Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Lovely view of embankment in Ljubljana — Adobe Stock/Velirina

The Heart Of The Country: Ljubljana

Charming, Old World capital-city Ljubljana is the heart of the country, both literally and figuratively. It’s a small city of 272,000 people, but, with easy access to both beaches and ski resorts, it offers the best of all worlds in terms of lifestyle options.

Ljubljana is also a modern city with all the amenities of 21st-century living that manages to retain a small-town charm.

Local farmers bring their produce to market in wooden carts each day.

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Cost Of Living In Ljubljana, Slovenia
Things To Do Ljubljana, Slovenia
Map Of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana, Slovenia – FAQs

Slovenia is nestled among Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia in Central Europe. It’s the second richest of the 13 Slavic countries.

This is a mountainous territory, with 47 kms of Adriatic coastline and a rich aquifer system, much of it underground, that cuts through the limestone in subterranean rivers.

The country is impressively bio-diverse, occupying an enviable position at the center of four major geographic points: the Alps, the Dinaric Alps, the Pannonian Plain, and the Adriatic Sea.

Though this is certainly a First-World country, it’s also refreshingly rural and largely forested.

Slovenia’s past is long and turbulent. This piece of earth has been shuffled among major world powers starting with the Roman Empire, then the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg monarchy. The country was annexed by Germany during World War II, made a socialist republic under Yugoslavia, and finally emerged an independent nation with multiparty democracy in 1991. It went on to gain EU membership in 2004.

This is a nation of resiliency and adaptability, its population hardy and determined.

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Cost Of Living In Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana offers a high quality of life for a low month cost, too. A couple could live here on under US$2,000 a month (under US$1,000 for penny-pinchers).

Monthly Budget For A Couple Living In Ljubljana, Slovenia (Rental Budget)

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Expense	Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent	€ 800	Unfurnished, two-bedroom apartment.
Gas	N/A
Transportation	€ 50	Monthly bus pass (37 euros), plus occasional taxis or trains.
Electricity	€ 150	A/C usage.
Water	N/A
Telephone	€ 20	Bundled with internet and cable; discounts available for seniors. This is the basic triple-play package; opt for additional channels, faster Wi-Fi, or more call time from here.
Internet	N/A	Bundled with phone.
Cable TV	N/A	Bundled with phone.
Groceries	€ 300	Basic items for couple.
Household Help	€ 224	Two four-hour visits per week; 7 euros per hour.
Entertainment	€ 294	This should include the couples’ cost for eating out once a week at a mid-range, local restaurant; (local) drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole; movie theater trip once a month.
Gym Membership	€ 37.50	450 euros for a year membership that allows you to go any time of day; cheaper packages allow for only morning or half-day usage.
Medical Appointment	€ 34	A basic doctor/clinic appointment; per visit.
Total	€ 1,909.50	US$2,242 (as of Oct 2017)

Monthly Budget For A Couple Living In Ljubljana, Slovenia (Ownership Budget)


Expense	Monthly Cost	Notes
Mortgage	N/A	Not included here, as too variable.
HOA Fees	€ 30	20 to 40 euros is typical for condo or apartment buildings; does not apply to standalone houses.
Property Taxes	N/A
Gas	N/A
Transportation	€ 50	Monthly bus pass (37 euros), plus occasional taxis or trains.
Electricity	€ 150	A/C usage.
Water	N/A
Telephone	€ 20	Bundled with internet and cable; discounts available for seniors. This is the basic triple-play package; opt for additional channels, faster Wi-Fi, or more call time from here.
Internet	N/A	Bundled with phone.
Cable TV	N/A	Bundled with phone.
Groceries	€ 300	Basic items for couple.
Household Help	€ 224	Two four-hour visits per week; 7 euros per hour.
Entertainment	€ 294	This should include the couples’ cost for eating out once a week at a mid-range, local restaurant; (local) drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole; movie theater trip once a month.
Gym Membership	€ 37.50	450 euros for a year membership that allows you to go any time of day; cheaper packages allow for only morning or half-day usage.
Medical Appointment	€ 34	A basic doctor/clinic appointment; per visit.
Total	€ 1,139.50	US$1,338 (as of Oct 2017)

