Slovenia : Safety by CityLjubljana is the capital of Slovenia, a truly charming city full of independent artist shops, museums, and galleries.
It has a population of around 300,000, which makes it one of the smallest capital cities in Europe.
One of the great things about Ljubljana is the fact that it lacks the world-famous attractions typical for European capitals, and here’s why that’s so great: instead of feeling obligated to visit them all – you feel free to stroll around and feel the true spirit of the city.
There’s no need to hectically run from one place to another, taking photos in tourist spots: the city is a tourist spot itself.
Warnings & Dangers in Ljubljana
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Overall, Ljubljana is a very safe city to travel to. Violent crime is rare and petty theft should be your only concern, so make sure you watch out for the pickpockets and bag snatchers!
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Transportation in Ljubljana is generally safe and reliable, but it is advised to be careful in public transportation since that's where pickpockets operate. Also, there have been reports of taxi drivers ripping off people at airports and railway stations, so negotiate your price before getting in the vehicle, or just avoid taxis that don't have meters.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpockets are an issue in Ljubljana, but it shouldn't be too big of a problem if you take precaution measures, such as keeping your valuables in a safe place, not carrying all your money in the same place, and not carrying anything valuable in an easily accessible part of your outfit.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There are no significant threats of natural disasters in Ljubljana, except for occasional tremors, since Slovenia is on an earthquake fault line.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Mugging or kidnapping aren't common in the capital of Slovenia, but it is still recommendable to avoid poorly lit and deserted areas and to not accept drinks from strange people, although drink spiking is not common either.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Ljubljana's recent history, these types of attacks shouldn't be ruled out, so be aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
As in any other tourist destination, there is the risk of getting scammed. Always check your change twice, negotiate the price of every service beforehand, and ask around about the real prices of services and other goods.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Traveling alone in Ljubljana shouldn't represent a problem for women. The city is incredibly safe and since it's so small, it is very easy to get around. Just avoid poorly lit and deserted areas and walking alone at night, with a few more basic precaution rules and your trip should go smoothly.
So... How Safe Is Ljubljana Really?
Ljubljana is completely safe to visit; some even say it’s the safest capital in Eastern Europe.
The city center is now more or less completely closed for pedestrians and packed with tourists from all over the world.
Crime rates are generally low and your biggest concern will be petty theft or bag snatching on the streets.
Violent crime is generally very low and decreasing yet.
The crime rates, in general, vary depending on the area of the city: Šiška (northwestern side) has 500% more police interventions (police stats 2015) than Bežigrad (northern side) but that doesn’t mean you’re not safe walking around.
Still, as mentioned, the biggest problems for tourists in Ljubljana and all of Slovenia are pickpockets so it is recommended that tourists pay attention when in crowded areas or tourist landmarks and especially when in public transportation.
Also, you might encounter a problem with local taxi drivers.
Even though in general, most taxi drivers are honest and reliable, there have been reports of taxi drivers ripping off tourists at airports or train stations
Another issue in Ljubljana is car break-ins and theft.
If you’re not in a position to park your car in your hotel or a residential garage, then try and park it somewhere where there is plenty of light and pedestrians around at all times.
How Does Ljubljana Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Ljubljana | 77 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
Useful Information
Visas
Generally, a visa is not needed for any stays shorter than 90 days, though some nationalities will need a valid EU Schengen visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of return. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Slovenian embassy.
Currency
Euro is the official currency in Ljubljana since Slovenia is a member of the EU. ATMs are widely available, and credit, as well as debit cards, are accepted by most businesses and establishments throughout the country.
Weather
Ljubljana has a continental climate, characterized by cold winters and warm summers. Average temperatures range from are -2° in January to 21° in July.
Airports
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, also known as Brnik Airport, which was its previous name, is the busiest international airport of Ljubljana. It is located near the village of Brnik, 24 km northwest of Slovenia's capital city.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Ljubljana, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Ljubljana Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 2 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 3 |
| Low °C | -4 | -2 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 1 | -3 |
| High °F | 36 | 41 | 50 | 59 | 68 | 73 | 79 | 77 | 70 | 61 | 64 | 37 |
| Low °F | 25 | 28 | 34 | 39 | 48 | 54 | 57 | 55 | 52 | 43 | 34 | 27 |
Slovenia - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Ljubljana | 77 |
Amazing
I would agree with Ljubljana being the safest capital in Eastern Europe for sure. I have gone too many times to count at this point and I never once felt unsafe. I felt safer here than in my home area just outside of London. Truly beautiful place. If you are reading this and considering going but have safety concerns, trust me. It is safe. I would not say that if I didn’t otherwise feel safe. I think it is important for single female travelers to know this information as well.
Beautiful
It is exceptionally safe as the crime rate is one of the lowest of all EU capitals. The nightlife is vibrant with many bars and pubs to visit with just as many options when it comes to food. The city has also been named the #1 European Green capital as it has the highest percentage of green space per inhabitant in Europe. You can take the boat for a ride in the picturesque Ljubljanica river passing by many historical buildings or go to one of the many museums showing the fascinating history of Ljubljana! The options are almost endless 🙂
My second home - Ljubljana.
As someone who is not Slovene, but has lived in Slovenia for more than 5 years (Now living in Athens, Greece), the safety index should be much higher for Ljubljana. The country itself is really small and there are locals and tourists everywhere. It is very tourist-friendly and metropolitan. Even late at night after a few drinks in Ljubljana, I always left safe, alone, or in company. The only safety risks could be potential protests that don’t happen that often. In the previous years, the number of immigrants has grown in Ljubljana. Especially in the very well-known Metelkova Square where most locals go to party and hang out. The drug problem has risen because of them, as they’re usually the ones who are asking you if you need something. Compared to other small and bigger cities in Europe, Ljubljana is overly safe, and the above-mentioned problems are minor issues of the city. For a better feeling of safety, just use your instincts and common sense. Don’t go to any dark streets late in the night, mine your business if you pass any shady people, and just enjoy yourself. Otherwise very urban, light city that gives you a cozy feeling of home. I miss Ljubljana and I hope I go back to it soon.