Lake Bled Guide - what to see and do in Lake Bled, Slovenia | The Common Wanderer

Want to visit Slovenia’s fairytale lake and surrounds?

Our things to do in Bled guide has you covered, includes what to see, know and do, where to stay, and our Bled budget.

Most ‘must visit’ tourism attractions rarely live up to the hype, yet enchanting Lake Bled, Slovenia, with its picture-perfect church on an island, fairytale castle clinging to cliffside set amongst a backdrop of dense forests, verdant meadows and snow-capped mountains, absolutely does.

There’s a tonne of exciting adventures to be had, from mountain biking to hiking in the close by Julian Alps, to admiring that nature scenery from the lake’s edge.

Best of all, as Slovenia is so tiny, Lake Bled is easily accessible from Ljubljana, so for those stretched for time, it’s still possible to see this incredible place in 48 hours, or even just a day trip from Ljubljana.

A victim of its own beauty and tourism success, it’s not surprising to learn that the dreaded perils of over-tourism have affected this small town in Slovenia’s centre. It’s busier than ever, especially in the summer months, and more and more locals are starting to shun the influx of tourism money, keen to return to the glorious past where things were just a little quieter, and there was less impact of the fragile ecosystem.

When we visited recently in autumn, though, the town was quiet, the prices lower, the weather pristine, and the burnt orange hues of the season lit up the lake’s edge. We’re massive advocates of travel during shoulder seasons (either side of peak seasons), and this was just another example of why.

So here’s our guide to Lake Bled, including a 2-day Bled itinerary. This curated guide features the best things to see and do, where to eat, and when to visit, as well as a detailed 48-hour itinerary to help you enjoy the best of this Slovenian gem.

THE BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA

WHERE IS BLED, SLOVENIA?

We all know Bled is in Slovenia, but where exactly?

Bled, and its most famous attraction, Lake Bled, is located in the Upper Carniolan region of northwestern Slovenia.

A town that has grown from its massive tourism industry, it’s located in the picturesque Julian Alps, around 50kms from the capital Ljubljana.

We’ve got all the information on how to get to Bled in our guide further below.

WHEN TO VISIT LAKE BLED

Quite simply, it would be a mistake to visit Bled during July - August. Unfortunately, like most of Europe, it’s just too busy at this time to really enjoy yourself.

Instead of contributing to the problem of over-tourism, plan your visit to Bled during the shoulder seasons of spring/early summer, or autumn.

We last visited Bled in autumn, which we found was perfect. Over this period, the autumnal colours were breathtaking, the crowds thin, and the accommodation slightly cheaper.

We’ve also visited Bled in spring and found this to be highly agreeable, as the meadows are covered in wildflowers, the mountain peaks in snow, and the weather is comfortable (just a little chilly at night).

WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE BLED

When booking our accommodation in Bled, we were a little shocked at the prices throughout the town - it was at least 10-15% more than the rest of Slovenia, and quite a lot more than other places within Europe, such as Croatia or Italy.

For this reason, budget accordingly for Bled, or find cheaper options just outside of the town centre like we did (if you have access to a car).

GUESTHOUSE

APARTMA AMELIE | This beautiful collection of apartments is situated just 5-minutes from Lake Bled, with a peaceful garden and terrace perfect for relaxing. There’s free private parking on site (a must in Bled), and a fully equipped kitchen as well as comfy bedroom and mountain views!

BOOK | Apartma Amelie

HOTEL

VILLA BLED | A charming 4* boutique hotel that’s situated right on the edge of Lake Bled, Villa Bled is a longtime institution and perfect for those looking for a more comfortable stay in Bled.

BOOK | Villa Bled

GLAMPING

GLAMPING RIBNO | If you’re looking for a unique, once-in-a-lifetime stay in Lake Bled, Glamping Ribno is the one for you. This is glamping in the ‘luxurious wooden cabin in the woods’ sense of the word; each a-frame treehouse is furnished with comfy bed, front terrace, and best of all - hot tub!

