Flash Trip: 3 Magical Days in Ljubljana and Lake Bled
- evesymington
- Jul 28
- 14 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Slovenia is a storybook land of crystalline lakes, alpine peaks, and charming towns.
As with most great stops, we ended up there kind of by accident. We had just finished a wonderful but very crowded visit to Venice, Italy and were planning to head to Croatia, when I learned that there’s a super easy shuttle from the Venice airport right to Ljubljana. We didn’t have a set itinerary, so why not! We were soon delighted by the unexpected country, which has cobblestoney cafés in Ljubljana, an epic cave system, many water features, and a low-key excellent wine culture.
With far fewer tourists than its neighbors (looking at you, Croatia and Italy), Slovenia has a unique mix of Balkan, Germanic, and Italian culture. Check out our Essential Guide to Slovenia for a full overview of the country’s history, language, and more!
If you have just a few days to spend in the country, this Flash Trip: 3 Magical Days in Ljubljana and Lake Bled will provide a delightful introduction to the country. If you’d like to spend more time exploring, check out our other itinerary: 7 Days in Slovenia: Eastern Europe's Magical Hidden Gem! For more ideas on where to visit in Slovenia, check out our top destinations in the country.
If you’re traveling with kids, we also have mega-guides on kid travel (everything from flight hacks to jet lag to our favorite travel gear).
FLASH TRIP LJUBLJANA AND LAKE BLED INDEX
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When to Go to Slovenia
For a full breakdown of Slovenia’s seasons, see our Essential Guide. But the TL;DR is that there’s no bad time to visit Slovenia. You can expect the usual warmer weather and bigger crowds in the summer, and for the country to slow way down in the winter – except if you visit a ski area.
Arriving in Ljubljana
By Plane:
You’ll arrive at the small, easy Ljubljana Airport (aka Brnik, aka Jože Pučnik), about 14 miles outside of the city. Hop on a shared shuttle for around €12/person, for a 30 minute ride into town (ask about door-to-door service). Taxis are expensive and not really worth it. Uber is also active in Ljubljana, though it’ll actually just connect you with a local taxi driver. Worth checking the prices if you have kiddos or a lot of stuff!
By Rental Car:
If you’re traveling with kids or just like to have more control over your itinerary, we always recommend renting a car. If you arrive in Slovenia and rent a car just for your time in-country, it’s very straightforward – most of the rental agencies have lots at the airport and downtown. Slovenia has nice roads and an easy pace, so you’ll find driving around the country a breeze.
We recommend waiting until you’re getting ready to leave Ljubljana to rent your car, though, as much of the center of the city is car-free. If you would like to grab the car upon arrival, check with your hotel about parking. There are two central parking lots in Congress Square (underground) and near the National University Library (NUK II) where you’ll likely leave your car during your time in Ljubljana. There is some metered street parking downtown, indicated by painted blue lines. There’s also cheaper parking along the river south of downtown, south of the St. James bridge. Fill up gas on Tivolska Cesta, just west of the train station.
WS&T Travel Tip: You absolutely need a toll sticker to drive on Slovenia’s highways. The sticker is called a vinjeta (veen-YEH-tah), which you can pay for by the week (€15) or by the month (€30). If you rent a car in Slovenia, make sure it comes with the sticker. If you drive in from another country, purchase one right away at a gas station, post office, or market. You can also buy one as you approach the border, or you can buy one online here: If you don’t have one, you will get a big fine.
If you are interested in renting a car to travel between countries in the region, make sure that the rental car company will allow you to travel to the countries on your list. Generally, if you’re traveling between EU countries you should be fine. Make sure your vehicle has its registration card and proof of insurance, also potentially called a “cross border card.” See our Essential Guide for more on intercountry travel, and see T’s article for a breakdown of the impossibly vague International Driver’s License (and a good laugh).
By Bus:
The bus station is a tiny building in the middle of a median in front of the train station. FYI for when you’re leaving town, there’s no real waiting area so you’ll kind of be chilling on the sidewalk, though there are vending machines inside. We recommend getting around the country by bus, as the travel times are usually faster than the train. In the case of Lake Bled, the bus has a much more convenient stop in town than the train. Book bus tickets online or in the kiosks inside the bus stations. Flixbus does its own thing, so you’ll need to book those tickets separately online. Flixbus does international destinations like Croatia and Austria too.
