Ljubljana or Zagreb: Which City Should You Visit?

Should you visit gorgeous Ljubljana or lively Zagreb on your next trip to the Balkans or Central Europe?

Both of these capital cities are located within about 2 hours of each other but can offer significantly different things to travellers.

In general, choose Ljubljana if you’d like a fairy-tale-like Old Town that is completely pedestrianised. On the other hand, choose Zagreb for a metropolitan urban centre with grittu vibes and several interesting attractions.

Ljubljana

Quaint and compact, Ljubljana is one of Europe’s most charming capital cities. Blessed with beautiful architecture and a lovely, pedestrianised old town, Ljubljana can instantly take a traveller’s heart.

Accessibility

Ljubljana is located in Central Europe and is easy enough to reach overland from numerous nearby cities, including Vienna, Venice, and Zagreb. You can browse bus & train timetables here.

It is also home to its own international airport, however, it’s quite small and there aren’t many connections, so it can be a bit inconvenient to visit if you’re just planning on heading there as a city break.

Once in Ljubljana, you will find that the city centre is gloriously compact, flat and walkable. In fact, the Old Town is completely pedestrianised and has been for over a decade. It is also quite small, so you can easily get around from one end to the other on foot.

If you want to go up to Ljubljana castle, which is situated on a hill overlooking the city, it is also worth knowing that there is a funicular that can take you up the hill, so you don’t need to worry about hiking up the steep pathway.

Because of how small Ljubljana is, it is entirely possible to explore all of the main tourist attractions on foot without the need for public transit or having your vehicle. The pedestrianised Old Town also makes for numerous lovely street-side cafes to relax in without having to add on traffic noise.

Affordability

When it comes to prices, Ljubljana does come out slightly more expensive than Zagreb.

While Ljubljana certainly isn’t the most expensive capital city in Europe, prices in Slovenia and its capital city more closely mimic those of its western European neighbours in Austria than prices in other Balkan countries.

Accommodation is where you will see the highest prices in the Slovenian capital, as the city imposes nightly tourist taxes on top of the nightly rate which can increase the cost per night significantly. If you want to stay in a mid-range hotel in the centre or Old Town, expect to pay around €100-150 per night depending on the season.

Hostel dorms in Ljubljana are likely going to be the cheapest option if you’re pinching pennies, with dorm beds starting from €15-25 per night.

There are certainly ways that you can save money on accommodation in Ljubljana, however, if price is a major determining factor, you will find that Zagreb is generally the more affordable city.

In regards to things like meals and drinks, you will find that prices between Ljubljana and Zagreb are about the same and, depending on where you go, it can be fairly affordable to eat out or go for a beer or glass of local wine in Ljubljana.

Things to Do in Ljubljana

Though small, there are a lot of things to do in Ljubljana and you could easily keep yourself occupied for a day or two in the city.

The city itself is incredibly walkable and you could lose yourself for an entire day just wandering through the cobbled streets of the old town. There are also numerous attractions, historic sites and museums to visit in the city that are sure to keep you occupied for a couple of days, as well.

Many people also tend to use Ljubljana as a base to explore other areas of Slovenia and as the country is quite small, it is easy to reach a lot in just a couple of hours from the capital.

If you want to spend a bit longer in the capital and be able to see a lot of Slovenia, then it can be worth choosing to visit Ljubljana over Zagreb for this reason.

Places like the famous Lake Bled are only a stone’s throw away and you can also venture to the charming city of Maribor, the seaside town of Piran, or even to the famous Postojna Cave all as day trips from Ljubljana.

Ljubljana also has a certain charm to it and will definitely invite you would be remiss if you didn’t allow yourself the time to enjoy the city’s ambience by kicking back and people-watching at a cafe along the lovely Ljubljanica river.

All in all, there are lots of things to do in Ljubljana and it can be a great option to add to your Balkans or Central Europe itinerary, especially if you have an affinity for beautiful architecture and picturesque cities.

Where to Stay in Ljubljana

Bloom Hotel – A good mid-range boutique hotel that is located within easy walking distance of Ljubljana’s main attractions. They have a range of clean and comfortable rooms and a great breakfast included in the price.

City Hotel Ljubljana – This boutique hotel is the perfect option if you’re after a bit more luxury. Located in the centre, you can reach everything of interest on foot easily. There are numerous plush rooms available and a delicious breakfast included in the nightly rate.

Hostel Celica – A great option for budget or solo travellers, they have both private and dorm rooms available. It is also centrally-located and equipped with great common areas.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Ljubljana hotels!

