Lake Bled is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. Lying in the Julian Alps region of northern Slovenia, it’s framed with picturesque mountain peaks covered in snow, not far from the Austrian border. The lake is like a fairytale, with an island housing a church sitting in the middle of it, and a castle perched atop a cliff looking down on it. I was blown away by its beauty and can’t wait to share all my tips for visiting with you.
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Contents
When to visit & how to get there
When to visit Lake Bled
Lake Bled is beautiful in all seasons, but of course it’s busiest in summer. Visitor numbers in July and August can swell so high there are no boats available and the pathways around the lake are completely clogged.
It’s for that reason I think April, May, September and October are ideal for a visit without the crowds. We went in early April and it wasn’t too busy at all. We traded this for few open restaurants and variable weather but got lucky with a few brief interludes of sunshine.
How to get to Lake Bled
Getting to Lake Bled is simple, and no matter how you arrive you can enjoy some of the beuatiful scenery on your way. The closest airport is Ljubljana, and from there there are multiple ways to reach the lake.
- By Car (best for flexibility): I recommend hiring a car, or you could get a taxi for about EUR50 if you’re not worried about cost.
- From Ljubljana, it takes around 45 minutes (55 km)
- The roads are well-maintained and clearly signposted. You’ll need a Slovenian motorway vignette if you’re using highways- these can be purchased online or at petrol stations.
- Parking in Lake Bled is available, but it fills up quickly in peak season (especially summer). Aim to arrive early in the morning or later in the evening to secure a spot more easily.
- By Bus (best budget option): Buses are comfortable and reliable, and they drop you off close to the lake, making this a very convenient option if you’re not renting a car.
- Buses run regularly from Ljubljana Bus Station
- Journey time: around 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cost: typically €5–€10 one way
- By Tour (best for ease): If you’d rather not worry about transport logistics, guided day tours are widely available from Ljubljana. Most include transport, though I think it’s a shame not to at least stay a couple of days at Lake Bled!
Top Tip: During peak seasons, be sure to book transport in advance as it gets booked up quickly!
Things to do at Lake Bled
There is so much to do in Lake Bled, and you could spend days walking the hiking trails in the surrounding National Park too (it’s home to Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak). Here are some of my highlights.
Walk the full loop around Lake Bled
Cost: Free
Walking around the whole lake is my top thing to do if you’re visiting for just a short amount of time. The full loop is only 6km and will take about 1.5hrs. It’s just SO beautiful though that you’ll need to add on probably another 1.5hrs for photos!!
Hike to Lake Bled’s best viewpoints
Cost: Free
If you’ve seen photos of Lake Bled, chances are they were taken from one of the elevated viewpoints overlooking the lake. These spots offer the classic postcard view of the island, church, and surrounding Julian Alps; and they’re absolutely worth the effort.
Here are the best viewpoints to visit:
- Mala Osojnica is the most famous viewpoint, and for good reason. From here, you get a perfectly elevated view of the lake, with Bled Island centred in the middle and the mountains framing the background.
- Hike time: 20–30 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep and can be slippery)
- Best time: Sunrise or sunset
- The trail starts from the western side of the lake (near the campsite) and climbs fairly steeply through the forest. There are steps and railings in some sections, but sturdy shoes are definitely recommended.
Top Tip: If you only have time for one hike, make it to mala Osojnica. It’s stunning!
- Melika Osojnica (Higher, quieter alternative): If you continue past Mala Osojnica, you’ll reach Velika Osojnica; a slightly higher and less crowded viewpoint.
- Hike time: 40–60 minutes total
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Best time: Sunrise for fewer crowds
- The view is wider and more expansive, though slightly less “framed” than Mala Osojnica. It’s a great option if you want a quieter experience or enjoy a longer hike.
- Ojstrica (Shortest hike, incredible payoff): Ojstrica is the quickest viewpoint to reach, making it perfect if you don’t want a long hike.
- Hike time: 15–20 minutes
- Difficulty: Short but steep
- Best time: Sunset
Take a boat out to Bled island
Cost: Boat tickets cost around EUR15-20 per person, and the boat trip is 20 minutes each way. To enter the church on the island is a further EUR12.
One of my favourite things I did on my visit was to take a boat from the lake short out to the central island. The island has been a site of pilgrimage for centuries, and its easy to see why with its picturesque church. Once on the island it’s a must to ring the church bell and make a wish – apparently it’s then destined to come true.
Visit Bled castle
Top Tip & Cost: You can buy skip the line tickets to Bled Castle in advance if you want to save time on the day! Tickets cost EUR18-25, depending on what you want to explore there.
Bled castle is built high up on the cliff side, and has been there since the 1000s! This incredible historic castle is a must see on a trip, but it’s a bit of a walk to get there and not suitable for people with mobility issues as there are a lot of steps. Once there, there’s a castle museum, a lovely little chapel and the most beautiful views out over the lake.
Eat traditional Bled cream cake
You can’t come to Bled and not try its traditional cream cake. For the last 70 years it’s been a tradition in the area and oh my goodness it’s tasty.
Enjoy a wellness treatment
Another benefit of Bled is that it is known as a spa town, and that means it has lots of options for massages and treatments. We chose to have a couples massage at Ziva Wellness Centre right on the lake shore and also make use of their amazing pool and spas. It was a heavenly way to spend a few hours.
How long is needed at Lake Bled & where to stay
How long to spend in Lake Bled depends on your interests. Many visit just as a day trip from Ljubljana but this means you will only have time to do a couple of things on the list above.
To cover everything in the list above and do it justice needs at least 2 full days. If you’re also interested in the nearby National Park and the wonderful hikes it has to offer then I recommend 3-4 nights in Bled as a base to explore the surrounding area.
Recommended 2 Day Lake Bled Itinerary
- Day 1: Walk the loop around Lake Bled, and take a boat out to the central island
- Day 2: Visit Bled Castle, hike to the viewpoints and enjoy a spa treatment
Where to stay in Lake Bled
If you’re looking for a luxury option during your stay, then I can’t recommend Adora Luxury Hotel, right on the shores of the lake, more highly.
You can read my full review HERE.
Other options include Vila Bled (although this is not open during off season), Rikli Balance Hotel (which is home to the amazing spa we visited), and Grand Hotel Toplice which has a prime spot right on the lake.
So what do you think of Lake Bled? Would you like to visit? It was truly a magical place and I had the absolute best time exploring this truly beautiful little piece of the world. I love Slovenia and if you want to check out my other posts, you can do so:
Stay safe and happy travelling!
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