Lakefront
First-timersAlong the eastern shore.
Bled town guide
Things To Do In Bled
An Alpine lake with a church on its only island and a castle on a cliff above it. Beautiful, busy, and best early in the morning.
14
Hostels in the city
9.0
Average, from 18,264 reviews
1011
The castle first recorded
99
Steps to the island church
6 km
Around the lake
The postcard
Lake Bled is the image of Slovenia: a small, green Alpine lake with a baroque church on a tiny island in the middle and a medieval castle on a cliff above the shore, with the Julian Alps behind. It has been a resort since the nineteenth century, and it is busy.
The trick is timing. Early morning and evening, the lake is quiet and the light is at its best. In the middle of a summer day, the paths and car parks are full.
Bled is also the gateway to Triglav National Park and Lake Bohinj, which is bigger, quieter and half an hour away. Two days is right.
Where to stay
The town is small and spread along the lake. Stay near the lake or in the town centre.
Town centre
ValueJust back from the lake.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 10 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Bled
Walk around the lake, six kilometres on a flat path, preferably early. Take a pletna, the traditional wooden rowing boat, to the island, climb the 99 steps to the church and ring the wishing bell. Or hire a rowing boat and go yourself.
Bled Castle, first recorded in 1011, is the oldest castle in Slovenia and has the best view of the lake.
Climb to the Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica viewpoints above the lake for the classic postcard shot of the island and the castle.
Vintgar Gorge, a boardwalk through a narrow river gorge a few kilometres away, is open from spring to autumn and needs a ticket.
Free things
Free things to do in Bled
The lake walk and swimming in the lake are free.
The viewpoints at Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Bled
Kremšnita, the Bled cream cake, is the one thing everyone eats, at about €4 to €5.
Gostilne around the lake serve trout and Slovenian food. A meal is €12 to €18, more on the lakefront.
Nightlife
Going out in Bled
Bled is quiet at night, with a few bars in town, busier in summer.
A beer is €3.50 to €5.
Getting around
Getting around Bled
The town is walkable. Buses reach Ljubljana in about an hour and a quarter, and Bohinj in about half an hour. The nearest train station is Lesce-Bled, four kilometres away.
Parking is limited and expensive in summer.
If you drive, motorways need an e-vignette, bought online and linked to your number plate.
Costs
What Bled costs
Bled is pricier than the rest of Slovenia, especially in July and August. Dorms start around €22. A careful day is €50 to €65.
The costs that add up are the pletna boat, the castle and Vintgar.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for mountain huts and small cafés.
Safety
Staying safe in Bled
Bled is very safe.
The lake is cold early in the season. The viewpoint paths are steep and slippery in the wet.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Bled
Triglav National Park and the other lakes.
Lake Bohinj
A bigger, quieter lake with free swimming.
Vintgar Gorge
A boardwalk through a river gorge.
Triglav National Park
Slovenia's only national park.
Radovljica
A small medieval town with a beekeeping museum.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Summer evenings bring concerts and fireworks on the lake.
Staff pick
3–4 October
Rowing National Championships
The Rowing National Championships in Bled, Slovenia, bring together top rowing talent at the renowned Olympic Rowing Centre on Lake Bled. This event is…
Staff pick
14 November
Folk Music Hit Parade
The Folk Music Hit Parade in Bled, Slovenia, transforms the autumn season with lively performances from acclaimed folk music ensembles from Slovenia and across…
Staff pick
25 December
Legend of the Sunken Bell
The Legend of the Sunken Bell at Lake Bled, Slovenia, brings to life a cherished local folktale through a captivating lakeside performance. Visitors gather…
18 Sep – 1 Nov
Exhibition of Works by Huberto Široka
Huberto Široka's original jewellery and silversmithing works return to the Bitenc Hall at Bled Castle. The selection spans more than four decades of the…
27 Aug – 31 Dec
Karaoke Night
Pub Bled Troha is a historic and popular spot in Bled, with a rustic interior and a terrace offering views of the lake and…
24 October
Cheese & Wine Festival
Local cheesemakers gather to share their craft at this afternoon celebration of Bohinj's dairy heritage, paired with regional wines and live music. You'll have…
17 Apr – 9 Oct
Guided Tour of Bled
Every Friday through the warmer months, a local guide leads a one-hour walk along the lakeside promenade and through Bled's old town. You get…
Hostels
Where to stay in Bled
The top-rated places to stay in Bled right now, live from Hostelworld.
Hosteller
See dates and book
Second Station Hostel
Dorms from €36 a night
See dates and book
Travellers' Haven Hostel
Dorms from €30 a night
See dates and book
Hostel Bledec
Dorms from €22 a night
See dates and book
Bled Hostel
Dorms from €20 a night
See dates and book
Bled Hostel II
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Sobe Smolej
Dorms from €30 a night
See dates and book
1A Adventure Hostel Lesce Bled
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Castle Hostel 1004
Dorms from €17 a night
See dates and book
Ace of Spades Hostel
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
When to go
May, June and September are best. July and August are very busy.
Jan
Cold
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Spring
Apr
Vintgar opens
May
Excellent
Jun
Swimming
Jul
Bled Days
Aug
Very busy
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Autumn colours
Nov
Quiet
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. The lake is swimmable from June to September.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Excludes the pletna boat, the castle and Vintgar Gorge.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Bled travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Bled Island?
By pletna, the traditional rowing boat, or by hiring a rowing boat yourself.
Can you swim in Lake Bled?
Yes, from June to September.
Where is the best view of Bled?
From the Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica viewpoints above the lake.
Is Bled worth it?
Yes, early in the day. Bohinj is the quieter alternative.
How do I get to Bled?
By bus from Ljubljana, about an hour and a quarter.
How many days do you need?
Two.
When is the best time to visit?
May, June and September.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Bled hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.