You can’t miss visiting Bled when in Slovenia. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Slovenia. Though you’d just want to relax and relish the beauty of the town, there are some amazing things to do in Lake Bled. Here’s a guide that includes the Lake Bled activities and practical tips to plan a great trip to Lake Bled Slovenia.
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Lake Bled: First Impressions
After about 2 hours drive from Dölsach, Austria, we arrived in a little town in the heart of the Slovenian Alps.
A teal-colored crystal clear waters of an alpine lake, a dreamy island set right in the heart of the lake, and a medieval castle perched high on a rock cliff above blue-green water – We were in Bled, a magical resort town at the base of the Julian Alps along the glacial Lake Bled.
Everything felt like a dream.
It looked like an ideal town I mean like the one illustrated in the picture books.
It’s touristy yet feels quaint.
You can easily find your own peaceful spot away from the tourists to admire the dreamy landscape that actually is for real.
A day is enough to explore Lake Bled.
But. But.
A day isn’t enough to feel Lake Bled.
So, do yourself a favor and spend a few days in Lake Bled. Let nature feed your soul.
Watch the Sunrise. Stroll around the lake. Sit on a bench by the lake. Read your favorite book. Admire the Alps and the turquoise lake waters and the fairy-tale castle. Feed the geese and the ducks.
Listen to the soothing sound of the wishing bell coming across the lake. Better yet, ring the wishing bell and make a wish, Take delight in riding a Pletna. Hike to the viewpoints.
Reward yourself with the evening sun reflecting on the lake waters before fading behind the Alps. Relish a Bled Cream Cake.
Does it sound ethereal?
It has to. Because It is.
I know you can relax doing nothing beside the lake forevermore but what if you are traveling with the little darlings?
Cool it.
For our tiny restless travelers, there are a bunch of things to do in and around Lake Bled for family travelers.
Best Things to do in Lake Bled Slovenia
Out of many things to do in Lake Bled Slovenia, you can choose a few depending upon the time, the number of days you’ve in Bled, and of course your kids’ liking.
Bled Island
The quintessential pictures of Bled Island beautifully placed in the heart of Lake Bled tempted me to add Bled to my Slovenia itinerary.
Bled Island is the soul of Lake Bled.
Capture it in all the classic frames – from across the lake, from the viewpoints, and from the Bled castle.
Get out on the water to get to the iconic island. You can get to Bled Island either by hiring a Pletna boat, renting a rowboat, or hiring an electric boat.
Bled Island is verdantly beautiful with its Gothic church, Belltower, Sexton’s House, Potočnica and Provost’s House, and a courtyard with wooden benches.
Pro-Tip: Pick the Bell of Bled as a souvenir from Potočnica, Bled Island.
Ring a Wishing Bell at Bled Island Church
The rustic baroque church, the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary, aka Church of Mary the Queen, aka Our Lady of the Lake, aka Cerkev Marijinega Vnebovzetja (Slovene) on a teeny-weeny tear-shaped Bled island is famous for its wishing bell.
During the battle between the Christians and pagan religious followers, the medieval temple of the ancient Slavic Goddess Živa was destroyed to be replaced by a Catholic church.
The church was built and rebuilt in the 15th and 17th centuries to its current form with a bell tower.
Hike up the 99 steps (south) or 78 steps (north) to reach the church to make a wish and say it loud pulling the rope hanging from the ceiling 3 times to ring the wishing bell.
The legend goes that a widow named Poliksena exchanged her jewels to buy a bell for the chapel in the loving memory of her husband but as luck would have it, the boat carrying the people aboard and the bell sunk in the lake due to an intense storm.
Distressed, Poliksena donated everything to the church and moved to Rome. The pope of the Vatican sent his blessings along with a new bell to the church.
The legend also has it that you can still hear the ringing of the bell sunk in Lake Bled.
The entry fee for St. Mary’s Church and the Bell Tower is 6 Euros per adult and 1 Euro per child up to 14 years of age. It allows you to climb the bell tower for some gorgeous views over Bled Lake.
