Lake Bled is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia. Located in the Julian Alps, Lake Bled is as tranquil as it looks in photos, and a visit to this romantic lake is incredibly surreal. Below is the ultimate guide to visiting Lake Bled to help you plan your stay.
Introduction to Lake Bled
This Lake Bled travel blog will provide you with all the information you need to plan your visit to Lake Bled. Whether you’re visiting for a day trip or planning a week-long or longer summer adventure, this guide has everything you need to know to visit Lake Bled.
content:
- How to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
- Things to do on Lake Bled
- Best time to visit Lake Bled
- Recommended hotels, restaurants and tours in Lake Bled
- Things to do near Lake Bled
How to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
Lake Bled is a popular day trip from Ljubljana. There are several ways to reach Lake Bled, including public transport or self-drive from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. Depending on your travel plans to Slovenia, you have the following options:
From Ljubljana to Lake Bled by bus
It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes by bus from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to reach Lake Bled, costing just 7 euros. If you’re visiting Lake Bled on a day trip from Ljubljana, this is your best option.
Take the train from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
Lake Bled has two train stations: Lecce and Jezero Bled. Neither is very central, but the system works easily enough if you don’t mind some swapping of transports.
Once you arrive at Lesce station, you will need to transfer to a bus that will take you 4.5 kilometers to Lake Bled.
Once you arrive at Lesce station, it is about 3 km from the town of Bled on the west side of the lake.
Drive from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
Driving from Ljubljana to Lake Bled is very easy and well signposted. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes without traffic jams. Kranj and Skofja Roka are beautiful towns to stop in if you want to know more about Slovenia, and both are on the way to Lake Bled.
Things to do on Lake Bled
Lake Bled offers a wide range of activities, but the timing of your visit will have a big impact on what you can do there.
The best way to start your time at Lake Bled is of course: walk around the lake. It takes 1-2 hours to go around the entire lake. This is a photogenic spot, so you may want to spend more time stopping and taking photos.
If you want to see the lake from above, the best view is from above. Little Osonica. The hike takes approximately 1 hour and includes views at the top.
Another great way to experience the lake is by boat, pletna, paddleboard, or kayak. There is an endless amount of activities to do during the summer.
In the warm season, swimming in the lake feels like an indispensable thing. While I was at Lake Bled it was a staggering 30 degrees Celsius, and I’m happy to report that the lake has warmed up beautifully.
Best time to visit Lake Bled
I First time visiting Lake Bled In the fall of 2015, the weather was much colder. I returned this summer for the summer, and it’s safe to say I had a completely different experience. The lake is beautiful to visit any time of the year, but if you’re looking to experience the lake in a certain way, there are some times of the year that are better to visit than others.
summer Bled (June, July, August) is hot, sunny and beautiful. With all facilities open and extended hours during this period, this is the perfect time to experience all that the lake has to offer. It’s beautiful and warm, so it’s the perfect time to swim in the lake.
spring The next best time to visit is probably (March, April, May). Some people prefer to visit this time of year when there are fewer people, but it is still popular at this time of year.
winter and autumn (September to February) is quite cold, but still a beautiful time to see the lake. In the fall, the leaves are beautiful, and in the winter, there is a light layer of snow, and you may even be able to enjoy skiing nearby. However, it is important to note that many restaurants, cafes, and activities are closed during the cold season.
Recommended hotels, restaurants and tours in Lake Bled
Lake Bled has so many hotels, restaurants and tours that it can be difficult to choose. Having visited both off-season and peak season, here are my top recommendations for Lake Bled:
Villa Bled This hotel has the best location on the lake. It overlooks Bled Island and has direct access to the lake via the stairs in front of the villa. However, it is one of the most expensive options on Lake Bled, costing around 250 euros per night.
Cafe Belvedere It’s a cafe overlooking Bled Island with an amazing (best in my opinion) view of the lake. Be sure to try the bread cream cake here! It’s to die for.
bled castle restaurant In fact, it’s a really great option in Bled and offers great views of the lake. Surprisingly, the menu is reasonably priced and a great introduction to Slovenian cuisine.
Public & Vegan Kitchen Bread A great place to enjoy vegetarian and vegan food in Bled. I was surprised to find such great vegan food here in Lake Bled. The vegan burger is big and really tasty.
PR1MO tour is the tour company of choice for outdoor adventure sports. We rent mountain bikes and electric bikes and organize activities such as kayaking in the Black Hole and tours to Triglav National Park. If you have your own car, we recommend traveling to different parts of Triglav on your own, but if you’re using public transport or traveling alone, taking a full-day tour is always a fun idea.
Things to do near Lake Bled
If you stay on Lake Bled for more than two days, you’ll eventually get tired of the activities on the lake and want to go somewhere else (even if you don’t, you should!) There’s a lot to see in the area beyond Lake Bled. Here are some of the main highlights.
Vintgar Valley It can be reached in just 10 minutes by car. The canyon is a 1.6-kilometre stretch of waterways, and boardwalks criss-cross the canyon. It’s a beautiful place to visit and costs 10 euros.
triglav national park If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, there are plenty of great day hikes. You can drive and hike on your own, or you can take a tour like the one offered by pr1mo tours (above).
Lake Bohinj A great alternative to Lake Bled and a much quieter experience. Here you can enjoy the same lake activities in a secluded location.