An Epic Day Trip From Ljubljana to Lake Bled in Slovenia

Lake Bled near Triglav National Park and the Juliana Alps is becoming one of the most popular destinations to visit in Slovenia. That’s why day trips from Ljubljana to Lake Bled are becoming more and more common. 

If you’re spending a few days in the capital of Slovenia and want to see some of Slovenia’s magical nature, beautiful lakes, castles, and a whole lot more, a day trip to Lake Bled is a must! You can easily spend multiple days exploring both Bled and Bohinj. But it’s also easy to go from Ljubljana to Lake Bled as a day trip. 

There are plenty of different ways to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled and public transport runs super often. Guided tours are also a very common way to see Lake Bled. 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means if you decide to use the links and make a valid purchase, we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you <3

Day Trip Guided Tours From Ljubljana to Lake Bled

If you’re spending a few days in Ljubljana and you’re looking for an easy way to explore Lake Bled for a day then a guided trip to the area is the best way to go!

When it comes to guided day trips to Lake Bled it’s going to be more expensive than doing it yourself but you don’t have to plan anything or do anything other than just showing up. You’ll get picked up in Ljubljana and dropped off at all the stops around Bled. It’s a super easy way to see the lake, especially if you only have one day. 

There are quite a few companies that offer similar tours and all of them have something unique to offer. It can get a little overwhelming to research all the different options, so we’ve done the work for you…

In this post, we have highlighted three guided day trips from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. All of them feature a similar itinerary. You’ll see most of the iconic spots around Lake Bled but each different tour will also offer something unique!

On this trip, you get the chance to discover three of Slovenia’s top attractions all in one day. You’ll get to experience the stunning Lake Bled. Hop on a traditional ‘pletna’ boat to explore the picturesque Bled Island.

Then you’ll hike up a fairly steep path up to Bled Castle and soak up the fantastic views overlooking the lake. After that, you’ll journey to the cliffside Predjama Castle, and explore the beautiful renaissance architecture of the historical fortress. 

Finally, take a mini-train into the mysterious Postojna Cave and take in the incredible natural cave formations.

This guided tour from Ljubljana is a fun way to really see a lot of different Lake Bled highlights. You can easily spend multiple days in Lake Bled. But at least this way you’ll get a taste of a few of the highlights!

Similar to the first tour, on this one you’ll stop by and visit the beautiful Lake Bled in the Julian Alps. You will wander by the lake and take in the views of the mountains. You’ll also get to see Bled Island which is located in the middle of the lake. Finally you’ll explore the medieval castle that is on top of a cliff overlooking Lake Bled.

Then you’ll make your way through the valley of Triglav National Park. Where you’ll discover our favourite place in Slovenia: Lake Bohinj. It’s a lot less crowded and touristy than Lake Bled. It also offers a bunch of amazing hikes like Mostnica Gorge and Savica Waterfall. 

This day trip from Ljubljana actually finishes off with a short hike up to Savica Waterfall. It’s one of the best viewpoints in the Bohinj area. You’ll also get the chance to try some local food in Bohinj before making the journey back through the valley and back to Ljubljana.

This is another easy-to-follow tour through the breathtaking landscapes of Slovenia! The adventure begins with a comfortable ride from Ljubljana to the beautiful resort town of Bled, located in the Julian Alps.

Here, we’ll journey up to the castle located on top of a cliff above Lake Bled. From the castle’s terraces, you’ll get breathtaking views of the lake and its tiny island. Then, you’ll board a traditional boat and sail across to the only true island in Slovenia (and it’s surprisingly very small).

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also walk along the wooden planks that make the viewpoint overlooking Vintgar Gorge and the River Radovna running through the canyon and ending at the beautiful Šum Waterfall.

After a delicious lunch at a typical Alpine restaurant, you’ll head to the glacial lake at Bohinj in Triglav National Park. Here, you can cool off with a swim or explore the lake by foot or canoe. 

Finally, this day trip from Ljubljana finishes with a visit to the well-preserved town of Skofja Loka. In Skofja Loka you can wander around the medieval town center, which is overlooked by a historic castle and monastery.