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Rent a Rowboat
Rent a rowboat to paddle yourself across the bluish-blue lake to Bled Island. The island isn’t as fascinating as rowing a boat.
There are plenty of shops around the lake where you can rent a rowboat. It costs somewhere between 20 to 25 Euros for an hour.
Else, you can rent it online.
Ride a Pletna
If rowing a boat isn’t your cup of tea, hop on one of the traditional Pletna boats and enjoy the breathtaking views while an oarsman takes you across the lake to the island. Riding the Pletna has to be one of the best things to do in Bled Slovenia.
The locals say that you haven’t really visited Bled without taking a Pletna ride.
Pletnarstvo’s (Pletna oarsman) profession has been bequeathed from generation to generation since 1590, mastered by individual families.
With a flat wooden bottom and a colorful canopy, Pletna looks very much like a gondola in Venice
Pletna transports a maximum of 20 people at a time and takes 25 minutes each way with an additional 45 minutes on the island.
A roundtrip costs 15€ per adult and 8€ per child. You can even hire a private Pletna but the price is way higher than you expect.
Pletna boat pier locations are Spa Park, Casino Bled, Mlino (under the Park Hotel Bled Cafe,) Velika Zaka, South Bled Island, and North Bled Island.
Hire an Electric Boat
An electric boat aka hydro bus or Črtomir runs from Kazina to Bled Island and costs 12 Euros for a roundtrip.
Canyoning
Hike through lush forests, climb the otherwise inaccessible rocky canyons, dive into the fresh mountain pools, and jump down the waterfalls – canyoning is for those who crave pristine nature and a pinch of adrenaline.
Bled hides a number of scenic and wild canyons in its vicinity where you can indulge in the magic of this adventurous water sport.
Book Canyoning in Bled Tour with an Expert, Friendly, and Professional Guide
Kayaking
Kayaking in the wild alpine rivers in and around Bled is fun.
Being first-time kayakers, we were scared to get onto the kayak but our guide was kind enough to make us learn how to paddle a kayak in baby steps.
Once on the water; I, hubby, and our 10-year-old absolutely enjoyed soaking in the pure water, unspoiled nature, and the joy of trying new things.
Book Kayaking for Beginners on the Sava River Tour
If doing things differently excites you, try Bellyak. It’s nothing but kayaking on your belly.
Book Bellyaking on the Sava River Tour
Ziplining
Mini-me loves ziplining. She makes sure to coddle in her favorite adrenaline ride whenever and wherever we go.
Dolinka Zipline Park has a 4 km long Zipline dangling above the Sava Dolinka River that offers breathtaking views over the Julian Alps from Stol, Babji Zob, and Triglav.
Bovec Zipline Park, One of Europe’s biggest and fastest Zipline parks affords mystical views over the Soča River and Soča Valley.
We chose to join mini-me this time and enjoyed a family Zipline adventure.
Take a Stroll around Lake Bled
This is one of my favorite things to do in Lake Bled.
How long does it take to walk around Lake Bled?
With a 6 km long trail, you can stroll the entire lake circuit in about 2 hours and admire the views of an island from different angles.
Cycle Around Lake Bled
There are some amazing bike routes around Lake Bled for bikers to experience the best of Lake Bled. Bike your way to the one you like.
You can also take one of the many day trips from Bled on a cycle.
Book a Bike Adventure Tour on Bled’s Top Trails
However, Cliché, Pose with Iconic Heart Sculpture
A Heart-shaped sculpture on the eastern end of the lake is quite famous among tourists, especially couples.
When in Bled, get that quirky picture with the love of your life around this sculpture of love.
Paddle Boarding
Kids are the happiest at Lake Bled with umpteen things just for them.
Paddleboarding is one of them. You can rent a paddleboard and explore the lake shoreline.
Swim in Lake Bled
Find a great Lake Bled swimming spot by the lakeshore and enjoy a swim in clear blue waters.