WS&T Travel Tip: If you're traveling with kids, navigating buses with a car seat can be tricky. Flixbuses are supposed to have seatbelts, and we've heard that parents have successfully used car seats onboard. You can always babywear: baby facing outward, with the seatbelt around you but not the baby is safest. Otherwise, it's a gamble whether other bus companies will have seatbelts; you can try asking at the station before you purchase tickets but make sure you have a plan B.
By Train:The train station is also right in the middle of town and has pretty easy connections to many major destinations in Europe and around Slovenia.
By Shared Shuttle Service:If you’re on a flexible schedule, check out a company called GoOpti, which offers rides in a shared minibus. Book through their website, and then the day before you’ll receive exact timing based on the needs of the other passengers. It can be a great, cheap way to get around.
Getting Around Ljubljana
Ljubljana is super walkable, and we actually walked everywhere including to/from the bus station. Depending on your needs, you can also use Uber – which connects to local taxi drivers. Be aware that jumping in a taxi from the train station or other touristed area may lead to higher fares.
If you’re into biking, rent a bike from TI or register online for a city biking program called BicikeLJ. Super fun and easy!
Finally, Ljubljana has a fleet of little shuttles called Kavalirs which you can wave down and ride for free. Look for the cute green electric carts.
Where to Stay in Ljubljana
The city is small enough that you can’t really go wrong, though you’ll likely be happier if you stay in a central location so it’s easy to walk everywhere.
Our Hotel Recommendations in Ljubljana:
Hotel Lev: Slightly outside the city center, this sleek, modern hotel has solid amenities (including a gym) and a nice breakfast buffet for a great price.
B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park: Clean, easy hotel with a pretty good breakfast, a short walk from the Dragon bridge.
Vander Urbani Resort: Splurge pick! Urban oasis nestled right on the riverfront, with a pool.
There are also many options that are more like little apartments for rent on both hotels.com and Airbnb.
Where to Eat in Ljubljana:
Check out our Essential Guide to Slovenia for an overview of the most typical Slovenian dishes you'll find in the country - very helpful for your first time ordering food!
Baščaršija: This was our first stop in Slovenia, and we weren’t disappointed by the big mixed grill meat/pepper sauce situation. Delicious!
EK Bistro: Can’t-miss-it brunch spot.
Figovec: Delicious Slovenian spot favored by locals. You’ll want to take a happy nap after your meal.
Supernatural: For something completely different… we took a break from Balkan food for a great lunch at this central spot. We had huevos rancheros and pork spare ribs – go figure!
Gostilna na Gradu: White tablecloth Slovenian fare up at the castle; one of the more delicious local options you’ll find in town.
Along the graffitied street of Trubarjeva Cesta, you’ll find a range of budget options from pizza to Asian noodles. We found a Mediterranean spot with delicious falafels and went twice.
WS&T Healthy Options:
You can’t go wrong with a fresh picnic from the farmer’s market. Load up on veggies and fresh fruits to counteract the heavier Balkan stews and dumplings.
We also enjoyed a meal at Güjžina, which is a vegan Slovenian restaurant. Surprisingly yummy!
Okay, now let the itinerary begin!
Flash Trip: 3 Magical Days in Ljubljana and Lake Bled Itinerary
Day 1: Ljubljana
Welcome to Ljubljana!
We were totally charmed by this lovely little city, which is very easily walkable. You can see all the major sights in a full day or a more leisurely day and a half, though we could easily have spent more time sitting in cafés or wandering the riverbank. It’s definitely a more relaxed pace of both tourism and life here compared to neighboring Italy, and you won’t see the same kind of grand buildings and bucket-list historic sights. But we really enjoyed everything we saw and did in Ljubljana!
WS&T Tip: Most museums are closed on Mondays, and the city slows way down on Sundays and in August in general.
As you begin your exploration of Ljubljana, you’ll find that you'll slow your pace to a stroll through this compact city. Make sure you spend at least one of your meal or break times along the river embankment between the Triple Bridge and the Cobbler Bridge, sipping on an espresso, glass of wine, or tucking into a Slovenian stew.
Start off your exploration of Ljubljana in Prešeren Square (aka Prešernov Trg), the heart of the small city. The square is named after Slovenia’s favorite poet (and author of the National Anthem), France Prešeren:
God’s blessing on all nations
Who long and work for that bright day
When o’er earth’s habitations
No war, no strife shall hold its sway
Who long to see
That all men free
No more shall foes, but neighbours be!
Directly in front of you, you’ll see Ljubljana’s famed Triple Bridge (Tromostovje; you’ll recognize the word “Most” – bridge – if you’ve traveled in other Eastern European countries), designed by Slovenia’s top architect and Ljubljana visionary, Jože Plečnik – more on him everywhere.
