Lake Bled from Ljubljana: A Beautiful Day Trip
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
Slovenia’s Best Day trip: Lake Bled from Ljubljana
A trip to Lake Bled from Ljubljana is a “must” for anyone visiting Slovenia!
Lake Bled’s beauty is well-known in Europe, and it’s becoming more well-known among Americans, thanks to the wide reach of social media.
Bled is a fairytale location in northern Slovenia, complete with an ancient castle on hill, and a beautiful church on an island. It’s only accessible by boat, rowed through vibrant, green-blue water.
Aside from relaxing and enjoying the beautiful water, Bled itself is a nice, walkable town.
You can visit streets with shops and restaurants, take a hike on one of the surrounding hills, rent a bike to loop the lake and ride to nearby Vintgar Gorge, or row out to Slovenia’s only island.
While vacationing Europeans spend a week or more camping on the shores, we found it to be the ideal day trip.
How to Get to Lake Bled from Ljubljana
There are several ways to get to Lake Bled from Ljubljana. The drive is easy and hassle-free, so I’d vote for a rental car as my top choice.
Renting a Car in Ljubljana
By car, Lake Bled is roughly an hour north of Ljubljana.
I usually use Discover Cars when renting in Europe. They provide locally-owned rental options, in addition to the well-known international car companies.
I loved the local Hertz option in Ljubljana. It’s right downtown, and walkable from the hotels you’d likely be staying in.
🚘 Click to Search Rental Cars in Ljubljana
The drive to Lake Bled from Ljubljana can take as little as 40 minutes, or as long as a couple hours, depending on traffic and construction.
For example, on our drive, we made great time until a couple of miles outside of Bled. Road construction completely shut down the two-lane highway into town.
So, my advice for anyone driving to Lake Bled from Ljubljana, is to leave early in the morning to avoid any traffic.
The Train to Lake Bled from Ljubljana
I love taking the trains around Europe. It should be pretty easy and convenient for you to get to Lake Bled from Ljubljana. Just make sure to check the timetables when you arrive on the Slovenian Railways (Slovenske železnice) website.
In general, it should take just over one hour to get to Lake Bled, beginning at Ljubljana’s main train station. This is the standard route, though sometimes the trains will make more stops, or there might be more of a gap between transfers:
- Ljubljana to to Lesce Bled (40 minutes)
- Lesce to Bled Mlino (20 minutes)
The Bus to Lake Bled from Ljubljana
If you’re not into driving in foreign countries, it’s also pretty easy to get to Lake Bled from Ljubljana by bus. It may even be quicker than driving, depending on your departure time.
From the main bus station (Bus Station Ljubljana), which is near the touristy area of the capital city, you can take a direct route to Lake Bled.
You’ll have to check departure times, but jumping on the bus will take you, after 20+ stops, to either the Bled or Bled Mlino stop, which is where you’ll depart for a quick walk to the lake.
The bus ride from Ljubljana to Bled will be about 1 hour, 45 minutes.
You’ll have to check Google Maps or the bus schedule to see which number bus you’ll take (it changes depending on your preferred departure time).
Tours of Lake Bled from Ljubljana
A third option for exploring Lake Bled is to take a tour from Ljubljana. This is great for people who’d rather have someone else do all the planning, organizing, and navigating.
These tour options all come highly recommended:
➡️ Click to Book: Ljubljana to Bled Tour
- Ljubljana small group tour to Lake Bled, a cave, and a castle
➡️ Click to Book: Lake Bled & Vintgar Gorge
- Ljubljana small group tour to Lake Bled, Bohinj, and Vintgar Gorge
➡️ Click to Book: Ljubljana to Triglav
- Ljubljana small group tour to Triglav National Park
Where to Stay at Lake Bled
While you can accomplish a lot in a day trip from Ljubljana, Lake Bled is a great destination to spend a few days relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
You can use this interactive map to plug in your dates to see all of the options available. This will include hotels as well as rental homes and apartments:
Renting a Bike in Bled
A bike rental is the best way to travel around Lake Bled!
We were happy to find 3glav Adventures open, with plenty of bikes to rent.
While they didn’t have any e-bikes (which give you a highly-appreciated ‘boost’ on the hills) we took one of their regular mountain bikes.
Since car traffic was so congested, riding a rented bike around Lake Bled (and also to Vintgar Gorge) was the best way to get around a see all of the different parts of the lake. It also spares you from having to search for parking spots at swimming areas or hiking trailheads.
You can walk or ride your bike around the entire lake, which is about a four-mile route. The views change from the different vantage points, and you’ll find swimming spots and places to eat along the way.
Hiking at Lake Bled
You’ll get the best view of Lake Bled from a hike, which (admittedly) was longer and steeper than I’d expected!
Mala Osojnica
One of the best views of the entire area is found at the top of Mala Osojnica. It’s challenging, but the view is worth it.