It helps you relax and freshen up after a long and tiring summer excursion.
White Water Rafting on the Sava River
Wet, Wild, and Fun! The longest river in Slovenia, the Sava River makes for a great place to experience rafting.
Book White Water Rafting on the Sava River Tour
Get Introduced to Slovenian Wines @ Wine Tasting Bled
Why do kids have all the fun?
Hit the 100-year-old cellar with rusting settings to taste 7 different varieties of the finest wines from Slovenia’s diverse wine regions with local snacks.
Additionally, you can learn some interesting wine facts from a wine expert, and challenge yourself with interactive games.
Book 2-hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Bled
Bled Castle
Dating back to the 11th century, Bled Castle is the oldest in Slovenia. It’s one of the most visited Lake Bled attractions.
Looming 130 meters high above the lake on a cliff, the castle features a museum, a chapel, a forge, a wine cellar, a restaurant, and unobstructed views of Lake Bled with its island.
Wine tasting and wine bottling sessions are available in the castle wine cellar.
In case you feel like munching or lunching, Bled Castle Restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Bled Castle is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in April, May, June, September, and October months; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in July and August, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in March and November.
The entrance fee is 11 Euros per adult, 7 Euros per student, and 5 Euros per child aged 14 or younger. A family discount is available.
Read Next: 50+ Best Hidden Gems in Europe
Hike to Mala Osojnica
An easy hike up to Mala Osojnica from the west end of the lake rewards you with iconic views of Lake Bled.
The gravel path trail with a short segment of steps leads you through the woods. The trail is uphill so a bit exhausting, especially on a hot summer day.
You can stretch your legs on the wooden bench at the Mala Ojstrica and enjoy the panoramic views of the lake.
Mala Osojnica is another few-minute hike from Mala Ojstrica. It normally takes an hour round trip plus the time you spend enjoying the views.
You can even keep hiking above this point if you want a different perspective.
Take a Ride on the Toboggan at Straza Bled
Toboggan is a fun and adventurous activity for kids and kids at heart.
Wallow in the breathtaking views as a chair lift takes you up to the hill and a toboggan rides you down the hill.
Taste Traditional Bled Cream Cake
You must try the celebrated Bled Cream Cake, a soft puff pastry with coatings of vanilla cream and custard dating back to the 18th century when in Bled.
Most of the countries that were under Hapsburg’s rule enjoy a version of this cream cake – krempita in Bosnia, kremówka in Poland, krémeš in Slovakia, and kremna rezina in Slovenia.
Almost all the cafes in Bled serve their own version of kremna rezina though locals highly recommend trying the original one at the Park Hotel.
You can also try it at Cafe Belvedere as it also offers amazing views over Lake Bled with a cream cake. The cafe is located on the hill above Vila Bled and needs you to climb about 156 steps to reach.
Enjoy the Sunrise over the Lake Bled
One of the best things to do in Bled is to rise up early in the morning to adore the sunrise over Lake Bled.
The lake looks sublime as it reflects the orange and yellow shades of the sky with the gold-sprinkled Alps at a distance during sunrise.
The west end of the lake and the Ojstrica viewpoint are two great locations to savor the glittery sunrise and click some amazing frames.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Lake Bled
If you’ve never ever ridden a hot air balloon – jump right in it and experience how it feels to be up in the air like a free bird.
Hot air ballooning over Lake Bled is super amazing. A balloon gently drifts over Lake Bled, Bled Castle, snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps, lush forests and woods, and Slovenian rivers; bouncing up and down while you gasp in awe.
Book a Hot Air Balloon Flight in Bled
Fishing in Lake Bled
Fishing in Lake Bled is another great activity to indulge in. You can fish pike, catfish, carp, and lake trout.
Remember to buy a Fishing permit for the Lake Bled, Sava Bohinjka, and Radovna rivers from the Bled Tourist Association.
Vintgar Gorge
Just a 10-minute drive away from Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge is a 1.6 km long gorge with beautiful boardwalks and bridges along the Radovna River.
