Lake Bled Travel Guide: Things to Do, Hikes, and Day Trips

Best Things to Do in Lake Bled

1. Hike to Ojstrica Viewpoint for sunrise

If you’ve seen postcards of Lake Bled, they were probably taken from Ojstrica. Hiking up to Ojstrica was one of the things at the top of my list. The hike is short (about 20–30 minutes), but it’s steep in places. If you’re coming from the east side of the lake, where the town is located, it will take 45 minutes to get to the trailhead. There is no parking at the starting point, so you’ll have to walk there. The reward? A breathtaking panorama of the lake, with Bled Island perfectly framed by mountains in the distance. Watching the sunrise from here is something I’ll never forget. Definitely worth the early morning.

2. Walk around the lake

When visiting Bled, walking the full loop around the lake is a must! It’s beautiful from every direction and the 6km path will take you around 1,5 hour. Plan a bit of extra time for photo stops or a swim.

3. Visit Bled Island

A trip to Bled Island is a must. Most people take a boat over, but it’s also possible to swim! I timed it and it only took me 12 minutes to get there. If you’re not a confident swimmer, hop on a traditional pletna boat or rent a rowboat to cross the lake. If you do swim, take a dry bag to bring some clothes, as the island requires visitors to be covered. Once there, visit the church and grab an ice cream at Potičnica. You can also climb the 99 stone steps to the Church of the Assumption and ring the wishing bell—locals say your wish will come true.

4. Explore Bled Castle

Perched high above the lake, Bled Castle is Slovenia’s oldest castle. The museum gives insight into Bled’s history, and the views from the ramparts are unbeatable. Don’t miss the wine cellar and grab a coffee on the terrace overlooking the lake. If you don’t want to pay to enter then castle, then visit the viewpoints around the castle for an incredible view of the lake.

5. Try the famous Bled Cream Cake

As a self proclaimed foodie, I always need to try the local specialties. This puff pasty filled with custard and cream was no exception. The serving size is usually quite large, so it’s not a light dessert after dinner. If you end up walking around the lake, stop at Jezero lounge to try it with this beautiful view.

Outdoor Adventures Around Bled

5.Walk Through Vintgar Gorge

Only 4 km from Bled, Vintgar Gorge is an easy half-day trip. You can drive down, bike or even hike. Wooden walkways lead you along the turquoise Radovna River, past waterfalls and rapids. It’s one of the most famous sights near Bled. It’s an easy walk, and a must-do if you’re in Bled.

How to get to the Vintgar Gorge: The parking next to the entrance is small and often full, so come early or park at the official Vintgar Gorge parking and take the shuttle bus to the entrance. The shuttle bus leaves every 20 minutes. make sure to be there in time for your time slot. You can also take the shuttle bus from the Bled bus station.

6. Day Trip to Lake Bohinj

If Lake Bled is Slovenia’s fairytale lake, Lake Bohinj is its wild cousin. Located in Triglav National Park, just 30 minutes from Bled, it’s perfect for kayaking, swimming, or simply relaxing by the water. Bohinj is surrounded by the peaks of Triglav National Park. So it’s also the perfect base for hikes into the mountains.

7. Hike Viševnik

For anyone who loves hiking, the area around Bled is paradise. I tackled Viševnik (2,050m), a peak that rewards you with jaw-dropping views of Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain. The trail is challenging but should only take around 4 hours. Its around 2 hours to hike up to the top and 2 hours down. We choose to hike counter clockwise to get the steepest bit out of the way right away, before it became to hot.

How to get to Viševnik? 

You can park your car here. The trail is well signposted, but you can also use all trails if you like to follow along on the map.

8. Hike Vogel

Vogel: Take the cable car from Lake Bohinj up to Vogel ski area, where trails weave through alpine meadows and viewpoints stretch across the Julian Alps.

How to Get to Lake Bled

Lake Bled is only about 55 km from Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital. I rented a car at the airport and was there in a short 30 minute ride.

• By car: 45 minutes via the A2 highway.

• By bus: Frequent buses from Ljubljana’s main station drop you right in Bled town.

• By train: Take the train to Lesce-Bled station, then a short bus/taxi to the lake.

Best restaurants in Lake Bled

Pizzeria Rustica: It is said to be the best pizzeria in Bled and there’s always a queue. So come early or be prepared to wait.

Where to stay in Lake Bled

Finding affordable accommodation in Bled is not easy. Even for a hostel you’ll end up paying at least €40 a night. I stayed at Travelers Haven, which had a really great location and a lovely owner. I did think the amenities were very basic for the price, but that’s just what you get in Bled.

If you’re traveling as a couple, there’s a couple of really nice places for a mid-range budget. My favorite? Old Parish house

If you don’t mind splurging a little. Adora Luxury hotel is absolutely gorgeous!