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Things to do in Lake Bled – the must-dos and lesser-known gems
With its fairytale castle, bright blue lake and an idyllic island you’ll hardly believe is real, Lake Bled’s one of those places that’s every bit as captivating in real life as in the photos.
You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a postcard as soon as you arrive at Slovenia’s most-loved lake. But if you can tear your eyes away from the scenery you’ll find there’s loads to do as well. From the must-dos everyone should tick off on a visit to Bled to those finds that’re a little more under the radar, here’s your guide to things to do on your Lake Bled holiday.
Classic must-dos
Lesser-known picks
Things to do in Lake Bled: the classics
Take a trip on a traditional Pletna boat
For the ultimate Lake Bled experience, hop aboard a traditional wooden boat and take to the water. These flat-bottomed boats are owned by local families and are steered for you, so you can sit back and take in your surroundings as you glide across the lake. Bled’s signature boat trip is to the island in its centre. When you get there, explore the Church of the Assumption, ring the wishing bell and sample Potica – a traditional Slovenian cake – at the Potičnica café while you take in the views across the lake towards the shore.
Stroll around the lake
Lake Bled’s so beautiful you’ll want to see it from every angle. It takes most people under two hours to stroll the 6km around it – but don’t forget to factor in all the photo stops you’ll want to make. The path’s mostly flat and switches between paved surface, wooden boardwalk and forest track.
You can stop for a drink or a bite to eat at plenty of places along the way, and if you fancy a dip, you’ll pass a few swimming spots too – the Velika Zaka bay on the far side of the lake is one of the prettiest.
You can stop for a drink or a bite to eat at plenty of places along the way, and if you fancy a dip, you’ll pass a few swimming spots too – the Velika Zaka bay on the far side of the lake is one of the prettiest.
Explore Bled Castle
Take a bus or walk up to the clifftop Bled Castle. Its upper courtyard is one of the best spots around to snap pics of the lake, and there’s more than a thousand years’ worth of colourful history to soak up once you get inside.
Don’t miss the illusionist frescos on the walls of the Gothic chapel or the art exhibition at the gallery in the castle’s round tower. And visit the Bled Castle Printing Works to learn traditional printing techniques – you can even make your own memorial certificate using the reconstructed wooden press.
Don’t miss the illusionist frescos on the walls of the Gothic chapel or the art exhibition at the gallery in the castle’s round tower. And visit the Bled Castle Printing Works to learn traditional printing techniques – you can even make your own memorial certificate using the reconstructed wooden press.
Visit Vintgar Gorge
Hop on a bus and head a couple of miles out of Bled town to Vintgar Gorge. You can follow an easy 1.6km trail that winds alongside powerful rapids and pools that come in all shades of Insta-worthy, from aquamarine to deep emerald green.
You’ll pass under the stone arch bridge of the Bohinj railway – if you’re lucky you might see a train passing over it – before reaching the 13m-high Šum Waterfall at the end of the trail.
You’ll pass under the stone arch bridge of the Bohinj railway – if you’re lucky you might see a train passing over it – before reaching the 13m-high Šum Waterfall at the end of the trail.
Taste Bled's famous cream cake
You can’t leave Bled without sampling its most-loved sweet treat, known as Blejska kremšnita. It’s got layers of vanilla cream and custard, topped by light, flaky pastry and a dusting of icing sugar.
The best spot to try it is the lake-front Park Café opposite the Park Hotel. This was where the original recipe was perfected back in 1953 – it’s said you can recognise the authentic version by whether the cake sways back and forth when put on the plate. But you’ll come across kremšnita all around Lake Bled, so you could go on your own tasting tour and decide where does it best.
The best spot to try it is the lake-front Park Café opposite the Park Hotel. This was where the original recipe was perfected back in 1953 – it’s said you can recognise the authentic version by whether the cake sways back and forth when put on the plate. But you’ll come across kremšnita all around Lake Bled, so you could go on your own tasting tour and decide where does it best.
