Bohinj and Bled are the most beautiful lakes in Slovenia, located in the heart of the Triglav National Park. We went there for the first time when we rode our bikes across Europe and fell in love immediately. We’ve been back several times since then. In winter, you can go cross-country skiing here, while in summer the landscape invites you to take nature walks and swim in the pleasantly warm Lake Bled. Let’s see what to do in Bled and at Lake Bohinj.
Where to stay near Lake Bohinj and Bled
If you like peace and quiet, we recommend staying at Lake Bohinj and then taking a trip to Bled. We stayed in the absolutely luxurious and brand new Hotel Bohinj and we absolutely loved it. We’re still remembering.
The hotel prepares a programme for guests in the garden, one day there is a barbecue, another day there is live music. If there is no program, you can sit in deck chairs or at tables and look at the mountain peaks. In addition, this hotel has a spa. We did not regret at all that we chose a slightly more expensive hotel than usual. The hotel had an amazing breakfast and an absolutely luxurious restaurant.
How long to go to Bled and Lake Bohinj
We went for 6 days and it was absolutely perfect. We managed to visit everything mentioned below and had time to laze around and relax with a book in hand or in the wellness area.
What you should know about Bled
Lake Bled, also known as Lake Bled, is a perfect turquoise lake of glacial origin in Slovenia. It is 2.1 km long and 1 km wide and reaches a maximum depth of 45 metres.
In the middle of the lake is the charming islet of Blejski otok with the pilgrimage church of the Virgin Mary and the Old Slavic cemetery. You can visit the island either by boat from the harbour or by paddling over on a boat. Some can even swim there (the distance from the nearest shore is only 350 metres).
Swimming in Lake Bled – water temperature
The water in the lake is pleasantly warm, up to 26 °C in summer, making Lake Bled one of the warmest lakes in the Alps. If you go swimming, the ideal temperature is from the end of June to September.
What you should know about Lake Bohinj
Lake Bohinj is the largest natural lake in Slovenia. The main tributary of the lake is the Savica River. Lake Bohinj is 4.2 km long and up to 1 km wide at its longest part. Compared to Bled, Lake Bohinj is quieter because there are far fewer restaurants and hotels and services in general.
Water temperature Bohinj
Lake Bohinj is much colder than Lake Bled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t swim in it. The water is up to 23 °C in summer.
15 tips on what to do and see at Lake Bohinj and in Bled
Going to Slovenia? Now let’s take a look at what to do in Bled and Lake Bohinj. The two lakes are a short distance from each other, so make sure you visit both when you visit Slovenia.
Rent a boat at Lake Bled
As mentioned above, in the middle of Lake Bled you will find the small island of Blejski otok with the pilgrimage church of Our Lady. To get there, you either have to swim 350 m, take an electric boat or rent a kayak. But you can also rent a paddle board or a classic boat like we did.
Bled Castle
Don’t forget to take a trip to Bled Castle, which is perched on a rock above the lake. The castle was built at the beginning of the 11th century. century, its present form dates from the 16th century. century. Today it serves as a town museum and a stylish restaurant. The terrace has a great view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The price of admission can be found here.
Take a walk around Bled
If it’s not too hot, go for a walk around the lake, which is 6 kilometres long. Easy trails also lead to the surrounding hills, from which you have nice views of the lake.
View of Bled: Osojnica
For an unforgettable view of Lake Bled, visit the viewpoint called Osojnica. After less than an hour of climbing, you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Vintgar competition
One of the most popular excursions from Bled is a visit to the Vintgar Gorge. This 1.6 km long gorge is a short walk around a fast flowing river, waterfalls and cascades. Don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes as the paths can be slippery.
The Mostnica Competition
Mostnica is a beautiful gorge that is about 2 km long. There is a nature trail that starts in Stara Fužina. Here you will find beautiful rock formations with blue-green colored water.
Vogel – ski resort and viewpoint
For a spectacular view of Lake Bohinj, takethe cable car to the top of Vogel, which is a ski resort in winter but a popular hiking destination in summer. This peak offers some of the best views of the Julian Alps.
