If you’re spending any amount of time in Slovenia, you should not miss out on a day trip to Lake Bled, one of the country’s most beautiful places.
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Read Also: The Perfect One Week Slovenia Itinerary: Europe’s Hidden Gem
I visited Slovenia with my husband for a short 3 day trip in 2021. I fell in love, and in 2023 went back on a 10 day solo trip, and fell even deeper in love with the entire country. And one of the very best destinations in Slovenia that you must visit is Lake Bled.
You’ve probably seen pictures of Lake Bled, Slovenia even if you didn’t know that’s what you were looking at. The iconic scene of a small church with a terracotta roof set in the middle of a beautiful blue lake in the mountains is what draws thousands of people to Lake Bled every year.
Whether you are spending a few days in Slovenia, or a few weeks, Lake Bled should be a top priority.
What to Know About Visiting Lake Bled
Lake Bled is a mountain lake located in the town of Bled (as the name lets on). In the middle of the lake is a very small island where you’ll find the beautiful Assumption of Maria Church.
You can visit the island and the church either by taking one of the water taxi boats, or by renting your own rowboat and getting there the old fashioned way! Read a little further to get the info about how much this cost us and if I think it’s worth it.
The lake is rather small, and there is a walking trail that circles the perimeter. You could probably walk around it in about 2 hours at a leisurely pace. Plus, there are a few nice park areas along the trail as well!
In the summer, the lake is open for swimming, so be sure to bring your bathing suit and a change of clothes!
If you’re looking for more to do while visiting Lake Bled, looking out over the town and lake is Bled Castle, an amazing medieval castle that offers tours and great views of the surrounding mountains.
Should You Stay in Ljubljana or Bled?
If you’re wanting to visit Lake Bled, you really can stay in either Bled or Ljubljana, but there are some pros and cons to both.
If you have more than just a few days to visit Slovenia, I recommend spending a few nights in Bled. This way, you’ll really be able to enjoy all this town has to offer. If you have just a few days in Slovenia, Ljubljana is a big city and is a great base for day trips. You can very easily get to Bled from Ljubljana for a day trip.
If you’re looking for some R&R, there are a few really nice spa hotels to check out. I stayed at the lovely Hotel Triglav and enjoyed their spa, sauna, and incredible breakfast spread.
Hotel Recommendations
Ljubljana
Luxury – Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel
Mid Range – Petkovšek Rooms and Apartments
Budget – Turn Hostel
Bled
Luxury – Adora Luxury Hotel
Mid Range – Hotel Triglav*
Budget – Bled Hostel
Read Also: Best Way to Spend One Day in Ljubljana, Slovenia
How to Get to Lake Bled
We used Flixbus to get to Lake Bled, and it was only an hour drive from Ljubljana. The bus was super comfortable, on time, and dropped us off in the perfect spot to explore from.
Our bus tickets cost us about $8USD each way, per person.
Just be sure to double check when the last bus of the day is and buy your tickets in advance so you don’t accidentally miss it!
If you like to travel by train, there is a direct line from Ljubljana to Lesce Bled Station. The train ride is basically the same amount of time as the bus, and may cost a few dollars more. So I think it really comes down to preference and maybe convenience! I like to search for and book my trains through Trainline.
I use Omio to find transportation while in Europe, so use their website or app to help you decide which would work best for you.
You could also rent a car if you’re planning to do that anyways while in Slovenia, but I don’t recommend doing so if you’re just going for the day. The bus is a cost effective and safe way to get to Bled.
If you arrive at the bus station in Bled, walk down the hill and you’ll quickly arrive at the lake. From here, you can get on the walking path around the lake.
Where & What To Eat In Bled
The Park Café for Bled Cream Cake (Kremšnita) – A Bled cream cake is a must when you visit Bled. It’s a creamy and decadent custard cream cake topped with a bunch of whipped cream. Delicious!
Gostilna Pri Planincu for goulash or mushroom soup – When you’re in Slovenia, you have to try a traditional goulash. It’s a hearty meal that will fill you up after a long day exploring. And mushroom soup is another local dish you must try!
Pizzeria Rustika for pizza – It may surprise you that I would recommend you eat pizza while in Slovenia. But, don’t forget that Italy is right next door! You’re in for an amazing and affordable pizza at Pizzeria Rustika.
Things To Do On A Day Trip To Lake Bled
While the lake is Bled’s most famous attraction, there are many other things to do in town that you’ll thoroughly enjoy. If the sun is out, spend your time doing activities in and around the lake. If not, there are other activities that are better suited to cold, rainy days.
I’ve put together a list of all the best things to do in Bled, so you can customize your own perfect day!
Visit Bled Castle
There is no way to miss the beautiful castle overlooking the lake, Bled Castle. The oldest castle in Slovenia, it boasts a history dating back to 1004 AD.
If you’re looking for the best views of Lake Bled, you’ll find them at Bled Castle. Plus, inside is a wonderful museum sharing the castle and town’s history that you should be sure to check out.
