Ahh Lake Bled. Slovenia’s crowing jewel. It’s the most photographed spot in Slovenia for good reason, it’s so freaking beautiful! It doesn’t even look like a real place.  

It shows up on many “must see” in Europe lists, and every time it does I get a little excited, and also a little worried….what if too many people find out about it? But alas, I can’t keep Slovenia to myself (as much as I might want to!)

So I’m sharing my top things to do in Bled. Because I want you to experience this beautiful place to it’s fullest potential. 🙂

Visit Lake Bled’s island – Blejski Otok 

If you do nothing else during your visit to Lake Bled, at LEAST take the time to visit Slovenia’s only island or otok. Yes, it is touristy, BUT the experience of visiting this island really is special in my opinion.

Although it looks like there is a castle in the middle of the lake, it is actually a church, the Church of the Assumption. While the island is small, I recommend taking at least an hour to explore it. Climb the 99 steps, visit the church, ring the wishing bell, have some potica (Slovenian nut roll dessert), wash it down with a Laško (beer) and check out the gift shop which stocks some amazing Slovenian made gifts. Check out my blog post on Visiting Bled Island for everything you need to know about getting to and visiting the island!  

Cost & Hours: It is free to visit the island, although entrance to the church will cost €6. Cost to get to the island varies depending on how you choose to get to the island. Open daily from 9am-7pm, til 6pm April & Oct, and til 4pm Nov-March.  

Website: http://www.blejskiotok.si/ 

Visit Bled Castle – Blejski Grad 

Yep, there’s a castle up on that cliff! Bled Castle is probably the second most iconic Slovenian view. Perched high above Lake Bled, this castle has been around since the year 1011. Holy cow, that’s old!  The castle complex consists of a restaurant, café, museum, wine cellar, printing press and more. You can learn about the history of Bled at the museum, bottle your own wine in the cellar most importantly- take in the breathtaking views of Lake Bled from above. The Bled Castle Restaurant – Jezersek is a bit pricey, but worth it to enjoy some gourmet food with a view!

There are several ways to get up to the castle. First, you can hike up, which is how we got up there. Its pretty steep and takes about 30 min or so, but you earn the views! You can drive up if you have a car, parking is €3 for 2 hours. Or in April-September you can take the shuttle bus up for just €1. Click here for the shuttle bus timetable & stops.  

Cost & Hours: Adults €11, Kids €5, Open year-round from 8am til 6pm (Nov-Mar), til 8pm in the spring and fall, and til 9pm July & August.  

Website: http://www.blejski-grad.si/en/ 

Eat some Bled Cream Cake – Kremšnita 

This layered cream cake is a symbol of Lake Bled for some reason – and I’m surely not mad about it. So damn good! It is several delightful layers of puff pastry, custard, and whipped cream, cut into precise 7xm x 7cm x 7cm cubes – if made properly that is.  It is freaking delicious at any time of day.

Where to get some? Well, if you want the original kremšnita, you need to go to the source: Hotel Park. In 1953, Ištvan Lukačević mastered the original recipe, and the Hotel’s Park Café has been turning them out ever since.  

Other great places to try some Bled Cream Cake: For a swanky spot try Vila Bled or Grand Hotel Toplice, For a grand view – try it at Bled Castle (see above), for a local’s recommendation, try Slaščičarna Zima, a pastry shop on the north side of the lake.  

Cost: Varies, but typically around €5 a slice.  

Walk the path around Lake Bled  

Lake Bled is gorgeous from all angles! Luckily, there’s a footpath path that goes all the way around the lake so you can take in all the views. The 3.5 mile (6km) path is paved in some spots and gravel in others, but is perfect for a stroll. Great photo opportunities are abundant along this loop (if you’re doing it for the ‘Gram) here’s some of the best spots (with Google map links):  

• Veslaški klub Bled –There’s several docks here on the north side of the lake near the Bled rowing club that are great photo ops! Map  
• The Heart of Bled – a heart shaped photo prop near the park on the east end of the lake. Map 
• Boardwalk near Rent-A-Boat – Here the lakeside path turns into a boardwalk with really great close-up views of the island. Map 

Cost: Totally free!  

