7 things to do in Lake Bohinj in the summer

Lake Bohinj is one of our favorite places in Slovenia. Even though its neighbor Lake Bled is the most famous lake in Slovenia, we always recommend people to visit Lake Bohinj also as they are very different from each other and offer different landscapes and options of things to do. Lake Bohinj is located within the Triglav National Park and is closely surrounded by mountains and hiking trails.

We have both lived in Slovenia for years now and Lake Bohinj is one of the places we make sure to visit a few times every year. Since it is less famous, most of the tourists don’t make their way here – which is a pity! We are here to make sure YOU will not make this same mistake! So let’s check our list of the TOP 7 things to do in Lake Bohinj!

1. Hike around Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia. The best way to explore the lake is to walk on the circle trail that goes around the lake. The path is approximately 12km. The walk will take you around 2h30, and you will be able to see the lake from many different angles and explore all sides of it. It is a very pleasant easy-level walk, mostly flat and with a paved path along most of the way.

We recommend starting the Lake Bohinj Walking Trail next to St John the Baptist church, located just next to the shore when you come by car. There are plenty of options for parking places around this corner, all payable on-site. The main reason we recommend this as your starting point is that, when you finish, you will be close to most of the stores and bars to grab a drink and a snack. It is also the part with better access for those of you travelling by public transport.

2. Visit Savica waterfall

Visiting Savica Waterfall is something that should definitely be on your list of things to do while in Lake Bohinj. Located on the other extreme of the lake, the Savica waterfall is special because it divides underground into two falls, one 78m high and another smaller one that is 20m. Both of these combined make Savica Waterfall one of the highest waterfalls in this area of Slovenia.

To get to Savica Waterfall, you will have to pay an entrance fee since it is located within the National Park. The entrance costs 4€ per person (adult price during high season), and the parking lot outside costs another 3€ for 2h. If you want to avoid the parking fee, you can park further away and walk up to the entrance. There is a walking path leading from the old Hotel Zlatorog to the entrance, for reference.

From the entrance until the waterfall, there is a steep way up that will take around 20min to walk. The path is very well marked and taken care of, but spoiler alert: the number of steps may take your breath away (only momentarily). When you arrive at the top, you will have a view of Bohinj Valley on one side, and the Savica Waterfall on the other, just like you see in the pictures above.

It is not possible to enter or swim at Savica Waterfall. There is a fence that determines the closest point you can go, which does not even get you to the water. When the water current is strong enough, you can get pretty wet in this spot though!

Pro tip: Go early morning to avoid the crowds!

3. Vogel cable car and viewpoint (and ski slope in winter!)

Did you know that Lake Bohinj has its very own ski slope? Yes, you read it right. One of the best things to do in Bohinj during the winter is go skiing or snowboarding on the slopes in Vogel.

“But why are you recommending this on a summer guide?” – you may ask. Because Vogel is not only a ski destination but also one of the best viewpoints of Lake Bohinj! 

We strongly recommend going up to see Lake Bohinj from above. The views are amazing, you have an entirely different perspective of the lake. Going up by cable car will cost you 29,50€ both ways (2024 prices). There is also a hiking path that you can go if you don’t want to pay the cable car price.

4. Go kayaking or paddling in Lake Bohinj

One of the best things to do in Lake Bohinj during the summer is enjoy the lake itself. And what better way than to do it from the water? I highly recommend renting a kayak or paddleboard and jumping in the water. On summer days that are not windy, the water is extremely calm and paddling is such a fun activity to do.

Tip: The best places to rent a kayak or paddleboard are located to the right of St John the Baptist’s church. There are several little shops with rentals available in this area.

5. Hike up to viewpoint Rudnica for a view of Lake Bohinj

If you are crazy about different viewpoints, like we are, we highly recommend going up to the Rudnica viewpoint. This place has one of our favorite views of Lake Bohinj.

The hike up is really short and quick, it takes only 30min. This viewpoint is well-marked on Google Maps, so it is very easy to reach it. We recommend parking in the parking lot in Stara Fuzina, located to your left right after the church. From there on, you should come back to the main road and cross the first bridge on your right to find the start of the path.

This viewpoint will give you a different angle than the one in Vogel. This is a great choice of attraction to see during the afternoon time in Bohinj.

6. Have a picnic around Lake Bohinj

Around the lake, you will find several spots that are simply perfect for a picnic. Besides the small beaches formed by the water, there are also spots with wooden tables where you can sit and enjoy a nice quality time by the lake.

We recommend stopping at the market in Bohinjska Bistrica before you arrive at Lake Bohinj to get all the supplies for your picnic beforehand. Around the lake, there are only a couple of shops to buy things so it is better to come prepared.

Spoiler: Yes, it is entirely possible to swim in Lake Bohinj but it is only for the braves because the water is coooooldd! In summer, a dip in the water can be just the refreshment you need.