It’s spectacular and easy to hike with young kids! A must-visit when you are in Bled.
Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Vintgar Gorge in Slovenia!
How to Get to Lake Bled
Lake Bled is quite close to the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. It takes less than an hour to reach Bled from Ljubljana. So, that makes Lake Bled a great day-trip destination from Ljubljana.
We, however, came to Bled from Lienz after exploring Austria. It was an easy and beautiful three-hour road journey as we had a rental car.
You can even get to Bled easily from Zagreb (Croatia), Graz (Austria), Trieste (Italy), and Venice (Italy) if you have a car.
Ljubljana to Lake Bled
A drive from Ljubljana to Lake Bled via A2/E61 hardly takes 50 minutes. You can park your car near the lake at Prešernova Cesta for 5 Euros per day. Plan to arrive early as parking spaces fill out fast during peak season.
Please don’t forget to buy a Vignette to drive the Slovenian highways.
Read our Guide to Renting a Car in Europe
A bus from Ljubljana bus station to Bled costs 12 Euros roundtrip and takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. A bus stops at both the bus stations in Bled – Union Bled and Main Bus Station. Lake Bled is a few hundred meters downhill from both bus stations. Click here to check the bus schedule
A train from Ljubljana train station has frequent train connections to Bled Lesce train station from where you’ll have to take a taxi or local bus to reach the town center which is more than 4 km away.
Bled Jezero train station only has limited trains per day from Ljubljana. It is 3 km away from the town center.
A train journey costs 14 Euros roundtrip.
If DIY isn’t your thing, try taking guided day tours. We have tried and loved Viator.
Book Lake Bled Tour from Ljubljana
Do You Need a Visa for Slovenia?
Most of the nationals barring a few need a Schengen Visa to visit Slovenia.
Read our Guide to Know if You Need One and How to Obtain One!
Do You Need Travel Insurance for Slovenia?
Yes!
A smart traveler never set out without travel Insurance! Don’t forget to buy reliable travel Insurance.
Heymondo is our favorite when comes to comprehensive protection while traveling.
So what are you waiting for? Get a Quote today!
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Where to Stay in Lake Bled
There’s a great choice of accommodations (hotels, apartments, Airbnb, and hostels) plus restaurants in and around Lake Bled.
Castle Hostel 1004, Apartma Natura, Back Hostel, Old Parish House, and Tourist Farm Anž’k are great for solo or couple travelers on a budget. They all provide good value for money. Try for yourself.
Penzion Kaps, Apartment Špica, Luxury Pearl Bled, Apartments-Rooms Kocijancic, Apartments and Rooms Tavcar, Apartment Skok, Design & Wine Vila Special Bled, and Nature Hotel Lukanc are great for a couple as well as family travelers who crave luxury but think about the budget as well.
Hotel Triglav, Adora Luxury Hotel (ex Vila Istra), Eco Boutique Hotel AMS Beagle, Bled Apartment Kirsch, Apartments Mojca, Apartment Wellness Essense, Maline Apartments, Vila Sol, Old Bled House, Vila Bled, 4* Green Heaven in center of Bled, and Deerwood – Whole Villa relax with castle view are some of the luxurious, best-rated hotels and apartments in Bled for families and couples who stay in style.
You can even choose to stay in Bohinj for the raw experience. Check out the best-rated accommodations in the Bohinj Region.
Best Time to Visit Lake Bled
Lake Bled has a different charm in different seasons. Tourists flock here all the time around.
Summer is the peak time which means hoards of tourists, and higher prices but on the brighter side, it’s the best time as all the activities are open.
We visited in June and the weather was warmer than it should be making us feel drained during exploration.
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons because of fewer tourists, perfect weather, vibrant colors, and most of the activities are still at hand.
Winter turns Bled into a magical wonderland but the weather is chilly and almost all the activities are closed except skiing. If you plan to visit in winter, better plan during the Christmas season to enjoy the festive spirit.
