Lake Bled is for sure a charming natural attraction and the cover photo above proves that! Besides, the area around the lake offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. – For example, I really enjoy early morning walks.
There are several things to do at Lake Bled. Walking, running, swimming, rowing and standup paddleboarding – those are the most popular activities among the locals. Which one would you choose?
How to spend your time at Lake Bled? – Tips from a local guide
SIGHTSEEING: Lake Bled is among the most visited natural attractions in Slovenia (especially in spring and summer months).
There are various things one can do by or on the lake, including enjoying the view, taking photos and going by boat to Bled Island that lies on the western side of the lake.
WALKING: You might have wondered if you can walk around the entire Lake Bled? The answer is: of course!
The route is about six kilometres (three miles) long and if you walk at an average pace, it will take you approximately one hour and 15 minutes to get around the lake.
Suggestion for further reading:
RUNNING: In spring, summer and autumn (or when the weather is warm enough which can nowadays also happen in winter), you will see many people running around the lake.
During the high season (June–September), many prefer to run in the morning, because it is less crowded by the lake at that time of the day.
If you go running around the lake, you will mostly run on asphalt and macadam paths.
CYCLING: There are many places (tourist info points, agencies, restaurants…) in Bled where you can rent a bike.
In addition, there is also a public bike system called Bled Green Ways. You can find city, mountain or electric bikes at four different locations in the Bled area, including Camping Zaka by the western side of Lake Bled. You can use those bikes in all seasons, except in winter.
However, prior to using a Bled Green Ways bike you need to register at the Information Centre Triglavska Roža. Holders of the Julian Alps Card get 2 hours per day for free. You can learn more on how to use Bled Green Ways bikes here (Go to Useful information – Get around).
Do you intend to cycle around the lake during high season (June–September)? I would recommend you to cycle in the morning as there will be fewer people walking around the lake. When you are on the bike, please be careful and respect pedestrians and joggers.
SWIMMING: In summer months (June to August), the water temperature of Lake Bled is warm enough to swim (up to 26°C / 79 °F). However, in order to preserve the lake ecosystem, locals and tourists alike are asked to swim in designated swim areas (if swimming elsewhere you could get fined).
There are some well-maintained beaches with different facilities where you can get into the lake safely, including Public Lido – Grajsko kopališče that is located below Bled Castle, Mala Zaka (where Rowing Centre is located), Velika Zaka (opposite Camping Bled), Grand Hotel Toplice and Villa Bled.
INTERESTING FACT: Public Lido is the sunniest place by the lake.
You will be asked to pay a daily fee to enter Public Lido (daily tickets: 9 EUR for adults, 6 EUR for children up to the age of 14; after 3 pm: 7 EUR for adults, 4 EUR for children up to the age of 14). Discounts are available for holders of the Julian Alps Card.
Public Lido is open from 9 am to 7 pm every day (except when it rains). You can also rent a locker, deckchair, umbrella or a kayak there. Public Lido has also access to the lake that is suitable for elderly people.
Public Lido Bled (Grajsko kopališče) is accessible for disabled swimmers. There are also disabled toilets.
Please keep in mind that the lake is home to various aquatic animals, including swans and geese. Please do not scare them, try to play with them or feed them. Admire their beauty, but please do not disturb them.
DIVING: Lake Bled with the average depth of 18 m (60 ft) and the maximum depth being 30 m (98 ft) might be the right place for your underwater adventure.
You can discover the lake’s underwater world in organised diving tours. Did you know that there are more than 15 different fish species currently residing in the lake?
WELLNESS: Lake Bled is also known for thermal springs. You can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of thermal water in the swimming pool of Grand Hotel Toplice (water temperature is 22 °C / 72 °F). As well as in the swimming pools of Rikli Balance Hotel and Hotel Park (water in the swimming pools of the latter two is being heated up).
BOATING: You can go to Bled Island by a wooden boat that you can rent for one or more hours at various agencies near the lake.
You can rent a smaller boat or a bigger one, depending on how many people you are. The prices for renting a boat are similar (around 20 EUR/boat/first hour – the second hour is usually cheaper or even free for the holders of the Julian Alps Card).
PLETNA BOATS: If you do not feel like rowing yourself and would like to go to the island nevertheless, then you can just buy a return ticket for pletna boat (around 14 EUR; holders of the Julian Alps Card pay 1 EUR less) and hop on the closest one.
There are various locations from where pletna boats leave for Bled Island, including Bled Mlino, a dock below Villa Bled and a dock next to Casino Bled (Kazina).
Pletna boats or pletnas are traditional boats for Lake Bled made of wood that can carry up to 18-20 people at once. You can purchase the ticket directly from the men who navigate pletna boats.
FISHING: Between April and December (fishing season), you will most probably see local and foreign fishermen by the lake. If you are one of them, please keep in mind that before going fishing in Lake Bled you need to purchase a fishing permit.
You can purchase it online (through the website of Ribiška družina Bled — Fishing Club Bled) or at various places in Bled, including Bled Tourist Info where you can also find out which fish species are allowed to be fished.
GEOCACHING: You can find a number of geocaches around the lake. There is also one hidden on Bled Island!
Do you know how many steps lead up to the church on the upper part of the island? You might want to figure it out if you want to find a geocache hidden somewhere near the lake!
CAMPING: Camping Bled is a campsite in Velika Zaka, located by the western side of Lake Bled. It is (mostly) a flat, grassy area surrounded by rocky hills and forests.
From Camping Bled you can see Bled Castle and the Karawanks mountain range. It is open from April until October. Camping Bled also provides glamping.
Would you like to explore Lake Bled and nearby places in the Julian Alps with me? Follow my day-to-day on Instagram (@bledoscope) and Twitter (@bledoscope).