In our Lake Bled travel guide, we’re sharing 9 of the best things to do at Lake Bled, plus plenty of top tips for your visit.
With its gorgeous glacial lake, enchanting island church, and fairytale castle, Lake Bled is one of the most delightful spots in Slovenia. It’s the poster child for every Slovenian travel brochure and likely to be top of your must-visit places in Slovenia.
Whether you’re into hiking, history or just love idyllic locations, you’ll want to visit Lake Bled. It’s perfect for a weekend getaway or for a day trip from Ljubljana. We went as a day trip on our 2-week itinerary in Slovenia and loved it. It really is as pretty in real life!
Contents: click to jump to a section
Where is Lake Bled?
Lake Bled is nestled at the foot of the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. It’s on the outskirts of the Triglav National Park and less than an hour from the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. The picturesque lake is easy to get to and one of the must-visit destinations in Slovenia.
It has been a tourist hot spot since the late 19th century when it became one of Europe’s most visited spa destinations.
Today, it remains as popular with visitors who come for the romantic views, hiking and historic attractions.
9 brilliant things to do at Lake Bled, Slovenia
Hike to Ojstrica Viewpoint
One of the best ways to start your visit to Lake Bled is with a hike to Ojstrica viewpoint (308 m elevation). From here you’ll get breathtaking views overlooking the lake and Bled Island.
Start the walk to Ojstrica at the trailhead near Camping Bled on the western edge of the lake. It is signposted from the road.
The route to Ojstrica is short (about 1.3 km return) but steep and the terrain is rocky and uneven. As you approach the top, you can use the wire rope to help pull you up onto the rocks.
You’ll then arrive at the first viewpoint, where there’s a bench to sit and enjoy the views (or in my case catch your breath!) The views are spectacular, so it’s worth the effort of the uphill climb. Then, return the same way which takes about 50 minutes in total.
If you want to walk further, continue through the forest to the next viewpoint, Mala Osojnica (685 metres) or even higher to Velika Osojnica (756 metres). This will take you another hour each way.
Eat Bled Cream Cake
After our climb to Ojstrica we treated ourselves to some Bled Cream Cake (Blejska kremšnita). We stopped at the café by Camping Bled, which overlooks the lake, but you can buy the cake everywhere.
Eating Bled Cream Cake is definitely one of the best things to do at Lake Bled. This creamy square dessert is one of the most famous traditional dishes in Slovenia and superbly delicious.
It is made with egg cream and whipped cream in a puff pastry crust and is just so tasty!
The famous Bled cake was created by a Serbian chef at Park Café in 1953. It is now sold all over Slovenia, but nothing can top eating Bled cake by Lake Bled.
Walk around Lake Bled
Of course, one of the best things to do at Lake Bled is walk around the lake. The perimeter walk is 6 km (3.75 miles) and takes about an hour and a half, depending on how many photo stops you make.
Lake Bled is so picturesque, you really will want to stop every few minutes. It just gets better and better.
The walk around Lake Bled is very easy and extremely scenic. The path is flat and paved and there are plenty of places to admire the views, take photos, and picnic.
If you prefer, you could hire bikes and cycle round the lake, but the path gets busy, so it’s best to go early.
Take a boat to Bled Island
One of the most popular things to do at Lake Bled is a visit to the gorgeous Bled Island (Blejski Otok).
Bled Island is the centrepiece of the beautiful lake and the most iconic view in Slovenia. When you see it, you’ll know why.
To get to Bled Island, take a ride on one of the traditional wooden Pletna boats. You’ll find these at the pier below the Café Park. The “Pletnar” (oarsman) will row you across in his flat-bottomed boat, which takes about 30 minutes.
If you want a quicker trip across the lake, you could hire an electric boat.
Visit St Mary's Church on Bled Island
Once on Bled Island, you can follow the Baroque stairway from the harbour up to St Mary’s Church. Although the history of Bled Island dates to prehistoric times, the current church has been preserved since the 17th century.
One of the most fun things to do on Bled Island is ring the wishing bell for good luck. This tradition originated for newly-weds in Bled, who were wishing for a long, happy marriage. It was also customary for the groom to carry his new bride up the 99 steps from the water’s edge!
Although it is free to explore the island, there is an entrance fee of €6 for adults to visit inside the church and bell tower. However, you’ll get great views from the top of the 15th century bell tower.
If you want to stop for refreshments, you’ll find a small café and ice-cream stand on the island.
Enjoy watersports on the lake
Another popular way to explore Lake Bled is on a paddleboard. We’d been paddle boarding the previous day at Lake Bohinj, Lake Bled’s neighbour, so gave it a miss. Plus, we had promised the kids a try at summer tobogganing, so this is where we headed next.
Try summer toboganning
If you ask the kids, they’d say that summer tobogganing at Straža Bled is the best of all the activities at Lake Bled. They loved it.