Monthly Budget For A Couple Living In Ljubljana, Slovenia (Penny-Pincher’s Budget)


Expense	Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent	€ 400	Unfurnished, two-bedroom apartment.
Gas	N/A
Transportation	€ 37	Monthly bus pass (37 euros).
Electricity	€ 120	A/C usage.
Water	N/A
Telephone	€ 20	Bundled with internet and cable; discounts available for seniors. This is the basic triple-play package.
Internet	N/A	Bundled with phone.
Cable TV	N/A	Bundled with phone.
Groceries	€ 175	Basic items for couple.
Entertainment	€ 150	Bare bones entertainment, eg. more basic dinners at cheaper places, drinking local wine, going to the cinema on discount night, taking advantage of free museum days, etc.
Total	€ 902	US$1,059 (as of Oct 2017)

Click here for currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.
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Things To Do Ljubljana, Slovenia

A historical crossroad of trade routes, it’s home to Germanic, Slavic, and Mediterranean cultures and influences. Plus, Venice is only about two and a half hours away and the country’s small coastal villages are undistinguishable from those of northern Italy.

Ljubljana’s symbol is a dragon, you’ll see it throughout the city. According to legend, Jason and the Argonauts were on their way home with the Golden Fleece and slayed a monster in this area…

Some believe that to be part of the emblem animal’s origin. More likely, though, it’s due to Saint George being the patron saint of Ljubjana Castle.

Ljubljana has as much to offer as any Western European capital in terms of culture. Slovenia has a long and proud tradition of theatre, and its capital is home to many theatres.

The city also boasts loads of museums… for art, culture, architecture, and history. In terms of art, you’ll find whatever suits your taste here, whether contemporary, historical, quirky, or traditional. It’s also a musical center, with many national societies and associations devoted to music in all its forms.

You can also enjoy a number of festivals and events ranging from culinary to art to music to literary.

The city is proud of its annual Ljubljana Festival, which has a history of presenting outstanding artistic events.

The architecturally stunning Ljubljana boasts important Baroque, Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings. The city has been rebuilt several times over after earthquakes. Hostel Celica is a wonderful example of the architectural ingenuity of the city.

The country’s most popular hostel was made from the skeleton of a former Yugoslavian military prison. Guests sleep behind bars, comfortable in artistically designed cells worked over by 80 artists over 10 years. It’s also home to an art gallery and offers a cultural program.

The coast is only about an hour from Ljubljana. Head south to enjoy the olive groves, the breathtaking ocean views, and clean, clear water of the Adriatic… or head 45 minutes north of the city to experience Lake Bled, its small island (Bled Island), the pristine mountains and forests that surrounds the area, the medieval Bled Castle, and the other impressive architecture of art of its shores.

The country is also home to numerous golf courses, six of which are within about an hour’s drive of the city. Slovenia’s mountains are also a premier ski destination within Central Europe, and boasts over 50 ski areas, including several of international significance in the Julian Alps. Krvavec ski resort (with 26 kms of runs), Kranjska Gora, Vogel, and Cerkno are the nearest to the capital, at just about an hour away.

No need for a car here. The bus system in Ljubljana is good, and you can get around by foot, bike, or taxi. During the summer, residents say biking is one of the most pleasant ways to get around the city center (bike lanes are ubiquitous). The heart of the city is pedestrianized, but during summer offers what they call Cavaliers, small electric golf-cart-type vehicles offering transport to elderly residents and visitors, tourists, and parents with children from April to November. There’s also a funicular railway to Ljubljana castle.

Slovenia is home to numerous golf courses, six of which are within about an hour’s drive of the capital city. Slovenia’s mountains are also a premier ski destination within Central Europe, with more than 50 ski areas, including several of international significance in the Julian Alps. Krvavec ski resort (with 26 kilometers of runs), Kranjska Gora, Vogel, and Cerkno are the nearest to the capital, just about an hour away.

Slovenia even has a wine region in the hills around Maribor, also only an hour from the capital. The northeast of the country is home to numerous spas, and the country boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more casinos than any other country in the EU.