BOOK | Glamping Ribno

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN LAKE BLED

Bled and surrounds is teeming with things to do, and you could easily stay a week without touching the surface. For some, that might be awesome, but for others, exploring the rest of Slovenia will take priority. And seeing as this is a guide for 48 hours in Bled, we’ll keep it short and sweet.

Below, we’ve listed our personal favourite things to do in Bled - the things we did and loved, and think you’ll love too.

WATCH SUNRISE OVER LAKE BLED

Yeah yeah, getting up for sunrise is hard, we know. But trust us, this is one thing you need to do in Bled.

The lake looks its best during the early hours, as sunlight fills the lake and surrounding hills in a glorious golden glow, and church bells toll, echoing out over the lake. It’s pretty darn amazing.

The best place to watch the magic happen is high above at the Mala Osojnica viewpoint, 645m above the lake. It’s a tough 60min hike from the shores of Bled to the view point, at which point you’ll be greeted with the magnificent views over Lake Bled, Bled Castle and the Julian Alps in the distance.

Alternatively, for a more leisurely viewpoint, head to the eastern end of the lake, overlooking Blejski Otok.

Sunrise overlooking Bled Island, Lake Bled things to do

ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT GENTLY ON LAKE BLED

Probably the most romantic thing to in Lake Bled is to paddle out and around the Blejski Otok (Church Island) and take in the pristine views from the lake (€20 per hour). The boats are easy to paddle (or to row in a never-ending circle!) and the paddle to Bled island takes around 10-15 mins.

If you’d prefer to leave the hard work to someone else, jump aboard a historic pletna boat for a relaxed ride to the island. Boats can be hired/caught from various points around the lake; the most popular departure point being Mlino Port at the south of Lake Bled (or book this Lake Bled tour here).

If you’re keen, we recommend stopping off and exploring the Church of the Mother of God (€6pp entry).

A temple has stood in place on the island for over 1000 years, while the current baroque church and surrounds was built in the 17th century. On the island you can climb the bell tower, and ring the bell for good luck (hence why you’ll hear the bell tolling a LOT during your time in Bled.

EAT A BLED CAKE

When in Bled, do as the locals do… and try the ubiquitous Bled cake (kremna rezina), made of delicious flaky pastry layered with cream and custard.

The Bled Cake is sold just about everywhere in town, but some can be very bland, boring, and made for tourists - seek out Zima Cafe, just near the St. Martina Parish Church for the most delicious version we’ve found.

Mim’s not a huge fan, but Mark absolutely loves it.

A delicious Bled cake is one thing you need to eat in Lake Bled

WALK AROUND LAKE BLED

Morning, noon or night, a walk around the clear blue waters of Lake Bled is simply a 'must do’.

The 6km circular walk is super easy, and provides the most beautiful vantage points at all hours of the day.

If you’re up early to watch sunrise, we recommend continuing your walk around the lake - less crowds and better views!

ADMIRE THE VIEWS FROM BLED CASTLE

Standing perilously above Lake Bled is the medieval Bled castle (€11 entry per adult), which at 1000 years old, is the oldest castle in Slovenia.

As you can imagine, the views from the castle are spectacular, overlooking the deep blue waters of Lake Bled, the forested shores and valleys, and far in the distance the Triglav Mountains.

Inside the castle, there’s plenty to see, including the Romanesque tower, cellars, blacksmiths forge, and a museum which traces the history of Bled’s complete history, from the Middle Ages to its rise as a tourism destination.

To get there, we recommend hiking up from the base of the castle via one of the three trails (look out for ‘Grad’). Each is a steep incline, but with epic views awaiting, it’s worth it (that, and you’ll burn off all that Bled cake…)

BOOK | This one day Lake Bled and Bled Castle guided tour

GET AN ADRENALINE RUSH ABOVE BLED

We’re all young at heart (or maybe it’s just Mark?!), so a little adrenaline rush never goes astray. You can get your adrenaline fix at Straža Bled, the hill overlooking the main part of town.

