After seeing a few photos on Instagram, and actually questioning whether they were A.I., we wondered about slipping in an overnight stay to Lake Bled, Slovenia into our Summer road-trip.
Could Bled really be that beautiful? Do places like this still exist? Who even knew Slovenia was hiding such a special secret!?
Well, with the final destination of our road trip being Istria in Croatia, and our ongoing devotion to visiting as much of the world as possible, it seemed only sensible that we cut through this new country to see what the crack is.
Lake Bled – Slovenia
Maybe you’re considering a trip to Lake Bled this year? Or perhaps you’re wondering if it’s worth the hype? Well, we’re here to give you the low-down on Bled, the truth about its shores and how you can totally nail an epic trip to this attractive little Slovenian lake.
In this article we’ll cover…
- Our tried and tested hotel recommendation for Bled, Slovenia.
- How long do you need in Lake Bled?
- A bit of Bled history.
- Things to do in Bled, and nearby.
- Some Lake Bled travel tips.
Our Tried & Tested Bled Hotel
Our pre-trip search for a Bled hotel was a frustrating, and slightly worrying, reconnaissance – Slovenia wasn’t really blowing us away with its interior design choices. What we did know though, was that a hotel on the lake-front was non-negotiable for us – if we were only staying for 2 nights we really wanted to take advantage of those slightly unbelievable vistas. So we came across two problems – first finding a hotel that didn’t look like it was out of communist Europe, and second, finding a hotel with unobstructed views of Bled lake since there are a LOT of trees around the perimeter.
Thankfully the Adora Hotel ticked all of the boxes and we were well chuffed with our choice when we finally arrived in Bled and saw it for ourselves. Here it is, sitting so pretty…
The Adora Luxury Hotel, Bled.
The hotel is set in a traditional villa and the owners have picked some lovely antique pieces of furniture to compliment the building. But it’s not old and fusty, it’s classy and beautiful. The bathrooms are modern and filled with L’Occitane toiletries and everywhere is scrupulously clean. The breakfast was adequate but the 5 course Slovenian dinner in the hotel dining room was exceptional. Plus there’s also a lakeside coffee shack 50 meters away that does great croissants and coffee at breakfast for only a few euros – and to sit on a bench next to the waters edge is such a treat before the hordes of tourists arrive.
We booked a room with a view (not all rooms have it) and you can find the best rates at the Adora Hotel here.
How Much Time Do You Need At Lake Bled?
If I’m honest, we would never have considered booking a short trip to Lake Bled on its own – after all, it’s SO darn pretty and SO well photographed – the crowds must be massive right? But seeing as we almost drove through Bled on our way from Italy to Croatia, it would have been rude not to add it in to our itinerary. But is Lake Bled worth visiting for a weekend break, or is a day visit enough?
Well, we think at least one night and one full day is ample. Staying overnight graces you with a quieter lake once all of the day trippers have left, and early morning on the lake is a dream. Locals come out for a stroll with their dogs and a dip in the lake, and everything takes on a much slower pace – it’s really magical.
However, the lake is also blessed with several amazing local hikes, most with incredible birds-eye views of Bled. And there are also plenty of things to do in the nearby district of Bled such as ziplining, rafting, canyoning, and the Triglav National Park, so you could definitely spend longer than just one night and fill the days with nature and thrills.
A Bit About Lake Bled & It’s History
Lake Bled is located in the Julian Alps of north-western Slovenia and was formed by glacial activity – hence the emerald waters and dramatic mountain backdrops. And, at its heart is a tiny tear-shaped island – a natural masterpiece that has sparked many local legends and drawn in multitudes of admirers.
Historically, the Bishops of Brixen were the fellows who managed to turn Bled into a stronghold, building the castle around 1011 for defensive reasons. And it still dominates the view today, although it’s visitors rather than invaders making the climb for those sweeping views.
