatters started moving into old military barracks and over time places became venues for cultural events. For example, the Old Power Plant, old Rog Factory and the Škuc Gallery began hosting events like the Young Lions Festival or the oldest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Europe.   

Where to stay in Metelkova

📍Budget Option – Hostel Celica One-of-a-kind, artistically transformed from an old military prison into a funky hostel.

📍Mid Range Option – Ljubljana Capsule Hotel Small hotel known for their capsule rooms and great location walking distance to the AKC Metelkova Art Center.

📍Luxury Option – Apartma N’Poznam Cosy apartment right in the centre of Ljubljana, set within a short distance of Ljubljana Train Station and Ljubljana Castle

3. Krakovo – best for local charming atmosphere

Stay in Krakovo, Ljubljana — Hradecky Bridge – or Hradeckega Most – in Ljubljana, central Slovenia. One of the first hinged bridges in the world and the only preserved cast iron bridge in Slovenia

Krakovo is only a 10-minute walk south from the old town and offers a quiet, local atmosphere with beautiful architecture. You get the historic feel of Ljubljana but without many tourists.

It was a fishing village a very long time ago and the Ljubljanica river still plays a central role in the area.

There are nice cafes and restaurants to enjoy the views while having a traditional Slovenian cake or sweets, like in Dunajska Pekarna Loni.

This area of Ljubljana is compared to Montmartre in Paris due to its artsy charm.

👉TIP: While you are there don’t miss the Emona House Archeological Park, have a walk across the Hradecky Bridge and catch a sunset near the river. 

Where to stay in Krakovo:

📍Budget Option – Vila Emona Nice apartment with a modern design and stocked with plenty of kitchen essentials.

📍Mid Range Option – Riverside studio 1 The apartment is composed of 1 separate bedroom, a fully equipped kitchenette, and 1 bathroom. A flat-screen TV is provided.

📍Luxury Option – Maison Rue de la Rose Luxury, sustainable eco-friendly apartment.

4. Koseze – best for families and nature lovers

Located on the northern outskirts, this part of Ljubljana is a peaceful residential area away from the city centre, surrounded by nature. It connects to the city centre through the beautiful Tivoli Park and offers plenty of activities for kids.

It is still only a 15-minute bike ride from Ljubljana Castle and the old town.

Things to see/do: explore the network of walking trails, lush natural scenery and the delightful Koseze pond.

Places to stay in this area of Ljubljana mostly include cozy guesthouses or apartments in a relaxed atmosphere away from the touristy spots.

Where to stay in Koseze:

📍Budget Option – Aladin hostel Good price, good location and friendly staff.

📍Mid Range Option – ApartHotel Vila Minka A Baroque-style furnished lobby with elegant furniture reminds you where you are

📍Luxury Option – M Hotel Luxury facilities in front of Tivoli Park

5. Trnovo & Mirje – best for budget travelers and students

If you are a student looking to meet people or a traveller on a budget, you may want to consider Trnovo and Mirje. Many students have moved to this area, creating a little community in the southern suburbs.

Trnovo is unique blend of city life and nature, and one of the best areas to stay in Ljubljana for active people. Surrounded by greenery, it appeals to nature lovers and active travellers who like jogging, cycling, or leisurely walks.

The main attraction is the former residence and studio of the world-renowned architect, Jože Plečnik. Plečnik is the designer of the Triple Bridge and a big influence on the architectural scene of the city.

Where to stay in Trvnovo and Mirje:

📍Budget Option – Simbol Rooms Cheap beds in mixed dorms, free private parking.

📍Mid Range Option – Apartments Trnovo Comfortable flat with any facilities.

📍Luxury Option – Sašo Rooms & Apartments Spacious apartments with city views, terrace and a patio.

6. Ljubljana City Centre – best for entertainment and food

If you want a central place to stay in Ljubljana with easy access to entertainment and food, the city center is a good choice.

This is where I chose to stay in Ljubljana for several days during my visit.

It’s located right across the river from the Old Town but has a more modern feel with a lot of bars, restaurants, shops and the popular attractions like the National Museum of Slovenia and the bustling Preseren Square

You’ll also be closer to the main transport stations and there are plenty of choices for accommodation fitting a range of budgets.

Where to stay in Ljubljana City Center:

📍Budget Option – Viva Rooms Cosy guesthouse with rooms and an apartment.

📍Mid Range Option – City Hotel Ljubljana Popular, great value rooms and castle views.

📍Luxury Option – Grand Hotel Union Eurostars Located right across the city’s main square with art nouveau architecture, plus a pool and sauna.

7. Poljane – best for budget closest to old town

Stay in this small, mostly residential area if you want to save extra money but still be close to the Old Town. It’s a small, mostly residentional area surrounded by the park, the river, Old Town, and the city centre.

While Poljane itself doesn’t have many attractions or things to do, the close proximity to everything else makes it one of the best areas to stay in Ljubljana.

You’ll find budget hotels and hostels, so it’s a very backpacker-friendly neighborhood. Poljane is where to stay in Ljubljana if you want to meet other travellers.

Rooms in Poljane fill up quickly during the peak season, so book in advance to save on your trip.

Where to stay in Poljane

📍Budget Option – Hostel 24 Small, family-run hostel with dorms and private rooms.

📍Mid Range Option – ATIK Rooms Bright, loft rooms with simple furnishings. views.

📍Luxury Option – Hiša Pod Gradom Charming apartment hotel set in a 17th-century building.

8. Tivoli Park area – Best for peace near the center

Tivoli Park, Ljubljana - Pond with Boat — Lake with water lilies and boat in Tivoli Park. Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The Tivoli Park area is a serene and green part of the city just a short stroll from the city center. It’s good for nature lovers with a botanical garden, walking trails, and open areas for picnics.

Plus, it’s only a 10-minute walk to the main part of the city.

Tivoli is the largest park in Ljubljana, but it’s not exclusively nature; Tivoli Castle, Cekin Castle, and Tivoli Hall are historical landmarks right in the park.

The combination of history, peaceful natural surroundings and the castles on site make it one of the main attractions for visitors to Ljubljana.