Lake Bled is a must-see. With its perched castle and the little church on its island, the lake is a magical place all year round. Having lived in Slovenia for fifteen years, I’ve been to Lake Bled more than 50 times. I’ve really explored every nook and cranny. Here is my selection of the most interesting places and the best experiences.
The best things to do and secret places in Lake Bled
In the course of my visits, I discovered the most interesting places on the lake, which you can find here along with my secret and traditional addresses. You’ll really find lots of fun things to do around this lake.
By following the specific advice in this article:
- You’ll get away from the crowds of tourists.
- You’ll know where the secret spot is to take the best photos of Lake Bled.
- Enjoy a coffee with a fabulous view of the lake (in a pavilion where Tito used to receive royalty).
- You’ll understand why you shouldn’t go to the church on the central island.
- You’ll discover some great places around the lake.
The article starts with what not to do at Lake Bled, but what almost all tourists do, because that’s what you’ll naturally be tempted to do once you’re there.
Don’t go up to the castle and don’t stay in the big hotel zone
Thinking they’ll have a great view of Lake Bled from the top, most tourists climb to Bled Castle on foot, and it’s a tough climb! Entrance to the castle costs €15 per adult (too expensive) and if you don’t pay, you don’t get a clear view of Lake Bled!
In the rest of this article, you’ll discover a much more beautiful view than the one from Bled Castle
Another piece of advice that I think is important: Don’t waste time exploring the area of tourist shops and big hotels that you see in the photo above, as it’s largely uninteresting (I explored every nook and cranny of it to see if there were any interesting shops and corners).
The area with the shops is in hideous 80s Yugoslav style. Get away from this little corner of Lake Bled and leave immediately to enjoy its long natural banks.
Stroll around Lake Bled
A footpath leads around Lake Bled. Allow around 1.30 hour for this walk, which is exactly 6 km long. You’ll be walking in peace on a wide cycle path. It’s flat.
Don’t forget your swimming costume for a dip during the ride.
This walking tour of Lake Bled is a peaceful and pleasant way to spend some time. As you walk, you can admire the little island and the church from every angle. The angle of view changes all the time and you’ll find it easy to take some great photos. Over a stretch of around 200 m, you’ll walk along a wooden footbridge over the water.
During this tour of the lake, make two stops:
- At the second kilometre, get away from the stream of tourists and climb up to Mala Osojnica or Ojstrica. This is where you can enjoy a picture-postcard view of Bled. This is one of the most spectacular spots on the lake!
- At the third kilometre, leave the road again, followed by all the tourists, for a coffee in Tito’s pavilion (my favourite place around the lake).
Full details of these two secret activities, which I think are great but which a lot of tourists (like me on my first 15 visits to the lake) miss out on, are in the rest of this article.
Swim to the island of Lake Bled
Many Slovenians go swimming in Lake Bled in summer. I strongly advise you to go for a swim. The water is transparent on the banks. It’s not icy like other mountain lakes. Almost warm on the surface, it’s also ‘very soft’ on the skin. Around the lake, you’ll find grassy beaches for sunbathing and sunbathing.
My favourite is the beach at the rowing centre. Follow the signsto “velazki center“
This grassy beach is at the other end of the lake, next to the Lac de Bled campsite and the rowing club. You can relax on the lawns, which are either shaded or sunny. If you have children or teenagers, they can dive off the three wooden pontoons. It’s a great place to relax for an hour or two.
Tip : Don’t plan to stay there all afternoon. Instead, I’d advise you to multiply your activities around the lake using the tips in this article. Towards the end of the article, you’ll find my five favourite activities at Lake Bled.
Tip : There’s a map at the end of the article which will help you to easily locate the places around the lake I’m talking about.
Try a Kremšnita, Bled’s emblematic cake
Kremšnitais the traditional cake of Lake Bled. Try it!
Kremšnita is the traditional dessert of Bled. It’s a culinary must-have on any trip to Slovenia. You can enjoy it all around the lake, and of course in the Bled hotel, kavarna park, where it was invented in 1953. After a swim or a walk, this light, sweet and creamy comfort food will give you a taste of Slovenian culture. It has already sold more than 18 million copies.
I put on 3 kilos to find the best kremšnita on Lake Bled.
The first place I recommend is the Grand Hotel toplice in Bled. The hotel has a lovely sunken terrace that’s open in fine weather, as well as a large, posh lounge that’s bright and uncrowded. From this lounge, you can enjoy a beautiful, unobstructed view of the lake. This large café is really pleasant in winter or when it’s raining.
