Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled

Lake Bled is arguably the most famous spot in Slovenia. It attracts just under 500,000 tourists a year, which is crazy!!

This iconic lake with it's picturesque island amongst the mountains is on every tourists list who visits Slovenia. On this page we will look at this and question why?

Lake Bled

Overview

Things to do in Lake Bled

Alternatives to Lake Bled

Overview

Lake Bled is beautiful, don't get me wrong but personally I feel that there are places in Slovenia that offer so much more. It felt overpriced and touristy to me, especially compared to other areas of this incredible country that are mind blowing-ly gorgeous.

If you have the time it is worth a visit, just remember you will be paying a lot more than else where in the country.

The benefit of Lake Bled as it is a tourist hot spot is that there are lots of tours and activities that go from here.

Pictures of the little island on the lake are well known around the world. This is a very small island with a church, a café and a small museum/art gallery. The café is well known for it's potica a traditional cake. Considering this café is in prime location on the island, the price wasn't too bad at 8 EURO for a piece of potica and a latte. See below for options on getting to the island. Be warned there are about 100 steep steps up to the main part of the island

Things to do in Lake Bled

Boat trips to the island

You have a choice if you want to visit the island on how to get to it.

Traditional pletna boat - rowed by a local, then you'll only get about 45 minutes on the island. Cost - 18 EURO pp

Hire a rowing boat - row yourself across. Depending where you start, it takes about 20mins to get across to the island. Cost 25 EURO per hour.

Electric Boat - You will get approximately an hour on the island. Cost 14 EURO pp

Hike to the viewpoint

Mala Osojnica, Velika Osojnica, and Ojstrica are all viewpoints and are linked together by a single trail. You can hike up to Mala Osojnica in about 30 minutes, this is steep,and step/ladder heavy climb. From there you can do a loop to Velika Osojnica and Ojstrica view points.

Unfortunately we didn't get any good photos, the weather wasn't on our side that day.

Walk around the Lake

Stretch your legs and take the 6km route around the lake. This is an accessible path allowing anyone to enjoy the views around the lake.

There is also plenty of water fountains on route so just remember your water bottle.

Bled Castle

Perched on top of a cliff towering over Lake Bled, exploring the historic castle is a great way to spend a few hours around Lake Bled.

Cost - from 18 EURO for adults

Open throughout the year

Sunset kayak

You can take a sunset guided tour by transparent kayak into the lake. This tour goes on into the dark when the kayak lights up. Such an incredible way to explore the lake and see into the incredibly clear lake water.

Summer only

Sunset Kayak

Swimming & waterslides

Grajsko Kopalisce is a place perched on the shore of Lake Bled and provides various depth pools along with waterslides and games. A great place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Summer only.

Scuba diving Lake Bled

With super clear water, don't just take a dip in the lake, scuba dive in it. Explore this fresh water lake from a whole new perspective.

Scuba Diving

Tobogganing

Take the chair lift up to the top of a hill overlooking Lake Bled and ride down the 500m toboggan track.

Cost - from 12 EURO for adults

Summer only

Tobogganing

Canyoning

Head into the Bohinj valley for an adrenaline filled adventure of jumping through and rappelling down waterfalls.

Summer only

Canyoning near Lake Bled

Getting There

If road tripping around Slovenia you can obviously drive there BUT it is the one place I would NOT do a road trip to. There's a lot of traffic (for Slovenia) and parking was expensive!!!

I would recommend staying outside Bled and visiting via public transport.

Public transport

There are lots of buses in this area and public transport is really easy. Look at staying at Lake Bohinj instead, it's beautiful and a lot less crowded. Buses run between Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled every hour and take less than 40 minutes.

From Ljubljana you can get a train to Lesce-Bled, from there a bus runs every 30 minutes to Bled.

Parking

If you do decide to drive then be warned on the cost of parking. Everywhere we found around the lake was EURO5-6 AN HOUR!!! That was the rate if you spent an hour or 24 hours parked there so be warned.

If you can't hire a car or are short on time why not take a tour from Ljubljana to see Lake Bled and the surrounding area.

Lake Bled Tour from Ljubljana