Top 10 Attractions Around Lake Bled in Slovenia
The Lake Bled region of Slovenia is undoubtedly the premier tourist attraction in the country and one of the most visited and loved places in all of Europe. The region has seen an ever increasing number of tourists with 2019, the last pre pandemic year, seeing a record number of over half a million tourists booking overnight accommodations in the picturesque Slovenian town. That’s an increase of over 100% since only 9 years ago in 2010 when the town was visited by just over 200.000 people.
I set out to discover what exactly draws the high number of tourists to this area and what I discovered was nothing short of paradise. Even though my trip took place at the end of October, outside the peak season, Bled still managed to charm and impress with its myriad of attractions and activates. The region is a nature lover’s dream with everything from massive towering peaks to gorgeous waterfalls to crystal clear lakes and rivers. Come along as we explore the top 10 attractions and show you why Bled should defiantly be on your radar!
Number 1 — Lake Bled
Let’s start with the obvious one. The biggest draw to the region is the beautiful and romantic Lake Bled. Starting from the town of Bled itself, one can take a nice, leisurely walk around all of Lake Bled and enjoy stunning views of the island on which the 17th century church dedicated to the assumption of Mary is located. The fairy-tale like setting with crystal clear waters and majestic mountain backdrops make Lake Bled one of the most romantic destinations in Europe and attracts couples from all over the world looking to keep the passion flame alive. So surprise your loved one with an unforgettable trip to Bled and enjoy nice romantic walks or row a boat together if that’s more of your style!
Number 2 — Vintgar Gorge
Located on the Radovna river, Vintgar Gorge is truly a masterpiece of mother nature. Located just north of the main town of Bled, this gorge can easily be reached on foot but for those of you looking to keep the walking for the gorge itself, there is a paid car parking place near the entrance as well. The trail is about 1.6 kilometres long or about one mile. All along the way there are rapids and small waterfalls, with the 16m high Sum waterfall located at the end of the trail. The colour of the water is absolutely stunning and even though there is an entry fee of 10 Euro per adult (1–2 Euro for kids depending on age), the gorge is definitely worth a visit! You can check out the official page by clicking here!
Number 3 — Lake Bohinj
As if one amazing lake wasn’t enough, nature blessed this region with a second stunning body of water. A short 30km (18 mi) away from the centre of Bled, Lake Bohinj feels a million miles away. Despite the proximity, this lake has a totally different vibe to it. It is wild, undisturbed and depending on the time of year that you visit, you may feel that you have been teleported to the Rocky Mountains as you stroll along its rugged shores. While Bled appeals to the romantic, the area around Bohinj appeals to the explorer in us. Emerald and jade green streams flow through the forest between moss covered boulders into the lake, providing a water so clean that you can clearly see schools of trout swimming in unison. If nature and relaxation is what’s at the top of your list, then Bohinj is not to be missed! Plus there are a few other attractions on this list that are very close to the lake. For more details, click here!
Number 4 — Vogel Ski Center and Triglav
As the name implies, the Vogel Ski Resort is most popular in winter, when thousands flock here to experience a great day of skiing on its many slopes but don’t be fooled in thinking that there is nothing to do or see here outside of the snowy season! The best way to get to this amazing place is to take a cable car from the shores of the previously mentioned Lake Bohinj. The cable car ride is relatively quick and will set you back 15 Euro for a return ticket or 11 Euro for a one way trip, with children paying 8 and 6 Euro respectively. One tip would be to as for the Lanci Gams or Lanci Polh which are lunch packages that include a return cable car ride for 19 Euro.
Once on top you will be left speechless by the spectacular views of the Julian Alps and and the blue waters of Lake Bohinj below. The star of the show is undoubtedly the majestic Triglav Peak (2,864m/9396ft), a national symbol of Slovenia that is even pictured on the country’s flag. Once you’ve taken in the spectacular views, you can hike the many trails around the area or have lunch in one of a number of restaurants and huts scattered throughout the mountain. For more info on Vogel, click here!
Number 5 — Savica Waterfall
A short hike (or drive) away from the shores of lake Bohinj lies another jewel of the Julian Alps, the Savica waterfall. To get to the waterfall you have to pay a small fee of 3 Euro (add 4 Euro for parking if coming by car) but this grants you access to a mountain hut with a shop, restaurant and toilet. The final stretch is about 20 to 25 minutes long and only accessible on foot and is a bit strenuous but once you see this unique waterfall, it will all be worth it. The water springs out of the towering mountain and drops 78 meters in two stairs into an emerald green pool. This is the birthplace of the Sava river that flows 990km (615 miles) through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia on its way to meet the waters of the Danube, becoming it’s biggest tributary in terms of volume. One tip is to try and avoid summer weekends and peak hours as the waterfall gets pretty busy and the path leading up to it is pretty narrow. For more about Savica, please click here!
