updated on May 21st, 2019
Slovenia, a small country we heard locals affectionately call “the size of a postage stamp,” is a seriously gorgeous place! We visited in the height of tourist season, mid-August, and it still had a relaxed, quiet vibe.
Wondering what to do in Lake Bled, Slovenia? We highly recommend visiting the island and the church in the middle of Lake Bled.
If you’re hitting up Slovenia, you’re probably going to visit Lake Bled and the surrounding town. After you’ve marvelled at the view for a bit, you’ll probably want to check out that cute little island with the church jutting above it. You’re not the first person, by any means- Bled Island had traces of prehistoric (11th-8th centuries, BC!) settlements.
Because Bled is a quaint little town, there aren’t noisy motorboats on the water. Instead, should you wish to visit by boat, you board a Pletna boat. These flat-bottom, shiny wood boats are operated by a single person with an oar who stands on the back of the boat. We were impressed by how quickly he paddled us across the lake! Once you get to Bled Island, they typically give you around an hour to look around- enough time to see everything, including the Bled Island church, in our experience- and then return to the boat to head home. Our round-trip voyage cost €14 per person. You simply find one on shore, talk to the boat operator, and get on the boat! They take payment, cash-only, on the trip home.
Visiting Slovenia? Make sure you bring Lonely Planet’s Guide to Slovenia. (I mean, they even have Bled Island on the cover!) It’s packed with reviews, itineraries, and secret tips. Use coupon code BOLDTOURIST10 at checkout to get 10% off your order!
If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are boats and kayaks available for rent all around the island. Boats (you’re rowing yourself, no motors) were around €20 an hour, and kayaks were about €10 per hour for two people.
And, for those elite athletes around us, you could always swim! Alas, we were feeling quite relaxed, due to the serene setting around us, and we opted for the easiest way: the Pletna boat!
Looking for a hotel in Lake Bled? We stayed at the Hotel Golf, now renamed to the Rikli Balance Hotel. It had INCREDIBLE views of the lake and Bled Island! We completely recommend this hotel and will stay here again!
