A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Ljubljana for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Geneva or Ljubljana?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Ljubljana. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a charming, under-rated, and authentic capital city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Ljubljana: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Ljubljana?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Geneva than Ljubljana. While Ljubljana is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Ljubljana is known for its historical sights. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Ljubljana is popular for its small town atmosphere in a big city setting that's filled with culture, architecture, and natural beauty.

How is Geneva different from Ljubljana?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ljubljana and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Ljubljana?

Geneva is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Geneva can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Ljubljana offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Because the city is so compact, it's easy to see the notable landmarks with an easy walk. Famous landmarks include Ljubljana Castle, the Dragon Bridge, and the Franciscan Church.

Is the Food Better in Geneva or Ljubljana? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Geneva is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Geneva. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Ljubljana. The city is surrounded by nature, so there's easy access to wild fruits and vegetables. It also has a lot of locally made honey and traditional, family run restaurants. Popular dishes include local sausage, pražen krompir (a potato side dish) and Slovenian style fried chicken.

Is Geneva or Ljubljana Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Ljubljana has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Ljubljana has a few options to choose from. Given its small size, there are a surprising number of clubs and bars in town. The city has a vibrant energy in the evening, and it's easy to travel from venue to venue on foot.

Is Geneva or Ljubljana Better for its Old Town?

Ljubljana is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ljubljana. The old town is compact with wondering cobblestone streets and historic landmarks. At the heart of the city is Prešernov trg Square, which is where you'll find several notable buildings and nearby Central Market.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Ljubljana?

Geneva is renowned for shopping. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Geneva. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Ljubljana is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has several shopping streets where you can find local and international fashion brands. Many people enjoy shopping for crystal and glass products in the city. Also check out the Central Market which has fresh local food products.

Is Geneva or Ljubljana Better for Families?

Geneva is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Ljubljana is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Ljubljana is not the most family-friendly destination. The city has several good museums including the House of Experiments, which is only open on weekends. There are parks you can explore and it's fun to take the funicular to the castle. You can also take a boat ride which is fun for the whole family.

Is Geneva or Ljubljana Better for Couples?

Geneva and Ljubljana both good destinations for a couple.

Geneva is a nice destination for couples. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Ljubljana makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's one of the more under-rated cities in Europe, but there are a number of romantic activities that you can enjoy here. Explore the old town, wander through the botanical gardens, or take a boat ride along the river. All make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Geneva or Ljubljana Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ljubljana is a great destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Ljubljana. Although its not as popular as many of the more well known cities, this is an affordable option that is great for backpackers and budget travelers.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Ljubljana Better for Students?

Geneva is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for students.

Geneva is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Ljubljana is a good city to visit for students. If you're looking for a unique study abroad opportunity, the University of Ljubljana offers an excellent academic experience in a a lively small city with easy access to nature.

Is Geneva or Ljubljana Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its public transit.

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Ljubljana has a few public transit options. There is a city bus system.

Is Geneva or Ljubljana a more walkable city?

Geneva and Ljubljana both are great when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Ljubljana is a very walkable city. It is compact and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ljubljana or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Ljubljana?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Geneva and Ljubljana. In our opinion, Geneva has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Geneva than Ljubljana. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Geneva than Ljubljana. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Geneva, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Geneva than Ljubljana. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Geneva that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Geneva or Ljubljana?

People visit Geneva because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Geneva has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ljubljana. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Ljubljana?

People visit Geneva because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Ljubljana is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Ljubljana?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the professional city of Geneva. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ljubljana. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Ljubljana?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Ljubljana. This capital city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Ljubljana, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Ljubljana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ljubljana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ljubljana and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Ljubljana.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is Ljubljana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Ljubljana, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Geneva or Ljubljana?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Geneva or Ljubljana in the Summer?

Both Ljubljana and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ljubljana for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Ljubljana in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Ljubljana fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Ljubljana, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Ljubljana. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 260 hours of full sun.

Ljubljana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Geneva usually gets less rain in July than Ljubljana. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Ljubljana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Ljubljana. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ljubljana because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Geneva is around the same temperature as Ljubljana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Ljubljana during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ljubljana receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Geneva usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Ljubljana in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Ljubljana. The winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ljubljana this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ljubljana in the winter. The weather in Geneva can be very cold. In January, Geneva is generally much warmer than Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Ljubljana. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 47 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in January than Ljubljana. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Ljubljana in the Spring?

Both Ljubljana and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ljubljana for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Ljubljana in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Ljubljana fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ljubljana during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. In April, Geneva usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ljubljana and Geneva