A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Villach vs. Ljubljana for Old Town, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Villach or Ljubljana?

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

Should I visit Villach or Ljubljana? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Villach

Villach is a outdoorsy, historic, and nature-filled town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

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.

Villach and Ljubljana: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Villach or Ljubljana?

You'll generally find more things to do in Ljubljana than Villach. Ljubljana is bigger than Villach, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Ljubljana is better known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Villach is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Villach is well known for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square. Ljubljana is well known for its small town atmosphere in a big city setting that's filled with culture, architecture, and natural beauty. Also, Ljubljana is famous for The Ljubljana Castle.

How is Villach different from Ljubljana?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Villach or Ljubljana.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Villach. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

Ljubljana is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Villach or Ljubljana? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ljubljana is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ljubljana area. 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.

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Villach or Ljubljana Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Villach and Ljubljana.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

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 Villach or Ljubljana Better for its Old Town?

Ljubljana is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Villach is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

Is Villach or Ljubljana Better for Hiking?

Villach is a great town for hiking. However, Ljubljana is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Villach for the hiking trails. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Ljubljana is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Villach or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana is notable for its shopping areas. However, Villach is a mediocre town for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ljubljana. 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.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Is Villach or Ljubljana Better for Families?

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

Villach is a very family-friendly destination. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

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 Villach or Ljubljana Better for Couples?

Villach is a great town for romance. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its romantic activities.

Villach is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

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 Villach or Ljubljana Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Villach and Ljubljana are very good destinations for backpackers.

Villach is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

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 Villach or Ljubljana Better for Students?

Ljubljana is a popular place for students. However, Villach is not popular with students.

Ljubljana is a good capital 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.

Villach is not popular with students.

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

Ljubljana is a popular place for its public transit. However, Villach is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

Is Villach or Ljubljana a more walkable city?

Ljubljana is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its walkability.

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

Villach is generally not a very walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Ljubljana or Villach?

How long in Villach or Ljubljana?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ljubljana than Villach 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 Ljubljana.

One day in Villach or Ljubljana?

You'll find nightlife and museums around the town of Villach. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Villach has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Ljubljana, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This capital city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Villach or Ljubljana?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Villach. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Ljubljana, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ljubljana has to offer.

Five days in Villach or Ljubljana?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the nature-filled town of Villach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Ljubljana is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Villach or Ljubljana?

Villach is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ljubljana. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ljubljana. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Villach and Ljubljana, we can see that Villach 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 Villach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Villach 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 Villach Expensive? and Is Ljubljana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Villach or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Villach. When comparing the sizes of Villach 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 Villach 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 Villach or Ljubljana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Villach as well as Ljubljana. Many travelers come to Villach for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Ljubljana in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Villach is around the same temperature as Ljubljana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Villach in July average around 24°C (75°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 Villach this time of the year. In the summer, Villach often gets more sunshine than Ljubljana. Villach gets 288 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 260 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ljubljana. Villach usually gets less rain in July than Ljubljana. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Villach or Ljubljana in the Autumn?

Both Ljubljana and Villach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Villach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Ljubljana for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Villach is generally a little warmer than Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Villach average around 16°C (60°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Villach usually receives more sunshine than Ljubljana during autumn. Villach gets 167 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, Villach usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Villach or Ljubljana in the Winter?

Both Ljubljana and Villach during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Villach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Ljubljana because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ljubljana can be very cold. Villach is much warmer than Ljubljana in the winter. The daily temperature in Villach averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Ljubljana fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Villach often gets more sunshine than Ljubljana. Villach gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 47 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets less rain in January than Ljubljana. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Villach or Ljubljana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Villach and Ljubljana. The spring months attract visitors to Villach because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Ljubljana this time of year.

In the spring, Villach is a little warmer than Ljubljana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Villach in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Villach usually receives more sunshine than Ljubljana during spring. Villach gets 177 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, Villach usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ljubljana and Villach