Have you ever heard of Lake Bled?
I hadn’t either—until I kept stumbling upon it every time I searched for “beautiful lakes in Europe.”
It’s the kind of place that pops up in travel magazines: a tiny island in the middle of a turquoise lake, crowned with a charming church, all wrapped in green forests and framed by mountains.
It actually took me quite a while to visit, mostly because there’s no direct flight from Malta to Ljubljana.
But here’s a little travel tip: Slovenia is surrounded by countries like Italy, Croatia, and Austria, so I realised that it’s surprisingly easy to get there by bus from big cities like Venice or Zagreb.
In this post, I’ll share how I finally made my way to Ljubljana—and of course, to the fairytale setting of Lake Bled.
How to Get to Ljubljana from Zagreb
I arrived in Zagreb around 11:00 AM.
The airport in Zagreb is actually a bit far from the city center. According to the official website of the main bus station in Zagreb, the journey takes about 35–40 minutes and costs 8 euros each way.
This time, I had planned to take the FlixBus. When I checked the schedule, the departure times didn’t really match well with my flight arrival. I thought I wouldn’t make it to the city center in time for the 12:00 bus, so I booked the next one at 16:00.
However, I ended up reaching the central bus station before 12:00 and managed to hop on the 12:00 FlixBus after all.
The trip from Zagreb to Ljubljana is supposed to take about 2.5 hours, but I arrived in Ljubljana around 3:30 PM. There were two stops along the way: one at the border between Croatia and Slovenia, where I had to show my passport, and another short 10-minute break somewhere along the route. On top of that, there was heavy traffic, and at times the bus barely moved.
[Day 1] Top Things to See in Ljubljana
Once I arrived in Ljubljana, I headed to the bus ticket counter to check the schedule for buses going to Lake Bled, just to make things easier for the next day. The bus terminal is quite compact, so it was easy to figure out where I needed to go.
After that, I dropped my stuff at my Airbnb and went out for an adventure. Luckily, the sun was slightly shining even though the weather forecast had said there would be thunderstorms all weekend. It seems like in Ljubljana, summer rain doesn’t last the whole day.
I started by wandering around the city, taking in the beautiful scenery of the river and the charming buildings, and of course, going to see the city’s famous dragon.
Dragon Bridge and the Old Town
Did you know you can find dragons almost everywhere in Ljubljana? Well, I didn’t!
Apparently, the dragon is the city’s symbol, and the four most famous dragons are perched on Dragon Bridge. They’re beautifully made and look perfect guarding the bridge.
As you stroll through the streets, you’ll often catch sight of the stunning castle on top of the hill in the center of the city.
The town’s scenery gave me the vibe of an old, cute European city, and especially at night, when the streets are lit with warm orange lights, it feels like you’ve stepped back in time.
Panoramic View from Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle is another iconic spot you can’t miss in the city. There’s a Ljubljana funicular railway that takes you up to the castle, but you can also walk to the top.
Since it looked quite close from the city, I decided to walk up. I was expecting something easy—like a set of stairs—but it turned out to be a little different.
Once you start the path to the castle, it suddenly feels like you’re in the middle of nature, almost like a small mountain trail. The hill was unexpectedly steep, with sandy, muddy, and sometimes slippery paths. Honestly, it was tougher than I imagined for something right in the city—more like a light mountain hike than a casual stroll.
But the view at the top made it all worth it. You can see the whole city spread out below, surrounded by so much nature and mountains. I hadn’t known Ljubljana was this green. On a perfectly sunny day, I can imagine the mountains looking even more breathtaking.
You can also enter the castle with a ticket to explore its exhibitions and learn more about Ljubljana’s history. However, the beautiful courtyard is free to enter. When I visited, they were hosting an open-air night cinema in the courtyard.
Lunch in Ljubljana
While wandering around the city afterwards, I suddenly realized I hadn’t eaten lunch yet. I decided to try a restaurant with good reviews where I could have something local.
I ended up at Baščaršija (Ljubljana Trubarjeva), which has lovely outdoor seating by the river. The inside was just as charming – cozy and full of character.