Good to know:
- Don’t be intimidated by the posh atmosphere: enter the hotel through the main entrance and walk through the lobby.
- Sit back in the comfortable armchairs and order a kremsnita from the waiter.
- You’ll be charged €9. It’s a bit expensive for Slovenia, but in this hotel it’s usually served in season with delicious red fruit, which goes perfectly with this Slovenian culinary speciality.
- It’s a far cry from the tourist factory. In short, I think this is good value for money.
The second address I selected is Slaščičarna Zima.
- It’s a small local patisserie that my Slovenian friends have been raving about for twenty years.
- Kremšnita is the establishment’s speciality.
- Unfortunately, the interior was renovated in 2019 and, in my opinion, has lost some of its authenticity.
- the restaurant’s terrace remains pleasant.
The fourth and final address I would recommend is Belvedere (from the next point). In my opinion, it’s a secret, historic place that shouldn’t be missed on a visit to Lake Bled.
Addresses of these 3 good pastry shops in Bled
- Grand hotel toplice Bled : Cesta svobode 12 – 4260 Bled
- Slaščičarna Šmon: Grajska cesta 3 – 4260 Bled
- Kavarna park (Don’t go there – Several tables with a nice view but it’s really too touristy): Cesta svobode 15 – 4260 Bled
Enjoy a coffee with a view in Tito’s pavilion
Built by Jože Plečnik, the architect who shaped Ljubljana’s entire city centre, this pavilion overlooks the island and its small church. The location and view from the café are splendid. The place is steeped in history: Tito, the leader of Yugoslavia, welcomed crowned heads and great politicians to this pavilion to share a cigar or a glass of cognac with them.
Those who came to spend time at Belvedere and admire the view over the lake.
- Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie
- Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev
- King Hussein of Jordan
- Nehru, Naser, Bokasso…
Four decades later, you can enjoy a coffee in a delightfully old-fashioned, historic atmosphere, while taking in the fabulous views. I love this place. There are also two terraces (you can see them in the photos).
Have a coffee in one of Tito’s most beautiful stately homes
How do I get there?
When you’re on the shores of Lake Bled, climb the imposing staircase that takes you down to the superb Hotel Villa Bled (this is a hotel I highly recommend for a romantic break in Slovenia).
Tip: If the gate is closed, as it sometimes is during the summer, take the stairs a little further down.
Once you’re on the porch of Villa Bled, turn right and follow the signs to Café Belvédère. It’s uphill!
If you’ve decided to walk around the lake, make sure you stop off at this café. 99.5% of tourists pass by this building without seeing it because it’s hidden in the trees. It took me several years to find it, but you won’t! Kremšnita cake is €9, cappuccino is over €4, which is very expensive for Slovenia, but this place is well worth it and generally good value.
Tip: If these prices are too expensive for your budget, or if you’re coming with your family, go anyway, as you can share a Kremšnita for two.
- This amazing historic café is open from early May to late September.
- It closes at 7pm (9pm during high season).
- This is without doubt my favourite establishment in Bled. I go back again and again.
Tip: If the café is closed or all the tables are taken, go to Vila Bled next door (also very good – great view – same prices).
Original idea for lasting memories:
Swimming in Lake Bled at sunrise.
Go to the rowing club area. The island will be against the light and you’ll have the whole lake to yourself – a fabulous moment awaits you.
Relax in a magnificent spa overlooking the castle and lake
Here’s an exceptional address around Lake Bled that very few tourists manage to find: a spa with saunas, hammams and a heated outdoor pool with a view over the lake. It’s a magical place in winter that I love going to. In fact, I always take my friends who visit me in Slovenia during the winter there.
When you leave the sauna, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool and admire the lake
This is the Spa at the Rikli balanc hotel , whose rooms have exceptional views over the lake. Full details of the best spa on Lake Bled, which costs just over €25, are in this other article.
Warning: If it’s hot when you come, the place is of little interest.
If you want to discover the best Slovenian thermal baths, read this other article.
Climb to the best view of Lake Bled.
These are the two hills where photographers go to take the best pictures of Lake Bled , and also where Instagrammers go: Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica. If you decide to walk around Lake Bled, make sure you climb them. You’ll rise 190 metres above the lake and enjoy a spectacular view.