Triglav – the highest mountain in Slovenia
Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia in Triglav National Park and is considered a national symbol. This 2,864-metre peak is a popular destination for experienced climbers and hikers who are willing to undertake a challenging ascent.
Bohinjska Bistrica – wellness centre
In Bohinjska Bistrica there is a large wellness centre with swimming pools and saunas, where you can enjoy rest and relaxation after an active day in nature.
Walk around Lake Bohinj
The walk around Lake Bohinj is not difficult at all, but it is quite long. It will take you about 3 hours, as it is about 12 km long. But you can rent a bike or electric bike and ride around the lake.
Horse riding around Lake Bohinj
If you don’t feel like walking around Lake Bohinj, you can book a horse ride and ride around it in the saddle.
Paragliding
One of the attractions we were sorry we didn’t try because we didn’t know about it. We only found out when we took the cable car up the Vogel. At Lake Bohinj you can go paragliding and jump (is that what they say?) from the Vogel.
Rafting
Do you love rafting or would you like to try it? Slovenia, with its turquoise rivers, invites this activity. You can book it very easily with GetYourGuide, for example, through which we book most attractions not only in Europe.
Paddle Boarding
If you’ve never stood on a paddle board, it might be time to give it a try at Lake Bled or Bohinj. The water here is perfectly calm, so it invites even beginners to sit on a paddle board.
Go to the Savica waterfalls
Savica waterfalls are probably the most famous waterfalls in Slovenia ever. Before 2008, they measured over 130 m, but after the landslide they are unfortunately only 80 m long. As these are the most unknown waterfalls in Slovenia, there are a lot of tourists, so we recommend to go early. Parking at the waterfalls is paid, as are most of the parking lots at the trailheads.
Before you get to the falls, but before you pay admission, you can find the current prices here.
What to do near Bled with children?
All water activities are very popular with children, from boat trips on Bled to rafting. Horseback riding is also great, or you can visit Aquapark Bohinj .
Where to go on a day trip from Bled
If you are spending a week or more at Bled and Bohinj, you may want to take a longer trip outside of Triglav.
Ljubljana – the capital of Slovenia
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is about 80 km from Bohinj. It is a picturesque and lively city that is ideal for walking, shopping and exploring Slovenian culture. Visit Ljubljana Castle, stroll the streets of the Old Town or attend one of the many cultural and musical events that take place there.
Soca – river and valley
The Soca is one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, known for its unique turquoise colour. The area is ideal for hiking, rafting and other popular water sports.
Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle
Slovenia is known for its caves. If you are interested in geology and history, visit the Postojna Caves, one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Europe. Not far from the caves is Predjama Castle, which is carved directly into the rock face.
Slovenia has a lot to offer, whether you are looking for peace and relaxation, outdoor
Piran
If you want to go to the sea,you can visit Piran, a picturesque Slovenian town on the coast, famous for its Venetian architecture and magnificent views of the Adriatic Sea. You can stroll through the narrow streets, visit the Cathedral of St. George or take a walk around the city walls.
Karst and Škocjan Caves
The Karst region is famous for its karst phenomena and caves. The Škocjan Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest and most impressive caves in the world.
The best hikes around Bohinj
If you’re heading to Lake Bohinj mainly for hiking, you’ll find a list of the most famous treks in the area below.
The road to the Savica waterfall
- Difficulty: easy
- Duration: approximately 2 hours
- Distance: 6 km (round trip)
The path to the Savica waterfall is one of the most popular in the surroundings of Lake Bohinj. The route is mostly on paved paths and stairs, but it is worth it for the beautiful view of the Savica waterfall. The waterfall is about 80 metres high and offers an impressive view, especially after rain when the water flow is at its highest.
To the top of the Vogel
- Difficulty: medium
- Duration: approximately 4-5 hours
- Distance: 10 km (round trip)
The Vogel Peak offers some of the most beautiful views of the Julian Alps. This moderately demanding hike starts at the bottom station of the Vogel cable car and runs mostly on well-marked trails. From the top of Vogel you will have a magnificent view of Lake Bohinj and the surrounding mountains.