Just down the street, you’ll see the art deco Hauptmann House – sole survivor in this area of a big earthquake in 1985 – and a large scale-model of the city center. The glass awning’ed building is the Galerija Emporium, a high-end mall worth peeking in to see the grand staircase. Keep looking up as you wander down Miklošičeva Cesta – there’s architectural gems everywhere.
On the East side of the river, you’ll find the wonderful Riverside Market, an outdoor farmer’s market bringing together farmers and small vendors from around the country. We bought fruit, coffee, and oddly a whole head of Romanesco to munch on as we wandered about. You can find souvenirs along the riverside colonnade (another Plečnik design) as well as several cute restaurants.
At the end of the souvenir stalls, you’ll find the Small Market Square, in which you’ll find the market hall, where the local food vending continues. Here you’ll also spot the St. Nicholas Cathedral, where you enter through a very eye-catching side door with a series of sculpted bishops. The exit takes you through the main bronze door, a true artistic accomplishment which tells Slovenia’s story in sculptural form. The cathedral has slightly odd hours, so if it’s not open, come back later!
Emerging at the opposite end of the square to the East, you’ll enter the Main Market Square and spot the iconic Dragon Bridge. Dragons have long been a totem of Ljubljana, and you can admire this Art Nouveau representation.
From the Main Market Square, you can take a funicular ride to the Ljubljana Castle for about €6 round trip. The funicular runs every 10 minutes while the castle is open, and takes a blink-and-you-miss it 60 seconds to reach its destination. The castle is a modern-ish replica of a much-iterated historical structure, and definitely one of the less interesting European castles we’ve seen. But there are great views and some interesting additional attractions up here, including the Slovenian History Exhibition, a “Virtual Castle” animated film, and the intriguing Museum of Puppetry.
We recommend timing this excursion during lunchtime and dining on traditional Slovenian cuisine at the delicious Gostilna na Gradu.
Back down by the river, you’ll enter the pedestrian zone of Ljubljana’s Old Town. Check out the Fountain of the Three Carniolian Rivers in the Town Square, then window shop (or real-shop) along the delightful Mesti Trg Old Town Shopping area. You’ll find all kinds of traditional Slovenian products, from tea to salt to handicrafts.
Eventually you’ll reach Gornji Trg square, from where you can loop around and walk along the riverfront. Check out Plečnik designs: Cobblers’ Bridge, National and University Library, the Gradaščica River embankments and more. In the Auersperg Palace, you can dive deep into the history of the city at the City Museum of Ljubljana, which was quite well done.
A bit south of the city center (15 minutes on foot), you’ll find Jože Plečnik’s House, a perfectly-preserved historical gem where you can see where the city’s famed architect did all of his work. If the city’s architecture and style interest you, you may want to start with a visit here, which will help contextualize the city and give you extra insight for your wanderings.
Slightly west of the city center (about 10 minutes on foot), you should definitely visit the Serbian Orthodox Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Amid the many, many Catholic and Protestant churches and structures in Europe, you don’t get to see too many Orthodox churches, and they are fascinating.
If you’re into art and/or history, you can also explore the Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery, and the Contemporary History Museum. We decided to check out the Slovenian Ethnographic Museum, which was an unexpected treat, with great exhibits on Slovenian people, customs, and traditions.
Another fun stop is the Nebotičnik (Skyscraper), once the tallest building in Europe! It’s an Art Deco confection, and you can ride the elevator up for a free view. Keep an eye out for Roman ruins dotted around the city and be amazed at Ancient Rome’s reach!
Day 2: Lake Bled
The next day, grab an early, then head to the bus station (or your rental car) to begin the journey to Lake Bled. Lake Bled is an accessible yet romantic alpine resort town, which is both very popular and very laid-back. The pace is slow, the views are lovely, and the best thing to do is wander around the lake.
Make sure that if you’re doing this trip during the peak summer tourist season, you book ahead to avoid major price hikes. We were traveling in late September and had no problem booking cheaper accommodations and restaurants last minute, but things really book up in the summer.
Depending on the timing of your travel, you can either do Lake Bled as a long day trip, or you can spend one night in Bled and return back to Ljubljana the next morning.
Getting from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
If you’re going by car, you’ll have an easy 45-minute drive: no muss, no fuss.
If you’re going by bus, grab a cheap ticket here. Buses run approximately every hour, and the
journey will take you less than 90 minutes. You’ll arrive right in the center of the little town of Bled, so you’ll most likely be able to walk to your hotel.