Tip: This is also the best spot to watch the sunrise over the lake.
How do I get there?
Next to the Velika Zaka beach on the Bled campsite (here), follow the small square signs with the number 6. The path soon splits in two and a sign points to Ojstrica (611 m) on the right. A breathtaking view awaits you at the top of the path. This is where some of the best Instagram and postcard photos of Lake Bled are taken.
Ojstrica ascent: 130 m
For a bird’s eye view, extend your effort by turning left to reach Mala Osojnica (670 m).
Difference in altitude Mala Osojnica: 190 m
Warning: Only do one of these two viewpoints overlooking the lake. Unless you have time and good legs, there’s no point in climbing to both viewpoints, as the views are fairly similar (but not identical).
Tip: If you haven’t walked around the lake, there’s a lovely viewpoint and wooden footbridge just beside the start of the hike. You’ll find it here. Walk along the entire wooden footbridge. This short stroll along the water’s edge is great fun.
Choose your view of Lake Bled: Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica?
For a picture-postcard view of Lake Bled, climb to mala Osojnica or Ojstrica
Caution : If you decide to climb to the highest viewpoint, mala Osojnica, make sure you take the path that runs along the back of the hill, as the path that attacks the hill from the front winds along a very steep face (dangerous in the event of recent rain, as the ground is wet and slippery – see the B&W map above to find the right path).
If your teenagers – or you – are looking for a bit of adventure, you can take the path upwards (wooden steps and a steep path to climb, which can be dangerous in wet weather).
Remember : hiking boots are recommended, especially if the ground is wet, as it then becomes very slippery.
Tip: Mala osojnica and Ojstrica are fabulous spots at sunrise , but you have to get up very early in summer. But it’s well worth the effort, as this photo I took last summer shows.
Paddle to the island on a stand-up paddle
You can hire stand-up paddles at a number of locations around the lake. Once equipped, paddle around the small island with the church or along the banks of the lake.
To hire a SUP, expect to pay €12 or €15 an hour.
You probably shouldn’t hire formore than an hour – that’s enough to get you to the island and back. As I said, I’d advise you to do as many activities as possible around the lake. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the lake.
In the photo above, a friend and I decided to go SUPing at sunrise, a great activity but you need to have your SUP with you as the hire companies are not yet open at this early hour (or make arrangements with one of them the day before).
Warning: It has been forbidden to dock on the island of Bled with a SUP since June 2024 (€600 fine).
Hire an old boat and row on Lake Bled!
Pretty wooden boats can be hired all around the lake for €25 an hour for a small boat (4 people) and €30 for a larger boat. A slightly expensive activity, but very romantic for two. Rowing with friends or family is really fun.
Row with friends or loved ones on Lake Bled
An hour’s hire is more than enough to get you to the island and back. Don’t rent for longer. Multiply the activities around the lake.
And if you don’t want to row, climb into one of the pletna with a “gondolier” who will row you to the island for €18 (a fortune – €12 by electric boat). You’ll be crammed in with around twenty other tourists. I wouldn’t recommend it. I’d much rather point you in the direction of secret, pleasant activities where you won’t find yourself with the other tourists.
The little island on Lake Bled is very pretty, but I don’t think it ‘s a must-see, so save your €18 for something else. What’s more, once you’re on the island, you have to pay another €12 if you want to enter the church. There’s a café terrace and an ice-cream parlour where you can enjoy the shade of the island’s trees.
Like the gondoliers in Venice, the Pletna boats on Lake Bled are handed down from father to son. Only 23 rowers can steer them.
Eat in Bled’s best restaurants
Despite the constant influx of tourists, which generally lowers the quality, Bled has a number of good, upmarket restaurants. Make the most of your visit to discover a bit of Slovenian gastronomy.
Bled’s upmarket culinary scene is very active
Restaurant prices in Bled are not cheap, but there are some good establishments for gourmets. Expect to pay more than €50 per person, which is expensive in Slovenia. Personally, I prefer to spend my money elsewhere in less touristy restaurants. Here are four good addresses:
Restaurant 1906 (Hotel Triglav): Kolodvorska 33, 4260 Bled
Nice place, but if there’s a busload of Asian tourists there during your meal, the atmosphere becomes surreal.
Restavracija Sova Bled: Cesta svobode 39, 4260 Bled
A good restaurant, but at over €30 a dish, it’s far too expensive for Slovenia in my opinion.