Do-it-yourself day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled 

Are guided tours not your thing but still want to explore the beautiful Lake Bled? Whether you prefer taking public transportation, renting a car, or driving your own, we’ve got a fun itinerary to keep you busy for a full day.

The best part is that it’s actually quite easy to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled by public transport. Especially during the busy months of the year (spring through fall) buses and trains run almost all day.  You can read more about the different ways to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled here.

Arriving at Lake Bled

Once you arrive at Lake Bled you’ll be blown away by this incredible lake that has put Slovenia on the map of places to travel to. You’ll quickly notice the little island in the middle of Lake Bled which is known as Bled Island. This island is one of the reasons why Lake Bled has become so famous because it’s very unique!

There’s a good chance you’ve seen a picture of the famous Church of the Mother of God on the Lake before. Actually, later in this post, we have a little surprise and hike recommendation for you to do that offers the best views of Lake Bled and Bled Island.

Hike up to Velika Osojnica Viewpoint overlooking Lake Bled

Assuming you take the bus, we recommend you get off at the ‘Bohinjska Bela’ bus stop, not ‘Lake Bled’. It’s an extra 7 minutes by bus and two stops past the Lake Bled bus stop. There’s also free parking in the village if you go by car.

From there you can hike up to the Velika Osojnica Viewpoint overlooking Lake Bled. This hike was probably the highlight of our trip to this beautiful spot in Slovenia. Partially because this hike feels a lot more local and less touristy than the rest of the area, and partially because of the incredible views.

The reason we recommend getting off at the Bohinjska Bela bus stop is so you can do the hike from the back side where most tourists don’t go. You can read all about the Osojnica Viewpoint hike here. 

The hike takes you through a village, up through the forest, and then – out of nowhere – this incredible viewpoint overlooking Lake Bled and Bled Island comes into view. The best part is that we had the whole viewpoint to ourselves – probably because a lot of people either only go to Mala Osojnica Viewpoint or Ostrica Viewpoint.

But it’s worth going all the way to the Velika Osojnica Viewpoint because that’s where you truly get the best view of Bled and Bled Island.

After you take in the view, instead of doing the hike like we did and going back to the start you can actually continue down towards Lake Bled. You’ll end up coming down right at the foot of Lake Bled!

Try the local Lake Bled Cream Cake 

Once you get down from Velika Osojnica on the Lake Bled side, you’ll find a beautiful area of the lake where you can swim, relax, and sun tan. Next to the lake, there’s Restavracija Camping Bled where you can sit down and grab a bite to eat. 

They do everything from pizza and burgers to risotto and soup. Because of its location, this restaurant can get quite busy but it’s worth stopping by to at least try the “famous” Lake Bled cream cake. A little taste of heaven made by crust, custard, and cream is the best way to describe this cake. It is local to the area so it’s good to try when in Bled. It also goes well with a cup of coffee or tea. 

You can grab the cake and enjoy it on one of the picnic tables outside of the restaurant if the weather is good. There you’ll also get a great view of the lake! 

Go for a swim and relax by Velika Zaka beach at Lake Bled

Since time is limited it’s worth enjoying the west side of Lake Bled while you’re over here. Right next to the restaurant, there’s a nice little sandy beach (that does get busy) where you can suntan and even swim around in a blocked-off area in the lake.

On a warm sunny day, it’s so nice to chill and relax at Velika Zaka Beach. It’s a beautiful spot with a view of Bled Island and all of the Julian Alps behind Lake Bled. It’s a nice little stop on this do-it-yourself Lake Bled day trip!

Lake Bled boat trip to Bled Island

Right next to the beach, you can see a little boat rental right on Lake Bled. For €20 you can rent a boat or paddle board for an hour and row to Bled Island and back. You truly don’t need more than an hour to row to Bled Island, walk around the tiny little island, and go see Church of the Mother on God Lake. 

Then you can paddle your way back to the boat rental all in under an hour. You can easily rent a boat or paddle board for longer but with only the day to see everything around Lake Bled an hour should be plenty of time to enjoy the lake, get pictures, and see Bled Island!

