In the course of much research on visiting Slovenia, the one common piece of advice was that everyone wished they had stayed longer. And even with five nights in Lake Bled, I ended up feeling the same: this is really a place you could spend the entire summer. There is an endless supply of outdoor and nature-oriented activities to enjoy at Lake Bled, Lake Bovinj, and more generally the Julian Alps region of northwest Slovenia. With the stunning natural beauty, good weather (though it can get quite hot, as it isn’t an alpine area), reasonable prices, and friendly people who easily speak English, I can see why we encountered many families (mostly Germans and other Slovenians) who were spending several weeks or longer in a summer rental or camping.
Where to Stay
There are many lodging options in Lake Bled, but we had heard mixed reviews about staying right in town (and the available options were either super high-end or mediocre, even looking to book well in advance – this is a very popular summer destination so you have to start your planning early). We ended up finding a lovely Airbnb, Apartment Valy, about a 5-10-minute drive north of town in Podhom, closer to the Vintgar Gorge, and were quite happy with the peaceful location and amenities, including bikes, air conditioning, and a comfortable kitchen and patio with grill, and a very welcoming host who offered us fresh produce from their garden and homemade apple strudel. The caveat was that it was an almost entirely downhill, though scenic, bike ride to the lake from Podhom and so the ride back uphill (with a kid) involved a lot of stops, complaining, and walking the bikes, especially on a hot day. Although we really enjoyed Apartment Valy, I might suggest looking for lodging closer to the western edge of the lake, as you’d then be walking or a short bike ride distance to Velika Zaka beach and the Rowing Center (the opposite side from Lake Bled town; see more below when I talk about the swimming areas). That way, you’d be able to access more of the activity centers of the lake without having to drive every time and deal with the limited and paid parking; note that most places in and around Lakes Bled and Bohinj you will have to pay for parking and traffic can also get very clogged around the lake in the height of summer.
As in Istria and other regions, I do recommend researching lodging beyond the main short-term rental sites because there appeared to be many other guesthouses and rentals off of these platforms.
What to Do
- Swimming Spots and Enjoying the Lake
You’ll never tire of spending time at Lake Bled. The natural beauty is other-worldly, the water is pristine and crystal clear; no motorboats are allowed in the lake, only rowboats, and you’ll find very little trash or debris, even near the marshy areas. The area’s limestone rock infuses a stunning turquoise color into the water, especially vibrant on clear, sunny days. The best swimming area seemed to be on the western edge of the lake at Velika Zaka, and when that beach fills up, people also gathered at the Olympic Rowing Center swim areas. You can also rent a rowboat to visit the island church, or rent canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddle boards to explore the lake on your own. On the eastern edge of the lake, near Bled town, is a beautiful park and promenade for strolling and in the summer, some casual food and beer stands with live music on some evenings.
- Bled Castle:
These were some of the views from Bled Castle, unfiltered … just wow.
Bled Castle, perched up on a cliff overlooking the lake, is worth a visit. Slovenia’s oldest castle dates back about a thousand years and was active in the medieval era and through the Renaissance, with more recent renovations in the 18th century. The castle is now a museum where you can learn more about Slovenia, the region, and the history and development of the lake’s tourism. It was helpful to check the castle’s schedule in advance because we were able to plan our visit to see the medieval “show” of sorts with costumed characters, dancing, a sword-fight, fire-breathing, and other entertainment. With the castle’s charm and probably the best views of the lake around, it’s definitely worth a stop.
- Vintgar Gorge:
Vintgar Gorge is a hiking experience through a spectacular gorge and river in the Triglav National Park, about a 15-minute drive north of Bled town. It’s best to secure timed tickets in advance and you can do that a few days before your visit depending on the weather forecast; if you’re driving, you also need to figure out where you’ll park and shuttle in order to know where you’ll end up after finishing the gorge experience. (Because Vintgar Gorge is quite close to the village of Podhom where we were staying, we just walked to the entrance, so didn’t have to deal with the parking situation.) You walk on an elevated pathway for about 30-45 minutes ending at a waterfall; from there, there are different levels of hiking paths back to the parking areas or to the original starting point. The wooden path you see in the photos is easy to navigate, but the hike back to the starting point was quite steep and challenging at times and took about an hour and a half, so it will really depend on who you’re traveling with and their aptitudes.
- Rafting on the Sava River:
This was our first time rafting as a family and we had a blast. We booked easily with Funturist (though it appeared that all the different companies end up merging their bookings and you ride along with 7-8 other rafts either in a morning or afternoon ride) and the whole experience was very stream-lined and organized. We found our guides to be friendly, funny, and engaging, and they facilitated a 1.5-hour, family-friendly ride down this beautiful, brisk Sava River (which flows through most of the country), with time for swimming, floating, and splashing other boats. They then bus you back to the starting point where you parked your car. This was one of our favorite activities in the region and I highly recommend it.
- Daytrip to Lake Bohinj
Lake Bohinj is actually the largest natural lake in Slovenia, just as if not even more pristine than Lake Bled, and only about a 40-minute drive west of Lake Bled. The town is much smaller and most people seemed to be camping on the western edge of the lake, near Ukanc (there were nice-looking if close-together campsites with many amenities). We walked around the eastern part of the lake near the church (Sv. Janeza Krstnika) and decided to take an electric boat ride across the lake to get a better sense of its scope, which was really enjoyable.
We had a wonderful time in this region of Slovenia, slowing down to appreciate the nature and summer vibes, cooking and grilling some good meals, and exploring a new corner of the world.