Hike up to a spectacular view of Lake Bled

There are two big hills on the western side of the lake, Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica – and if you’ve got it in you to hike ‘em, you’ll be rewarded with THE best view of Lake Bled and the surrounding mountains. It is a bit steep in spots, so expect some huffing and puffing. Slovenes rate this trail as “easy”, since they are practically born hiking in the nature, but I’ll give it a “moderate” rating for your typical tourist. 🙂 

The trailhead is a little tricky to find. Click here for an approximate Google Map location of the trailhead. If you’re walking the lake path, you’ll see a bench and a signpost with “Osojnica and Ojstrica” on it. If you have a car, your best bet is to park at the lot near Camping Bled and then walk down the lake path to the trailhead. I recommend following the signs leading for Ojstrica first since the ascend is a little more gradual from there. There’s a section that’s pretty much like a steep staircase on the way down from Mala Osojnica. Personally, I prefer to go down that section rather than up!  

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If you’re ambitious and like waking up before the crack of dawn on your vacation, I’m told this is THE spot to catch the most amazing sunrises over the lake. But you’ll have to take someone else’s word for it, I haven’t been properly motivated to give it a try yet. Something for next time!  

Cost: Free, just the price of your sweat. 😊  

More info: CLICK HERE for a great (and very in-depth) description of ALL the hikes around Bled. 

Get IN or ON Lake Bled 

Even though this is an alpine lake, between June thru September the waters of Lake Bled warm up enough for it to be very pleasant to swim in. Take my word for it because I’m a HUGE chicken when it comes to swimming in cold water. So if I say its pleasant to swim in, then it most definitely is! The water is refreshing and such a surreal turquoise color that it’s an experience you can’t miss. You’ll find two great swimming beaches on Lake Bled: 

• The beach at Camping Bled (Velika Zaka)– Located on the west side of the lake, nearest the island. It’s a free beach, so it gets quite busy in the summer months.  
• Castle Bathing Area (Grajsko kopališče) – located under the castle cliff, this beach has designated swimming areas that utilize the lake’s waters. They also have 2 slides, a trampoline, a climbing wall and more. Cost: €9/ day for adults, €6 kids, cheaper rates if you go after 3pm.   

Swimming to the island on Lake Bled is a great challenge. But, I did it! And it was so rewarding. But be forewarned, you can’t shop at the gift shop or enter the church on the island in your bathing suit, so be prepared for that. Read more about swimming to the island here. 

You can also rent a stand-up paddle board (SUP) or kayak to get out on the lake. I highly recommend this! It is so much fun to cruise around. You really feel at one with the nature. Find some SUP rentals at SUP Bled, Bananaway, and there is also a SUP & Kayak rental place at Camping Bled (behind the supermarket) that rents SUP for about €10/ hour.  

The Straža! 

Last, but certainly not least – I highly recommend a visit to Straža Bled. The Straža is a large green hill on the south side of the lake and it boasts year-round fun for all ages.

In the summer, you simply MUST do the tobogganing. A ski lift takes you up to the top of the hill where you get in a little yellow cart with a hand brake and fly down the hill on a single track to the bottom. With a view of the lake and castle in the background, this is simply the most fun an adult can have in life! I’m a bit obsessed.  

A wise Slovene told me: you must purchase three tickets. The first time – you will go slow, fearing for your life. The second time – you’ll get a little brave and lay off the brake a bit. But by the third time….oh hell yes, its on! Brake? What brake?!  

Other summertime fun at Straža Bled include Adventure park Bled (a ropes course) and a fitness trail. In the winter you can enjoy a small ski slope equipped for night skiing too. Good times had by all!! 

Cost: €4 per ride for adults & kids. Hours vary per season.  

Website: https://www.straza-bled.si/en/Summer 

Peep’s Pointers

Getting there

Lake Bled is easily accessible from Slovenia’s Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU).

• By car – Whether you rent a car, or take a taxi, Bled is just a short 36 km (about 25 min) drive from the airport. The airport has many rental car companies to choose from. On the flipside, a taxi will run about 50€.
• By bus – During the summer months, a bus runs hourly from LJU Airport, and every 30 min from Ljubljana’s main bus station. Check the time tables here.
• By train – Connections from Ljubljana and further afield will get you to the Lesce-Bled train station (4 km from the center of Bled). Check the time table here. 

Getting around

There are several ways to get around Bled, but the best way is by foot or on a bike. If you arrive by car, park in one of the many car parks and walk.

Bikes can be rented at several vendors: 3glav Adventures, Mamut Slovenia, and more. Other options include a tourist train (from June to September) or a carriage ride around the lake.