From spring to autumn you can toboggan overlooking one of the most picturesque locations in the world.

Fly down the 500m run, dropping over 100m in elevation and reaching a top speed for 40km/h, then jump aboard the chairlift and do it all again (€8 per adult, per run).

If you come in winter, it’s possible to ski down the slope.

GO FOR A SWIM

With water so blue and so inviting, you could be mistaken for thinking Lake Bled’s waters were part of the Mediterranean - yet the lake sits right in the heart of Slovenia. Fortunately, these waters are made for swimming, with a number of well appointed and picturesque bathing locations dotted around the lake.

Apparently, the cool, mineral-rich waters of the lake have healing powers, hence the rise of health tourism in Bled during the early 20th century. A swim in the lake after a long hike or bike (or just to escape the hot summer temperatures) is the perfect remedy to heal those aching muscles.

Grajsko kopališče is the public beach, which sits right underneath Bled Castle. The bathing area is over 300m long, and has four swimming pools, while there are also over 100 change rooms and lockers; perfect to swim safe and sound.

It’s worth noting that each bathing location is compliant with strict environmental standards (we were a little worried swimming might negatively affect the pristine lake), however things may be changing, with the lakes ecosystem starting to show signs of strain (read more here).

It’s for this reason we recommend swimming only in the appointed swimming areas.

EXPLORING BEYOND BLED

EXPLORE VINTGAR GORGE

Just outside of Bled is Vintgar, Slovenia’s most spectacular gorge (entry €4 per adult). Situated in dense forest, the gorge was created over millennia as the Radovna river slowed eroded the rock.

It’s super easy to hike through, too - just follow the 2km boardwalk that hugs the rock face and criss crosses through the fast-flowing turquoise waters of the gorge, ending at the rushing 13m tall Sum Waterfall. We recommend taking the circular route and end with a hike through the beautiful woodlands, before arriving back at the starting point.

A visit to Vintgar Gorge is a super half-day trip from Lake Bled. We hired bikes in Bled to cycle to Vintgar, however you can take the public bus, or join a tour.

BOOK | This self guided e-bike tour of Vintgar Gorge and surrounds

HEAD TO LAKE BOHINJ

Sure, Lake Bled is beautiful, but Bohinj, just a short 30 minute drive away, is our favourite place is Slovenia.

Nestled in the foothills of the Triglav National Park, the crystal-clear expanse of water is primarily surrounded by nature, giving it a more authentic, untouched feel than its big sister. What it lacks in main tourist sites it makes up for in outdoor pursuits, with a huge array of hikes (both day and multi-day), cycling, kayaking, and swimming.

Bohinj really comes alive in Autumn, when the shores of the lake and surrounding hills are covered in a thick burnt-orange cloud of foliage - it’s honestly one of the most beautiful sights we’ve ever seen.

Here are the best things to do around Bohinj:

Hiking | Some of Slovenia’s best hikes start right here in Bohinj. Try the multi-day Seven Lakes hike, or head up into the hills to Dom na Komni mountain hut for the perfect day hike

Historical church and bridge | Visit the 700 year old church of St. John the Baptist located next to the historical stone bridge in Stara Fužina

Savica Falls | Take the short 20 min walk to the beautiful Slap Savica (€3pp entry), enjoying the beautiful natural environment while you’re at it

Lake Bohinj boat tour | Jump aboard one of the pretty wooden boats for a tour of the lake

Sunset | Bohinj has some epic sunsets, but for the best views hike to the viewpoint at Hill Peč to enjoy panoramic views over Lake Bohinj

PLANINI ZAJAMNIKI

Situated in the dense forests of the Triglav National Park about 45mins outside of Bled, lies the idyllic alpine village of Planina Zajamniki.