Vila Bled: Cesta svobode 26, 4260 Bled
Lunch menu at around €40 – incredible, very quiet terrace with a fabulous view of the island of Bled – always check that the restaurant is serving as it is very inconsistent.
Restaurant Juliana: Cesta svobode 12, 4260 Bled (from €50 to €95)
Awarded by Michelin with a mention for The plate. The restaurant has a lovely little lounge with a view over Lake Bled.
Walk through the spectacular Vintgar Gorge
Just 4 kilometres from Bled, near the village of Zasip, lies the Vintgar Gorge: a natural attraction not to be missed. This one-hour walk on footbridges over translucent, tumultuous water will leave you with some wonderful memories. Find out more about this canyon in the article devoted to it. The Vintgar Gorge is a must-see on any trip to Slovenia.
Visit the church in Bled but not the one on the island
Tourists all want to visit the church on the island in the middle of the lake, but there is another church at the foot of the castle, with a nicer interior and free admission (admission to the church on the island is not free). What’s more, there’s usually no-one in the church.
How do I get to the church?
- From the lakeside, climb the stairs to the church of Zupnijska Cerkev sv. Martina
- Go back down the street that runs through the village of Bled, taking Riklijeva cesta.
There are two churches in Bled. Visit the one on the shore, not the one on the island.
This church, with its splendid interior, is located right next to the Old parish house, a charming pension ideally situated and very clean where I spent several nights (I recommend it without hesitation).
Tip: This former monastery is also home to a small, well-hidden souvenir shop selling only items made in Slovenia, as well as some lovely postcards. (Opening hours: 10:00 – 16:00). There is also a small café with two large wooden tables. Price content – I find this uncluttered place very pleasant to spend an hour in on a rainy day or on a cold winter’s day.
Things to remember for your day at Lake Bled
- Don’t go up to the castle and don’t pay admission to the museum
- Enjoy a Kremsnita on your own or with a partner
- Have a coffee at Belvedere
- Don’t forget your swimming costume
- Don’t dawdle in the tourist area
- Climb the Mala Osojnica viewpoint
- Group Lake Bled and the Vintgar Gorge in the same day
- Find somewhere to park before you arrive.
- Come by car or bus, but not by train.
Canyoning around Lake Bled
Many of Slovenia’s canyons are located between Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. Sports agencies offer to take you there. Those who love white-water sports can explore one of the two canyons around Lake Bled, go hydrospeeding or take part in crazy ziplines with panoramic views.
Take the photo with the big red heart
Lake Bled is a romantic spot where Slovenians come to get married. A big red heart stands on the shore not far from the main car park. It’s the perfect place to have your photo taken with your lover, your family or even on your own (and then send the photo to someone special). In the background of the photo, you’ll have the island with the church. Just great!
Location: The heart of Bled is here.
Picnic at Lake Bled
If you read the blog, you’ll know that I often say that you should take advantage of the many restaurants in the Slovenian countryside to eat at low prices. I’ve been following the evolution of restaurants at Lake Bled since 2004 and the offer has deteriorated. To find the real good Slovenian places where you can eat well and cheaply, you now have to go a few kilometres away from the lake. So, for 2024, the knife is falling and, for once, I recommend picnicking by the lake rather than going to a restaurant. In fact, you can either eat on the road on your way to or from the lake, or get out of the way, or have a picnic.
- To make your picnic a success, remember to take a knife with you.
- Pop into one of the three Mercator supermarkets on the lake and stock up on good local charcuterie and a little cheese.
- For dessert, opt for a good watermelon, as is often the case in Slovenia, or a Kremsnita in a café (Bled’s local dessert)!
Reco : You’ll find a good-sized Mercator supermarket in Bled by the road you’ll inevitably pass on your way to the lake (address: Kajuhova cesta 1, 4260 Bled).
Not so good: There’s another Mercator by the lake (here), but it’s very small and you may struggle to find anything you want.
Tip : If you don’t have a knife, you can ask at the deli counter for rolls to be cut in half to make your sandwiches (all the Slovenians do it here).
Then, for a peaceful picnic by the lake, here are the two best places: Mlino and the Olympic rowing base. Leave your picnic spot spotless when you leave, as all Slovenians do.
Go tree climbing on the heights of the lake
Bled is also a sporty place, with a large tree climbing course for children and adults located at the top of one of the lake’s hills. From the treetops you have a beautiful view of the lake and the church on the small island. It’s a great family activity located on the Straza hill, right at the top of the summer toboggan run. Having tried it out, this accrobranche is great.