I ordered Ćevapi, a dish made from a mix of minced meats. At first, I thought it was a traditional Slovenian meal, but it turns out it’s popular all across Southern Europe.
The prices were very reasonable, and the meat was delicious. Sitting by the river in the shade, enjoying good food, was the perfect way to recharge before continuing my adventure.
[Day 2] Day Trip to Lake Bled
Now, here comes the main highlight of this trip—Lake Bled!
There are a few ways to get there: bus, train, or car. For a solo traveler like me, I definitely recommend taking the bus. You can take a train, but it doesn’t stop right at Lake Bled. Instead, it drops you off a bit farther away, and you’ll still need to take another bus to reach the lake.
To check the timetable, you can use either the Ljubljana Bus Station’s official website or Arriva’s official site (the bus company). Make sure you search from “Ljubljana bus station (Avtobusna postaja Ljubljana)” to “Bled” as your destination. From Ljubljana, there are usually 1–3 buses per hour going to Lake Bled.
When I visited in July, the weekend fare was only about €1–2—unbelievably cheap! In August, it had gone up to around €5 when I checked, but that’s still a bargain for a one-hour ride.
You can buy your ticket online, at the bus station ticket counter, or directly from the driver. It’s also possible to buy a return ticket in advance at the counter.
The day before, I asked about the best time to go. They recommended catching a bus before 9 AM, especially on weekends, because buses can get full. However, the forecast said rain in the morning, so I decided to leave later. I arrived at the bus station around 10 AM, just after the rain eased up. Luckily, I was there about 10 minutes early, and the bus pulled in right as I arrived—I got a seat!
Some people came just 1–2 minutes before departure, but the bus was already full and they couldn’t get on. Worst-case scenario, though, they only had to wait 15–30 minutes for the next one—not too bad at all.
Hiking around the lake
Once you hop on the bus, it’s just about an hour’s ride until you’re rewarded with a truly stunning view.
From the Bled bus station, it only takes 1–3 minutes on foot to reach the lake. And right there, the picture-perfect scene unfolds – the charming church on the island, the castle perched beside the water, and another beautiful church along the shore.
Lake Bled really is a fairytale setting, with beauty in every direction.
You can walk the entire loop around the lake via a well-maintained hiking path – about 6 km in total. Along the way, you’ll see the lake from different angles and enjoy changing views of the nature surrounding it.
Since I stopped at a viewpoint along the way, my walk took about 3 hours in total, but I was so happy that I decided to do it. The far side of the lake, opposite the bus terminal, is filled with lush nature, and you can even venture off for a proper mountain hike if you like.
Tip: Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes – especially if you plan to explore more rugged trails! 👟
Stunning Views from a viewpoint
While walking along the lake path, I noticed some people leaving the main route and heading into the forested hillside. Curious, I checked the map and saw there was a viewpoint nearby.
I wasn’t sure if I’d be too tired afterward—I was already halfway around the lake—but since I was right there, I thought, Why not?
I turned off the flat, easy lakeside path and onto a proper mountain trail. Unlike the well-maintained lake loop, this trail was a real forest climb—bumpy, muddy, slippery, and with plenty of ups and downs. I was wearing white flat sneakers (a big mistake), and I learned my lesson: next time, I’ll come prepared for mountain terrain!
It took about 20 minutes of climbing to reach the viewpoint, and the reward was absolutely worth it. The view was breathtaking. From any angle, the island church in the lake is beautiful, but from this viewpoint, it felt truly special—like seeing it in a secret frame only nature could create.
Boat experience / relaxing at the lakeside
To visit the church in the middle of Lake Bled, you need to take a boat. There are several options—traditional rowboats, electric boats, or even a kayak or canoe you can rent yourself.
The boats cost around €15–20 and usually run every 1–2 hours. Since I decided to focus on hiking around the lake, I didn’t have the chance to take a boat to the church, especially because they set the return time after 2 hours, and I felt it might cut into my hiking plans.
