Known as the pearl of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled offers one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Slovenia. The emerald-green waters of the lake, paired with the tiny island on the edge, seal the identity of the country’s Alpine region. At the same time, the traditional Pletna boats add a historical background to the experience. Therefore, as you can easily imagine, going on a Lake Bled day trip from Ljubljana easily ranks among the best things to do in Slovenia.
I visited Lake Bled in late spring and was mesmerized by its beauty. The day tour I joined (you can book it here) also included a visit to the Bled Castle, which stands on a steep cliff approximately 130 meters from the lake’s surface. It was a memorable experience, and in this guide to Lake Bled, I’ll share why you should join a day trip. Apart from the information about the tour and the travel tips, you’ll also see my photos and a short 4K video.
So, let’s begin with everything you need to know for an unforgettable day trip to Lake Bled, Slovenia’s absolute gem.
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Lake Bled day trip from Ljubljana: Itinerary
To get a better overview of the day trip’s locations, we need to break down the itinerary. Tours to the lake usually last between 5 and 8 hours; the exact duration depends on the extras you’ll add. The tour I joined, and I highly recommend, lasted almost 7 hours and offered enough time to soak in everything. It’s up to you and your budget to decide what to include in the itinerary.
Lastly, most tour operators offer morning tours. However, the one I joined also had an afternoon tour, and I preferred to book that one. Seeing Lake Bled at sunset sounded nicer, but maybe it’s just me.
The meeting point
There is usually no pick-up service for the Bled tours. Therefore, the tour operators will provide a list of downtown locations to pick you up. Ljubljana is compact, and the meeting points are easy to reach. The most common meeting points are the French Revolution Square, the Intercontinental Hotel, the City Hotel, and the Ljubljana WOW sign. I chose the latter because it was the closest one to my accommodation.
Although slight delays can occur, the guide picked me up on time. It was a small group tour, and the minivan could accommodate up to seven people plus the driver. Long story short, check which meeting point is the closest to your hotel, especially if you’re joining the early morning tour, which starts at 8 a.m. The afternoon tour begins at 2 p.m., but cross-check the times when you book because they sometimes tend to differ.
The Bled Castle
After approximately an hour’s drive through the Slovenian countryside, you will reach Bled Castle (Slovene: Blejski grad). Nestled on a cliff above the lake, this medieval castle deserves a short visit. It is actually the oldest castle in Slovenia and a landmark of the country. Thousands of travelers visit it every year, and it hosts a small museum that presents the region’s history.
From the castle’s courtyard, you’ll see Lake Bled for the first time. The aerial views are magnificent, and the tiny Bled Island will appear on your right. The location is so pretty that it doesn’t matter if you visit it on a cloudy or sunny day: in both cases, you’ll shoot fantastic photos and enjoy the fresh air coming from the snow-capped mountains nearby.
One of the most exciting things to see during your Lake Bled day trip is the printing press. In the castle’s lower courtyard, you can see a replica of Gutenberg’s wooden press. A master printer will share info on how the press works, and you can also print a certificate or buy other souvenirs.
I very much enjoyed the views from the castle and the wooden press, which offered an extra layer of history. However, please keep in mind that entering the Bled Castle comes with an additional price of 17 euros per person. No tour to Lake Bled includes this fee, so if you decide to add the castle to your itinerary, make sure to have some cash with you.
Lake Bled
After touring the castle, you’ll embark on the minivan and drive for about 15 minutes towards Lake Bled. Although the views from the castle are far more picturesque, standing on the water level will give you a clearer idea of the lake’s size. In addition, you’ll see how beautiful the castle looks, and you’ll get a better impression of the cliff. The lake’s maximum depth is 30 meters, and often, rowing games take place. As you can see in the photos, the day I visited it, there was a rowing competition.
Now, at Lake Bled, you have two options. The first option is to stay ashore and explore the surroundings at your own pace. If you decide on that, you can also see the beautiful villas dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoying the moment and unwinding by the water is a laid-back experience for sure.
The second option is to embark on a traditional Pletna boat and visit the small Bled Island on the lake’s edge. Most people do this, and I decided to do it. Visiting Lake Bled is a great experience, and stepping foot on a tiny yet inhabited island sounds like a fun activity.
The journey back and forth to Bled Island with a Pletna boat also comes at an extra fee. A return ride costs 18 euros per person and would be paid on-site to the oarsman.
The Pletna boat
Before sharing my experience on the island, I’ll add a few lines about the Pletna boat. Pletna boats resemble Venetian gondolas: they are wooden flat-bottom boats but have a pointed bow. They are 7 meters long and approximately 2 meters wide and can accommodate 16-18 people. The oarsman uses two oars for rowing, and it takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the island.