Cycle around the lake
In Bled, you’ll find bike hire companies all over the place. They charge €5 for one hour and a little more for two hours. It’s possible to cycle around the lake, but on a busy day you’ll be forced to weave in and out of the crowds of tourists on foot. You’ll have to ride very slowly.
You can walk or cycle around Lake Bled
Tip: If you’re cycling the 6km round the lake, extend the route a little when you reach the middle of the southern shore, passing through the pretty villages of Selo and Ribno. They’re set in a pretty, unspoilt, authentic valley but only a kilometre from the lake.
Here’s how it works:
- Leave the lakeside at the Mercator shop along Mlinska cesta.
- Later in your walk, return to the lake via Ribenska cesta.
I explored the different routes proposed by the Bled tourist office, those to the north of the lake. They’re nice, but you’ll find just as many in the rest of Slovenia. What’s more, the roads around Bled can be busy in summer, which is not very pleasant when cycling.
Here’s the best quiet cycling route around Lake Bled: 35 km return journey – Lake Bled -> Village of Selo pri Bledu -> Radovljica
Asphalt road, some dirt and often gravel
Cross the beautiful Sava Bohinka river on this western bridge and then cycle along the river to Radovljca (it will be a tough climb at the end). Coffee or lunch in Radovljica’s central square and then return to the lake.
Map of all the good addresses on Lake Bled
Summer sledging in Bled or a panoramic walk
On the right bank of the lake is Straza, a hill equipped with a two-seater chairlift where you can ski in winter and go tobogganing in summer. As you hurtle down this 520m-long slope at 40km/h, you’ll be able to admire Lake Bled (or more likely as you climb up the chairlift, as the descent is really fast and there’s no time to look at the lake).
Price: This activity is really fun, but I also think it’s expensive, especially if you’re visiting Lake Bled as a family (€10 per ascent/descent).
A nice viewpoint: You can also go just to Straza to take a nice photo with a large wooden frame, then take the panoramic route around the summit for another great view of the western part of the lake. The rest of the way, you’ll have a clear view over the valley as far as Ljubljana.
How long will it take? Allow 40 minutes for this off-the-beaten-track walk to the summit of Straza.
Explore the mysterious Pokljuka Gorge
A hundred times less visited than the Vintgar Gorge, the Pokljuka Gorge winds through a narrow canyon for almost two kilometres. The highlight of the visit is the old footbridge that takes you into the heart of the canyon. The canyon walls are impressive, and if you head into them out of season, there’s a good chance you won’t meet anyone for the whole visit. Teenagers generally enjoy this exploratory hike.
Gigantic walls and a slightly scary footbridge
Be warned, these gorges are dry and you won’t be able to take as many great photos as in the Vintgar Gorge. These gorges are around 5km from Lake Bled. Bled is a very popular tourist destination. So there are plenty of other activities.
My 6 favourite activities at Lake Bled
These are the activities I most often take friends to when they visit me in Slovenia.
- Ziva Wellness Spa
- A kremsnita in the café Belvédère or the vila Bled
- Climbing to Osojnica
- A café in Belvedere
- The Vintgar gorges
- Swimming in the lake (ideally alone, very early in the morning or at sunset)
Tip: Find out before you arrive where to park at Lake Bled
300 metres before arriving at Lake Bled, at the sign indicating Bled centre, turn right and drive a few hundred metres to reach the pay car parks. The Bled car parks in this part of the lake are two or three euros an hour.
Don’t go to the other end of the lake near the campsite, where private parking costs 15 euros, whatever the duration.
You’ll find other car parks a little cheaper if you go further away from the lake. Bear in mind that when you arrive, you should turn off at the“Bled centre” sign. This tip will save you 15 minutes when you get there.
- The list of car parks is here (check beforehand if you’re coming in summer, as the two car parks closest to the lake are small, rather expensive and fill up quite quickly).
- In summer, don’t try to park as close to the lake as possible. Head straight for the car parks a little further away (which aren’t actually very far).
- Use this map. You’ll save time and avoid the hassle of full car parks.
Ljubljana – Bled: Only 50 minutes by motorway
Map recommended for lakes Bohinj and Bled:
Hiking map Slovenian Alps: Triglav, Bled, Bohinj – 1:50.000 – topographic