Down on the island, life followed a different rhythm. Long before Christianity arrived, the site is believed to have hosted a pagan temple tied to local fertility rites. Over time, that sacred ground transformed into the elegant Church of the Assumption, whose bell – according to legend – grants wishes to those who ring it. Whether you believe the folklore or not, it’s hard not to feel a sense of ceremony when you arrive by boat, stepping into a place that has been spiritually significant for over a thousand years.
Things To Do In Bled, Slovenia
Bled needs to be admired from all angles and each of our suggestions gives a different perspective of the lake. There are plenty of things to see and do, so here’s our highlights…
1. WALK THE FULL LAKESIDE PATH
We did this early morning before the path got too busy and we found ourselves mixing with dog-walkers in their Speedos and local kids larking around on rope-swings. It’s the prettiest of rambles and the 6km circumference takes about an hour and a half in total, but obviously you’ll need a few pit-stops for some Slovenian wine or coffee by the waters edge 😉
The path is mostly flat, but if you are feeling a bit tired, or don’t have the time, there is a miniature train that does all the hard work for you. So, at the risk of looking like a large child, or even just an American (although there aren’t many of those around, thankfully!), the tourist train will cost you €7 and takes 45 minutes.
2. VISIT BLED ISLAND & THE CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION
One of the most popular things to do in Lake Bled is visit the island by boat. You can either hire your own little rowboat, canoe or paddle board, OR take a passenger boat. The electric ferry (or water-bus) runs every hour on the hour, from 10am – 3pm, and the traditional wooden Pletna boats leave whenever they have enough passengers.
Bled Island is the reason most people visit Bled in the first place – it’s the centre-piece of perfection and a sanctuary of myths and traditions.
See those steps? (above photo) Tradition still has it that if a groom could carry his bride up the 99 steps to the Lake Bled Church Of Assumption and she remains silent for the trip, they could ensure a long and happy marriage. Needless to say, divorce rates on Bled are exceptionally high! Add to that a bell, which if rung 3 times, will bring you good luck, you can see why thousands make the trip by boat each year.
Apart from that there is very little to see on the island, so don’t worry if you don’t have time for it in your Bled itinerary – it actually looks better from the shore anyway.
3. TRY SOME BLED CAKE
Admittedly not the most appetising sounding desert, but Bled Cake has to be tried. And I assure you no bodily fluids are used in the making of it – unless you count your own saliva as you drool over its deliciousness.
However, it is what most people visiting Bled endeavour to partake in, so the earlier in the day you can fit this into your schedule, the less wait-time you’ll have.
We had some Bled Cake at the place it was invented – The Park Hotel, and it was quite the lovely experience. On their lakeside terrace, accompanied by a great cup of coffee, we shared a slice and watched some competitive rowing whilst we ate.
It’s Slovenia’s take on the British Vanilla Slice and it won’t disappoint : you wouldn’t go to Lisbon and not have a Nata de Belem so don’t even think about forgoing a Bled Cake. Alternatively, if The Park Hotel is already too busy, Slascicarna Zima does a great version too.
4. VISIT BLED CASTLE
Bled Castle, as you will notice, is constantly within eye-shot wherever you are on the lake. It ticks every box of a fairy-tale castle and is said to be the oldest in Slovenia. Inside isn’t as glorious as some ancient castles – this place wasn’t really a home as such, more a fortification and place to stay for the feudal lords. Someone had to protect their stores of Bled Cake!
The hike up is short but steep and takes around 15 minutes. The views from the terrace and castle courtyards are epic, and the museum has some interesting displays about the historical and cultural development of Bled. You’ll need about an hour to see it all.
5. SWIM IN THE LAKE
If you were asking ‘Can you swim in Lake Bled?’, the answer is yes! The lake itself is a hive of activity, both locals and holiday-makers alike making good use of the water. And, if you look carefully you will see a section that is cordoned off exclusively for competitive rowing. Possibly the most picturesque course in the world and home to quite a few Olympic medal sportsmen, there are people practising all day long and the lake holds several regattas throughout the year.
