Accommodation
The majority of Ljubljana’s
hotels
are patronized by business people, and with prices that reflect this. Most establishments are pretty central and can be easily reached on foot from the train and bus stations. The city now has an excellent clutch of
youth hostels
, most of which have internet and kitchen facilities – where breakfast is not included in the price, expect to pay around €5. If you can’t bag a bed at any of these, there are four clean and well-run
student hostels
(
Dijaški dom
), with beds available between mid-June and August. P
rivate accommodation
is another option – if this is your preferred choice, head to the tourist office on Stritarjeva, who should be able to arrange something close to the centre.
The castle
Opposite the market, Študentovska ulica winds up the thickly wooded hillside to the castle, originally constructed in the twelfth century, its present appearance dates from the sixteenth century, following an earthquake in 1511. Climb the clock tower for a superlative view of the Old Town below and the magnificent Kamniške Alps to the north. A funicular railway provides a more sedate route up and down the castle hill.
Eating and drinking
The streets of Ljubljana’s Old Town are packed with restaurants to suit all budgets. The best choice for bargain snacks are the many kiosks and stands near the stations and scattered elsewhere throughout town, selling burek, hot dogs and the local gorenjska sausages. There’s a lively food market on Vodnikov trg (closed Sun) where you can pick up tasty seasonal produce. On summer evenings the cafés and bars that line the Ljubljanica spill out onto the riverbanks.
Entertainment and events
Ljubljana has a busy cultural calendar of dance, music and theatre at its purpose-built venues, as well as some exciting annual festivals.
Cankarjev Dom
Prešernova cesta 10 01/241-7100, www.cd-cc.si.The city’s cultural headquarters, hosting major orchestral and theatrical events, art exhibitions, and folk and jazz concerts.
Druga Godba
01/4308-260, www.drugagodba.si.This annual world music festival in May features concerts at atmospheric venues throughout the city.
International Summer Festival
01/241-6026, www.ljubljanafestival.si.A programme of orchestral concerts at major venues. July to mid-Sept.
National Opera and Ballet Theatre
Župančičeva 1 01/241-1740, www.opera.si.An impressive nineteenth-century Neoclassical theatre staging ballet and opera.