Walk back around Lake Bled and grab some food

After hiking Velika Osojnica, trying some Lake Bled Cream Cake, relaxing by the beach, and visiting Bled Island it’s time to make your way to the touristy side of the lake. 

You can walk around the lake in either direction. We recommend going along the south side of the lake so you can stop at Restavracija Sova Bled. That’s where you can get a delicious Slovenian meal. It’s a little fancier and more expensive food but the view and the quality of the food are worth it. 

Another option (that’s only about 100 meters up the road) if you’re looking for something a little cheaper and very traditional, you can stop by Monika Poklukar. A cozy little local restaurant serving up all sorts of traditional dishes.

If you’re not hungry you can just enjoy the views and walk around the lake and take in all the views. There are plenty of restaurants on the main side of the lake where you can grab a bite to eat later.

Stop by the Heart of Lake Bled

Once you’ve finally made it back around the lake to the busier side of Lake Bled there’s one little stop on the lake that’s worth visiting. Right at the front of the lake, there’s a big red heart that’s facing the lake. It’s a really pretty viewpoint and a good spot to take a picture of Lake Bled.

It’s hard to say how busy it’s going to be since it is right in the heart (😉) of where most tourists and travellers go. If you’re lucky and can grab a picture without waiting too long then it’s worth it! 

Hike up to Bled Castle and enjoy the views

One of the last things to do on this day trip to Lake Bled is to visit Bled Castle up on the cliffs above the Lake. It’s probably the most touristy part of Lake Bled and for good reason, because it’s absolutely stunning.

You can follow this trail map from the Lake Bled Heart Viewpoint up to Bled Castle. It’s less than a 1 km walk up and shouldn’t take more than 25-30 minutes.

Once you’re up at Bled Castle you can either hang out and enjoy the views or you can buy a ticket to enter the castle.  You can learn more about Bled Castle here and even buy tickets online beforehand (€13 per adult).

As we mentioned before, it’s probably the most touristy area in Lake Bled but for good reason. That’s why we recommend going later in the day like this. The other option is to also go early in the morning before most people arrive but since we recommend the Velika Osojnica hike as the first thing we suggest you finish the day at Bled Castle.

And that’s it for this day trip! Once you’re done admiring the castle you can make your way back down and then either go for dinner or head straight back to Ljubljana.

Quick overview of a day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled

The do-it-yourself day trip to Lake Bled can be a little overwhelming since there’s so much to do and see. But if you follow this itinerary, we’re sure you’ll have a great time!

As we mentioned earlier, public transport runs from the early hours of the morning until late at night during the busier months (spring through fall). If you have a car then even better because then you are completely in charge of your own schedule.

To summarize and simplify, here’s our suggested itinerary for a day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled:

1. Drive or take a bus from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. If you take the bus remember to get off at Bohinjska Bela bus stop (2 stops/7 minutes past the normal Lake Bled stop).
2. From Bohinjska Bela, hike up to Velika Osojnica and take in the view of Lake Bled and Bled Lake. From the viewpoint, you can hike down towards the lake.
3. Enjoy a taste of Bled at Restavracija Camping Bled where you can try the Lake Bled Cream Cake
4. Relax, swim, and suntan at the beach next to the restaurant.
5. Take a boat or a paddleboard out to Bled Island and see the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake. 
6. Then walk around Lake Bled back to town where you can stop at a restaurant for a bite to eat. Restavracija Sova Bled and Monika Poklukar are both on the way back to town as you walk around the lake.
7. Check out the Lake Bled Heart Viewpoint and snap a picture at this iconic spot.
8. Hike up to Bled Castle where you can roam the castle grounds and take in the views or actually enter the castle and explore the historic castle.
9. Grab a bite to eat in Bled before you make your way back to Ljubljana by car, bus, or train and finish off the day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled! 

When you break it down like this it’s really easy to follow and you truly get to see everything around Lake Bled. 

Other related questions about a day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled

Is it best to go on a guided tour to Lake Bled or to do it yourself?

The main difference between doing the day trip yourself and going on a guided tour is that if you go on your own, you’ll have more flexibility and more of a local experience. On the other hand, if you go on a guided tour, all the planning is done for you. You will see all the popular spots but you will also get to see more on a guided tour and go to some other spots that you can’t do with public transport in just one day. 