Made up of beautiful wooden alpine cabins and farmland (planina means pasture land in Slovenian), the village is extremely picturesque, with the towering Julian Alps visible in the distance.

It’s nigh on impossible to access the area by car (believe us, we tried), so we recommend hiking for 1.5 hours into the village from Rudno Polje (here’s a map of its location).

It’s a tough walk, but well worth it. Remember to take food and water as there are no restaurants in the area.

OUR 48-HOUR LAKE BLED ITINERARY

DAY #1 | LAKE BLED ITINERARY

SUNRISE

Rise and shine… we recommend starting your 48 hours in Bled the right way - by waking up and watching the sun rise over famous views from Mala Osojnica.

Enjoy the early morning silence as you watch the sun turn the valley gold and light up the magnificent Lake Bled, Bled Castle and the Julian Alps in the distance.

The hike can be tough in the morning, with a 200m elevation gain however the 60min hike is worth it for the views. Starting near Camping Bled on the west of the lake (here), follow the path into the forest until you come across a sign for Ojstrica. Here, you should turn right and follow the path towards the viewpoint (read this post for a detailed guide).

If you’re not up for the hike, head to a viewpoint on the east of the lake for the best photography viewpoints and viewing locations.

MORNING

After your morning hike, we recommend continuing on the path around the lake, heading north towards Bled Castle. The walk is flat and easy, giving you more opportunities to admire the surroundings as you take in Bled Island from more vantage points.

As you arrive on the eastern side of the lake, check out the beautiful St. Martina Parish Church, before dropping into Zima cafe for the best-Bled cake in the whole town (seriously…!). The Bled cake at Zima takes the cake (pun intended) due to its fresh and crispy pastry and delicious cream and is by far the best we’ve had in Slovenia. While you’re at it, treat yourself to a coffee to wake you up for the rest of the day.

AFTERNOON

After lunch in town, hire a row boat or jump aboard a Pletna cruise, and head out to majestic Lake Bled island and explore the Church of the Assumption (€6pp entry - departure points found at the Park Hotel, Mlino and Velika Zaka).

The most recognisable icon in Slovenia, the island and church has a long a storied history, so take a tour to learn all about it. While on the island, don’t forget to ring the wishing bell and make a wish (for more Bled cake, perhaps?!), and climb the bell tower to enjoy the views of the lake from above (book your Lake Bled tour here).

From one iconic site to another, take the hike up to the historic Bled Castle for sunset. One of the oldest castles in Slovenia, the castle was first written about in 1011. The medieval church has since undergone additions and restorations and now has a museum, restaurant, cafe and the iconic Roman tower as attractions. But for us, it’s all about those views!

To get to the summit, the hike trailhead commences near Villa Prešeren at the base of the hill. Follow the signs up the path until you get to Grajski vrt, then turn left to arrive at the summit. The hike should take around 15 mins or so, but be warned, it is a little steep, so pack some water just in case.

BOOK | This awesome guided tour includes a visit to Bled Castle and a Lake Bled cruise

EVENING

In the evening, we recommend an early dinner before heading to bed (it’s been a long day!).

While there are hundreds of restaurants in Bled, we recommend heading to Penzion Mlino and trying some traditional Slovenian cuisine. When we first visited (during our meat-eating days), we ate the goulash with dumplings which were really tasty and filling. Washed down with a Laško (local beer) or Slovenian red, and it’s a great way to finish the day.

Alternatively, visit the raft of dining options in town.

the best of slovenia | top things to do in slovenia

DAY #2 | LAKE BLED ITINERARY

MORNING

After a sleep in, hire some bikes in Bled ride out to the beautiful Vintgar Gorge, about 4km from Bled via the town of Podhom (or, take the shuttle bus from/to Bled between mid-June and mid-September from 9am - 1€ pp). The ride to Vintgar is super easy, and passes through many smaller villages and farms, showcasing Slovenia’s beautiful, rustic countryside, with views overlooking the Julian Alps.