Most of the hike is covered under trees, but if it’s warm you’ll still need to bring a lot of water.
The start of the trail is located on the southwestern side of Lake Bled, on the opposite side of the lake from the town of Bled.
The trailhead is a short walk from the camping area, where you can either park your car or lock up your bike.
Be prepared for a minimum 30 minute hike, with tree roots and steps and stones to scale.
Again, the end viewpoint, with its sweeping panoramic views, is worth the effort!
Straza Hill
Another hiking option is Straza Hill. Actually, for this viewpoint over the lake, you can take a chairlift to the top!
Straza Hill is situated on the southeastern side of Lake Bled, providing stunning views of the lake, Bled Castle, and the surrounding landscape.
During the summer, Straza Hill offers tobogganing down the hill.
You’ll also find an adventure park with rope courses, ziplines, and other challenges. It’s a great place for families and individuals seeking some outdoor adventure.
Lake Bled Castle
Bled Castle was built on the cliffs a thousand years ago, making it the oldest in Slovenia.
Today, it features a museum and restaurant, along with some amazing views.
You’ll spot the castle when you arrive in Bled. It’s on a peak on the north / northeastern edge of Lake Bled.
The history of the castle literally goes back more than a thousand years
Bled Castle was rebuilt in the 1950s, and today visitors will enjoy a wine cellar, a moat (complete with a drawbridge), and a museum.
As part of Bled Castle’s ‘claim to fame,’ it features the oldest grapevine in the world, which has reportedly been growing for 400+ years.
Bled Castle is also home to a famed collection of beehives.
Why is Lake Bled’s Water Blue?
Lake Bled is a bright blue, almost turquoise, because it’s comprised of springs and glacier runoff.
The lake itself was created during the Ice Age, as the Bohinj Glacier retreated.
In addition to the glacier runoff, thermal springs feed the lake, so it’s not ice-cold! Summertime water temperatures in Lake Bled climb well into the 70s.
Slovenia has an environmental agency, which monitors the quality and cleanliness of Lake Bled, especially near the popular beaches.
Why Lake Bled Turns Pink
Parts of Lake Bled have been briefly turned pink or brown in recent years. This is due to pollution or algae blooms. It doesn’t happen often, so you’ll likely see it in its most pristine, blue state on your visit.
Tourists are taking a toll on the water quality at beautiful Lake Bled.
Lake Bled is known to turn from a beautiful blue-green to a pinkish-brown, due to bacteria blooms.
In August of 2022, waste from tourists created algae blooms nearby. Specifically, sewage overflow from a treatment plant into the creek which serves as an outlet to Lake Bled.
The seemingly pristine lake water turned a putrid brown, and had an immediate impact on the flora and fauna along the way.
The sewage infected the creekside greens and trees. A fish farm downstream from Lake Bled actually had to kill off thousands of fish due to the contamination.
The Slovenian Environmental Conservation Organization has reported an uptick in cases of tourists getting sick from drinking or accidentally ingesting water in Lake Bled.
Swimming in Lake Bled
Lake Bled is full of swimming spots, along with a few beaches.
Again, renting a bike to ride around will get you to the swimming areas pretty efficiently. More importantly, you won’t have to worry about finding parking on crowded summer days.
My favorite place to take a dip is near the Mall Osojnica trailhead. Walking down the road east of the hiking spot, you’ll find a boardwalk built over the lakeshore.
The area is full of more private areas to set up a chair and wade in (or jump in off the boardwalk).
Fishing in Lake Bled
Lake Bled is quite deep in spots, up to 100 feet, and a well-known local spot for divers and fishermen, who go after pike, carp, trout, and catfish.
You’ll just need a permit from the Bled Tourist Association to cast a line in the lake, which is said to be home to a few giant catfish. The record measured about eight feet in length in 2014!
Camping at Lake Bled
Camping at Bled is popular with vacationing Europeans, who crowd the camping area at one end of the lake.
Most camping activity is at a site called “Camping Bled” on the western edge of the lake.
Expansive camps are set up, complete with a mini restaurant, a full-service grocery store, restrooms, playgrounds, waterslides, tennis courts, and a beach.
If you’re interested, book in advance, since the campsites at Lake Bled can fill up during the busy summer months.
The Lake Bled Boats
You’ll notice – there are no jet skis or motorboats on Lake Bled – they’re banned!
It’s actually nice to not hear the motors zooming around.
If you’d like to spend more time on the water, you can rent a paddleboard or rowboat, or have someone else row you across to Bled Island to explore it.
Lake Bled’s famed oarsmen are known as pletnarstvo. The special standup rowing technique is passed down through families, generation-to-generation.
Signs advertised boat rides on the lake’s iconic wooden, flat-bottom boats for 12 Euros per person.
