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How to spend one day in Lake Bled
Lake Bled in Slovenia is an idyllic mountain lake and an absolute must-do when visiting this small but stunning country. With the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park as a backdrop, the clear water, a picturesque island in the middle and a medieval castle perched on top of a cliff rising from the water, Lake Bled really is the postcard-perfect destination.
Although small, there are plenty of things to do at Lake Bled. It offers immense beauty and some of the best views you’ll ever see. While we’d prefer to spend two or three days in Bled, we understand the time constraints of some trips and that’s why we’ve put together this jam-packed 1-day itinerary that will take you through all the highlights and top things to do in Lake Bled.
Bled daytrip essentials
Short on time? Get ready for your Bled adventure and book the must-do activities below:
Daytrip from Ljubljana
E-bike rental
Bled Castle tickets
Pletna boat ride & castle
The perfect day trip to Lake Bled Itinerary
Lake Bled is the most famous destination in Slovenia, and even though Slovenia is still somewhat of a hidden gem, Lake Bled does get busy, especially in summer. This won’t surprise you once you’ve taken a single look at the mesmerizing fairytale-like scenery, but it is all the more reason to start your day early. This way you can see the lake in its peaceful state before the crowds arrive. And as an added bonus, the lake looks gorgeous in the early morning light.
For a hassle-free experience make sure to book this tour to Lake Bled from Ljubljana. And since one day is a very short window of time, consider renting e-bikes if visiting on your own accord. This way you’ll be able to get from a to be much faster and experience more of this stunning area.
Where to stay in Lake Bled
The best area to base yourself while at Lake Bled is in Bled town on the Eastern shore of the lake. This is where the majority of bars, restaurants, shops and amenities are.
Many choose to visit Lake Bled as a day trip but there is so much to do, see and experience in and around Bled that we really think you should spend at least one night in this little slice of paradise. To choose your stay pick between the top deals below or check out the full Bled accommodation guide.
OPPULENT AND HISTORIC
The only 5-star establishment in Bled with a rich history and elegant rooms where you’ll be treated like a king.
VIEWS TO DIE FOR
Former President Tito’s summer palace turned into an elegant and classy boutique hotel.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Apartments with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry, modern furnishing and breathtaking views.
Read Next: Where to stay in Bled – your guide to the best accommodation
Start the day with cream cake and views
Lake Bled is famous for its cream cake (Kremna Rezina) and we can vouch it is delicious and goes marvelously with your morning coffee. The cream cake has been awarded the certificate of national origin and it consists of a thick layer of vanilla custard-like cream, followed by a layer of whipped cream and enclosed between two thin crispy crusts and generously topped with powdered sugar. The original recipe was developed at Kavarna Park over 70 years ago.
You can find the Cream Cake in most coffee shops and restaurants, but we recommend you pick a spot with a view like Kavarna Park, Grajska Plaza or Panorama.
Paddle to Bled Island
After the delicious cake, you will have enough energy to paddle to Bled Islan. There are several rowboat rental companies if you prefer to paddle to the island yourself. The paddle takes about 10 to 15 minutes one way. Another very exciting way of reaching the island is by SUP. You can rent a paddleboard at Hotel Park and at Grajska Plaza. It takes between 20 to 30 minutes to SUP to the island. A rowboat costs € 20 for an hour and can fit 2 or 3 people. Paddleboards are € 10 for an hour and you ride those solo. Oh, and in summer the average water temperature in the lake is a pleasant 21°C, so if you want to cool down a bit, swimming in Lake Bled is a great option!
If you don’t feel like paddling yourself, or if you’re up for a truly authentic Bled experience, then hop on a traditional Pletna Boat for € 15 per person for a round trip. Pletna Boats are the Slovene equivalent of Venetian gondolas, and all the 23 boats on Lake Bled are built and navigated by locals. The pletnar, that is what you call someone that navigates a Pletna boat, stands on the back of the boat and propels it by “rowing” two big oars. There are four docking stations around the lake: under Hotel Park, Milno, Spa Park and Velika Zaka.