The gorge itself is stunning. Surrounded by dense forest, the gushing Radovna river cuts its way through the rock, creating narrow canyons and galleries covered in moss. The 1.6km pathway includes boardwalks allow you to walk over the turquoise river below, and provide awesome photo opportunities during the hike. We recommend arriving to Vintgar Gorge before 9am, before the day-trippers arrive.

Eventually you’ll arrive at Sûm Waterfall and cafe, which denotes the end of the gorge. Instead of retracing your steps along the gorge, we recommend hiking back through the woodlands to Sveta Katerina (St. Catherine Church), near the village of Zasip. It’s a peaceful hike that most tourists ignore, and on a nice day is wonderful - during our visit we actually sat in a meadow for an hour enjoying the surrounds while drinking lemon schnapps we bought from Poland, so bring some lunch/beer and enjoy yourself.

The complete hike takes around 2 hours and is around 6km (click here for hike map).

Take a leisurely ride back into town, stopping at Podhom or Bled for a bite to eat.

AFTERNOON

In the afternoon, we’re going to suggest two options - one for if you have a car, and one without.

If you have a car, we recommend taking the drive to Lake Bohinj, around 30mins from Lake Bled. The drive itself is picturesque, passing through forests, gorges and meadows before arriving at the lake.

Bohinj itself is just as beautiful as Bled, with clear blue waters, towering mountain peaks, and the 700 year old church of St. John the Baptist located next to the historical stone bridge in Stara Fužina.

Take a walk around the part of the lake from Ukanc in the west, heading towards the town of Stara Fužina, admiring the pristine surrounds. There’s also a short 20 min walk to the beautiful Slap Savica (€3pp entry), which is well worth the hike.

If you have time, jump aboard the panoramic tourist boat for a tour of the lake. The hour long cruise (it’s an electric boat so it’s silent, too!) will set you back 8€, but the vistas from the boat are stunning, with english commentary about the history of the area.

Bohinj has some epic sunsets, but for the best views hike to the viewpoint at Hill Peč to enjoy panoramic views over Lake Bohinj.

If you’re car-less, stay in Bled for the afternoon and relax on the shores of Lake Bled, resting your aching muscles with a swim in the lake.

The best place to enjoy aquatic activities is from Grajsko kopališče, right underneath Bled Castle. There are four swimming pools, 2 waterslides, and heaps of change rooms and lockers.

In the later afternoon, head to Straža Bled for an adrenaline fix riding down the toboggan run. Fly down the 500m run, dropping over 100m in elevation and reaching a top speed for 40km/h, then jump aboard the chairlift and do it all again (€8 pp, per run).

EVENING

Depending on your Bled budget, we’ve suggested two options for dinner.

For a more expensive fine-dining affair, head to Garden Village Bled. Run by the Kelih Family, the restaurant focuses on traditional Slovenian cuisine with a modern twist. Using local sourced seasonal ingredients, the food is to die for - rich in flavour and a true culinary experience (mains start from €23). A must-try is the herb-crusted chicken, washed down with a local craft beer (0.5l - €3,70).

Unfortunately, it’s not great for vegetarians, with only a few meat-free options for starters. That being said, the starter options of mushroom soup and squash risotto are very good options.

Alternatively, head to Pizzeria Rustika in the foothills of Bled Castle for a delicious pizza.

Set in a rustic, wooden cabin, Rustika serves a vast selection of pizzas that are almost as good as those in Naples. They’re also huge - we struggled to finish ours which meant leftovers for our train ride the next day!

If you’re visiting in summer, grab yourself a take-away and head down to the lake to enjoy which the most amazing of views.

Pizza’s start from €8.

BLED TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

OUR LAKE BLED BUDGET

Like all major tourism destinations around the world, Bled is kinda expensive.

That’s not to say it’s not affordable, however accommodation, food, parking and tours are at least 10 -15% more expensive here than in the rest of Slovenia.

