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

Should you visit Salzburg or Ljubljana?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Ljubljana, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a recognizable, historic, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a authentic, historic, and charming capital city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Salzburg and Ljubljana: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Ljubljana?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Salzburg than Ljubljana. While Ljubljana is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is better known for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Ljubljana is more popular for its big city activities. Salzburg is more touristy than Ljubljana and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Also, Salzburg is famous for The Salzburg Old Town. Ljubljana is well known for its small town atmosphere in a big city setting that's filled with culture, architecture, and natural beauty.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Ljubljana?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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 Salzburg or Ljubljana? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

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 Salzburg or Ljubljana Better for Nightlife?

Both Salzburg and Ljubljana are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Ljubljana. 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 Salzburg or Ljubljana Better for Music?

Salzburg is renowned for live music. However, Ljubljana is not a live music destination.

Salzburg is known as a music capital around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Ljubljana is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Ljubljana Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its old town.

The old town of Salzburg is one of the most recognized in the world. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Ljubljana is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Ljubljana?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg or Ljubljana Better for Families?

Salzburg is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Ljubljana is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Salzburg is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg or Ljubljana Better for Couples?

Salzburg is renowned for romance. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its romantic activities.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Ljubljana Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Ljubljana are superb destinations for backpackers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Ljubljana is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Salzburg or Ljubljana Better for Students?

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

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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

Salzburg is a great city 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.

Visitors to Salzburg can move around easily with public transportation. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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

Is Salzburg or Ljubljana a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Ljubljana both are superb when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ljubljana or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Ljubljana?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salzburg and Ljubljana. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than in Ljubljana. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ljubljana.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Ljubljana if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Ljubljana?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the quaint city of Salzburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The capital city of Ljubljana offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Ljubljana?

You'll find live music and food around the cultural destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Ljubljana is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this capital city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ljubljana, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Ljubljana?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Salzburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Ljubljana is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Ljubljana?

Salzburg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Ljubljana is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This capital city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, 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 Salzburg and Ljubljana, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive? and Is Ljubljana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Ljubljana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Ljubljana. The summer months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ljubljana this time of year.

In the summer, Salzburg is cooler than Ljubljana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salzburg in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salzburg this time of the year. In the summer, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Ljubljana. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 260 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ljubljana. Salzburg usually gets less rain in July than Ljubljana. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Ljubljana in the Autumn?

Both Ljubljana and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ljubljana for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Salzburg is generally cooler than Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (52°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ljubljana during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Ljubljana in the Winter?

Both Ljubljana and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Ljubljana in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ljubljana can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Salzburg. Salzburg is much colder than Ljubljana in the winter. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Ljubljana fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ljubljana. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 47 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in January than Ljubljana. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Ljubljana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Ljubljana. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Ljubljana for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Salzburg is cooler than Ljubljana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salzburg in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ljubljana during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

Ljubljana receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ljubljana and Salzburg