In the town of Bled, you’ll find the twisty streets of a small village, and a commercial center with a grocery store, ATM, and a bunch of big hotels. You’ll never be far from Lake Bled itself, which is the town’s main attraction.
Where to Stay in Lake Bled:
The area is so small that you can’t really go wrong; check the walk time from the hotel to the lake and to Bled town to see how central it is.
There are quite a few “pensions” – cute B&B-type places to stay – and you’ll save some money by booking directly. Closer to the Old Town, you can try Apartments Brunko Bled. We had good luck booking an apartment-like room through Airbnb.
Where to Eat in Lake Bled:
We didn’t have any issues eating at these restaurants last-minute in late September, but we’ve heard that you’ll need reservations pretty much everywhere at the height of tourist summer.
Art Bar: While we heard this is a lovely spot to get an evening drink, we actually came here for breakfast both mornings we were here. The omelets were delish!
The Old Cellar: We really enjoyed our meal at this homey-yet-upscale spot with modern takes on Slovenian classics. We especially liked the “porcini cappuccino.”
Restaurant & Wine Bar Murka: Another nice Slovenian choice, this one with more Italian influences.
Oštarija Peglez'n: Big skillets to share at this Slovenian/Mediterranean spot.
What to Do in Lake Bled:
Duh, see the lake!
No but really, the lake is the main attraction and has a whole host of fun activities for your first day in town. We ended up doing the full lake walk every day we were there, just because we liked it so much.
Lake Walk: Stroll the 6 kilometer perimeter of the lake and enjoy the many serene views and local swans. Make sure you head all the way down to the lakefront before beginning your walk, as there is a path further uphill.
You can visit the island in the middle of the lake via one of Bled’s iconic pletna boats. Rent one in front of the Grand Hotel Toplice or at various other spots around the lake. €15/person round trip for a 25-minute journey and about 30 minutes to visit the island. Once there, you can wander for free, grab a Slovenian nut cake at the Potičnica café, and pay €12 to visit the island’s church. Note that last time we were there, there were no life jackets available so we recommend skipping if you have a little one who can’t swim yet.
If you’d like a little exercise, rent a rowboat or stand-up paddleboard at various spots, including Pension Pletna in Milno. You can also go for a swim by the swimming pool complex. If you want a bit of thrill (during summer months only) try the Luge ride on Mount Straža!
Bled Castle: Fairly strenuous 20-minute climb from the lakefront, or you can drive up. This isn’t the most awe-inspiring castle you’ll see in Eastern Europe, but it was interesting, with some fun exhibits. The best thing about the castle is the gorgeous views of the lake.
After you’ve had your fill of lake activities, make sure you treat yourself to Lake Bled’s signature cream cake (Blejska kremšnita or kremna rezina), sold at many bakeries around town.
Grab a glass of Slovenian wine at the Vinoteka Zdravljica or a pint-and-a-football-match at Bled Pub or Devil. If you're heading back to Ljubljana tonight, make your way to the bus station or your rental car. Otherwise, enjoy your evening in this peaceful oasis!
Day 3: A Relaxed Farewell to Ljubljana
If you ended up back in Ljubljana last night, grab a nice breakfast and coffee this morning at EK Bistro or Art Bar if you stayed in Lake Bled.
Take today to explore a little further into Ljubljana, as there are many lovely sights to see beyond the obvious! Grab a snack from the farmer's market and stroll the riverwalk, then hit up one of the museums in town!
Slovenia with Kids
Slovenia hits the sweet spot for family travel: it’s safe, easy to get around, full of natural beauty, and packed with fun stuff for kids.
In Ljubljana, check out the interactive Minicity, where kids can role-play different grown-up jobs, or the small but charming Ljubljana Zoo. The Ljubljana Castle has a kiddo scavenger hunt that ends with a little prize from “Friderik the Castle Rat.” Love me a castle rat…
If you need to burn off some big kid energy, Atlantis Water Park has fun slides and splash zones, and WOOP! has trampolines, go-karts, bowling, and more.
Near Lake Bled, there’s a Dino Park nearby with life-sized replicas. And for something totally different, check out the Pohorje Treetop Walk near Maribor, where a wide wooden path winds through the forest canopy, ending with a giant slide.
We hope you loved your time in Slovenia as much as we did! If you're eager for more and/or want to add on activities and sights to this Flash Trip, check out our complete 7-Day itinerary! If you're on to other destinations, check out our Flash Trips to Prague and Kraków!
Wanna Make 3 Days Go Even More Smoothly? Click below to check out some curated picks for making life easier when traveling with (and without) small children.
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