As with Venetian gondolas, the rowers of Bled Lake are a highly regarded profession. Moreover, the permission to row a Pletna goes from father to son; therefore, one could claim this is a family business. According to historians, in 1740, Maria Theresa of Austria gave permission to 22 local families. Most oarsmen originate from these families.
Lastly, if the lake’s weather is rough due to the wind, there are also a few motorized Pletna boats. Yes, they might offer a less traditional feeling, but the ride is faster and usually smoother.
Walking around Bled Island
Bled Island (Slovene: Blejski otok) is probably why most people go on a Lake Bled day trip. Although it appears to be a tiny detail from the castle, it deserves a visit. It’s probably one of the smallest islands you’ll ever visit: you need a few minutes to walk its perimeter.
Oddly enough, there are various buildings on the island. Of course, the most prominent building -visible from the castle- is the church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, dating back to the 17th century. The church is 52 meters high, and the Baroque stairway has 99 steps. Local legend says that if the groom carries the bride up the 99 steps, the couple will have good luck and fertility. There’s an admission fee of 12 euros to enter the church and admire its Gothic frescoes.
Apart from the church, you will also find a small cafe and the provost’s house, where you can buy souvenirs. Strolling around Bled Island is fun, and nature is rich. Your tour guide will instruct you about how much time you can spend on the island, so keep an eye on the Pletna boat schedule. In general, an hour should be enough to see and enjoy everything on Bled Island.
Don’t miss the Original Bled Cream Cake at Hotel Park
After returning with the Pletna boat to the shores of the Bled Lake, you will have some free time before heading back to Ljubljana. One of the things you shouldn’t miss is tasting the Original Bled Cream Cake produced at Hotel Park. Although several establishments claim they create an Original Bled Cake, it’s at Hotel Park that you can taste it.
Hotel Park first created the Original Bled Cream Cake in 1953. According to the inscription outside the hotel, to this day, they have prepared almost 16 million cream cakes. The Bled Cake ingredients are fresh eggs, flour, whipped cream, milk, sugar, and butter. The bakers prepare it by hand, and I assure you the cake is fluffy and delicious. In addition, the outdoor seats on the terrace offer fantastic views over Bled Lake, the Castle, and the tiny island.
Don’t leave Bled Lake without tasting the cake. You can see the location of Kavarna Park on Google Maps here.
From Lake Bled to Ljubljana
After enjoying your Bled cake, it’s time to head back to Ljubljana. The one-hour journey follows the same route back to the Slovenian capital, and the ride will be smooth. It’s time to relax and listen to some extra information your guide will share with you.
The drop-off locations are the same as the pickup points, but if you’d instead stop elsewhere in town, you can ask your driver. If it’s on the way, they will do that for you. I asked to be dropped off close to a museum I wanted to visit, and it wasn’t a problem at all. However, don’t ask to be taken to your hotel because this is not part of the service.
Lake Bled day trip: a note about the tour
It’s only fair to write some words about the fantastic tour I joined. While this is not a tour review, I want to highlight the professionalism of the guide.
First of all, the minivan was clean and spacious to accommodate the seven people who joined the tour. The guide picked me up on time (I was the only one joining from Ljubljana WOW) and was very polite. He informed me straight that the rest of the travelers wanted to visit Bled Castle, so I had to be part of it too. This wasn’t a problem because I also wanted to see the castle.
He drove carefully on the highway and shared some background information about Slovenia and Ljubljana. At Bled Castle, one of the tour members was late, but he went to search for her and apologized for the delay. When we arrived at the Pletna boats, he communicated with the oarsman and waited for us in the van. He also suggested where to eat the Bled Cake and shared its story. Lastly, before embarking on the way back to Ljubljana, he offered everyone a bottle of water; it was a tiny gesture, but we all appreciated it.
Overall, the service was very professional, and I highly recommend joining the Lake Bled tour with them.
You can book the day trip here.
Lake Bled day trip: Final Thoughts
Lake Bled in Slovenia is the most popular attraction in the country. Moreover, it ranks among the 10 must-see lakes in Europe. Its beauty is undeniable, and visiting it will be a highlight of your journey. The majestic views from the Bled Castle, the snowcapped Julian Alps, the picturesque Bled Island, and the Pletna boat ride are all things to remember. One thing to keep in mind is that there are extra fees for the castle and the boat ride, so make sure to calculate them when budgeting.
Slovenia exceeded my expectations, and the Lake Bled tour was one of the top things I had experienced in this small European country. Don’t miss the chance to visit it -and after the Pletna ride, enjoy a delicious Bled Cream Cake.
More about Slovenia: The ultimate Ljubljana guide, Jože Plečnik Museum, Ljubljana River Cruise, Ljubljana by bike
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Last Updated on January 18, 2025 by George Pavlopoulos