Boating to Slovenia’s Only Island
The island in the middle of Lake Bled is only an acre in size, but a lot of Slovenian history has taken place on this site.
Religious ceremonies on the island date back more than 1,000 years. Visitors can see skeletal remains and graves from the 9th to 11th centuries.
While several churches have been built on Bled Island, the current church was built in the 1600-1700s.
Damage from earthquakes and lightning strikes have forced a few reconstructions over the centuries.
You can climb the 99 steps up to the main building on the island: the Assumption of Mary Church, which dates back to the 17th century.
You can rent a kayak, paddle-board, or rowboat and head out to the island on your own, or hire a boat, have a professional do the rowing, and ride out with a group on a slightly bigger boat.
Lake Bled to Vintgar Gorge
Triglav is Slovenia’s only national park, and it’s a short drive from Lake Bled.
The park includes the beautiful Julian Alps, which can be seen from Bled, and include Triglav Peak, the tallest point in Slovenia.
Triglav includes several rivers and gorges, including Vintgar Gorge and the Sava and Soca Rivers.
While you’re visiting Lake Bled, I’d definitely suggest also going to Vintgar Gorge.
Actually, I’d start the day at the gorge (when it opens) and then continue on to Lake Bled, if you’re only spending one day in the region.
Buy your tickets online, especially during a busy season. That way you won’t have to wait in the line when you get there. They’re 10 Euros.
It’s a lovely bike ride between Bled and Vintgar, along a path that’s about 3 miles long.
You’ll immediately notice how clear the water is! Wooden footbridges line much of the route, taking you across the gorge several times as you make the trek down.
The entire walking path through the gorge is only about a mile long, so you can take your time.
And while you’ll definitely have people with you, it won’t feel overly crowded.
The boardwalk is almost entirely tree-lined, so that provided nice shade in the heat.
You’ll pass a few small waterfalls along the way, which create emerald-green pools of water. They’re tempting to dive into, but the only acceptable spots for swimming are toward the end.
Something I didn’t realize: the walking path through the gorge is one-way… which apparently they did to prevent the spread of covid.
So once you go in, you’re in and you have to make the full loop.
Once you reach the end of the trail through Vintgar Gorge, you’ll cross a bridge, and head on a hike back to the parking lot (which seemed a lot longer than the hike in).
It’ll take you through small towns, forests, and farms as you wind your way back.
One farmer smartly set up a bar on the trail, which we were excited to see.
Vintgar Gorge has become even more popular with tourists, so the government is improving the infrastructure surrounding it. You’ll want to check their website before your visit to see which parking lots are open. For our visit, the lot we wanted to park in was closed, so we chose to leave our car in Lake Bled, and rent bikes to get to the gorge.
I’d recommend visiting in May, June, or September, and arriving early in the morning, before the big crowds.
Your photos will also turn out better, without the sun being directly above you in the gorge.
Lake Bled to Savica Waterfall
Savica (on the map as Slap Savica, since ‘slap’ means ‘waterfall’) may have the only water more beautiful than Lake Bled.
It’s about a 30-to-40 minute drive from Bled, past the nearby Lake Bohinj.
Savica a double waterfall, which comes from an underground river and juts out of holes in a rock wall.
The jade-greenish blue pool below is stunning, but off-limits to swimmers.
Savica (pronounced suh-VEE-tsuh) requires a fee and a hike, but is well worth spending an hour along the tree-lined trail up to the waterfall.
The Best Time to Visit Lake Bled from Ljubljana
The advice on visiting the best sites in Slovenia is similar to the guidance for most European destinations.
I would try to avoid the overly-crowded months of July and August, and aim for May, June, or September.
While Lake Bled is bustling with tourists in June, you’ll still be able to get around town and find some peace on the lakeshore.
Day Trip Itinerary: Lake Bled from Ljubljana
- 7:00am: Depart Ljubljana for Bled
- 8:00am: Arrive in Bled
- Rent a bike
- Ride to Vintgar Gorge
- 12:00pm: Ride back to Bled for lunch
- 1:00pm: Bike 4 miles around Lake Bled
- Hike Mala Osojnica
- Swim along the boardwalk
- 5:00pm: Bike back to Bled for dinner
- 6:00pm: Drive to Savica Waterfall
- 7:30pm: Enjoy sunset at Lake Bohinj
It sounds like a lot, but we loved every second of our day at Bled!
Wrap: Is Lake Bled from Ljubljana a Good Day Trip?
Yes, visiting Lake Bled from Ljubljana makes for a fantastic day trip. The distance between Ljubljana and Lake Bled is relatively short, making it convenient to explore the beautiful lake and its surroundings in a single day!
The Lake Bled area has it all: boats, swimming, hiking, biking, food, and history!
Just remember: its popularity is soaring, so start early in the morning to avoid the crowds!
