Bled is a mountain town in Slovenia with a short promenade around a lake in the middle of which stands an islet with the Church of the Assumption. Above the lake rises a medieval castle on a cliff over a hundred metres high and behind it tower the peaks of the Julian Alps, dominated by Triglav, the highest mountain of Slovenia at 2,864 metres. It is one of the most photographed scenes in central Europe and Bled is busiest in July and August. The lake has warm water for swimming, a circular path six kilometres long goes round it, and to the island people are rowed in traditional pletna boats, which local families have rowed for generations. From Bled you can head to Vintgar Gorge, to Lake Bohinj or to the mountains. Most people come from Ljubljana, only an hour away by car, and from the Czech Republic it is around eight hundred kilometres. A Slovenian motorway vignette is needed and you pay in euros. The best time to visit is May to September, in October there is autumn colour and in winter calm.
The places worth your time in Bled, and what to expect at each
Bled
A glacial lake about two kilometres long with warm water in summer and a circular path that can be walked in an hour and a half. From several viewpoints there is a view of the island, castle and Alps. You can swim, row and fish here.
Tip: The circular path is loveliest early in the morning or in the evening, when the lake is calm. Good swimming spots are by the Big Beach and by the Grand Toplice hotel.
middle of the lake
Slovenia's only island with a pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of the seventeenth century and a wishing bell that rings when you pull the rope. You are rowed to the island in traditional pletna boats, which the boatman rows standing. A hundred and thirty steps lead up to the church.
Tip: A pletna ride costs about twenty euros a person and takes half an hour with a stay. In season there is a queue, so come early in the morning. Or you can paddle across by kayak.
above the lake
The oldest castle in Slovenia, from 1011, standing on a cliff a hundred and thirty metres above the lake. Inside are a museum, a chapel, a printing shop and a restaurant with a view. It is the best place to see the lake from above.
Tip: Entry costs about fifteen euros. Walk up by the path in twenty minutes, or drive. The best view is in the afternoon and at sunset.
above the lake
A viewpoint some hundred and thirty metres above the lake from which comes the classic photograph of Bled with the island, castle and Alps behind. The walk from the lake takes about forty minutes. The view is loveliest in morning light.
Tip: Set out before seven in the morning; the queue at the viewpoint forms early. Bring sturdy shoes, as the path is steep and stony.
4 km from Bled
A four-kilometre gorge of the Radovna river with wooden walkways above green water, waterfalls and rock walls. It ends at the Šum waterfall, at sixteen metres the highest river waterfall in Slovenia. It is one of the loveliest places in the country.
Tip: It is open from spring to autumn, entry costs about ten euros. In summer book in advance and come in the morning, or the walkways are crowded. A bus runs from Bled.
26 km from Bled
The largest permanent lake in Slovenia in Triglav National Park, calmer and wilder than Bled. Around it are mountains, meadows and trails and people jump into the water from the jetty. It is a good base for hiking.
Tip: A bus runs from Bled and by car it is half an hour. From there a cable car runs to Vogel with a view of the lake and Triglav; it is pricier though.
above Bled
A high plateau of forests and peat bogs above Bled, where biathlon races are held in winter. In summer it is calm, with mushrooms and hiking trails. From the plateau a road leads to further gorges.
Tip: The drive takes half an hour. In winter people cross-country ski and in summer pick mushrooms; check the weather forecast.
Julian Alps
The highest mountain of Slovenia at 2,864 metres, a symbol of the country and part of its coat of arms. The ascent is demanding, takes two days and requires experience or a guide and via ferrata equipment. The view of the mountain is lovely even from the valley.
Tip: Plan the ascent with a mountain guide and only in summer; weather changes quickly. To see the summit a trip to Pokljuka suffices.
Bled
The famous Bled dessert, a creamy vanilla slice with a layer of pastry and custard, which has been served in Bled since 1953 in the café of the Park hotel. It is the best-known speciality of the town and thousands are sold a day in season.
Tip: Queues form in the afternoon. Come in the morning or use other cafés that serve the same dessert. A slice costs about four euros.
Photos: Lake Bled — Canadianhockey91 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Bled Castle — Gilad Topaz (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Vintgar Gorge — Akulatraxas from Hannover, Germany (CC BY 2.0) · Lake Bohinj — Carsten Steger (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Pokljuka — Jernej Furman from Slovenia (CC BY 2.0) · Triglav — Andrej Jakobčič (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Kremšnita — F_A from Ostwestfalen, Germany (CC BY 2.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: views and swimming
Hotels and guesthouses right by the lake, with a view of the island and castle. It is the loveliest place but also the priciest. Suits couples and a short stay.
