Bled & Bohinj: the back story

About Bled & Bohinj: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Ljubljana Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

An hour from Ljubljana, Lake Bled is the picture everyone knows: a little island with a church, a castle on a cliff and the Alps behind. Half an hour further, Lake Bohinj is its wilder, quieter sister inside Triglav National Park.

Bled’s island

The only natural island in Slovenia holds the pilgrimage church of the Assumption. Wooden pletna boats, rowed standing up, carry visitors across, and 99 stone steps lead up from the landing. Inside, ring the wishing bell.

The castle

Bled Castle, first mentioned in 1011, perches on a cliff above the lake, with a museum, a printing workshop, a wine cellar and terraces with a famous view.

Bled is the postcard; Bohinj is where you stay longer than planned.

Bohinj

Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia, cold, clear and surrounded by mountains. Here you will find the frescoed church of St John the Baptist, the Savica waterfall and the Vogel cable car, and in summer, swimming, kayaking and hiking.

When to go

Bled is busy in July and August and at weekends; come early in the morning or in spring and autumn. Bohinj is quieter all year, and winter brings snow and skiing at Vogel.

Our advice: see Bled early, walk around the lake (about 6 km), climb to the Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica viewpoint and take a pletna to the island; then spend the afternoon or the night at Bohinj. Try the cream cake, and book Vintgar Gorge tickets in advance.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Bled & Bohinj: the back story before you go.