A Weekend in Lake Bled, Slovenia
Activities, eats, and accommodation for an outdoorsy three days in the Julian Alps.
Slovenia may have never been on your radar of destinations to travel to, but nestled in the Julian Alps is a place that should be at the top of your list: Lake Bled.
Charming cottages, turquoise waters, old castles, epic hikes, an escape from the everyday—look no further! Located just a 90-minute train or bus ride from the capital city Ljubljana, setting foot in Bled is like walking into a fairytale book. I took the train and was glued to the window the entire time because the views are just that incredible.
Where We’re Staying: For my fellow backpackers, there are plenty of hostels to choose from in convenient locations in Bled. I stayed at Bled Hostel which was the perfect location and atmosphere whether you’re looking for a social scene or not. Did I have some cold showers? Yes, yes I did, but it added to the charm. Ace of Spades Hostel and Travellers’ Haven are other options for a similar price in the same area.
If you’re looking for a nicer place to stay, maybe a less ~communal~ living style, there are many nice hotels located right on the lake.
What We’re Doing: Let me tell you that you will not go bored in Lake Bled on a sunny day. Remember to bring a suit & wear your walking shoes!
Walk the path around the lake — this 3.7 mile loop is the best way to experience lake views from all angles. It takes about an hour and a half to complete, but longer if you’re doing it right and making stops along the way.
Hike up to Bled Castle — a short climb with beautiful views of the lake! You can enter the castle and explore for a small fee, but I think that the view is more exciting than anything that you can see inside.
Take a boat or paddle board to Bled Island — this is a must! The iconic island in the middle of the lake is easy to get to by renting a paddle board or hitching a ride on a wooden boat. You won’t need to walk far along the loop to see another place to catch a ride to the island. I loved taking a paddle board because I could jump and swim in the water too. There is a church and café on the island that you can pop into.
Highlight: Hike Mala Osojnica
If you’re up for a more challenging hike, this route is steep but the views from the top are SO worth it! Be prepared for a comically steep staircase in the last push.
Walk through Vintgar Gorge in Triglav National Park — a GORGEous wooden path zagging over electric, streaming waters. This hike is located outside of Bled so you can walk 40 minutes there like I did, or hop on a bus. Make sure to bring a suit to jump in the water at the end of the trail.
Swim and soak up the sun at Kopalno Območje Velika Zaka — grab a picnic at the market right nearby!
📍Vintgar Gorge
What We’re Chomping:
Try Bled Cream Cake — Lake Bled’s iconic dessert! A vanilla custard topped with crispy filo dough and a PILE (seriously) of powdered sugar. All cafés in Bled will serve the “Blejska kremšnita”, but the best one is from Café Belvedere which has gorgeous views of the lake. I recommend stopping here while walking the trail around the lake.
Grab a coffee or happy hour spritz from Caffe Peglez’n — a charming cafe with an outdoor patio. Get the hugo spritz!
Enjoy lunch or dinner from Pizzeria Rustika — great pizzas and salads within walking distance of the hostels.