The island’s entrance, leading to the church, is an impressive piece of architecture sitting on a tiny patch of land. You can enter the Church of the Assumption of St. Mary with a ticket. If you do make it to the island, it might also be the perfect chance to try the famous Bled cream cake.
However, if you’re short on time or can’t find a boat that fits your schedule, hiking around the lake is absolutely worth it. Walking beside the sparkling turquoise water is refreshing and a great bit of exercise after flights and bus rides.
Along the way, you’ll find small cafés and ice cream stands, so you can take breaks whenever you like. Simply sitting by the lake, watching the nature around you, feels like being transported from everyday life into a peaceful, dreamlike world.
Go back to Ljubljana city from Bled
It was really difficult for me to leave this beautiful place, and really wanted to catch the sunset as it was becoming sunnier afternoon. The sunset in the summer was around 20:00 and I heard that. the bus from Bled to Ljubljana is only every 30 mins by 21:00.
Since there were so many people in bled lake who enjoy the sunny summer time by the lake, and I was afraid that I might not be able to take the bus as it would be full with people after 20:00. So I decided to leave around 18:00.
Around 18:00, there weren’t many people, the bus was a little bit late around 10 mins, and it was very smooth to go back to Ljubljana.
Dinner in Ljubljana
After a long trail, everyone deserves a good meal. I got back to Ljubljana around 7:30 pm and headed straight to a well-known traditional restaurant called Slovenska Hiša – Figovec.
I ordered two dishes the local staff recommended: Slovenian meat stew Bograč—a type of goulash—for a starter, and Pork Roast in Natural Gravy with Sautéed Potatoes. The portions were huge, and the total was around 20 euros, which felt very reasonable.
They served bread with homemade garlic butter, which added another layer of flavor to the experience. Everything was delicious, though the stew was a little salty for my taste—maybe it’s meant to be eaten with bread. The pork was wonderfully tender when it first arrived, but I’m a slow eater, and once it cooled down, it became a bit tougher and not quite as good as when it was hot.
Overall, I was very satisfied with the Slovenian dish experience.
[Day 3] Morning in Ljubljana & Return to Zagreb
Now it was time to head back to Zagreb. Three days might sound a bit packed—and yes, it really was. I felt it would have been easier if I had split the trip into two parts: one day just to drive back to Zagreb, and another day to catch my flight to Malta. It was honestly stressful to keep worrying whether I’d make it to the airport on time. Maybe I should have planned to leave Ljubljana early in the morning. Instead, I decided to leave around 2 pm for an 8 pm flight, which seemed safe enough when I was planning. Plus, I wanted to enjoy a little more time in Ljubljana.
To be honest, three days were more than enough if I didn’t have to think about traffic and flight times. I had already seen almost all the main sights of Ljubljana on the first day. I’d heard before that it’s a very small city, and that turned out to be true.
Since I’d already checked off the major tourist spots, I decided to spend the last morning picking up souvenirs and wandering around the outdoor markets.
Central Market and Local Delicacies
There were some really cute chocolate shops in Ljubljana—perfect for souvenirs for friends or family. And of course, you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops around the city, so you don’t need to panic if you realize at the last minute that you forgot to buy something.
At the outdoor markets, vendors were selling accessories, souvenirs, fruits, and a mix of other things. The fruits were super fresh, and I noticed they even had fruit cups for people walking around, which was a nice touch if you just wanted something quick to snack on.
Summary – The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Ljubljana and Lake Bled
Overall, I was really happy and satisfied with this quick weekend escape to Ljubljana and Lake Bled. It was the perfect mix of a charming small city and stunning nature. Considering how compact Ljubljana is, I was surprised to see so many tourists. There were even a lot of visitors from the United States, which surprised me too—it’s such a long way! I hadn’t realized Slovenia was this popular, but after seeing the natural beauty myself, I totally understood why.
The only small inconvenience was that there’s no direct flight to Ljubljana from where I live. But maybe one day, if I stay longer in nearby places like Vienna, Venice, or Zagreb, I’d happily come back again. For anyone looking for a short weekend trip, I can definitely recommend Ljubljana and Lake Bled.