6. HIKE UP TO THE OJSTRICA VIEWPOINT
The Best View of Lake Bled does involve a workout, but lets face it – you just ate a cows-worth of cream in your slice of Bled Cake and you need to burn off some calories. Ojstrica is the spot where postcards are made, the views of Lake Bled are stunning and definitely worth the hike at sunrise or sunset. It can get quite busy during the day so if you’re not a fan of crowds then you may want to try the nearby Mala Osojnica hike instead : some say the views aren’t as good and the climb is a little more perilous but you’ve got more chance of getting the bench at the top to yourselves. Both climbs take 20-40 minutes and you will need to have your wits about you as health and safety doesn’t exist in Slovenia!
Some Other Things To Do Locally
Whilst many travel guides recommended visiting the nearby village of Radovljica, we did visit and there was nothing there! Some say it’s Slovenia’s cutest town, but I say those people need to get out more – definitely not worth a trip. However, in this part of Slovenia many holiday-makers take advantage of local beauty spots, and there are plenty of companies ready to take you on trips and tours. Here’s some of the nearby highlights…
- Hike to Savica waterfall.
- Do a summer toboggan on zipline at Straza Bled.
- Go canyoning or rafting in nearby rivers.
- Explore the Alpine scenery at Triglav National Park.
- Visit the quieter, but wilder, Lake Bohinj.
- Take a trip to the Vintgar Gorge.
Where To Eat And Drink Around Lake Bled
If you’re trying to do Lake Bled on a shoestring then you might want to consider the liquid-lunch approach – Slovenia produces some of the best wine in Europe and they keep it all to themselves! Despite the fact most restaurants around Bled produce coughing fits with their food menu prices, the wine remains remarkably cheap and yet is some of the best you will ever drink.
But here are a few places to eat that we did enjoy…
Sova and Vila Ajda were both recommended to us by a few locals and we checked out the reviews and walked by the restaurants at night and they looked lovely (we ate in out hotel restaurant as we said before).
Alternatively, Spica Restaurant and Bar serves the best burgers and Mexican dishes for extremely reasonable prices in a modern setting – something surprisingly rare around Bled. Some of the staff need to learn a thing or two about customer service, but it all added to the entertainment for us and we really enjoyed our lunch.
There are also a selection of street food vendors along the shores of Bled with some great options for informal dining but with the best views.
We found a really great little Vinoteka called Zdravljica and tried several amazing Slovenian wines. It’s set back from the lake a little but we liked the vibe and we loved the wines! It’s only open Friday – Sunday 2pm – 8pm though.
Lake Bled Travel Tips
- Time Your visit. Tour buses arrive mid-morning and leave late afternooon.
- Avoid the summer crowds. July and August get extremely busy.
- Take some cash. Small food vendors, some parking machines, and some boats prefer cash.
- Pack for every weather eventuality. Storms can roll in quickly, plus the lakeside can be quite chilly early mornings.
- Don’t bother with Bled town. The new town of Bled is exactly how you would imagine communist Europe – stick to the shores of the lake.
So was Lake Bled worth a little detour on our summer road trip? Absolutely! In fact, I’d say it was a highlight of the whole holiday – it’s such a beautiful place.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our readers. Every booking made through one of our links makes us a small commission at no extra cost you you, so – THANK YOU.
The Adora Luxury Hotel – everything you want from a Bled hotel; glamour, views and great hospitality.
If you want to read more about the places we visited on our summer road trip, check out our other posts…
Day 2 – The Italian Dolomites & Bolzano
Day 3 – Staying Local In The Val Di Fassa
Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Istria In Croatia
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Your photos of Lake Bled are so beautiful, Alex, and your tip about staying there so you can see the lake before and after the crowds is just perfect. I’d much rather see the lake like this than on a hurried day trip. I went to Ljubljana years ago and even went on a ski/spa press trip in the Slovenian mountains but we’ve still not been to Lake Bled. Think we need to get there sooner rather than later!