Quick Takes
- 🚶♀️ Ljubljana is ultra-walkable, clean, and calm.
- 🏰 Lake Bled is magical, give it at least one full night (two if you can).
- 🚗 Renting a car makes side trips easy (driving is not scary here).
- 🌿 Nature lovers will be obsessed, there are so many great hikes to choose from!
Where to Stay in Ljubljana
Ljubljana is compact, walkable, and charming, so you don’t need to stay in Old Town to be close to everything. Anywhere within a 10–15 minute walk to Prešeren Square is perfect.
- We stayed at InterContinental Ljubljana – Luxury vibe, spa, indoor pool, and a 5-minute walk to Old Town. Highly recommend if you want modern comfort + convenience.
Where to Stay in Lake Bled
Lake Bled is all about the view, and staying lakeside makes the trip feel magical. You only need one night here (but trust me, you’ll wish for two).
- We stayed at Grand Hotel Toplice- Classic European charm, spa access, lake views, worth the splurge.
- Tip: If lakefront hotels are booked or too expensive, choose a place with lake access or bike rentals, getting around is super easy.
Getting Around Slovenia
You can do this itinerary with or without a car, but a car makes it easier to see Lake Bohinj and Vintgar Gorge.
We rented a car, and honestly, I recommend it if you want to stop at places between Ljubljana and Lake Bled. I usually hate driving in foreign countries, but Slovenia’s roads were wide, calm, and super easy to navigate.
Ljubljana: Walk everywhere
Day trips (Bled, Bohinj, Vintgar Gorge): Car is easiest (highly recommend)
Buses: Reliable + budget-friendly for Bled if you prefer no car. You can take a bus to Bohinj, but it will take twice as long than a car. And getting to Vintgar Gorge or any small hikes in the area will be nearly impossible. I only recommend doing a bus if you only want to visit Lake Bled.
Day 1 – Exploring Ljubljana
We started our morning with a free walking tour, and it ended up being one of the best we’ve ever done. There were only three of us, so it felt almost private, and our guide gave us an incredible overview of Slovenia’s culture and history, from its Yugoslav past and peaceful independence in the 1990s to its proud identity today.
The tour began in Prešeren Square, the heart of the city. Our guide told us about France Prešeren, Slovenia’s national poet, whose statue faces the pink Franciscan Church. Fun fact: the poet’s statue gazes toward the window of his unrequited love, Julija Primic, a permanent bronze love story.
We toured the bridges:
- Triple Bridge-three bridges side-by-side — originally one, then expanded with two pedestrian wings, symbolizing how the city connects old and new Ljubljana
- Dragon Bridge, guarded by four large green dragons. Dragons are the symbol of Ljubljana.
Butcher’s Bridge, or Love Lock Bridge, where couples leave padlocks as symbols of love (I feel like every city has some like this now a days).
In one small alley, Hribarjevo nabrežje, near the river , we saw a row of skulls carved into stone walls, a somber WWII-era memorial to partisans who died defending the city. It was eerie but moving.
We also stopped by the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, where the bronze doors tell the story of Slovenia’s history and Christianity.
After the tour, we hiked up to Ljubljana Castle, it’s a short, steep walk but worth every step for the panoramic views. You can also take the funicular if you’d rather skip the climb. There are cafés and restaurants inside the castle walls, but we decided to head back down for lunch.
We grabbed food at the Central Market, which was lively and packed with locals, fresh stalls, open-air seating, and plenty of options. Later, we wandered into a flea market by the river selling all kinds of quirky treasures, including lots of vintage Yugoslavia memorabilia, which was fascinating to look through.
Dinner that night was at Figovec, one of Ljubljana’s oldest traditional restaurants. We wanted to try authentic Slovenian food, and it didn’t disappoint. Hearty, flavorful, and comforting.
Tips
- 🗣️ Do the free walking tour first, it adds context to everything you’ll see later. And basically covers the entire city!
- 🏰 Walk or take the funicular to the castle the view is worth it; the hike up is not difficult.
- 🚰 Bring a water bottle, fountains are drinkable all over the city.
Day 2 – Lake Bohinj & Magical Lake Bled
After leaving Ljubljana, we started our road trip toward Slovenia’s famous lakes, and this was hands down one of the most beautiful drives of the entire trip.
Our first stop was Lake Bohinj, quieter, wilder, and less touristy than its more famous neighbor. We walked along the lake’s edge, taking a hundred photos because every direction looked like a postcard — turquoise water, mountain reflections, and absolute calm.
Next, we hiked to Savica Waterfall, an easy, well-marked trail with stairs leading up to the viewpoint. It’s a short hike (about 20 minutes up), and the waterfall itself was stunning, tumbling into a vivid emerald pool. It felt great to stretch our legs and get some fresh air after a few city days.
From there, we drove to Lake Bled, and wow, it truly lives up to the hype. The view of Bled Island floating in the middle of the lake, with a castle perched on a cliff above, is straight out of a fairytale.
