Are you having trouble deciding where to go on holiday this Summer? Janes say head to Lake Bled! Whether you’re looking for a perfect holiday with your boyfriend or a girly getaway with a bunch of friends, Bled has lots on offer. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Slovenia, but don’t let that put you off, there is so much to do and many different ways to avoid the crowds!
HOW TO GET THERE
Book flights to Ljubljana (the capital city of Slovenia, about an hour from Bled). Flight prices on Skyscanner vary across the summer period, at the start of July flights from London Stansted are around £138 per person, but if you plan to go on holiday at the start of August prices increase to £250 per person.
Once at Ljubljana, you can get to Bled in a mixture of ways:
By car: using one of the rental car agencies in Ljubljana. Hertz and Europcar are your best bet.
By bus: buses to Bled are hourly from Ljubljana, it takes around 1 ¼ hours to get there and it is the cheapest option from just over €6 per person.
By train: Bled has no central train station, but you can get a train from Ljubljana to a little town twenty minutes away from Bled called Bohinjska Bistrica for about €4. From there, get a taxi to Bled, most companies will offer a relatively cheap price.
WHERE TO STAY
For those on a tighter budget, to those who wish to stay in a snazzy hotel, Bled has lots of fantastic places to stay.
Hostels:
Traveller’s Haven
From £18 per person, per night.
Easily one of the best hostels in Bled, a renovated villa consisting of 5 rooms with bunk beds for up to 8 people in each and one private double room.
Youth Hostel Bledec
From £13 per person, per night.
A short five minute walk will take you from the hostel to the lake, what more could you ask for! Friendly and fairly priced.
Hotels:
Grand Hotel Toplice
5 star hotel, from £91 per person, per night.
Everything about the hotel is grand, from the beautiful indoor swimming pool to the stunning views of the lake from suite balconies. If you have a little more money to spend, it’s definitely worth it.
Hotel Jelovica
3 star hotel, from £74 per person, per night.
For a hotel that is a little cheaper, Jelovica is the one for you. Equipped with a restaurant featuring a summer terrace and bar you can sip a cocktail and look out across the beautiful lake.
WHERE TO EAT
From traditional Slovenian food, to outstanding seafood, to surprisingly tasty pizza, there is something for everyone in terms of eateries.
Vila Adja: If you fancy eating in a restaurant with a view, this is the perfect choice. Mains from €9.
Penzion Mlino: A great place to stop for lunch. Mains from €8.
Pizzaria Rustica: Having won Trip Advisors ‘Certificate of Excellence’ for the past three years in a row, Rustica is not to be missed. Mains from €7.
WHAT TO DO
Gondola Tour
Per person return: €12
Head out to see the picture-perfect church situated on a little island in the middle of the lake. The ultimate tourist experience, but very worth the price.
Summer Tobogganing Track
Per person for three rides: €8
For the adrenaline junkies out there, the tobogganing track is a great way to spent an afternoon.
Castle Baths
If you fancy a more relaxing holiday lounging by the beautiful lake and getting a tan, head to Castle Baths, you can rent deck chairs, chaises longues and umbrellas for about €3 a day.
Hiking
A popular choice for tourists is the circular walk around Lake Bled, it’ll take you just over an hour to complete and will provide some stunning picture opportunities.
For those of you who love hiking, the official travel guide to Slovenia has some great tips about where to go, how long it will take and what you are likely to see along the way.
Does Lake Bled tickle your fancy? Let us know! @tweetjanes