Best for: shops and restaurants
The town with cafés, restaurants and shops a short way from the lake. It is lively and prices are middling. A good choice for families.
Best for: calm and nature
Villages around the lake with guesthouses and apartments, where it is calmer and cheaper. The centre is on foot. Suits a longer stay.
Best for: mountains and calm
The area by Lake Bohinj, half an hour from Bled, with mountain huts and hiking. It is calm and natural. Suits hikers.
The nearest airport is Ljubljana (LJU), about thirty-five kilometres from Bled, from which a bus or taxi runs. From the Czech Republic it is around eight hundred kilometres by car through Austria; you need an Austrian and a Slovenian motorway vignette. From Ljubljana a bus and train run to Lesce–Bled, from which it is a short way to the lake. Another option is Klagenfurt airport (Austria).
Ljubljana Airport (LJU) · 35 km
In Bled everything can be walked; the circular path round the lake takes an hour and a half. A local bus runs to Bohinj and to Vintgar Gorge. Bikes and e-bikes are rented. For Bohinj and the mountains a car is handy.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Arriva, Bolt, Maps.me
Bled has an Alpine climate with a pleasant summer and a cold winter. In July it is around twenty-seven degrees and the lake warms to twenty-four. The best time is May to September; in October the autumn colour is lovely. In winter there is snow and frost.
Best time
May to September
What to avoid
November (cold and rainy)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 3° | 6° | 11° | 16° | 21° | 25° | 27° | 27° | 22° | 16° | 9° | 4° |
| Night | -4° | -3° | 0° | 4° | 9° | 13° | 15° | 14° | 10° | 6° | 2° | -2° |
| Rainy days | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 9 |
Slovenian cooking blends Alpine and Pannonian influences: sausages, štruklji and mushroom dishes. A main dish costs fifteen to thirty euros and prices are higher by the lake. People drink wine from Primorska and Union and Laško beer.
Bled kremšnita
A creamy dessert with vanilla custard and cream between layers of puff pastry. The best-known speciality of Bled.
Štruklji
Rolled dough filled with curd cheese, nuts or herbs. A traditional Slovenian dish.
Bohinj trout
Fresh trout from mountain rivers, grilled or fried. Best by the lake.
Kranjska klobasa
A pork sausage with spices and garlic, served with sauerkraut and mustard.
Žganci
A thick porridge of buckwheat or maize flour. A family dish.
Jota
A thick soup of beans, cabbage and potato with sausage. A typical Slovenian dish.
Honey cakes
Honey pastry from the Radovljica area, decorated with traditional motifs. A good souvenir.
Espresso
€2–3
Lunch in a restaurant
€15–30
Kremšnita
€4
A beer
€3.5–5
Pletna to the island
€20
Bled Castle
€15
3★ hotel (night)
€110–220
Vintgar
€10
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Ljubljana
55 km · 1 hr by car or bus
The capital of Slovenia with a castle, Plečnik's bridges and a market. A bus and train run from Bled.
Lake Bohinj
26 km · 30 min by car
Slovenia's largest permanent lake in Triglav National Park, calmer than Bled. Good for swimming and hiking.
Piran
170 km · 2 hrs by car
A Venetian town on the Adriatic coast with Tartini Square and fish restaurants. It suits a full-day trip.
One to two days suffice for the lake, castle and island. Add a day for Vintgar and another for Bohinj. Bled is small and calm.
By bus in about an hour and a quarter for eight euros, or by train to Lesce–Bled and a bus to the lake. By car it is an hour on the A2 motorway. It pays to set out early in the morning.
May to September, when it is warm and you can swim. In October there is autumn colour. In July and August it is crowded, as the lake fills quickly with people.
Yes, the water warms to twenty-four degrees in summer and there are beaches and jetties. Watch for fish and algae. Swimming is free.
About twenty euros a person and it takes half an hour. In season there is a queue and the boatmen go by turns. An alternative is to hire a rowing boat or kayak.
It is pricier than other places in Slovenia: a hotel costs a hundred and ten to two hundred and twenty euros a night and a main dish fifteen to thirty. Cheapest is to stay in the surroundings and come for the day.
Yes, it is calm and safe, the lake is shallow and the circular path suits a pushchair. Children enjoy the trip to the island and swimming. Vintgar runs on wooden walkways.
The famous Bled dessert of vanilla custard and cream between puff pastry. It has been served since 1953 in the café of the Park hotel. A slice costs about four euros.
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Check visa requirementsLanguage
Slovenian
Currency
EUR
Timezone
Europe/Ljubljana
Dial Code
+386
Population
2.1M
Area
20,273 km²
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Right
