Getting around Ljubljana

Public transport

Ljubljana city buses are operated by the Ljubljanski Potniški Promet (LPP) (tel: +386 1582 2460; www.lpp.si).

Drivers do not accept cash, so you need to purchase an Urbana card from LPP ticket offices, tourist information centres, newspaper kiosks and post offices to ride any of the buses. Pre-load cash onto the card at the green Urbanomat ticket machines next to any bus stop or top up your Urbana card online. The Urbana Card lets you make as many journeys as you like without additional charge; after 90 minutes it will reset.

Taxis

You can hail taxis on the street or at taxi ranks at the railway and bus stations. Ordering a taxi by phone gets you a lower rate for longer distance trips.

Reputable companies include Taxi Društvo Ljubljana (tel: +386 1234 9000; taxi-ljubljana.si/). They also pickup at the airport, accept cash in all EU currencies and most credit cards.

Driving

Ljubljana is a compact city, so driving isn’t all that necessary. However, if you do choose to get behind the wheel, it’s a pretty straightforward city to navigate, though there are several one-way systems to heed. Parking is available by roadside meter or in one of the city’s numerous car parks.

Car hire

Car hire companies have offices at the airport and in the city centre. Reliable companies include Avis (tel: +386 4236 5005; www.avis.si) and Sixt (tel: +386 1234 4650; www.sixt.com).

Bicycle hire

Cycling is very popular in Ljubljana. During the warmer months, the tourist office (tel: +386 1306 1215; www.visitljubljana.si) organises bike tours of varying lengths and rents out bikes for extended time periods for city exploration.

There is a self-service bicycle hire scheme, Bicike (LJ) (www.bicikelj.si), consisting of more than 40 docking stations located within the greater Ljubljana area. There are many bikes available and the first hour is free. After five minutes of returning a rented bike, you can hire a new one. Weekly rental is also available.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

City Hotel

This three-star property is centrally located with views of the capital’s castle. Transformed by a massive renovation programme a few years ago, City Hotel has extra rooms, restaurants and conference facilities. Neat features include free bikes and free internet access, while the staff are also happy to book local tours. The on-site restaurant offers good-value lunches and dinners, as well as tasty breakfast spreads.

Celica Hostel

Fancy a night in a cell? This large property was once a military prison, but has been transformed into Ljubljana’s coolest lodging, located in the squatters’-paradise-turned-creative-hub that is the Metelkova district. The cells themselves have been converted into small but chic rooms with the help of local and international artists. Don’t miss the great light-filled bar-restaurant. There’s also a museum in the basement detailing the youth hostel’s history.

Hotel Cubo

Perhaps the sleekest hotel in Ljubljana, Hotel Cubo resides on one of the main thoroughfares leading to the city centre. The property claims to be “in the heart of the cultural, scientific and political Slovenia”. While there’s a definite air of sophistication about the place, the staff are friendly and unpretentious. There are 26 spacious rooms, with the furnishings and style boasting modernist touches.

Hotel Park

Offering affordable accommodation just on the edge of the city centre, this refurbished hotel might not win any awards for its tower block design, but it has clean, functional rooms with a touch of style. Free Wi-Fi in the 200 bedrooms and lobby comes in handy. Rooms are not large, but there are family rooms and junior suites for those seeking more space.

Hotel Emonec

The location of this bed and breakfast could not be any better, as this budget hotel is tucked just off the lively Prešeren Square in the city centre. The rooms are basic, but perfectly clean and comfortable. Little extras include bike hire, notebook hire, free Wi-Fi access and the slightly surreal massage chair, the latter available for 15-minute intervals.

Slamič

Much more than the ‘bed and breakfast’ it markets itself as, this cosy abode is housed above one of the city’s most famous cafés. Guests can enjoy excellent breakfasts there, as it’s part of the same business. Rooms are calm and comfortable, sporting creams and browns for a tasteful ambience. This is a good option for those looking for a conveniently located, cheap hotel in Ljubljana.

Introducing Ljubljana

While you’re there

Plan your trip

Slovenia Information

Airports