While spending one day in Lake Bled may not be enough to do everything, it can certainly give you a great view into this charming Slovenian town! Bled is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia. Most people will day trip into town from nearby cities like Ljubljana, Zagreb, or Trieste. However if you can, I’d highly recommend staying at least one night in town! This will give you a chance to take in a full day, and times in the mornings and evenings with fewer crowds. Here is how to spend one day in Lake Bled, Slovenia!
Catch the morning sunrise
No better way to start your one day in Lake Bled than with the morning sun! I caught mine from my hotel balcony which had views of the lake and Bled Castle. I stayed at Hotel Kompas which I found to be the perfect home base. It was close to town, the lake, and easy to get anywhere I wanted to go. If you’re staying elsewhere, get down into town early and catch the sunrise from the shores of the lake. Plus, you can then get good parking for the day too, if you need that! The sun will rise from the east side of the lake, so for the absolute very best views, I’d recommend heading out to viewpoints like here, if you can.
Morning visit to Vintar Gorge
Visiting Vintar Gorge on your visit to Lake Bled is an absolute must-do, and doing it first thing in the morning is a key to success! Visiting at 7:00 am, I felt like I had the whole trail to myself and was able to get spectacular photos! Reservations must be made ahead of time by clicking here. You’ll reserve a specific day and time, and while hours may vary seasonally, you’ll want to get the earliest one you can! You can’t park directly at the gorge, so you’ll need to park your car here (for free). From this lot, you’ll take the shuttle out to the base. More info on the shuttles can be found here.
Plan for about 3 hours for your visit to Vintgar Gorge. You’ll start your visit with the highlight: walking alongside the Radovna River through a stunning gorge with huge walled cliffs. When the sun hits just right, the water glistens a bright milky blue that will remind you of lakes in Canada! Once through the gorge, there is a small snack shack to stop at and rest.
Then, you’ll choose between two paths back to the base. The River of Trees Trail (which will make your total walk about 4.3 km) or the King of Triglav Trail (which will make your total walk about 5.7 km). Both are different experiences, so take some time to read about them here before making a decision! I chose the River of Trees trail due to its proximity to Slap Šum. I loved how this trail took you through a small town and then through the forest!
Hike Mala Osojnica
Next, make your way back to Lake Bled for a hike to the best viewpoint! Mala Osojnica is a short, but steep hike up the western side of Lake Bled. This hike will give you iconic views of the lake and Bled Island. This is the postcard view! I parked my car here and walked to the trailhead, located here. Mala Osojnica isn’t a long hike, but it is straight up to the viewpoints, and then straight back down.
There are two main viewpoints: the first being here, and the second here. Once I made it to the first viewpoint, I was pretty gassed. Other hikers coming back down from the second viewpoint said the view was basically the same, so no need to waste energy going higher up, in my opinion! Sturdy shoes are a must on this trail as it’s pretty rugged and tough. If it just rained, expect it to be muddy and slippery! I slipped and got covered in mud at the top! Take time to enjoy the viewpoints: this is iconic Lake Bled!
Pletna ride to Bled Island
Pletna boats and Lake Bled go hand in hand! These wooden row boats have origins dating back to the 1590’s and have been used to transport people from the shores of the lake to Bled Island for centuries. Pletnas still operate throughout the summer, and you can catch them throughout the day. The docks in central Bled here, or from the southwestern shores located here are your two best bets. Your captain (also known as a Pletnar) will stand and row your pletna with an oar through the crystal-clear lake and dock right at Bled Island. The ride from Bled will take about twenty minutes each way, but it’s incredibly scenic and calm riding through the still waters in a boat with no engine. Enjoy views of Bled Castle and the town along the way!
Explore Bled Island
Once your pletna arrives to Bled Island, you’ll be given some time to explore before catching the ride back. For us, it was about 45 minutes which was plenty of time, in my opinion! Start by climbing the iconic 99 steps up to the famous Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to tradition, any couples getting married in the church must have the groom carry his bride up the 99 stone steps to the church. Plenty of weddings still happen in this church, and the tradition still occurs to this day!
Once at the church, purchase your ticket to go inside and admire the beautiful architecture. Also inside is the famous Wishing Bell. Legend says that if you make a wish and ring the bell, it will come true. I had a really difficult time ringing the bell, so we’ll have to see if that’s the universe rejecting my wish or if it actually comes true one day! There is also a small gift shop, cafe, and gelato stand at the top for a sweet treat while enjoying the views. If you want, you can also wear a swimsuit and take a dip in the lake!
Visit Bled Castle
Next up, a visit to the iconic Bled Castle (or Blejski grad in Slovenian). This castle is perched high atop a cliff overlooking Lake Bled and Bled Island. You can see it from just about anywhere on the lake! Bled Castle is the oldest castle in the country and dates back to the 11th century. Visiting the castle is possible all year round, but the hours vary by season (click here for exact hours). Tour inside the castle, enjoy the lake and island views from the terrace, or grab a meal at the on-site restaurant or cafe.
Indulge in the famous Bled Cake
End your perfect one day in Lake Bled the only way you can: with a slice of the famous Bled Cake! Bled Cake (also known as Blejska Kremšnita in Slovenian) is two layers of puff pastry filled with vanilla custard, whip cream, and topped with sugar. It’s light, sweet, and indulgent! While you can find Bled Cake all throughout town, the original is found at Kavarna Park, located here. They’ve been making the iconic cakes since 1953 and have it on lock. Enjoy the cake and a glass of dessert wine on their outdoor patio while watching the sun set over Lake Bled. The perfect end to a perfect day!
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