Best things to do in Bled in winter
Lake Bled is one of the most visited destinations in Slovenia, and it’s easy to understand why. This beautiful alpine lake looks like it came out of a fairy tale!
I have lived and traveled in Slovenia for over 5 years now, so I created this guide to answer one of the most popular questions I get:Β Is it worth visiting Lake Bled during the winter?
Spoiler alert: the answer is yes. But there are a few things you should know before going to Bled during winter, since your experience will be different from the warmer months.
Best things to do in Bled in winter
The most important thing you need to have in mind before visiting Bled during the winter is that many popular attractions are closed during this time of the year, for example, Vintgar Gorge.
So, the activities available during the winter will be different from those in the summer. See below for our recommendations.
Read also: Full guide for visiting Lake Bled
Ski or simply enjoy the views in StraΕΎa
StraΕΎa is one of the best hills located close to Lake Bled to enjoy the view, be it in summer or winter. From the top, you have a view of Bled Castle right in front of you.
During the winter, the summer toboggan is replaced by a ski slope. The slope is small, but it provides great fun for kids and families. There is a chairlift on site.
Go skiing in Vogel
If you want to go skiing, the best place near Lake Bled is Vogel, which is located just 25 min drive away, by the margins of Lake Bohinj.
Vogel is known as one of the best ski slopes in Slovenia, and just the cable car ride to the station will provide you with amazing views along the way. It is also possible to go up to the viewpoint with the cable car even if you are not skiing.
Read also: Best things to do in Slovenia during winter
Enjoy the Christmas Market
In December, Bledβs Christmas Market is usually set up around the lake in the walking area near Hotel Rose and Hotel Park. I really like the Christmas Market in Bled: it’s a small one but really cute.
We recommend having a mulled wine and enjoying Bledβs famous cake βkremΕ‘nitaβ – read here about the most traditional Slovenian foods.
Pro tip: The city of Bled usually organizes a lot of events around the Christmas holidays in the city and in the castle. It’s worth checking out their program if you will be visiting during this time.
Walk around the lake
No matter the season, you can always do the 6-km walk around Lake Bled and have some amazing views.
Lake Bled is so popular that you will see people doing this loop walk even during the coldest days of the year.
Visit Bled Castle
Bled Castle is open all year round, which means you can visit it during the winter as well.
The ticket costs β¬ 19 per person, but they also have some discounted options for children, groups, etc. The tickets give you access to the little museum and the historical castle rooms. But I have to admit, the best part about visiting the castle is theΒ viewΒ of the lake!
Pro tip: There are often winter events held in Bled Castle for the holidays, so check the schedule if you will be there during those dates!
Have the best view of Lake Bled from Ojstrica Viewpoint
One of our favorite things to do in Lake Bled during winter is the hike up to Ojstrica Viewpoint. This is a popular spot that is often crowded during the summer, but you’re almost guaranteed to be here alone if you come during the winter.
The hike up to the viewpoint is short, so it’s doable during the entire year. I recommend wearing good walking boots, though, because the trail is through the forest, and it gets very slippery with the cold weather.
Have some amazing local food
Winter and food make the perfect combination. One of the things you should take advantage of if you will be visiting Bled during the winter is the restaurants.
During the summer, a lot of the places are so busy, you need to book a place days in advance. During the winter, you can pick wherever you want to go (but always double-check their working hours!).
Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Bled:
- Old Cellar Bled: This is the restaurant located in the same place as the hotel Old Bled House I recommended above. We had lunch there this year, and the food was amazing! Highly recommend it.
- Bled Castle Restaurant: If you are looking for a unique fine dining experience, this is the place. During the summer, it’s best to book in advance.
- Gostilna pri Planincu: Considered one of Bled’s finest local restaurants, Gostilna pri Planincu offers authentic Slovenian cuisine.
- Kavarna Park: You should come here to try the famous kremΕ‘nita, the traditional Bled cream cake. This famous dessert is said to have been invented here, so there’s no better place to try it out.
If you are looking for more inspiration, check out some options with our trusted affiliate, Get Your Guide
Winter sports in Lake Bled
If you are into winter sports, there are a few winter tours available in the Julian Alps that surround Lake Bled. During the winter, the tours depend on the weather conditions, so make sure to check the forecast and availability up front.
We highly recommend getting a local guide for adventuring in the mountains during the winter. Our partners from Altitude Activities are the only ones we recommend for this task. They offer a few guided winter tours. Check the options below (we even have a discount code for you!)
Book a winter tour with Altitude Activities!
Use the code MAUKA10 to get a 10% discount!
SafetyWing Travel Insurance
We know that insurance is one of those things that we think we don’t need… until we actually do! Dealing with hospital visits and health issues is stressful when you’re traveling, so getting a good travel insurance is the only thing that will give you peace of mind. We recommend SafetyWing, they have very flexible insurance plans covering almost every destination in the world! Take a look at their options and prices below.
Things you need to know before visiting Lake Bled during winter
- Working hours and opening days of a lot of places change for the winter season, so don’t rely on summer guides when building your itinerary. We recommend double-checking any information you see online with data for the winter months.
- You can visit Bled Island with the pletna boats as long as the weather conditions allow. They might stop operating depending on the weather.
- During the winter, many providers that rent rowing boats are closed for the season, so the best place to go is to the places closer to the city.
- Winter is considered the low season in Lake Bled, so it’s the time of the year when you will get the best deals for accommodation. That doesn’t mean things will be cheap per se (Bled is still an expensive destination), but it will be more affordable than in summer. The only exception is the Christmas holiday period.
- Parking in Bled isΒ really expensive, so be prepared if you come to Bled with a car.
Where to stay in Bled during winter
A few places in Bled close for the winter season, especially camping and glamping sites. The best option for the cold months is to get a place at a cozy hotel, and Bled is perfect for this because there are a lot of options to choose from!
Ideally, you should also try to find a place where you could reach Lake Bled on foot to avoid the traffic and parking all the time. The town of Bled is actually quite small, and you can easily do everything around on foot, including going to the market or going out to dinner.
To help you out, we selected a few options we recommend:
- Hotel Park: We stayed in this hotel last October, and we had an amazing experience. Our balcony had a view of Bled Castle, which was magical! We had half-pension, which means we also had a dinner buffet, and they had a wine fountain during dinner service! I cannot recommend this property enough.
- Old Bled House: This is one of the most unique places to stay in Bled. The owners renovated a 300-year-old farmhouse into a charming and rustic hotel. They also have an amazing restaurant on site.
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Read our complete guide about the best places to stay in Bled
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Check out our page with curated Slovenia experiences
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Slovenia Map: Check out our custom-made Map with 290+ must-see spots!
- Slovenia itineraries: Check out our pre-made Slovenian itineraries!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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