We spent the afternoon relaxing in the spa at Grand Hotel Toplice, which has a natural thermal pool fed directly from a spring beneath the hotel. The water is said to be healing, you can even drink it!
Later, we walked the entire loop around Lake Bled (about 3.7 miles). When we reached the far side of the lake, directly across from the island, I decided to swim across instead of taking a boat, about 600 meters each way. The water was crystal clear and refreshing, but I quickly realized I hadn’t thought through what I’d do once I got there: you can’t enter the church or climb the bell tower without proper clothes!
- Tip: bring a waterproof bag if you want to swim, or just rent a boat or kayak like a normal person.
We headed back to the hotel, showered, and drove up to Bled Castle for panoramic views. Unfortunately, a storm rolled in right as we arrived, so we didn’t get the sunset we hoped for. I would not recommend going to the castle for the views, there are so many hikes that give you better viewpoints.
Viewpoints and hikes where you can enjoy equally stunning views of the lake:
- Ojstrica Viewpoint: A short, steep 20-minute climb known for its sunrise views. Wear good shoes, it’s quick but slippery in spots.
- Mala Osojnica Viewpoint: Slightly longer than Ojstrica, this is the classic panoramic shot you’ve seen on postcards, the island, the castle, and the mountains all in one frame.
- Velika Osojnica Viewpoint: The highest and most challenging of the three, offering a broader perspective of the lake and Julian Alps.
- 🚡 Straža Hill: Take the cable car for an easy, central viewpoint.
Once the rain cleared, we strolled through the main street of Lake Bled, which is lined with cozy cafés and souvenir shops. We ended the night with dinner at The Oldest Bled Cellar, easily one of our favorite meals of the trip. The food was delicious, authentic, and reasonably priced, and the service was warm and friendly.
Of course, I couldn’t leave without trying Lake Bled’s Cream Cake (kremšnita), and it did not disappoint. Flaky pastry, creamy vanilla custard, and just the right sweetness.
I wish we had two nights here, between the views, the spa, and the lake itself, one night didn’t feel like enough. Lake Bled deserves a little more time to slow down and soak it all in.
Tips
- ⛵ Get on the water: pletna boat, kayak, or swim.
- 🏊♀️ If you swim to the isalnd/church, b️ring a waterproof bag with clothes so you can ring the bell in the church. They will not let you into the church in a swimsuit.
- 🍰 Try the famous Bled cream cake (kremšnita), it lives up to the hype.
- 🌅 For views: Do not go to Bled Castle. Hike to Ojstrica/Mala Osojnica for iconic panoramas.
Day 3 – Vintgar Gorge & Scenic Drive to the Slovenian Border
Before leaving Lake Bled, we squeezed in one last adventure, the Vintgar Gorge Hike.
This short but spectacular walk follows wooden boardwalks clinging to the cliffside above a rushing emerald river. Book tickets in advance during peak season, since entry times fill up fast.
From there, you can choose your own adventure:
Option 1 – Circle Back to Ljubljana
If you’re ending your Slovenia trip here, it’s just a 45-minute drive back to Ljubljana, an easy and scenic route. Along the way, you can stop at oneof Slovenia’s world-famous cave systems or the worlds largest cave castle:
- Postojna Cave – The more commercial and family-friendly option. Visitors board a small underground train that winds through massive chambers dripping with stalactites. It’s also only 15 minutes away from Predjama Castle.
- Predjama Castle- a medieval castle perched in the middle of a 123-metre-high cliff and the largest cave castle in the world
- Škocjan Caves – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these caves are darker, wilder, and far more natural. You’ll walk along suspended bridges above a roaring underground river.
Postojna is a bit closer to Ljubljana (≈ 50 minutes), while Škocjan is about an hour away.
Option 2 – Continue South into Croatia
If you’re heading onward to Croatia, make it a true road-trip day.
You can detour to see one of the caves or castle above on your way to the border.
From there, it’s about a 2½-hour drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park, where your Croatian adventure begins.
Tips
- 🎫 Book Vintgar Gorge tickets in advance in peak season, since there is timed entry.
- 🕘 Go early for fewer crowds and easier parking.
- 🚗 If continuing your road trip, slot in Škocjan (dramatic UNESCO cave) or Postojna (train-through cave) on the drive.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save
💸 Splurge vs. Save
Splurge
- 🏨 Lake Bled hotel with a view- Waking up to the lake + castle scenery is pure magic.
- 🚗 Rental car- Worth it for flexibility + stopping at Lake Bohinj, Savica Waterfall, and Vintgar Gorge. It's affordable if you pick up & return in the same city.
- 🧘♀️ Wellness & spa time- Slovenia does saunas, thermal pools, and spa culture well, treat yourself after hike days.
Save
- 🏙️ Hotel in Ljubljana- You don’t need to splurge here, everything is walkable and central no matter where you stay.
- 🍽️ Food- Slovenia has great traditional food and it’s not expensive, enjoy local meals without blowing your budget.
- 🏔️ Nature is free- Hike around Bohinj & Lake Bled.
Get the downloadable itinerary to use on your trip 👇
