Things to do in Slovenia: A Day at Lake Bled
Lake Bled, with its enchanting blue waters, iconic island church, and a medieval castle perched high on a cliff, is as dreamy in person as it looks in those famous Instagram photos. My husband and I took a day trip from Ljubljana, and although it was a bit more complicated than usual due to train maintenance, the beauty of Lake Bled made every effort worthwhile. You could consider spending a few days here, but one day would be enough to see all the major sites at Lake Bled.
Our journey began with the challenge of figuring out the bus system. We initially tried to purchase our bus tickets online, but since the process required us to either print the tickets or pick them up at the station, we decided to buy them in person. The bus station, a small building in front of the train station, was easy to miss, and we confused it with the train station at first. Once inside, we found no ticket machines, so we joined a fairly long line. It’s important to note that there are different lines for different types of tickets, but thankfully, there was someone available to ask for help. After a bit of a wait, we purchased our round-trip tickets, allowing us the flexibility to take any bus to and from Bled on the same day.
There are two main bus stops in Bled: Bled Union, which drops you off in the center of town with an easy walk to the lake, and Bled Milno, which is on the further side of the lake. We were dropped off at Union and later returned from Milno, saving us from having to walk all the way back around the lake. The bus ride itself was packed, but once we got moving, it was smooth and comfortable.
Once we arrived, we kicked off our day with a stop at Promenada Burger for a quick bite. The burger was tasty and a good value, especially considering the touristy area. After fueling up, we began our walk around the lake, taking in the stunning views at every turn.
One of the highlights of our day was renting a rowboat near the Mlino bus stop. At 25 euros for an hour, it was slightly pricier than some other options (we think you can find one for 20 euros), but it was just enough time for our little adventure. My husband took charge of rowing, and we made our way to the island. Before exploring the island, we took a quick dip in the refreshing lake water—a perfect way to cool off.
couple on the island at lake bled, slovenia
On the island, we noticed signs asking visitors to dress appropriately and not to wear just bathing suits, though not everyone seemed to adhere to this. The island itself had a few amenities, including ice cream stands, toilets, and a water bottle refill station—something we loved about the whole town of Bled, which had multiple water stations.
We did a quick loop around the island before rowing back to shore. While the rowboat was charming, we couldn’t help but think that a stand-up paddleboard might have been even more fun, especially with a dry bag for our belongings. It would have allowed us to take more dips in the lake to cool off. Alternatively, there are also small boat tours available where someone else does the paddling for you, which could be a relaxing option.
the island at lake bled, slovenia
After returning the rowboat, we continued our leisurely walk around the lake, eventually stopping at a small beach for a rest. My husband treated himself to some ice cream, and we simply enjoyed the serene atmosphere. As our day wound down, we decided to try what we thought was the famous Bled cake at Hotel Starkl Starkl Heritage Hotel & Restaurant. Although it turned out not to be the famous dessert, it was still a delicious treat, and the restaurant's full menu looked tempting.
As we waited for the bus back to Ljubljana, we found ourselves reflecting on the day. The return bus was about 20 minutes late and wasn’t an express, so the journey back took a bit longer. Still, the experience at Lake Bled was worth every minute. We both agreed that next time, we’d start our day a bit earlier to take full advantage of everything this picturesque destination has to offer.
Tips for Your Visit:
- If the trains are down, be prepared for a slightly longer journey, and consider buying bus tickets in person at the station.
- Start your day early to maximize your time at the lake.
- Bring a swimsuit, but remember to respect local customs regarding dress on the island. You can definitely swim in the Lake Bled and you should!
- Consider renting a stand-up paddleboard if you want to cool off frequently.
- Try the famous Bled cake—but make sure you’re getting the real deal!
- You could consider a couple days at Lake Bled, but 1 day would be enough to see the major sites!
Lake Bled is truly one of Slovenia’s gems, and despite a few travel hiccups, our day there was filled with beautiful memories. We can’t wait to return and explore even more!
