Nestled in the heart of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled offers a breathtaking natural landscape, making it an ideal choice for your upcoming getaway. Bled really is the best of Slovenia offering some of the most picturesque views in the country. So in this Bled travel guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before you go including how to get there, where to stay, and the very best things to do in Bled Slovenia!
We stayed in Bled for 4 nights exploring the beautiful lake, the stunning gorge, and all of the incredible mountains that surround this charming town. In our experience, booking 3-4 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Bled to enjoy both the lake and the surrounding mountain areas.
Check out our full video Lake Bled travel guide below!
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How to Get to Lake Bled from Ljubljana
Lake Bled is only 54 km (33 miles) north of the capital Ljubljana. To get there, you can either take the bus, rent a car, or take a tour. You can take the bus from the Central Bus Station in Ljubljana. Buses leave every hour and the journey takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. The only drawback of taking the bus is that you will not be able to easily see all of the options on our to-do list. This is why we chose to rent a car.
Renting a car allowed us to make stops to see Kranj and Skofja Loka along the way. Plus, it allowed us to see more remote lake districts as well. If you enjoy having the freedom of driving yourself, you can find very affordable Slovenia car rentals here!
Although we did prefer to drive ourselves, if you are short on time, you can also see Lake Bled as a day trip from Ljubljana. Get Your Guide has some great tour options that will take you to Lake Bled to see the most popular locations in just one day. You can explore those options below!
The Best Things to Do in Bled
Lake Bled is filled with lots of fun activities including swimming, paddle boarding, and hiking just to name a few. So, here’s our list of the best things to do in Bled.
1. Lake Bled
Naturally, the first thing you want to do when you get to Bled is to see the beautiful lake. This glacial lake is gorgeous from every angle and will captivate you in every way. It is possible to take a stroll around the entire lake if you dare. The 6 km (4.9 mile) loop takes about one and a half to two hours to complete, possibly more if you make stops along the way for pictures.
2. Bled Castle
At over 1,000 years old, Bled Castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia. However, the thing we loved most about this castle was the fantastic view of Lake Bled.
Bled Castle has one of the best views in the city. Plus, it has an interesting museum, a chapel, and a winery. Included in your castle admission is a sample of one of their wines and it was absolutely delicious. So, if you are into wine, great views, and learning the history of Bled, then make sure to visit Bled Castle. Click here to check Bled Castle’s current hours and prices.
3. Sail to Bled Island
Next, we highly recommend sailing to the picturesque Bled Island, the cute island in the center of the lake. They do not allow motorized boats on the lake so you will either have to rent a row boat, kayak, paddle board, or join a shared pletna boat cruise.
Pletnas are shared boats rowed for you, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful lake views. The pletna boat cruise costs about €18 euros per person, and it takes about 15 minutes to arrive on the island.
Once on the island, you will have around 45 minutes to explore which is plenty of time because it will take you only 10 minutes to stroll around the entire island. You can also go inside the church to see the lovely artwork and to ring the bell. Evidently, the bell is lucky and has been known to grant a wish or two. It does cost an additional €13 euros to enter this church. The island also has a small cafe where you can enjoy a beverage if you have any time remaining.
Alternatively, you can rent a kayak or paddle board at Velika Zaka Beach and row yourself to the island if you would like more time and freedom to come and go as you please on the island.
4. Velika Zaka Beach
If you want to swim in Lake Bled, you can only do so at designated beaches. Velika Zaka Beach is a great beach for swimming, picnics, and renting kayaks and paddleboards. It’s the perfect place to lounge around and enjoy the fantastic view of Bled Island.
5. Ojstrica Hiking Trail
Just a few meters from Velika Zaka Beach is Ojstrica Hiking Trail. This somewhat steep hike takes about 20-30 minutes but rewards you with an incredible view of Bled Island. The view here is even better than at Bled Castle as it’s perfectly symmetrical with Bled Island directly in the center. As long as you are willing to earn this view with a little sweat equity, then it’s definitely worth it!
6. Vintgar Gorge
Vintgar Gorge is part of Triglav National Park and is one of the most popular destinations in Bled. Because of its popularity, expect long lines to get in, but don’t worry. It’s definitely worth the wait! Seeing these towering mountains beside you and listening to the sound of the water rushing below you will excite your senses. You will see the rapids and the waterfalls. The water is so clear you can see the fish swimming meters below the water. It was truly amazing!