7. Visit St John the Baptist Church

Last but not least, we recommend visiting the iconic church located on the margin of Lake Bohinj. Even if you decide not to do the hike around the lake recommended on step 1, we still advise you to walk around this area so you can visit the church, see its reflection on the water and appreciate the view. It is simply beautiful!

Bonus tip for hikers visiting Lake Bohinj: Visit Mostnica

We love hiking and we always try to find good suggestions of places to go near the locations we visit. If you will be visiting Lake Bohinj, this is our suggestion for an amazing easy hike, full of incredible views.

The starting point of the hike is located up in the mountains, near the parking spot of Stara Fuzina. The easiest way to get there is by car, but during the summer, there is also a bus that runs from Lake Bohinj to the parking lot.

The Mostnica trail is easily accessible via Google Maps. You can park in Stara Fuzina (parking is charged on-site), and there is an entrance fee during the high season. The trail is well-marked and follows an emerald-green river, as seen above. It is beautiful!

For hikers with more advanced skills, we can also recommend the Seven Lakes Hike or even the one that goes up to Mount Triglav, which one of the starting points is located close by. For these 2 hikes, you should make sure you have all the necessary equipment and preparation. We recommend contacting a guide for going up to Mount Triglav as it is a very demanding hike.

Where to stay in Lake Bohinj?

If you want to be located next to Lake Bohinj, try to find accommodation in Ribčev Laz. This little village is located within walking distance to the lake and you will also find a few restaurants around.

If you want more infrastructure, the biggest village next to Lake Bohinj is called Bohinjska Bistrica, which is located only 10min away by car. In this area, you can find nice supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations, and more options for places to stay.

Here are a few options of places to stay in Lake Bohinj:

• Green Garden Apartment Soklič: Nice apartment with private parking and a communal garden
• Bohinj Eco Hotel: Slovenia’s first eco-hotel is a 4-star hotel for those looking for a little more comfort. In addition to breakfast included, guests have access to the water park with saunas and pools.
• Apartment house Jager: Fully functional apartment with a nice location and some great mountain views.

How long do you need to visit Lake Bohinj?

The answer to how long you should stay in Lake Bohinj depends a lot on what you want to see and do in the lake.

Most people visit Lake Bohinj for a half or full-day trip. This duration is perfect if you intend on just checking out the lake, visiting Savica Waterfall, and maybe going for lunch.

However, if you are also interested in doing other activities in Lake Bohinj such as hiking, going mountain-biking, paddling on the lake, visiting the farms, etc – you may want to stay longer.

If you will be staying in Slovenia for only a short period, the best thing to do is combine a visit to Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled, since they are located only 30 min from each other. Check our comparison between Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj to understand how are they different from each other and why we recommend visiting both.

How to get to Lake Bohinj?

There are a few options of transport you can use to visit Lake Bohinj:

Visiting Lake Bohinj by car

The best way to get to Lake Bohinj is by car as you will not have to worry about bus schedules and timetables. The drive to Lake Bohinj is very pleasant, going through a beautiful road in the valley after Bled. We always recommend renting a car for your trip to Slovenia, as driving here is fairly easy and it will give you a lot of freedom to explore. Get a quote here!

Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

Visiting Lake Bohinj by public transport

If you will be staying in Ljubljana or in Bled, you can easily visit Lake Bohinj using public transport. The bus is the most practical option as it runs a few times a day but there is also the option of going to Bohinj by train.

Check the official timetable here.

Visiting Lake Bohinj with a tour

The last option is to book a tour that will take you on a half or full-day visit to Lake Bohinj. This is a great solution if you don’t want to drive but you don’t like the idea of catching the bus by yourself either.

This is the tour we recommend taking for exploring Lake Bled and Bohinj from Ljubljana. In the tour, everything is organized for you. It lasts for a full day and you will visit both lakes, taking in some incredible views.

Best time of the year to visit Lake Bohinj

The best time of the year to visit Lake Bohinj is during the warmer months, between May and September. During this time, you will be able to fully enjoy the best things this place has to offer – outdoor activities and incredible landscapes.

If you are interested in going hiking around Lake Bohinj, our favorite month is September as it is still very warm and green, but not that crowded anymore. July and August are the busiest months around here.

That being said, Lake Bohinj can actually be visited all year round. During the winter, this region can get quite busy because the Vogel Ski Station is one of the main ones in Slovenia.

Swimming in Lake Bohinj

One of the questions people ask the most before visiting Lake Bohinj is where it is possible to swim in the lake. The answer is yes, swimming in Lake Bohinj is allowed, but you will have to be brave as the water is very cold.

In the summer months, it is more common to see people swimming in the lake.

Is Lake Bohinj worth the visit?

We hope that now, with all our tips, we have convinced you that yes, visiting Lake Bohinj is definitely an activity worth your time and we strongly recommend including it on your Slovenia itinerary.

If you need any help organizing a trip to Lake Bohinj or are in doubt about how long you should stay, let us know in the comments below. We will be happy to help you.

Happy travels!