Plan a day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled, and you’ll soon see why it is a must-add to any Slovenia travel itinerary. Lake Bled is among the most beautiful, Instagram-worthy destinations—some would even call it a romantic alpine retreat. Its turquoise blue water, castle, picturesque island, charming cafes, and abundance of outdoor activities make it the perfect place for an adventure.
Chris and I stayed in Ljubljana during our visit to Slovenia. We chose to take public transportation from the Ljubljana bus station and arrived at the Lake Bled bus station in about 90 minutes. You could drive for your day trip to Lake Bled as well in about 45 minutes if you have a rental car. The benefit to taking the bus, especially if you have never visited Slovenia before, is that you can sit back and enjoy the scenery; we both LOVED the dramatic Julian Alps, quaint villages built on the mountainside, and charming steepled churches.
13 Things to Do on a Day Trip to Lake Bled
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For such a small area geographically, there are plenty of things to do in Lake Bled—adjacent to the town of Bled—especially if you are adventurous! Take a brisk walk or a relaxing stroll around the Instagram-worthy lake, rent a boat, bike, swim, explore the island, and hike to Bled Castle. This stunning glacial lake captivates travelers whether you are visiting Lake Bled in winter, summer, spring or fall.
If you haven’t considered Slovenia in your European travel planning, this post will give you plenty of reasons. Discover essential travel tips to know before you visit.
1. Enjoy a Picnic by the Lake
One of our favorite things to do when traveling is to stop at a local grocery store to purchase meat, cheese, bread, fruit, and drinks to enjoy as a picnic lunch. We settled onto a bench overlooking Lake Bled and ate lunch before beginning our explorations around the lake.
2. Walk around the Lake
The walking path around the lake is approximately 3.7 miles (6 km). If you are simply taking a relaxing stroll, the walk could take about 1 to 1.5 hours. The path circles the lake and is mostly flat and much of the path is paved.
3. Swim in Lake Bled
The summer temperatures of Lake Bled are 68-77°F (20-25°C). While I would find this freezing cold, my family would probably jump in and say “It’s not that bad.” I’ve learned not to trust their temperature recommendations!
You will find designated swimming areas, but you can also swim to the island or challenge yourself with a longer swim around the entire lake.
4. Take a Boat to Bled Island
You can choose to rent a boat to row to Bled Island by locating boatmen around the lake or pay the fee to be shuttled to the island on a flat-bottomed Pletna boat that can hold up to 20 people. This is one of the coolest adventures to include in your Lake Bled holidays.
5. Explore Bled Island
Bled Island is small, quaint, and tear shaped. The most distinctive feature on the island is the church, which includes a hermitage (spiritual retreat), provost’s house (church leader home), curacy (office), and sexton’s house (church custodian). You could probably explore the entire island in one hour or less giving you plenty of time to find other adventures during your day trip to Lake Bled.
Things to do on the Lake Bled Island:
- Climb the 99 steps from the dock to the church
- Visit the Church of the Assumption of Mary
- Ring the wishing bell
- Climb the Bell Tower
- Walk the path around the island
- Enjoy a piece of Bled Cream Cake at a small cafe
- Shop for souvenirs and mementos
6. Enjoy a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
If you are looking for the romantic side of Lake Bled, consider hiring a coachman attired in a traditional uniform to drive an open carriage—Fijhakers or fiacre coaches—pulled by horses to escort you around the lake.
7. Bike Around the Lake
Rent a bike or bring your own to pedal your way around Lake Bled and enjoy the scenery. E-bikes are available if you want to explore paths in the surrounding hills or mountain bike some of the more challenging single-track trails and forest roads.
For a little more challenge, loop around Lake Bled and then continue on to Lake Bohinj for 41 miles (66 km). The route offers significant elevation climbs as well amazing scenery along the way of lakes, farm pastures, and lush meadows.
8. Tour the Bled Castle (Blejski Grad)
“Perched atop a steep cliff above Lake Bled stands one of Slovenia’s oldest castles—Bled Castle, first mentioned in 1011. Its exceptional location, preservation, and the stunning view over the lake and its island have fascinated visitors for centuries. Historically connected with Central Europe, the castle remains a vibrant cultural hub today.” Bled Castle
Bled Castle is fun to explore, especially if you are looking for an exceptional Lake Bled viewpoint (or two); you’ll capture a bird’s eye view of the lake, the Julian Alps, and Lake Bled’s famous island. If you choose not to tour the castle, there are still footpaths around the castle to explore where you can take a picture or two of the lake below.
The castle is open every day of the year (Sundays and holidays included) with opening times that vary with the seasons.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket office at Bled Castle:
- Adults: 18,00 EUR
- Students 11,50 EUR
- Children 7,00 EUR
Prices are valid as of January 1, 2025.
9. Hike to Bled Castle
Chris and I followed the path up to the castle that branched off from the lake path and found ourselves immediately climbing. The path to the castle is steep and strenuous with 426 ft (130 m) of elevation gain. Whew! It felt like more!
