One of the less pleasant surprises awaiting visitors to Ljubljana is the scarcity of public Internet access in this city. Although a few local bars sport an online computer or two, there's really nothing here to match the slick Internet cafes found in most European capitals.

Fair enough, but where are travelers to this otherwise visitor-friendly city supposed to check their e-mail, or consult Ljubljana Life and find out what's going on? In answer to this burning question, we've compiled a basically exhaustive list of places in town which offer the general public access to the Net.

Cyber Cafe, Slovenska 10, 01/421 94 20

Four online computers in a cramped bar on Ljubljana's main drag. 200 SIT for 15 minutes, 400 SIT for 30 minutes, 600 SIT for 1 hour. Open Mon to Thurs 7am to 11pm, Fri 7am to midnight, Sat 11am to midnight.

Cyber Cafe Xplorer, Petkovškovo nabrežje 23

Not much of a cafe here, aside from the vending machine variety, but you will find a dozen or so internet-enabled computers, each sporting an 8Mbit/s DSL connection.

DrogArt Info Point, Kolodvorska 20, 01/439 72 70, [email protected], www.drogart.org

Four online computers in an attractive setting opposite the train station. Visitors get 15 minutes free or pay 400 SIT for maximum one hour. Otherwise the computers here are for members only (1,900 SIT per annum). Open Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm.

Gostilna Nobile, Zarnikova 3

Two online computers in a slightly off-center bar and eatery. Free access although sitting next to the lav may not be the ideal setting for most surfers. Open Mon to Sat 7am to 10pm.

City Hotel Turist, Dalmatinova 15, 01/234 91 30, [email protected], www.hotelturist.si

This downtown hotel has only one online computer to offer, but it's available 24/7. The cost is 220 SIT for 20 minutes.

Kiberpipa (Cyberpipe), Kersnikova 4, [email protected], www.cyberpipe.org

Ljubljana's new "center for cybernetic culture" boasts 6 online computers. You can also plug in your laptop. Online time is free of charge and (in theory) unlimited. Be sure to ask about lectures and other activities here. Open Mon to Fri 10am to 10pm.

Knjižnica Oton Župančič (Oton Župančič Library), 01/291 23 96, www.lj.oz.sik.si

Strictly speaking, the local library's cyber-branch is for members only. But since it's located in the pedestrian underpass at the railway station, they get tourists dropping in all the time. So they'll give you 15 minutes online for free - maybe more if you ask nicely. Open Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm.

In a pinch you can also check e-mail (and send e-postcards adorned with your picture) at the two info-points situated just outside the main tourist office on the south side of Prešernov trg. They're available at all hours, and OK if you don't mind tapping on smudged windows.

As a last resort, there are online computers on almost every floor of the Faculty of Arts building on Aškerčeva Street. Incredibly decrepit and slow-moving, they're basically meant for students only. But people generally understand that if you're trying to use the Net here, you must truly be desperate.