Circular route around Lake Bohinj
- Difficulty: easy
- Duration: approximately 3-4 hours
- Distance: 12 km
You can do this trail with children, as it goes around the lake on a solid path and a straight path. On the way, you can stop at the Church of St. John the Baptist or relax on one of the many beaches along the lake.
Trek to the Black Lake (Crno jezero)
- Difficulty: medium
- Duration: approximately 3-4 hours
- Distance: 8 km (round trip)
This moderately demanding hike takes you to Černý jezero, one of the seven Triglav lakes. The route starts at the bottom station of the Vogel cable car and leads through forested slopes and alpine meadows. At the end of the journey, you will have a wonderful view of the Black Lake with the panorama of the Julian Alps in the background.
5. Route to Mostnica Gorge
- Difficulty: easy
- Duration: approximately 2 hours
- Distance: 4 km (round trip)
This easy trail leads to Mostnica Gorge, a breathtaking canyon carved out of limestone rock by the Mostnica River. The path starts in the village of Stara Fužina and runs along the river with many small waterfalls and clear blue pools. The route is also suitable for families with children.
Route to the top of Pršivec
- Difficulty: medium
- Duration: approximately 4-5 hours
- Distance: 12 km (round trip)
The route to the top of Pršivec is a moderately demanding hike that offers spectacular views of Lake Bohinj and the surrounding mountains. The trail starts in the village of Stara Fužina and leads through varied terrain, including forests, rocks and alpine meadows. From the top of Pršivec you can see the entire circuit of the Julian Alps up to the highest mountain – Triglav. We had our dog with us, but we had to help him climb part of the route.
Map with points of interest on your phone
Save a map of the best places in Bled and Lake Bohinj directly to your phone. After purchase, you will receive a link to a non-public Google Map, which you can save by clicking ”Follow/Follow”. This will copy it to your Google account and display it on all devices where you use Google Maps.
What to taste in Slovenia: typical Slovenian food and desserts
- Kremšnita: This pudding dessert can be found not only in Slovenia, but also in Slovakia and in Croatia. The custard is made of crispy puff pastry, vanilla cream and whipped cream.
- Sweat: A traditional Slovenian puff pastry dessert filled with various fillings such as nuts, poppy seeds or cottage cheese.
- Kranjska klobasa: the Slovenian version of sausage, which is famous all over the world. It is made from minced pork and seasoned with various herbs and spices. It is served with sauerkraut and mustard.
- Idrija Žlikrofi: A traditional Slovenian specialty from Idrija, these are actually triangle-shaped dumplings. The filling is usually potatoes and nuts, and they are served with various sauces or grated bacon fried in butter.
- Strudels: These are rolls of yeast dough that are filled either sweet or savoury. So there can be fruit, cottage cheese, spinach, but also meat.
- Prekmurska gibanica: Another sweet dessert from the Prekmurje region. It is a layered cake made of puff pastry, the filling is usually made of nuts, poppy seeds and apples. It is sweet, aromatic and very popular among the locals.
- Medenjaki: Slovenian honey gingerbread.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bled suitable for families with children?
Yes, Bled is also suitable for the youngest children. The water is calm, relatively warm and there is plenty of activities for children of all ages.
Where to stay in Bled?
We recommend staying at Lake Bohinj rather than Bled, where prices are lower and it is quieter.
Is Bled suitable for cycling?
Bled by bike is extremely popular because the nature around Bled is beautiful and you can go on a longer trip from Bled to the surrounding area.
What to do in Slovenia when it rains?
If it’s raining in Bled, take a trip to Ljubljana or Piran.
Where to eat in Bled?
We were absolutely delighted with the restaurant Sova Bled.
Parking Bled: Where to park at the lake?
Bled has a number of parking spaces around the lake, you can find a list
here.
Lake Bled excursions: where to go in the surroundings?
Be sure to check out Lake Bohinj, which is easily accessible by car or bus.
Is there a cable car in Bled?
There is no cable car in Bled. The cable car is at the neighbouring Lake Bohinj and leads to the Vogel ski resort, from where hikers can go hiking in summer.