Number 6 — Bled Castle
Perched on a rugged cliff towering 130 meters above the shores of Lake Bled, the medieval castle bearing the same name was built in the year 1004 by Emperor Henry II, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire after visiting the area and falling in love with it. The castle was the residence of the Bishops of Brixen for over eight centuries and has been renovated and improved during the Middle Ages with the addition of a chapel and other buildings. Today you can visit the castle for an entrance fee of 13 Euros (5 Euro for children) and get a glimpse into over 1000 years of history by exploring its museum and enjoying a range of other activities closely linked to the castle's traditions. Besides the cultural experiences, visitors to Bled Castle can also appreciate scenic views of the Straza and Babji zob hills, the Karavanke Mountains and, of course, Lake Bled. Audio guides are available in 19 languages by scanning a QR code with your smartphone. The castle also hosts events from time to time and all of this info and more can be found by clicking here!
Number 7 — Lake Jasna
You’re going to wake up early for this one and beat the crowd. If you can manage to do that, you will have one of the most picturesque lakes in the world all to yourself and get some stunning Instagram pictures! Located about 40 km (25mi) northwest of bled, close to the border with Italy, Lake Jasna truly is a sight to behold. Parking is free and while there are not many activities to be had here except for walking around the lake or one of the several paths that start here or maybe having a swim in its crystal clear waters, the stunning natural setting is enough to transport you away from all the stress and worries of your day-to-day life. Grab a book and spend a lazy afternoon reading on the shores of one of the most stunning lakes you will ever see.
Number 8 — Pericnik Waterfall
A bit off the beaten path and down a gravel road through the forest, this waterfall is simply magnificent. A trip here can easily be combined with a trip to Lake Jasna as it is on the way to and from Bled. I suggest first visiting the Lake as early as possible and then the waterfall. You can drive through the forest until the parking sign comes up on your left and the waterfall on your right. From where you can park your car, there is a short and easy, 5 minute, hike to the waterfall. As a tip, make sure you bring a rain jacket if you plan on walking behind the waterfall or prepare to get a little wet. While there is an official 3 Euro parking fee, when I visited there was nobody there to collect it. My picture really doesn’t do this waterfall justice and since it is a bit more remote than say Savica waterfall, with a bit of luck you can expect to be one of the only ones there or even the only ones.
Number 9 — Martuljek Waterfall
Another phenomenal waterfall located very close to Lake Jasna, Martuljek is easily reached on foot in about 30 minutes from the parking place. Along the way you will experience a beautiful canyon with turquoise blue waters. Immerse yourself in amazing pristine nature only a few minutes away from civilization. You can also go to the top but you should have proper shoes and allow about one and a half to two hours for this. The way is steep and slippery in parts so better not to attempt this with children. Depending on the season, you can also eat wild blueberries that grow in the surrounding forests. If touristy places are not your cup of tea, you will absolutely love this hike and waterfall. Take a moment and take it all in while you are there. You will wish to relive these magical moments later on.
Number 10 — Mala Osojnica
If you ever googled Lake Bled or saw a postcard from here then you probably already know this place. Mala Osojnica stands 685 meters tall and it is a 45 minute hike from the southwestern shore of Lake Bled. The path is quite steep with many stairs and traverses the forest so make sure you wear the proper shoes as the fallen leaves may prove slippery. At the top, the most scenic views of Lake Bled and its surroundings await you. Tip: continue on about 5 minutes to the left after the metal stairs and bench for the official big viewpoint. The best light can be found in late afternoon during the golden hour.
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this list and it helps you decide what to visit while in the beautiful region of Bled. All of these attractions can be easily seen in the space of a three day trip. Numbers 1,2,6 and 10 are within walking distance of Bled town where you’re likely to book your accommodation. Numbers 3,4,5 are all in the area of Lake Bohinj and easily done in one day. For numbers 7,9,8 you will need about half a day depending on what you plan to do. I also suggest going in that order if you go early in the morning so that there are no crowds at Lake Jasna and you can have it to yourself.
I hope I managed to show you a glimpse of what this little slice of heaven on earth had to offer and I can only recommend this area from the bottom of my heart. Just go, you won’t regret it!
