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Slovenia Travel Guide: Explore Lake Bled, Bohinj Valley & Ljubljana

Updated: Sep 25

For our fifth wedding anniversary, we decided to head to Europe. We prefer to travel during the off-season to avoid crowds and experience destinations in a more authentic way. On this trip, we explored three countries – Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

We started in the beautiful capital city, Prague. True to our travel style, we ventured out on the second day to Cesky Krumlov, a magical fairy-tale town in South Bohemia. It felt like stepping into another world – almost like walking through Narnia.

Next, we spent two short days in Slovakia. Traveling by train from Czech Republic was both cost-effective and efficient, making it easy to explore more without the hassle.

Our final stop was Slovenia, and it quickly became the highlight of our winter getaway. The Bohinj Valley left us speechless – postcard-perfect landscapes, tranquil lakes, and majestic alpine views. There’s something about these serene locations that makes you pause and simply soak in the moment.

Is it the tranquility, the landscape or just the thrill of being there taking it all in?

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ITINERARY

  • Christmas markets in Ljubljana

  • Lake Bled and Bohinj Valley

  • Ljubljana city exploration


BEST TIME TO VISIT

Although summers in Slovenia are beautiful, winter offers a magical experience. During our visit, the weather was rainy and temperatures hovered in the low 20s Fahrenheit. Visiting Slovenia during Christmas adds a festive charm that’s hard to match. The quiet streets and off-season calm make winter an unforgettable time to explore the country.

GETTING THERE + VISA

We arrived in Ljubljana by train from Slovakia via Vienna, Austria. The central station is ideally located, making it convenient for onward travel. A Schengen Visa is required for entry into Slovenia, and travel and medical insurance are mandatory for all Schengen countries.

LANGUAGE & CURRENCY

The official language in Slovenia is Slavic. However, English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. The local currency is the Euro.

COST & GETTING AROUND

Slovenia is relatively affordable, especially in the off-season. Hotels are reasonably priced, while taxis can be expensive. Meals average around €10 per person. We mostly walked in Ljubljana and used private tours for day trips to Lake Bled and Bohinj Valley

WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed at the Art Hotel in Ljubljana – a quaint but comfortable option just a 5-minute walk from the city center. The rooms were spacious, and breakfast was delicious. Coffee, lattes, and hot chocolate were available, sometimes for an additional charge.


VEGAN & VEGETARIAN FOOD

Finding vegan-friendly restaurants in Slovenia was easy. Near the Art Hotel, Pizzeria FoculuS served some of the best veggie and vegan pizzas we’ve ever had. Be sure to book a table, especially late at night, as it tends to get busy.


SAFETY

We experienced no safety issues in Slovenia. Locals were warm, helpful, and welcoming.


HIGHLIGHTS

After arriving from Slovakia, we walked 15 minutes to our hotel. Even though it was nearly 7 PM, the city welcomed us with streets illuminated for Christmas. This year’s theme featured planets and stars – magical for a winter evening. Visiting off-season allowed us to experience a more personal, quiet atmosphere.

There were streets and streets of lighting. I believe they have a different theme ever year and this year it was planets and stars. We haven't been to a lot of these markets but if you want to see a real Christmas market - probably a good idea to head here.

Lake Bled & Bohinj Valley

We booked a day tour with TO DO IN SLOVENIA via Viator. The guides were professional, knowledgeable, and personalized our experience. Our first stop was Bohinj Valley, about two hours from Ljubljana. Nestled in the Julian Alps, it’s a serene escape with alpine meadows, pristine lakes, and towering mountains. Winter visits here are peaceful, with hardly any tourists, making it perfect for reflection and photography.

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Next, we drove to Lake Bled to find the best aerial viewpoint. A short but slippery hike led us to a spot where the fall colors and fog over the lake were breathtaking. While Bled is famous for its church on an island, it’s the combination of calm waters, surrounding Alps, and quiet atmosphere that makes it extraordinary.

Lunch was included in our tour – cream of mushroom soup and gnocchi with cream sauce were divine. Don’t miss the famous Cream Cake at Hotel Park.

Post-lunch, we strolled around Bled Castle and enjoyed views from every angle. You can take a ferry to the church on the island, but we chose to walk and soak in every moment by the lake. The castle, the bluish-green waters, swans gliding silently, and the foggy mountains created an unforgettable scene.

We were literally the only ones in this famous “insta” spot. Needless to say, the views from up here blew my mind. I was so surprised to see the fall colors. I was fully expecting the bled to look magical covered in snow but boy, was I wrong. The fall leaves and the foggy lake made for one hell of a dreamy view from the top.

If someone told me there is a place somewhere in the world that has a cutesy church in the middle of a lake... you would think that I was talking about a place out of a fairy tale. Luckily this place does exist. It is called Bled and it is absolutely incredible.

We spent an hour up there.. before hiking back down and heading for lunch (which was included on the tour). The food was absolutely wonderful, fresh and piping hot - we had the cream of mushroom soup and the gnocchi with cream sauce. Pro TIP: Don't forget to try the infamous Cream Cake at Hotel Park.

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Post lunch, we spent a few hours strolling around the castle grounds. You can take a ferry (leaves every other hour) to the church - we decided not to do this and walk around lake bled instead.

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We were just so thrilled by the fact that we were lucky enough to witness the beauty of this place.. we wanted to soak in every little inch. Huge castle sitting tall, bluish green lake still as ice, rippling only through a swan wing... an island surrounded by the Julian alps, that looked spectacular covered in fog.

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The Bled Castle a top a hill

After a good four hours of having our minds blown from sheer beauty, we drove back to the city in time for dinner.

Ljubljana City

On our last morning, we explored Ljubljana. The Ljubljanica River winds through the city, crossed by several iconic bridges like the Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and Butchers’ Bridge (Ljubljana’s love bridge).

Old Town is split across the river. From the main square, named after Slovenian poet France Prešeren, you can cross to the medieval section featuring Mestni trg and Stari trg – two of the city’s oldest preserved streets.

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Ljubljana Castle sits atop a hill, accessible via funicular, with art exhibitions, a chapel with 15th-century frescoes, and panoramic views. We were amazed by the variety of bridges, each unique and with its own story, reminiscent of Amsterdam or Venice.

The medieval Ljubljana Castle is situated on a hill above the city and accessible by a funicular. It houses art and museum exhibitions, a chapel with 15th century frescoes, viewing tower, 

and two restaurants. 

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We were stunned by the sheer number of bridges that cross the river - each so unique and they all have a story too; felt a lot like Amsterdam or even Venice.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

While Lake Bled was stunning, the off-season serenity of Ljubljana and Bohinj Valley captured my heart. Being practically alone allowed us to fully absorb the beauty of nature and architecture without distractions.

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Our trip to these lesser-known European countries was action-packed yet authentic. We avoided typical tourist spots, explored the countryside, and embraced the quiet magic of Slovenia. Winter, off-season travel, and the Christmas festivities made this journey one to remember.

Drop your comments below and show some love. Feel free to shoot me an email with your feedback.

Cheers,

Anki

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