This high-adrenaline experience takes place on the mountain side to the south-east of Lake Bled. The easiest way to get to the start of the sledding track is to take the chair lift. However, at peak times you can expect to queue for about 90 minutes.
We saved time and money by walking up! This was a tough climb, especially in the midday heat, but thankfully we didn’t have to wait at the top!
Once on board the sled, you are in control of the toboggan’s speed, which whizzes down the mountain at up to 40 km an hour. It is an awesome, exhilarating experience and one of the most fun things to do at Lake Bled (even for grown-ups!)
Click here for current prices for summer tobogganing at Straža Bled.
Visit Bled Castle (Blejski Grad)
Perched on the cliffside overlooking Lake Bled is Slovenia’s oldest castle, Bled Castle.
This fairytale castle is over 1000 years old and one of the most popular Lake Bled attractions. You can get amazing views from the top, visit the museum or even stop for dinner.
To reach Bled Castle, take a walk from the area near the lido to get to the main path. Alternatively, you could park near to the football stadium.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to visit Bled Castle on this day trip but enjoyed breathtaking views from an inn by the lake!
Take a swim in Bled Lake
Apparently, Lake Bled is one of the warmest lakes in Slovenia. The waters are aquamarine and crystal clear, so ideal for a swim.
There is a beach-like area near the campsite, which is popular with families who want to paddle. Alternatively, there is a designated swimming area at the base of Bled Castle. Grajsko Kopališče has a natural swimming pool with slides, diving areas and rafts.
Visitors to the bathing area can hire sun loungers and umbrellas and chill by the water. If you’re with children, there are also playgrounds, a sandpit and table tennis.
A map of the best things to do at Lake Bled
How to use our map:
Save the map to use when you are in Lake Bohinj by clicking on the star to the right of the title.
You can later find the map by going to your Google Maps app and selecting the saved icon.
Day trips from Lake Bled
Visit Vintgar Gorge
One of the best outdoor experiences near Lake Bled is a visit to Vintgar Gorge, located in the Triglav National Park.
Just 4 miles outside of Bled, Vintgar Gorge is a stunning, glacial gorge carved over thousands of years by the Radovna River.
The trail leads over wooden walkways and bridges taking you beside the turquoise waters to see rapids, pools and the impressive Šum waterfall.
A trip to Vintgar Gorge is one of the most popular things to do near Bled, so book your tickets in advance and go early.
Take a trip to Lake Bohinj
Another idea for a day trip from Lake Bled is to Lake Bohinj. Although not as well known as Lake Bled, it is a gorgeous beauty spot and has far fewer visitors. It’s perfect for watersports, hiking, nature and a visit to the popular Slavica Waterfall.
We stayed there for three days, using it as a base to explore the area, including a day trip to Lake Bled.
Read more: 10 fun things to do at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
Useful information for your visit to Lake Bled
Accommodation in Lake Bled
Grand Hotel Toplice is an extremely popular luxury hotel overlooking the gorgeous lake. Another popular choice with an amazing lakeside location is the Adora Luxury Hotel.
If you are looking for more unique accommodation near Lake Bled, the Garden Village Bled offers glamping, tents and tree houses and has excellent reviews.
For mid-range accommodation, you could try Penzion Vila Prešeren or the Lake Bled Apartments.
As you’d expect, hotels near Lake Bled can be very expensive. If you want a cheaper option, you could stay outside of Bled or in Lake Bohinj. Or you could visit as a day trip from Ljubljana.
Getting to Lake Bled
By car
It is an easy drive from Ljubljana to Lake Bled, which takes about 40 minutes. However, you can expect some traffic congestion around the lake.
If you are coming from overseas, you could hire a car. You can compare rental car rates with Discover Cars.
Parking near Lake Bled is extremely expensive and the car parks fill quickly. Several of the hotels offer their car park at a fixed day rate. We parked by Camping Bled, but this was not cheap at all!
By bus
Regular buses run from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. They leave several times an hour from Ljubljana Bus Station and the journey takes about 1 hour.
Guided tours to Lake Bled
If you don’t want to hire a car, one of the easiest ways to visit Lake Bohinj is with an organised tour from Ljubljana.
You could do a small group tour to Bled Island and Bled Castle or one which includes a visit to Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, and Savica Waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Lake Bled?
If you want to avoid the crowds, try not to go in July or August. However, we were there in August and it really wasn’t too busy. I have also been in March, where there were far fewer people, but the views of the lake weren’t as pretty.
How long do you need to visit Lake Bled?
I would suggest one or two days to see all the attractions at Lake Bled. Although, you can see the lake and castle in half a day, longer is better if you want to enjoy the lake at a relaxed pace.
Pin for later or share with a friend who’d love to go: 9 brilliant things to do in Lake Bled, Slovenia
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. (Read our full Disclosure Policy)
All rights reserved © Chimptrips. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, links, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