You could also drive to the castle if you have rented a car or you can hire a taxi. Some bus lines include a stop at the castle as well. If you have booked a tour of Lake Bled, many include transportation to Bled Castle.
10. Hike to Mala Osojnica
If hiking to Bled Castle wasn’t enough for you, you can also hike to Mala Osojnica on the trail that starts on the west side of the lake by the Velika Zaka car park. Why hike again? Well, the Lake Bled viewpoint from Mala Osojnica is pretty stunning. This hike is also strenuous, and I would recommend wearing sturdy shoes or hiking boots. The elevation gain to Mala Osojnica is approximately 656 ft (200 m).
11. Try the Alpine Slide at Straža Bled
I’m not always thrilled to zip down a mountain-side on a high speed toboggan, but my family loves the adventure of it. Catch the chair lift and ride to the top to Straža Bled and then race down the mountain on a toboggan where you can reach top speeds of 25 mph (40 kph). The alpine slide is available in the spring, summer and fall. If you happen to be visiting Lake Bled in winter, the mountain-side becomes a ski slope.
Day Trips from Lake Bled
12. Vintgar Gorge
After you finish exploring Lake Bled, return to the bus station and find the bus that will take you to Vintgar Gorge. You will need to purchase a timed-entry ticket to explore the gorge. Scan the QR codes along the way to learn as you go. Go at your own speed as you will surely want to stop every few feet or so to take pictures. It takes about 45 minutes to walk through the gorge and is followed by a choice of two themed trails that will bring you back to the visitor center.
Yes, the water in the gorge is this beautiful green color! In Slovenia, a narrow, steep-sided gorge is a “vintgar”. Vintgar Gorge might be redundantly saying Gorge Gorge but it is no less beautiful. The gorge is below Mount Triglav in the Julian Alps and just 2.5 miles (4 km) from Bled.
13. Ljubljana
If you plan a Lake Bled holiday with a day trip to Ljubljana, give yourself plenty of time to explore Ljubljana’s charming old town. Like Lake Bled, it is also nestled in the Julian Alps. Enjoy a free walking tour that introduces you to the old town with its numerous bridges, dragon statues, the Ljubljanica River, the pink Franciscan Church, Tivoli Park, and Ljubljana Castle.
Where is Lake Bled?
Lake Bled is a stunning tourist destination surrounded on all sides by the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. If you are planning a Slovenia travel itinerary, the lake is 22 miles (35 km) from Ljubljana International Airport and 34 miles (55 km) from the Slovenia capital city, Ljubljana.
Discover the Perfect Place to Stay…
Slovenia Details
- Official Language: Slovene or Slovenian
- Capital City: Ljubljana
- Population: 2.13 million
- Currency: Euro
- Power Outlet: Type C & Type F
What Makes Lake Bled so Blue?
What makes this glacial lake settled in the Julian Alps so blue? Much the same as Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, the stunning blue color of Lake Bled can be attributed to glacier waters that are full of “rock flour“. This rock flour is made up of fine particles of rock that refract the light.
Camera Equipment for Slovenia
If you are hoping to capture stunning photos of Lake Bled, Slovenia, you will definitely need your phone or some awesome camera gear. Whichever camera or phone you choose to bring, have them ready for the picturesque, Instagrammable moments on your day trip to Lake Bled and surrounding areas.
- Canon Powershot G1 X Mark III – A point and shoot with Manual mode options
- Canon t8i plus a lens kit – Perfect for beginners
- Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS – My favorite lens for the Canon t8i
- Canon 6d Mark II DSLR – An upgraded camera for intermediate photographers
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for the Canon 6d Mark II
- iPhone
You can see more of my photography gear recommendations on my Amazon Storefront. Click below to “Take a Look!”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lake Bled weather like in the summer?
The temperatures in the summer months range between 77°F and 80°F (25° to 30°C).
Can you swim in Lake Bled, Slovenia?
Yes, you can. July is the warmest month in Lake Bled. You’ll want to plan your adventure accordingly.
Are there bears in Slovenia?
Yes. You will find one of the largest brown bear populations in Slovenia. If you are hiking in the mountains, it may help to remember this mantra, “If it’s black, fight back; if it’s brown, lie down; and if it’s white, say goodnight.” Whatever you do, use common sense.
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Lake Bled Called. It’s Time to Plan Your Trip!
When Chris and I begin to research and plan a trip to a new destination, we typically start with booking our airfare. Next, we look at other destinations close by that would be awesome to add on to the end of our vacation. We recently traveled to Croatia and discovered that Ljubljana in Slovenia wasn’t too far from Zagreb. If your Croatia travel itinerary includes a jaunt to Ljubljana, be sure to add some day trips from Ljubljana to Lake Bled and then to Vintgar Gorge.
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What a thorough guide! I had no idea that was why Lake Bled is so blue – I’m still dying to go!
This looks so dreamy!!! Would love to visit in the spring!