The Ultimate Guide to Lake Bled in Winter

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Lake Bled may only have come onto the radar of most international travelers over the past couple of decades, but Slovenia’s most famous lake has long been important. Whilst the big name guidebooks and travel publications turned it from a mountainous backwater to a bucket list destination, something Instagram has only accelerated, Lake Bled has been a holiday hotspot for over 1,000 years.

Back in 1004, Henry II, then Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was so set on holidaying beside Lake Bled, he had a castle built there. Now the oldest castle in Slovenia, Bled Castle may no longer attract many autocratic rulers, it remains one of Lake Bled’s biggest draws. In fact, it’s often dubbed the most photographed site in Slovenia.

A glacial lake, sitting in the Julian Alps, it’s safe to say Lake Bled in winter isn’t a place to sunbathe. What that means for you though, is that winter is the best time to visit Bled. Those big name guidebooks and Instagram may have worked wonders for the area’s economy, but they’ve also turned Lake Bled into a Slovenian Windermere or Loch Ness.

If you want to see it in all its beauty, without battling camera-wielding coach groups out the way, you’ll need to visit in the offseason. Luckily, Lake Bled in winter, whilst quieter, never closes down.

Getting to Lake Bled in Winter

Sometimes, reaching a destination out of season can prove a challenge itself. I was thoroughly annoyed at having to pay an extortionate amount for a taxi in Ibiza last year because the bus didn’t start until the following week. And I’ve yet to get over rocking up in Denver one day too late for a ride on Amtrak’s Winter Park Express. That was six years ago and I’m still sour.

Thankfully, no such problems arise when you visit Lake Bled in Winter. Unless you’ve rented a car and are travelling overland through the Slovenian Alps, you’ll probably arrive in Bled from Ljubljana. The Slovenian capital is just 55km from Lake Bled.

The easiest way to travel between the two is by bus. Arriva run every half-hour from Ljubljana Bus Station. The journey takes an hour, and tickets don’t need to be pre-booked. Alternatively, you can take the slightly less frequent train. If you do, alight at Lesce-Bled from where it’s a short bus or taxi ride to the lake.

Travel Tip: Lake Bled is also an ideal winter day trip if you’re staying in Ljubljana. With limited time, taking a day tour to Bled is the best way to fit it all in. This six hour tour runs year-round.

Getting to Lake Bled from Ljubljana Airport

If you’re flying into Ljubljana and heading straight for Lake Bled, the journey is just as simple. Ljubljana Airport (LJU) is served all year round from destinations across Europe as well as a daily flight from Dubai. In fact, winter brings even more flight options with travelers flocking to the Slovenian Alps.

Travel Tip: The best way to reach Bled from the airport is to pre-book a shuttle bus which runs on demand. Alternatively, just jump on the public bus to the city centre and change there.

Where to Stay for Lake Bled in Winter

In order to see as much of Lake Bled as possible, my top recommendation is to stay in the town of Bled. This is particularly useful if you are planning to use public transport. Bled has no end of great restaurants, bars and plenty of shops. It’s also within walking distance of the castle, and where boat trips leave from.

My favorite hotel in Bled is Hotel Park. It sits right on the lakefront, and paying the surcharge for a lakeview room is well worth it. They also have a fantastic onsite restaurant, full-service spa and an indoor pool.

Another top spot is the Bled Rose Hotel. Set on a hillside, halfway between the bus stop and lakefront, the lakeview rooms come with balconies overlooking the hotel’s gorgeous gardens.

Penzion Kaps is an ideal budget-friendly option. Still within walking distance of the lake and town center, it’s designed in the style of an Alpine ski lodge. Some rooms come with balconies, and a free breakfast buffet is served every morning.

If you do have a car, or don’t mind the expense of taxis to and from Bled, Hotel Starkl is an absolute showstopper. Situated right on the lake, about five miles south of Bled town, you can walk out the back door and straight onto the beach.

The Best Places to Eat and Drink around Lake Bled in Winter

One possible downside to visiting Lake Bled in winter is that some of the more touristy restaurants shut down for the season. However, what this does mean, is that the restaurants which are open are the better ones, frequented by locals. Reservations don’t tend to be required, especially for lunch.