Zagreb

Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, is a city that often gets passed over in lieu of Croatia’s coastal metropolises like Split or Dubrovnik. A bit more trendy and edgy than Ljubljana, Zagreb is an excellent place to visit for couple of days as it can give you a perfect glimpse of the many different sides of Croatia.

Accessibility

Zagreb is home to Croatia’s busiest international airport and it is the place where many travellers to this Balkan nation will begin their Croatia itineraries. The airport serves a number of major European airlines, however, including budget favourite Ryanair, making it a more viable destination for a city break than Ljubljana.

However, Zagreb is well-connected by both bus and train to cities like Belgrade, Budapest and, of course, Ljubljana. It is also easy to get virtually anywhere in Croatia from the capital city, meaning that it still serves as the perfect jumping-off point for a trip through this Adriatic nation.

Once in Zagreb, you will find that the city centre isn’t quite as compact and easy to navigate as Ljubljana, however, there is an extensive public transit network that’s easy to use and very affordable.

The Old Town is small enough to see entirely on foot, however, it’s worth noting that there are significant hills that may prove daunting for those who have mobility issues.

If you want to explore any areas outside of the Old Town, it is super easy to use the bus and tram network in the city.

Google Maps has great transport details and you can purchase tickets from any newsstand kiosk around the city — just make sure to validate your ticket in the machines once you’re on the bus or tram!

Affordability

If affordability is a major determining factor when it comes to choosing between Zagreb or Ljubljana, then Croatia’s capital certainly has the upper hand.

While it isn’t the most affordable capital in all of Europe, Zagreb is perfect for budget-minded travellers and you can easily experience the city to its fullest while travelling on a shoestring.

Like elsewhere, accommodation is going to be the most expensive aspect of costs in Zagreb, however, you’ll find prices to be about 20% less than in Ljubljana and more if you stay a bit further from the city centre.

Food prices in Zagreb are low and you can eat a high-quality meal for two for no more than about €15-20. There is also a great craft beer scene in Zagreb and you can get a pint of a local microbrew for quite low prices, as well.

There are lots of museums that are of interest in Zagreb, as well, and entry into those will land somewhere around €5-10, with discounts available for students and seniors.

Things to Do in Zagreb

Zagreb is quite a small city when it comes to tourist sites and while it isn’t as compact as Ljubljana, it still packs a fair amount to see and do within it.

There are a fair amount of sights to see and museums to visit, however, it is quite a small city and you can easily see the vast majority of what Zagreb has to offer tourists within the span of about a day.

All of the main highlights of the Old Town are within easy walking distance of each other, however, it is also very much worth taking the time to get lost and exploring Zagreb on its own.

Take the time to see sites like the Stone Gate, St Marks Church, and take in the views from St Catherine’s Square and also make sure not to miss the interesting and unique Museum of Broken Relationships.

If you want to spend more than one full day in Zagreb, the city is also well-suited to go on some day trips to other areas in Croatia — most notably to the incredible Plitvice Lakes National Park. Alternatively, you could visit a few more of the museums or let yourself wander and people watch from the numerous streetside cafes.

One thing worth mentioning is that if you plan to visit during the month of December is that Zagreb has one of the biggest and most elaborate Christmas markets in all of Europe.

If this is something that appeals to you, then it can definitely be worth it to visit the Croatian capital during this season.

Where to Stay in Zagreb

Casablanca Boutique B&B – A cosy boutique hotel, this is a great mid-range option in the city centre. They have a range of clean and comfortable rooms available and a fantastic breakfast included in the price.

Hostel Mali Mrak — The perfect option for budget and solo travellers, this small hostel offers both dorm and private rooms available. They also have great common areas and a helpful and friendly local staff.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Zagreb hotels!

Ljubljana vs Zagreb: The Verdict

Ljubljana is an excellent choice for those who have a slightly higher budget are and want to enjoy the classic charms of a Central European city. It is an altogether prettier city than Zagreb and it is also great for those who are architecture fans.

Zagreb is a great option for budget-conscious travellers or for those who want to avoid tourist crowds a bit more — it is slightly lesser visited than Ljubljana.

It has a more edgy and creative vibe than Ljubljana and though it isn’t as obviously picturesque, it certainly has its own unique charm.

All in all, both Zagreb and Ljubljana have a lot to offer visitors and have different aspects that make them appealing to different types of travellers. Whichever you choose to visit, one thing is for certain — you won’t be disappointed!

Are you decided whether to visit Ljubljana or Zagreb? Have you been to either city? Let us know in the comments!