Book in advance:
Explore Bled Island
If you’re going for a Pletna boat ride, it will drop you off at the bottom of the famous 99 step staircase, or there is a docking site at the back of the church if you paddle yourself. The island is tiny and you can walk the circumference in just a few minutes. Take the stairs up to get to the charming Church of St. Mary, the bell tower, curacy and provost’s house, a small hermitage and Poticnica where you can try the traditional Potica. No visit to Bled Island is complete without ringing the bell at the Wishing Tower. Pull the cord three times to make your wish come true. It is also said that those who get married on Bled Island, will have a lifelong marriage full of love. So if you’re still looking for a place to get married, Lake Bled is the place to go!
Grab lunch on the go
Lunch specials are common all over Slovenia and Bled is no exception. We suggest you go for a stroll and pick the restaurant that has the best daily offer. But don’t get too comfortable, there’s still plenty to do in Bled today! If you’re looking for some suggestions, Oštarija Babji zob serves delicious food. They’re a steak house so their steak is amazing, but their other dishes, especially their gratinated chicken, are to die for too!
Visit the Vintgar Gorge
The Vintgar Gorge is one of the most beautiful gorges in Slovenia and a true highlight. It is located only 4 kilometres north-east of the lake and is easy to reach it with e-bikes. You can alsoo drive or take a shuttle bus to save time.
Read next: The complete guide to Vintgar Gorge
This 1.6-kilometre long gorge is carved out by the Radovna River and the trail winds over bridges and suspended boardwalks and gives you spectacular views over the emerald-green water and rapids of Radovna river, as well as the 13-meter high Sum waterfall.
You can walk through the whole gorge in less than an hour, but if you’re anything like us you could spend hours marvelling over and taking photos of this masterpiece of nature. Since you only have a day to experience it all, try not to get caught up too much as after the Vintgar Gorge it is time to return to Lake Bled for one final activity.
Travel back in time at Bled Castle
Hop back on the shuttle, drive or bike to the Bled Castle. The shuttle will drop you off in front of the entrance, or there is a small car park where you can leave your car or ebike.
Bled Castle was built in 1011 for defence purposes and it has since been upgraded, rebuilt and restored several times. There is a small museum in the upper courtyard where you can learn all about the history of the castle and Bled. Make sure to book your Bled Castle tickets in advance to avoid any lines.
To be completely honest, the exposition and the castle itself aren’t that impressive, but they’re not the reason we’re here. The main reason we’re ending the day trip to Bled at the castle is the view.
Bled Castle offers some of the best views over Bled Lake and some of the most magical sunset displays Slovenia has to offer. End your day with this gorgeous view, watch the sun set behind the mountains and admire how it paints the lake into the most beautiful shades of orange and pink, ideally with a glass of wine in your hand or over dinner at the Bled Castle restaurant.
The entrance fee to the castle is included in the menu price when booking a table and purchasing a dinner tasting menu. While dinner here is not cheap to Slovene standards, it won’t burn a hole through your wallet either, and the food and service are exactly what you’d expect at a castle. You’re treated like royalty and the food tastes heavenly.
Book in advance:
Bled Castle tickets
How to get to Lake Bled?
Most people choose to visit Lake Bled as a day trip from Ljubljana since it is only 50 kilometres from Slovenia’s capital city and is easily accessible by car, bus or train from there. It is very easy to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled.
Bled is a must on your visit to Slovenia
We can honestly say that Lake Bled is among the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen (definitely top 5!), and we can’t recommend it enough. We hope that this itinerary helps in planning your own Lake Bled day trip, and giving you an awesome experience. If there is anything else you’d like to know, don’t be shy and leave a comment. We’re here to help!
There is something deeply comforting about alpine destinations that have maintained their pristine, fairy-tale reputation for generations without changing their core identity. Lake Bled doesn’t need to follow modern tourist trends because its natural layout is already completely timeless. It is a legendary Slovenian treasure.