Hope this post helps you plan a perfect trip to Lake Bled. If it does, our goal is accomplished 🙂 I’d be obliged if you could take five minutes of your time to share this post with the world if it helped you in any way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Bled?
Lake Bled is a glacial lake in the Julian Alps of the Carniolan region of northwestern Slovenia. It’s just a day trip away from Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia.
Is Lake Bled worth visiting?
Lake Bled, however, touristy it may have become (because well it deserves all the attention) is absolutely worth a visit when in Slovenia. Enveloped by Triglav National Park, Slovenia’s one and only national park, Bled is graced with everlasting beauty. It’s gorgeous! Plus, there’s so much to see and do in and around Bled.
What is special about Lake Bled?
They say fairies crafted Lake Bled. Isn’t that special? An extremely picturesque lake with a tiny island (only island in Slovenia) in its heart, encircled by the Alps – One look and you know that magic exists! That’s not all! There’s a wishing bell at the island’s church. Do you have a wish? Ring the bell and see it fulfilled!
How many days do you need in Lake Bled?
One day is enough to explore the best places in Lake Bled. However, if you intend to explore the places around Lake Bled like Lake Bohinj, Vršič Pass, Radovljica, Brda, and Vintgar Gorge, you’d need at least 2 to 3 days.
Is Lake Bled expensive?
Slovenia is not at all expensive. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest destinations in Europe. It’s easy to stick to a budget in Slovenia. If you’ve traveled to Scandinavia, you’d know what expensive exactly means. The costs in Lake Bled are lower than in the United States or some other parts of Europe. Of course, there are some activities that have higher prices because of the tourist rush.
Can you swim in Lake Bled Slovenia?
Yes. You can definitely swim (for free) in Lake Bled during summer. In fact, it’s one of the best swimming destinations in Slovenia. There are plenty of beach areas and lidos. Pay attention to the places where you’re not allowed to enter the lake for swimming.
Slovenia Travel Essentials
Here are the essential resources I personally use and recommend for planning a trip to Slovenia.
Visa for Slovenia: iVisa works great for applying for a fast e-visa online. Also, OneWayFly is great if you need to show proof of onward travel (flight itinerary) or hotel reservation. You might need a Schengen Visa for Slovenia. Read our complete guide to applying for Schengen Visa.
For travel insurance: Heymondo. It’s the most affordable travel insurance with maximum coverage. You get 5% off if you use my link.
For Connectivity: Airalo. It’s the first-ever eSIM global website where you can buy an eSIM at affordable prices and stay connected while traveling.
For booking flights: Skyscanner and WayAway. They are the best search/comparison flight booking sites that help you find the best and cheapest flight deals. And with the WayAway membership plan, you’ll get cashback for every booking. Plus, with the special promo code “MELODIES” a 10% discount is activated.
International money transfer & currency exchange: Wise. With competitive exchange rates, fast transfers, and a 9.1/10 rating on TrustPilot, it’s the only service you should use every time you transfer and exchange internationally.
For finding accommodations: Booking.com and Agoda. They are the pioneers among hotel booking websites that give you a lot of choices with their huge selection of properties reviewed by travelers.
For rental car: Discover Cars. It’s the best international car rental platform for all your car rental needs.
For ground transport: Omio, RailEurope, and Bookaway. Best sites for booking bus and train tickets in Slovenia.
For tours & day trips: Viator, Get Your Guide, and Klook. They offer the best city tours and day excursions in Slovenia.
For guidance on the go: A Lonely Planet Guidebook for Slovenia comes in handy here for the most relevant and up-to-date recommendations on what to do and what not. Lonely Planet Guidebooks have been our trusted travel friend for years now.
Recommended Reading:
Renting a Car in Europe
Schengen Visa for Europe
How to Plan a Trip to Europe
Best Things to do in Slovenia
Magical Places to Visit in Slovenia
7 Days in Slovenia Road Trip Itinerary
A First Timer’s Guide to Ljubljana
Best Things to do in Ljubljana
Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia
Kranj, Slovenia
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