Tickets were €10 euros per person but you can check current Vintgar Gorge prices and hours here. The gorge walking trail is 5.7 km (3.5 miles), and the gorge is over 250 meters deep. It takes about 85 minutes to complete the loop, but you definitely should allow a lot of extra time for pictures. You will be in awe at how gorgeous this place is, so allow at least 2-3 hours to complete this trail.
On the way back, we took the trail toward St. Catherine’s Church, and the countryside on this trail is so gorgeous that we can highly recommend this option.
7. Vogel Cable Cars
Another interesting option is to take the Vogel Cable Cars up to see Lake Bohinj and Triglav Mountain. At the top, there is a restaurant, hiking trails, and a stunning viewpoint where you will see an impressive view of the Julian Alps and the famous Mount Triglav.
Mount Triglav is the tallest peak of the range standing at 2864 meters (9396 feet). Plus, this peak is the most famous in the country as Mount Triglav appears on the Slovenian Flag. Although this view is beautiful, I’m unsure if it is worth it. The cable cars cost €29.50 euros per person and if you are just coming for the view, it may not be worth the cost.
8. Savica Waterfall
Another interesting attraction in this area is Savica Waterfall. This 20-minute trail is nice because you’ll get to experience the forest, the mountains, and the waterfall. Be prepared for stairs though! The waterfall is small but lovely and the nature surrounding it is stunning as well. The entry fee for Savica Waterfall is €3 euros, but it is well worth it.
9. Lake Bohinj
Just a 10-minute drive from Savica Waterfall is the beautiful Lake Bohinj. On the day we were there, the water was incredibly still, giving off a glassy, mirror-like impression of the sky and mountains that surround it. Lake Bohinj gave us a very peaceful feeling. We really enjoyed it!
10. Kranjska Gora
On our last day in Bled, we drove 45 minutes northwest to Kranjska Gora which is a good first stop to make on your way to the Soca Valley. Stop at Jezero Jasna which translates to Clear Lake. This stop really lives up to its name with gorgeous clear lake and mountain views.
11. Soca Valley
After soaking up the beauty of Kranjska Gora, we were off to Soca Valley. The drive will keep you thrilled with its gorgeous landscapes but please keep your eyes on the road. The hills here are steep and windy. Plus, you might find yourself in a bit of an obstacle course. Kendra had to avoid bicyclers, sheep, cows, RVs, and the occasional car coming around the bend. Not to mention the road is very narrow. However, the cliffs and the views are spectacular on the way.
As you drive, we encourage you to stop when you see a full parking lot. Full parking lots mean that there is a great view nearby. The Julian Alps and Triglav Mountain peaks will leave a lasting impression on you.
For Soca Valley, it’s also helpful to pick up information at the Triglav National Park Information Center in Trenta. Here, you can get maps and useful information about the trails and viewpoints in this area. We particularly loved the canyon view of Velika Korita Soce. The view of the rapids below was magnificent.
12. Bled Cream Cake
Last but not least, you can’t leave Bled without trying a Bled Cream Cake. This delicious cream cake is both light and rich in flavor. The tasty dessert can be found in almost any restaurant in Bled, however, we chose to have ours with a stunning view of Bled Island at Cafe Belvedere. There’s nothing better than enjoying a sweet treat with a beautiful view!
Other Tour Options in Bled
Want even more activities to do in Lake Bled? Try out these fun options below!
Where to Stay in Bled
When you are traveling to Lake Bled, it is best to stay as close to the lake as possible. It really is the jewel of this region, and you are going to want to spend as much time as possible by the lake. There are many hotels and vacation rentals that surround the lake. You can find the best Lake Bled hotels here!
Is Bled Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Lake Bled is one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever visited! From the majestic castle, to the stunning lake, to several amazing hikes filled with beautiful nature, Bled is a place that should not be missed when you are in Slovenia.
Now that you know about Bled, learn more about these other great Slovenia destinations!
- 17 Things You Will Love to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s Capital
- The Best Caves in Slovenia
- 10 Beautiful Sights in Kranj and Skopja Loka
- 10 Amazing Slovenia Travel Destinations – Bucket List Travel Ideas
- Discover the Seaside Town of Piran Slovenia
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The Julian Alps are such a beautiful backdrop to Lake Bled. I would definitely kayak over to the castle I think – I love kayaking anyway, but having the flexibility to take our time would be ideal. I can’t wait to one day visit!
Such a stunning area! I have yet to visit Slovenia, but this area will be on my list. Hiking, Kayaking, and just admiring the lake sounds like great activities. I am looking forward to exploring.
Vintgar Gorge is absolutely breathtaking! Hiking trails with waterfalls and rapids are my favorite.