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Explore Lake Bled: 11 Amazing Things To Do
Slovenia

Explore Lake Bled: 11 Amazing Things To Do

Lake Bled is one of the most visited attractions in Slovenia. The idyllic church in the middle of the water has made the town famous. A stop in Bled is a must on your road trip through Slovenia. Which attractions are worth visiting and what trips can you take from the center of Bled? Here are our tips!

Lake Bled

Yes, it’s just as enchanting in real life! With its picturesque setting and dazzling colors, it’s no wonder Lake Bled is considered the most beautiful lake in Slovenia. The deep blue color comes from a combination of crystal-clear glacial water and the lake bed composition. Surrounded by some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps, a small island in the middle features the charming 17th-century Church of the Assumption of Maria. Although very touristy, Lake Bled is a destination you shouldn’t miss!

Accomodations in Bled

Bled attracts many day-trippers, but also offers accommodations for all types of travelers.

  • Camping Bled is a great option for those traveling with a tent or caravan. This 5-star campsite is on Lake Bled, has its own beach, and a fine restaurant overlooking the lake.
  • Prefer a real bed but still want to cook for yourself? Bled has numerous apartments for rent. We recommend Villa Vive. This apartment is in the center of Bled, within walking distance of the lake.
  • For a more luxurious stay, consider Vila Bled on the lake’s shore. The former summer residence of the late President Tito has been transformed into a luxury hotel!
Camping Bled
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Lake Bled Camping Bled

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Villa Vive
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Bled Villa Vive

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Vila Bled
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Lake Bled Vila Bled

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What to do in Bled

1. Walk around Lake Bled

Lake Bled is 2120 meters at its longest, and a walk around it covers about six kilometers. A wide walking and cycling path makes the route accessible to everyone. No steep climbs or loose stones, just a pleasant stroll with views dominated by the fairy-tale Church of the Assumption of Maria in the water.

For a sportier option or to see the lake from above, visit the two beautiful viewpoints on the west side of Lake Bled. Search for ‘Mala Osojnica Trailhead‘ on Google Maps or download our GPX file here. Follow the signs to two viewpoints: Mala Osojnica (685m) and Ojstrica (610m). The climb takes about half an hour and can be steep, so wear sturdy shoes.

2. Swimming, supping or boating

No visit to Lake Bled is complete without being in or on the water! There is one beach, but many grassy spots where you can lay your towel and take a dip. The water is warm in summer, so no excuses!

We enjoyed renting a SUP Several rental shops around the lake are happy to rent you a paddleboard. We paid ten euros per SUP and paddled around the island with the Church of the Assumption of Maria for a closer look. Although we fell in a few times, SUPing is easy to learn, so give it a try!

Lastly, you can take a wooden, traditional pletna boat. This covered gondola glides silently over the water, with a rower showing you all the lake’s corners. Romantic, right?

3. Visit Bled castle

Blejski Grad’s spectacular location is impressive. Built on a 130-meter-high cliff, it overlooks Lake Bled. The castle dates back to the 11th century and is Slovenia’s oldest structure. Inside, there’s a museum, chapel, and wine cellar, and you can enjoy a beautiful view of the lake from between the battlements. Entrance is seventeen euros.

4. The Vintgar gorge: to do or not to do?

Just five kilometers from Bled’s center, this gorge is very popular and featured in every travel guide and blog. We can’t be left out, but… Unpopular opinion: we think the Vintgar Gorge is a bit overrated. Oops.

The 1.6-kilometer-long gorge is home to the bright blue Radovna River, which has carved 250-meter-deep rock walls and created beautiful waterfalls. It’s a breathtaking piece of nature, but we didn’t enjoy the strong theme park atmosphere. We paid ten euros for parking, then ten euros per person for tickets. We joined the one-way traffic on the trails and waited in line for pictures.

Whether the Vintgar Gorge is really worth a visit is a personal choice. If you do decide to go, save on parking by taking the free shuttle bus from Bled to the Vintgar gorge in July and August. You should get off at the Sebenje-Pokom stop and after the gorge take the green route along the church of St. Catherine. Go down to the village by the church and take the bus back to Bled from the Zasip bus stop or walk back to Bled. You can find the bus timetable here.

Another alternative to visit the Vintgar Gorge is this e-bike tour from the center of Bled. This way you avoid parking fees, explore the surroundings in a more active way, and the entrance fee to the gorge is included.

5. De Pokljuka gorge for great adventurers

We had a more authentic nature experience in this lesser known canyon on the Pokljuka plateau. The canyon is located eight kilometers from the center of Bled and is also accessible by shuttle. Although there is no entrance fee, there are far fewer visitors.

Pokljuka is a dry canyon, so don’t expect rushing waterfalls, but you will find many overhanging rocks, caves and natural bridges. Wooden boardwalks high up on the rock walls provide plenty of adrenaline and adventure. The entire hike is well marked and covers approximately four kilometers.

placeswithoutdoors.com

Pokljuka gorge

Distance 4km
Duration 1 à 2 uur
Altitude gained 220m

6. Straža Bled, fun for kids (and adults?!).

On the southeast side of Lake Bled is a green hill, Straža Bled, where you can ski in winter. That’s why there is a cable car which also operates in summer, hooray! You can ride it to the top and then zoom down at breakneck speed on the toboggan run! Additionally, this hill is home to the Bled Adventure Park, a climbing forest where you can tackle a high ropes course.

Other trips from Bled

Bled is a very popular tourist destination, so it can be crowded (and pricey). For this reason, you might consider staying just a few days in this area and then moving on to other highlights of Slovenia.

On the other hand, Bled’s location makes it a perfect starting point for a whole vacation. Bled is located right at the foot of the magnificent Triglav Mountains, but it is also close to the highway, which allows you to quickly reach other attractions. These excursions can be easily made from the center of Bled without spending too much time in the car.

Citytrip to Ljubljana

Visit Ljubljana, one of Europe’s smallest but most intimate capitals. A short city trip is a nice break in a country where nature is the main attraction. Ljubljana is only a forty minute drive from Bled. Read our tips for visiting the capital here.

Lake Bohinj

A half-hour drive away is another stunning lake: Lake Bohinj. It’s quieter and more surrounded by mountains than Lake Bled. There are many water activities and beautiful walks. Take the cable car to Mount Vogel, where you’ll be over 1500 meters high in minutes!

Triglav National Park

Don’t miss Triglav National Park, one of Slovenia’s highlights. There are hundreds of beautiful hikes, and you might spot wildlife. We did an unforgettable two-day hike to Slovenia’s highest peak, Triglav, at 2864 meters. Read all about it here!

Beautiful waterfalls

Discover two stunning waterfalls thirty minutes by car from Bled: Martuljek Slap and Peričnik Slap. You can hike all the way up the first one, covering almost ten kilometers in total. It’s a pretty challenging hike, but you walk along the water the entire time and see various levels of the waterfall. Plus, you’ll hardly see any other hikers. We really recommend it! You can download our GPX file here.

Peričnik Slap is not far from there and can be visited on the same day. You only have to walk one kilometer, and it’s much busier, but because you can walk under the waterfall, we still found it a great experience.

Underground kayaking

Lastly, try this adventurous trip: underground kayaking in a former mine! First, you descend by original mine train, then walk further down to kayak nearly 100 meters deep. Explore the underground passages with only a headlamp. How cool is that?!

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