I’ve already mentioned Hotel Park’s onsite restaurant, and for good reason. Kavarna Park is by no means a cheap eat, but their food is fantastic. Expect all the filling Central European classics. Goulash and schnitzels are always on the menu, and their cake cabinet is too tempting to resist.

Another great spot for traditional evening dining is the Old Cellar. Their menu changes with the seasons, making the most of Slovenian produce. Every meal starts with bread and a stunning amuse-bouche. For a quick lunch, Devil’s, underneath Hotel Park and Picerija Briksen are popular spots.

When it comes to bars and nightlife, Bled is surprisingly lively. If you’ve arrived from Ljubljana, you’ll know all too well how seriously Slovenians take a night out. Stop Robert Nemecek is my favorite haunt. They do some amazing cocktails, and if you stop by earlier in the day, you can try a famous Bled cream pastry, known as a cremeschnitte.

For a drink with a view, Hotel Kompas‘ terrace bar is the spot for a glass of Slovenian wine at sunset. If you’re looking for a more traditional “drinker’s” bar, Pub Troha is open late every night.

Visiting Bled Castle in Winter

Whether you visit Lake Bled in winter or any other time of year, there’s a couple of highlights you simply can’t miss. First and foremost, Bled Castle.

Open every day of the year, winter hours (November to March) are 8am to 6pm. Just make sure you’re there at least half an hour before closing time, though in reality, you’ll want to spend a lot longer exploring.

It’s true that the view, both of the castle and from it, are probably more memorable than what’s inside, but there’s no point climbing the (rather steep) hill and not looking around. The main attraction is a museum devoted to the history of the Bled region since prehistoric times.

Since the 15th century, Bled Castle has produced a number of books and an endless collection of artwork, all on their own printing press. A look around the printing room is an absolute must. The highlight for me, maybe unsurprisingly, is a visit to their wine cellar.

The Voyage to Bled Island

The one other must-do Lake Bled in winter experience is to get out on the lake itself. Take a ride on the electric pletna which sails from the pier in front of Hotel Park. Bled Boat Line runs year-round, albeit with a reduced frequency in winter. The last boat departs at 3pm from November to March. If you do decide to visit in summer, they run into the early evening. Tickets can’t be booked in advance, and payment is cash only.

Travel Tip: For a more exhilarating, and wet, experience, skip the boat and do the paddling yourself. Join a guided kayaking tour of Lake Bled in a transparent-bottomed kayak.

The ten-minute boat ride takes you to Bled Island. Natural and uninhabited, a narrow path runs around the eastern shore from the ferry landing. After a short walk, you’ll reach some (once again, rather steep) steps which lead up to a small visitor center.

The visitor center is home to a café and toilets (chargeable), behind which you’ll find a ticket office. Here, you can purchase a fairly pricey ticket to visit a small museum and, more interestingly, the Church of the Assumption of Mary.

Built in the 17th century, although an original building was erected as early as 1470, the church is home to some impressive Gothic frescos. It’s well worth climbing to the top of the tower. The views across the lake are fabulous. Slightly less fabulous are the rather morbid inscriptions on the stairs as you climb down. Taken at face value, they essentially tell you that your time on this planet is up. Rest assured, I saw them some months ago and am still alive and well.

Exploring Around Lake Bled in Winter

If you’re making an extended visit to Lake Bled in winter, the surrounding Alpine scenery is something you will never tire of. Taking a drive around the full extent of the lake is a must. Obviously a rental car (or your own) is the best way to do this, but taxis and buses are readily available.

Straza Bled is an excellent, albeit small, ski resort on the eastern shore of the lake. If you head a few kilometers south, you’ll reach Zatrnik and, slightly further away, Kobla ski resorts. To the north, you’ll find Bodental, which is one of the best in Slovenia. If winter sports are your thing, visiting Lake Bled in winter is an even better idea than ever.

Slovenia often seems to pale into insignificance as a ski destination. Neighboring Austria and Italy tend to steal the limelight. Rest assured, the slopes in Slovenia are just as good. And thanks to their neighbors taking that limelight, you’ll often find them to be much more reasonably priced.

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