Lake Bled activities: lesser-known picks
Seek out the best viewpoints
For the best lake views, you’ll want to get up high. Bled Castle’s a well-known spot, but not so many people take on the short but steep walk to the top of Ojstrica hill at the western end of the lake.
At the top you’ll find a bench with sweeping views over Lake Bled and the Karawank mountains beyond. Get there early to see the lake bathed in morning light – it’s lovely at sunset too, but more of the lake will be in shadow.
If you don’t fancy the walk, head for the Soviet-era Café Belvedere on the south side of the lake, where the Yugoslav president Tito once hosted tea parties. A flight of steps takes you up the café and a terrace serving up seriously swoon-worthy views straight over Bled island. You can access the terrace even when the café’s not open.
At the top you’ll find a bench with sweeping views over Lake Bled and the Karawank mountains beyond. Get there early to see the lake bathed in morning light – it’s lovely at sunset too, but more of the lake will be in shadow.
If you don’t fancy the walk, head for the Soviet-era Café Belvedere on the south side of the lake, where the Yugoslav president Tito once hosted tea parties. A flight of steps takes you up the café and a terrace serving up seriously swoon-worthy views straight over Bled island. You can access the terrace even when the café’s not open.
The view of Lake Bled from the top of Ojstrica hill.
Visit the Church of St Martin
From the lake path you might spot the tall spire of the Church of St Martin set slightly back from the shore beneath Bled Castle. It’s well worth taking a short detour to explore this neo-Gothic church, full of frescoes and interesting architectural pieces, including some by the famous Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik.
Afterwards, grab a gelato from the Old Parish House next door and sit back to enjoy this peaceful spot away from Bled’s bustling centre.
Afterwards, grab a gelato from the Old Parish House next door and sit back to enjoy this peaceful spot away from Bled’s bustling centre.
Try summer tobogganing
If you fancy injecting a dose of adrenaline into your trip, head to Straža hill on the south side of the lake. You can walk up to the top if you’re feeling active, or just jump on the chairlift. Either way, you’ll be treated to more knockout lake views.
This is a ski area in winter, but when summer rolls around you can swap skis for a toboggan, and whizz your way down the 520m-long track that’s raised up over the grass.
This is a ski area in winter, but when summer rolls around you can swap skis for a toboggan, and whizz your way down the 520m-long track that’s raised up over the grass.
Taste local wines and fill your own bottle
Not many people have tried Slovenian wines, but they’re pretty special. While you’re exploring Bled Castle, make time to head down into the castle’s atmospheric wine cellar, and taste a selection from the Vipava valley – one of Slovenia’s best wine-making regions.
As well as tasting, you can see how wines are traditionally bottled from oak barrels, and you can even fill, cork and wax-seal your own bottle to take away with you.
As well as tasting, you can see how wines are traditionally bottled from oak barrels, and you can even fill, cork and wax-seal your own bottle to take away with you.
Discover Slovenia’s ‘other’ lake
A 45-minute bus ride away you’ll discover Bohinj, the largest lake in Slovenia – and one that rivals Bled for beauty. For the best views, take the Vogel cable car high up into the mountains and watch the lake grow smaller as peak after peak comes into view beyond. Look out for Mount Triglav – Slovenia’s highest mountain.
Back down by the shore, pick from the many little beaches nestled between the wooden hills that line the lake. Take in the view over the pristine water from your beach towel, or take a refreshing swim.
Back down by the shore, pick from the many little beaches nestled between the wooden hills that line the lake. Take in the view over the pristine water from your beach towel, or take a refreshing swim.
The Vogel cable car above Lake Bohinj.
Seduced by Slovenia? Make your Lake Bled holiday happen, then take at look at more of the Slovenian food you’ll want to try when you get there.
Author: Polly Bryan
Last updated: 16.07.2024