There are pros and cons to both ways of visiting Lake Bled and it’s just up to you to see which way you prefer! Hopefully, this guide helps planning your day if you end up doing Lake Bled by public transport and enjoying it by yourself or with a few friends!

When is the best time to visit Lake Bled?

Since Lake Bled is a very outdoorsy destination and because of the weather, we would say that between May-October is the best time to visit.

May and October are going to be a lot less touristy but the weather can be more unpredictable during those months. We had a week full of rain in early October but during some years, October can be super nice and sunny. 

July and August are of course fantastic months to visit Lake Bled because they are the warmest months. This does mean more tourists and longer wait times, though. With the day trips from Ljubljana to Lake Bled in this post, you have a few activities that should help you avoid some of the crowds and then a few highlights that will be a bit busier with people – so a good mix of busy and less-busy activities. 

Honestly, anytime between May and October, we’re sure you’ll have a wonderful time hiking around and exploring all the iconic spots near Lake Bled.

Is a day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled worth it?

If you love the outdoors, want to hike a little bit, and see one of Slovenia’s wonders then a day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled is totally worth it. The fact that you can get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled in less than an hour also makes it a super convenient day trip. 

There is so much to do and see, and some amazing hikes around Lake Bled that your trip will be filled with viewpoints and fun activities around the lake including a visit to the famous Bled Castle. 

If you have a full day to explore somewhere outside of Ljubljana then Lake Bled should be at the top of that list!

Is Lake Bled touristy?

Lake Bled is very touristy. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Slovenia with over 1 million overnight stays a year. Thankfully there are few places you can go to avoid crowds at times, and if you travel during the shoulder season (April through June and September through October) you’ll get a lot fewer people than if you travel during peak season (the summer months). 

What currency do they use in Slovenia?

Slovenia is part of the European Union and uses Euro (€). Most places accept bank cards in Slovenia now but it’s still good to have at least a little bit of Euro cash with you in case you stumble upon some small shop or cafe that may not take bank cards.

What’s the best way to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled?

The cheapest and most convenient way to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled is by bus. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to get from Ljubljana Bus Station to the lake in Bled. Buses during peak season run from 5 am until 11 pm and tickets cost anywhere between €6-8 each way. 

There are buses that run all day so you can just show up at the bus station, buy a ticket there or online, and jump on the bus.

For a full guide on how to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled, check out this post.

Is Lake Bled safe?

Slovenia and Lake Bled are very safe in general. The only thing you should worry about is getting lost on a hike, getting a sunburn or maybe dropping your phone in the lake. All in all Lake Bled is very very safe and there’s nothing you should worry about.

Of course, you should always use common sense but, in general, Lake Bled is very safe.

You may also like…

• The Best Ways to Get From Ljubljana to Lake Bled in 2023
• 3 Fun Bohinj Hiking Trails to Check Off Your List While in Slovenia
• Hiking to the Famous Vogar Viewpoint Overlooking Lake Bohinj
• 7 Lake Bled Accomodations for an Enjoyable Stay
• Top 5 Bohinj Hotels for an Unforgettable Stay

Recap of a day trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled

As you can see, you have some great options if you plan to go to Lake Bled on a guided tour. All three of the tours highlighted in this post are somewhat similar to each other, but each tour offers something a little different. From exploring Lake Bled to making your way to Lake Bohinj and hiking up Savica Waterfall, all three of these day trips highlight the best of this part of Slovenia.

If a guided tour isn’t your thing then hopefully our do-it-yourself guide has inspired you to see some of the more off-the-beaten-path parts of Lake Bled mixed in with some of the highlights. Starting with the Velika Osojnica Viewpoint hike and then making your way down to the lake and seeing everything else we’re sure you’ll have a great day. 

We hope you have the best time in Lake Bled and make the most of your day trip from Ljubljana! We’d love to hear about your trip and what your favourite part was! Feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @redwhiteadventures or leave a comment below if you have any questions about Lake Bled.

Enjoy beautiful Slovenia!

Liked this post? Pin and share it with a friend!