Travel Report Slovenia: Part 3
Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj: Postcard Scenery with Charm
After Ljubljana, my road trip continued on to Lake Bled. From the capital, it takes about an hour to reach this picturesque destination. The visit is definitely worth it: the lake at the foot of the Alpine foothills looks even more beautiful in reality than in the many pictures circulating on the internet. It's no surprise, then, that alongside me there are countless other tourists here to stroll around the lake, swim in it, or visit the little island in its middle by canoe.
I therefore recommend visiting Bled as early as possible in the day to cleverly avoid the crowds of tourists.
Just a small tip: Be sure to take a short hike to one of the many elevated viewpoints around the lake. It's fairly steep going up for about 30 minutes, but you'll be rewarded with an incredibly beautiful view! Since, personally, despite all its beauty, Lake Bled felt a bit too touristy for me, I set off in the early afternoon for my second accommodation: a holiday apartment on a small farm right in the middle of the mountains. I made myself comfortable here for two days and simply enjoyed the view over the vast landscape and the many mountains.
From Bled to Bohinj
Next up was Lake Bohinj, which is only a 30-minute drive from Bled. Once there, I first went in search of a place to sleep and found a lovely campsite right by the turquoise water. Here I pitched my tent for a few days to enjoy the peace and nature: you can go swimming, rent kayaks or canoes, walk in the forest, and hike in the mountains. Just the thing for outdoor enthusiasts!
By the way, my highlight in the region was the hike to Lake Jezero, which lies a bit higher up in the mountains. But watch out: the route is no joke, as you sometimes have to do a bit of climbing and make your way from rung to rung quite close to the slope. So a minimum level of comfort with heights is required. If you'd rather not go so high, you'll also find great excursion spots down in the valley: the beautiful Savica Waterfall, for example, is easily reached with a short walk and is well worth seeing!
Caves and Castles in the Karst Region
After the beautiful lakes, the journey continued into the Karst region. I stayed there for a few days to see the famous Predjama Castle and the Postojna Caves.
Predjama Castle, spectacularly embedded in a massive rock face, fascinated me with its history and architecture. While exploring the gloomy passageways and secret chambers, thanks to the audio guide in my ear, I could vividly imagine what the atmosphere in this imposing fortress must once have been like. A truly exciting visit!
Off to the Caves
It got even more exciting (or let's say more mystical) afterward at the Postojna Caves. The enormous, labyrinth-like network of stalactites and stalagmites can be explored partly by a small train and partly on foot – always accompanied by a tour guide, of course. So if you're in the area, don't miss out on this experience: the beautiful underworld offers incredible sights, and during the tour you'll learn a lot about the caves and how this fascinating scenery came to be.
But even beyond these two popular sightseeing spots, the Karst region southwest of the capital is worth a short stay: the area is wonderfully quiet and expansive. That's why I couldn't resist spending a few days in a sweet little cabin in the middle of a wide meadow, simply relaxing.