For those travelling on the cheap (like us), we’d suggest a daily budget of ~€125 per person, per day, including accommodation, food and activities.

Below is a breakdown of our daily budget while in Bled:

Accommodation | €60 (cheaper Airbnb)

Food and drink | €40

Activities + parking | €25

For cheaper accommodation, we suggest staying just outside of Bled in one of the surrounding villages. If your accommodation has cooking facilities, grab some groceries and make your own meals to reduce costs (but definitely still have a Bled cake!).

For those with a bit more money to burn, a budget of €250 per person, per day, would allow for nicer accommodation, and a greater array of activities.

HOW TO GET TO LAKE BLED

Depending on how you’re travelling in Slovenia, there are a number of transport options to Lake Bled.

For those on a budget, the bus is an efficient and cheap options. For those exploring Slovenia by car, it’s a very easy drive.

For more information, see below:

CAR RENTAL

Car rental in Slovenia is actually very cheap (read our road trip guide here). As a result, we highly recommend hiring a car for the duration of your stay in Slovenia.

Car’s can be rented from Ljubljana train station easily, at which point you can drive directly to Lake Bled which takes around 45 mins (56kms).

From Ljubljana, follow the signs to the main highway A2. Drive west on the A2 for around 30 minutes, before taking the Bled turn off and making your way through a number of roundabouts, before finally arriving in Bled.

BOOK | Check prices for car hire in Slovenia here

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The easiest and cheapest way to visit Bled via public transport is by Arriva Bus.

Due to Bled’s popularity, buses leave every 30mins from the main bus station outside Ljulbjana train station (located here). The bus ride takes around an hour and you can find the timetable here.

Ticket desks are located inside the bus station, which is in the centre of the parking lot outside the train station. If you’re running late, you can buy tickets on the bus. At the time of writing, the ticket is €12pp return.

A DAY TRIP FROM LJUBLJANA

If you’ve only got a short amount of time in Slovenia, it’s possible to do a day-trip to Bled from Ljubljana (Mark actually did this over 15 years ago - he’s old!).

Here are a few great tour options to make life easier for you guys, which start from €60 and take 7-12 hours depending on which tour you choose.

BOOK | This tour from Ljubljana takes in all the major Bled attractions and Vintgar Gorge

road trippin’ | our complete slovenia road trip guide

TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN SLOVENIA

Whatever you do, don’t travel through Slovenia without travel insurance, even if you’re the most experienced traveller.

Whether it be a hiking injury, car accident, theft, or lost baggage, things can go wrong in Slovenia, and insurance is your only way of mitigating the issues!

BUY | Click here to get the best travel insurance deals with World Nomads

SLOVENIA TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Travelling through Slovenia comes with a unique set of needs. To help you have a comfortable, happy journey, we recommend bringing the following items with you:

Reusable water bottle | THE BEST INVESTMENT WE’VE EVER MADE! We use the Grayl water purification bottles, which allows us to fill up from any water source, anywhere in the world (including train taps!).
Biodegradable Wet Wipes | Keep clean on hikes without destroying the planet!
Hand sanitiser | not something we’d actually recommend normally, but when hiking it can be a bloody great investment

READ | check out our eco-friendly packing guide to travel through Slovenia consciously and comfortably

PLANNING A TRIP TO SLOVENIA SOON?

Check our these essential posts to help you have the best Slovenia trip ever:

THE BEST OF SLOVENIA | 14 incredible things to see and do in Slovenia

SLOVENIA ROAD TRIP | Our complete Slovenia road trip guide

VRSIC PASS | Our guide to Slovenia’s highest mountain pass

ZELENCI NATURE RESERVE | A quickguide to beautiful Zelenci

TRAVEL INSURANCE | Don’t leave home without travel insurance (seriously, don’t!). Click here to get the best deals with World Nomads, our trusted travel insurance provider

PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe