10 fun things to do at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Lake Bohinj is a beautiful destination and one you must add to your itinerary if you’re visiting Slovenia.  We’ve just returned from a 2-week road trip and Lake Bohinj was one of the highlights.  It is simply gorgeous.

Nestled by the Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts and there’s just so much to do.  Whether it’s hiking, water activities, or just chilling with a beer by the water, you will love it.  We did.

Lake Bohinj is a stunning, glacial lake in northwestern Slovenia.  It is Slovenia’s largest permanent lake, filled with water from the nearby mountains and springs.

Lake Bohinj is a charming destination but sometimes overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbour, Lake Bled.  However, with fewer tourists and less development, Lake Bohinj is often considered a more authentic destination.  Lake Bohinj is a gorgeous beauty spot you really don’t want to miss.

We stayed at Lake Bohinj as a base for 3 days, during which time we explored the lake, the local waterfalls and gorges and other local attractions. So come with us to discover our top 10 activities and the most fun things to do at Lake Bohinj.

In summer, one of the very best things to do at Lake Bohinj is water activities on the lake.  We hired paddle boards for the kids from Iziboats, which is in the main centre of Ribčev Laz, between the bridge and the Goldenhorn statue.  Another alternative for equipment rental is at Alpinsports, which is located at the other side of the bridge.

Other watersports you can try at Lake Bohinj are kayaking, canoeing and rowing.  You don’t need to book in advance and can choose how long you wish to hire for.  It’s a really exciting way to discover the lake, especially if you hire for long enough to explore the quieter inlets on the other side of Lake Bohinj.

The water at Lake Bohinj is truly glorious!  With the water coming from underwater springs and the Julian Alps, it is crystal clear and pristine.  You can even see the fish swimming around.  Swimming in Lake Bohinj is a truly refreshing experience, which I would recommend to anyone.

We swam in the area near the Goldenhorn, which has stones by the water’s edge, so it is advisable to wear water shoes.  There is also a pier you can jump off.

However, the area on the Eastern shores of the lake is very popular with those with young families.  Here you’ll find grassy banks and shallow, safe areas for paddling.  You can also have refreshments at Café Kramar, whilst enjoying pretty views across the lake.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed way to enjoy the lake, you could take a ride on the panoramic boat.  There are only two electric boats on Lake Bohinj, which operate in both directions between Ribčev Laz and Ukanc, traveling in both directions.

You can buy a single or return ticket.  It gets busy on a sunny day, so it’s a good idea to book online in advance.

One of Lake Bohinj’s greatest attractions is the Church of St John the Baptist.  At over 700 years old, the church is of great historical importance and renowned for its distinct architecture, unique frescoes, and paintings.  It also has an interesting Baroque bell tower, which was added in the 18^th century.

Located by the old stone bridge, the medieval church and bell tower are picture-postcard pretty and one of the most popular photographic spots in Bohinj.  Visitors can go inside the church and bell tower, but admission costs apply.

Another picturesque photo spot at Lake Bohinj is by the bronze statue of the Goldenhorn (zlatorog).  The Zlatorog is a mythical creature from Slovenian folklore which used to roam the slopes of Mount Triglav.  The legendary creature  resembles the Alpine ibex which can still be seen in the local mountains.

One of the best waterfalls to visit near Lake Bohinj is Slap Savica (or Savica Waterfall).

Just a short drive from Lake Bohinj Slap Savica one of the most visited natural attractions in Slovenia.  At 78 metres high, it is one of the tallest waterfalls in Slovenia.  It is also one of the most unique, as it’s a double waterfall.  The water falls from the top into an “A” shape to an emerald green pool at the bottom.

We drove to the car park, then hiked from there.  It is not a particularly long hike, but with 533 steps, it is a tough climb.  When you get to the top, you can take a photo from the viewpoint, but can’t get close to the water.  It gets busy in summer, so it’s best to go early.

It costs €5 for the car park and another €5 per person for admission.  There is a café by the car park for a refreshing cool down after your climb!

There are plenty of opportunities for walking at Lake Bohinj, including a walk around the whole perimeter.  The full circuit is 11km and takes about 3 hours, depending on how often you stop.

We didn’t have time for this but did a short walk across the meadows to the nearby Alpine village, Stara Fužina.  This scenic walk starts at the bridge and follows the waterside, before taking a right turn towards the village.  It is a flat, easy to follow route and you can get a good meal at the Gostilna Pr’Mihovc Bohinj, the oldest restaurant in Bohinj.

One of the best days trips from Lake Bohinj is to Lake Bled, which is only a 30 minutes’ drive.

Lake Bled is one of the must-visit places in Slovenia.  With its fairytale clifftop castle and idyllic island church, it’s no surprise that it attracts visitors from all over the world.  Many people go as a day trip from the capital, Ljubljana, but it’s actually easier from Lake Bohinj, which makes a great base for days out.

Once there, you can climb to Ojstrica Viewpoint,  take a trip across to the lake, visit Bled Castle or take part in summer tobogganing.  Of course, you must allow time for a stroll by the lakeside and a taste of the delicious Lake Bled cake (Kremšnita).  Lake Bled is a stunning destination and one that shouldn’t be missed if you’re visiting Slovenia.

For some of the most impressive views over Lake Bohinj, have a ride in the Vogel cable car.  It will take you from 569 metres at the basepoint near Camp Bohinj in Ukanc to 1535 metres.

At the top you can get a bird’s eye view from the viewing platform or take a chairlift to the next level.  There are plenty of opportunities for hiking at the top, or you can return by cable car.

One of the most stunning walks near Lake Bohinj is at the Mostnica Gorge (Korita Mostnice).

Starting at the alpine village of Stara Fužina, the walk takes you through the Voje Valley, where you’ll pass rapids, pools, and waterfalls.  We also saw some impressive rock formations, including the famous “Little Elephant”, a water-carved porthole resembling an elephant’s trunk!

The Mostnica Gorge is one of the most impressive natural wonders of the Triglav National Park and is a must-see attraction if you’re at Lake Bohinj for more than a day.

You have to pay admission to enter the Mostnica Gorge.  This is currently €4 per adult, which helps fund maintenance of the area.  The scenic Mostinica Trail is a flat, out-and-back route which runs alongside the river.  It’s fairly shady, which makes it an ideal walk for a sunny day.

Ribčev Laz is the area by the church and is the ideal place to stay in Lake Bohinj.  We stayed in Hotel Centre Bohinjsko Jezero, which was only 5 minutes’ walk.

You could also try Hotel Bohinj or Hotel Jezero , both of which have a prime location and free parking.

If you prefer an apartment, there are plenty of good choices in Stara Fužina.

From Ljubljana the quickest way to get to Lake Bohinj is by car.  It’s about 83 km (50 miles) and takes just over an hour.  It is quicker if you use the toll roads.

If you are coming from overseas, you could hire a car.  You compare rental car rates with Discover Cars.

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 take a small group tour to Lake Bohinj, which also includes a stop at Lake Bled and a visit to Savica

Regular buses run every hour from Ljubljana to Lake Bohinj.  They leave on the hour from Ljubljana Bus Station and the journey takes about 1 hour 50 minutes.

The first bus leaves at 6am and the latest return is at 08:47pm.  An adult ticket costs 7€90.

Click here to get tickets.

Once you’re in Lake Bohinj, it is easy to get around on foot.

Ribčev Laz is the small village by the bridge and church.  It is the main village in the region and has everything you would need for your stay.  There is a small supermarket, several hotels and a choice of restaurants and cafés.

Here are some of the websites we use when planning trips.

• 14 days in Slovenia: the perfect road trip itinerary
• 7 great things to do in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
• 9 brilliant things to do at Lake Bled, Slovenia
• 10 best things to do in Split, Croatia
• 4 days on the Lapad Peninsula, Dubrovnik

Are you planning a trip to Lake Bohinj?  Let us know if you have any questions.

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