Lake Bled is the most famous destination in Slovenia and also the best. You can’t come to Slovenia without spending at least a day here. The iconic photo of the island church in the center of the lake is frequently used as a screensaver for TVs and computers. If you’ve seen the photos and wondered: does it actually look that cool in person? The answer is a resounding yes. As much as I adore Ljubljana, a day trip to Lake Bled is the highlight of any trip to Slovenia.

How to Get There

Thanks to its popularity and proximity to Ljubljana, taking a day trip to Lake Bled is both cheap and easy. You don’t even need to rent a car! There are 2-3 departures from Ljubljana every hour on the bus operator Arriva. Tickets are just €7 per person and the ride takes between 1-1.5 hours.

The easiest way to buy your tickets is at the bus station, which is a nondescript building near the train station. Inside there are electronic ticket machines and staffed ticket booths where you can purchase your tickets. Your ticket is the receipt you get when you purchase it so be sure to have somewhere safe to stash it during the day as you will need it for the return journey.

What to Do

Bled Castle

About

History

This hilltop castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia, dating back to the year 1011. However, the present structure came about through renovations across the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. It started as a purely defensive structure but later became the seat of power for the lords of the region.

What to See

Today the castle is most notable for its spectacular views over the lake below. This is one of the best places to admire the beauty of Lake Bled and the surrounding mountains.

The castle does have more to it than just a view, it also houses a museum dedicated to the history of the surrounding region. The museum has a free audio guide and is good way to learn more about the history of Bled and Slovenia as a whole.

Additionally, the castle has a restaurant and cafe. Both of these serve the famous Bled Cream Cake (Kremna Rezina), which is a fun treat to try while taking in the views.

How to Visit

Opening Hours & Tickets

The castle is open 8am – 8pm from April through November and 8am – 6pm from November through March. Tickets cost €18 per adult, €11.50 per student, and €7 per child. Two children under 14 receive free entry with the purchase of two adult tickets.

Transit Info

Bled Castle is roughly a 15 minute walk away from the Bled bus station. To get there from the bus station, start by walking west down Grajska cesta. Then, take a left onto Riklijeva cesta. Follow the road until you pass the church, then take a right and follow the walking trail up to the castle.

Bled Island

About

In the middle of Lake Bled lies Bled Island, home to the iconic Assumption of Mary Church. This beautiful 17th century church is at the center of all the famous pictures of the lake. A visit to the island is a pilgrimage that every Bled visitor should make.

The island itself is beautiful and provides great views of the surrounding mountains as well as a close-up view of the iconic church. Additionally, the views from the boat to reach the island are magnificent.

How to Visit

The best way to reach Bled Island is via a traditional boat called a pletna. These are wooden boats that seat roughly a dozen people, and are covered with a colorful awning. They are powered by a single person standing on the back of the boat rowing two large oars using a technique specific to this kind of boat.

You can find these boats near the tourist information center right on the lake. If there’s an operator with space on their boat you can just get on and then they’ll leave once the boat is full enough. They row you out to the island and give you about 45 minutes to an hour to explore the island. You must pay the boat operator before boarding for the return journey. Expect to pay about €15 – €20 per person and make sure you have cash as card may not be accepted.

Mala Osojnica

About

Mala Osojnica is a viewpoint with the best views of Lake Bled. Reaching it requires tackling a short but steep hike. The reward is worth the effort. From the viewing platform visitors are treated to spectacular panoramic views over the lake and surrounding mountains.

This viewpoint is particularly noteworthy because it provides views over the lake, island, castle, and town all at once. All of that is combined with fantastic views of the alps towering in the background. The site truly takes your breath away.

How to Visit

To reach Mala Osojnica, start by taking the trail around the lake. The trailhead to Mala Osojnica is about halfway around the lake if starting from the town. Be sure to pay attention to your navigation app as the trailhead is not well marked.

Once on the trail, it’s about 3/4 of a mile to the top. Be warned, this is not an easy walk. It’s short but very steep, including a staircase that is almost steep enough to be a ladder. That said, there are great views along the way that can be enjoyed while taking a break from the strenuous climb. At the top, there are benches where you can sit and admire the view while also recuperating from the hike.

Where to Eat

Pizzeria Rustika

I had low expectations for the food in such a touristy town, but was pleasantly surprised by my meal at Pizzeria Rustika. This spot has great food and reasonable prices. The pizzas were fantastic and really satisfying after a long morning of walking. They are also surprisingly cheap for their size. Prices range from €12 – €17 for a pizza, and one pizza is big enough to feed two adults.

Sample Itinerary

8:30am – Bus Lubljana -> Bled

9:45am – Arrive in Bled

10am – Bled Castle

12:30pm – Bled Island

2:30pm – Lunch @ Pizzeria Rustika

3:30pm – Hike around the lake
– There is a paved walking path that goes all the way around the lake. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and allows you to appreciate the views from every angle.
– Hike up to Mala Osojnica on the way!

7pm – Bus Bled -> Ljubljana

Lake Bled is an absolute can’t-miss day trip. It belongs on everyone’s bucket list. The lake is astonishingly beautiful and accompanied by a cute town, historic castle, and fantastic hiking trails. I hope you have as much fun as I did on your day trip to Lake Bled!