Give yourself an hour or two to explore the castle and take in the lovely views of the lake from it’s viewpoints.
Take a walk around the lake
There is a paved walking and bike path that circles the entirety of Lake Bled. It’s perfect for getting in some exercise or just enjoying the views.
All in all, it would probably take you around 2 hours to walk the entire path, so you don’t need to do that unless you want to. No matter what you end up doing on your day in Bled, you’ll end up walking around the lake at some point. Everything sort of funnels down to the lakeside path at some point!
Rent a Rowboat on Lake Bled
If you’re heading to Lake Bled, I highly recommend you rent a rowboat to get out to the church in the middle of the lake.
You can take a pletna (one of the taxi type boats), but gosh the rowboat is so fun!
The day we went was pretty chilly, but we toughened up and went for it because we didn’t want to miss out on such a fun activity!
If the weather is very windy or cold, maybe pass on the rowboat, though.
We rented from a place called The Cârman Guest House, and we had a good experience! It’s a hotel where you can rent a boat from the lobby, even if you aren’t a guest. There are a few other boat rental spots, so don’t be afraid to shop around!
It cost us about €15 for an hour, which was enough time for us to row to the island, get a warm cup of tea at the cafe, and row back. We spent the rest of our time walking around the lake and then it was time to go back to Ljubljana!
If you’re looking to take the taxi to the island, it’ll likely cost you about €15-€18 per person. You can find spots to take these boats on all sides of the lake, including right outside the hotel we rented from.
Visit The Assumption of maria church (Bled island)
The iconic island in the middle of Lake Bled is home to the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s often referred to as the Assumption of Maria church, as well.
You can reach the island by rowboat, pletna (taxi boat), or swimming, though it would be quite a swim!
You’ll likely hear bells tolling from the church from just about anywhere on the lake. This is because the ‘wishing bell’ located at the top of the church is rung by visitors making a wish to the ‘lady of the lake’.
On the island you’ll find a small cafe, the church, and a small museum featuring the church’s history.
Walk through Vintgar Gorge
Just outside of town is one of Bled’s stunning gems, Vintgar Gorge. You truly won’t believe the color of the water rushing through this gorge and the waterfall at the end.
Following the river is a walking path built onto the side of the gorge walls, providing you a stunning and relaxing stroll. Along the way, you’ll see a few smaller waterfalls, pass by a little restaurant, and see a massive waterfall at the end.
You can get to Vintgar Gorge by walking from Bled, which will take you around 45 minutes on some beautiful walking paths. Or, you can take the bus or train to Podhom, where you’ll have another 15 minute walk to the gorge. If you have a rental car, there is a carpark just outside of the gorge entrance.
The entry fee for Vintgar Gorge costs €10 for an adult ticket, which you can purchase in person or online in advance here.
*note that Vintgar Gorge closes for the winter season
Hike to a viewpoint
The best viewpoint in Bled (in my opinion) is Mala Osojnica. It’s located on the opposite end of the lake from the castle, so you get views of the island with Bled Castle in the background.
It’s a relatively short hike, though much of it is quite steep and includes some long staircases. I came from the far left train in the image below. The viewpoint can be accessed from a few different spots, though.
Once at the top though, it’s entirely worth the effort! This is one of the best views you can get in all of Bled.
ride the toboggan on Straža Hill
In the summer, one of the best things to do in Bled is the summer toboggan on Straža Hill. I assumed this activity was for kids, but I was so wrong! I laughed and giggled the whole way down.
Watch this TikTok video from that day to watch how fun the toboggan is!
@nikkionherway Best day ever in Lake Bled. I finally got to swim in the lake, rode an alpine coaster with views of the lake, took a boat to the island in the lake, and watched a gorgeous sunset. Steal this itinerary for a perfect day in Lake Bled 💕🇸🇮 #sloveniatravel #solofemaletravel #solotravel #soloeuropetravel #slovenia #lakebled #traveltheworld ♬ Acoustic Folk Instrumental – Yunusta
The toboggan is a ‘sled’ that runs on rails on a track down a hill overlooking the lake. After walking up to the base of Straža hill, you take a short chairlift up to the beginning of the toboggan run. The sled has a joystick to control your speed and a seatbelt for safety.
For €11, you get a one way ride up the chairlift and one ride down the toboggan. You can also purchase tickets for 3 runs if you’d like. I even saw smaller kids getting to ride the toboggan with their parents, so this is an activity for people of many ages.
Final Thoughts – How To Take The Best Day Trip To Lake Bled
If you’re traveling to Slovenia, a day trip to Lake Bled has to be on your itinerary! There are so many wonderful things to do in Bled and the surrounding area. From walking through Vintgar Gorge to swimming in the lake, there is something for everyone.
And if you are planning a trip to Slovenia, don’t forget to use my Slovenia guide: The Perfect One Week Slovenia Itinerary: Europe’s Hidden Gem
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