LAKE BLED QUICK & COMPLETE GUIDE

Visiting Lake Bled Slovenia is truly a magical experience. This peaceful little town is located on Bled Lake in the hills of Slovenia. Lake Bled is known for the idyllic church on an island at the center of the lake. A castle overlooking the town makes Lake Bled such a unique place. Aside from the pure beauty of Lake Bled, there is so much to do in town. Known as a resort village in the hills of Slovenia there are plenty of activities for everyone!

I’ve been lucky enough to visit this charming town twice now! Below I’ve put together everything you need to know to plan your trip to Lake Bled. From how long to stay in town to what the best activities are, I’ve covered it all.

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The majority of travelers visit Lake Bled from Ljubljana. It takes approximately 45 minutes to drive from Ljubljana to Lake Bled depending on traffic. As such, buses between the two cities are frequent. If you’re taking the bus, it will likely take over an hour to reach the lake. Bus tickets can be purchased from the bus station in Ljubljana. Lake Bled is also a quick trip from a few cities in Austria and Italy.

In general, I recommend visiting Lake Bled in Slovenia between May and October. Like most places in Europe, July and August tend to be very busy. I’m not going to lie, my personal favorite is Lake Bled in the fall. Since the lake is surrounded by trees it becomes more beautiful as the leaves change color. The Lake Bled weather is cooler than the summer months which is perfect for walking around town and hiking. Summer is also a great time to visit since there are a number of water activities. When planning a trip to Lake Bled, keep in mind, there are a ton of outdoor activities so it’s ideal when the weather is cool to warm.

Many people explore Lake Bled Slovenia on a quick day trip. Since it’s a small town, 1 day is plenty of time to hit the basics. On the other hand, if you prefer traveling at a slower pace, you can easily spend a few days in town. I suggest staying at least an evening or two. It’s much quieter in the evening allowing you to soak in the beauty of the lake. If you visit during the summer, I would set aside a little more time to enjoy the water activities!

If you stay the night in Lake Bled, try to stay close to town. Everything is walkable (or bikeable) so it’s nice to be close by. The first time I visited, I stayed at Apartment Solar which is roughly a 10 minute walk from town. It’s nothing fancy but it was perfect for our stay. Our apartment was clean and the owner is really sweet!

The town of Lake Bled is relatively small. With just a few restaurants, cafes, and local shops, it’s easy to walk within an hour or two. You can find some great Slovenian products in town including salt from Piran; a small seaside town a few hours from Bled. There are some great restaurants in town! One of my favorites is a small vegetarian cafe called Public & Vegan Kitchen Lake Bled. There are also a lot of nice restaurants along the water offering a great view of the lake. One of the most enjoyable things to do in Lake Bled is post up with a view!

The Church of the Assumption of Maria is the famous church on Bled Island. The church was built to its current structure in the 1700s. Prior to becoming the Lake Bled church we see today, the island was home to a temple for the ancient Slavic goddess of love: Ziva. After walking up 99 steps, you can enter the church for 6 euro per person. Once you’re inside, you can go to the clocktower to ring the bell and make a wish.

The most common way to reach the church on Bled Island is by Pletna boat. The boat looks similar to a gondola with a canopy over top. It costs 12 euro roundtrip to the church per person. Once you arrive, the boat will wait 30 minutes for you to explore the island. Another option is to take a rowboat to the island since you can rent one in town. There are a few places along the lake to rent from; I’ve linked directions to a popular spot below the castle.

One of the best things to do in Lake Bled is to follow the trail around the lake. It takes approximately 60 – 90 minutes to walk the path around the lake as it’s a 3.7 mile loop. The trail is mostly paved and easy to follow. Make sure you set aside time for photos as there are some excelled photo ops along the way! The path offers picturesque views of both the church and castle with an abundance of green trees. Needless to say, this is a wonderful way to start your day in Bled!

Possibly the best view of Lake Bled is from Mala Osojnica. To reach the viewpoint, follow the path around the lake. Once you pass the campsite along the trail, it’s about 20 minutes to Mala Osojnica. There will be a sign along the path pointing you in the direction of Male Osojnica. Follow the sign to the panoramic view of Lake Bled!

Perched on a hill overlooking Lake Bled, the Bled Castle is enchanting. To reach the castle, walk toward the castle and follow the signs that say “grad” which means castle in Slovenian. You’ll follow stairs uphill for about 10-15 minutes before reaching the entrance of the castle. If you have trouble with stairs, follow the path on the outer skirts of the lake.

The entrance fee is 8 euro for adults and 3.5 euro for kids. Ive heard mixed reviews as to whether or not the entrance fee is worth it. The first time I visited Lake Bled, I went inside the castle. I thought it was worth it! The view is fantastic and I enjoyed seeing the grounds of the castle. You also have the opportunity to learn about the history of the Lake Bled castle. If you’re paying the entrance fee purely for the view, it’s not worth it. You can visit Mala Osojnica on the opposite side of the lake for a free view!

If you happen to visit when it’s warm outside, there are a handful of water activities to do in the lake! As I mentioned earlier, renting a row boat is one of the most common water sports. You can also either rent a paddle board or book a guided tour. If you’re looking to venture outside Bled, you can book adventurous tours like white water rafting and canyoning. For something adventurous but a little less intense, you can also go kayaking.

Lake Bled is such a special place to visit. Slovenia in general is absolutely beautiful; it’s a great destination in Europe. It’s slightly off the beaten path so it’s a little less touristy than other European hot spots.

If you’re looking for more hidden gems in Europe, I’ve created a post of my favorites!

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)

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