Where to stay in Bled

In Bled the question is how far the bed sits from the lake and from the next bus, since stars matter far less. Every step away from the shore shortens the bill and lengthens the walk or the ride. The centre keeps you close to the bus station, the east shore offers the promenade and the thermal pools, and the villages behind the town trade distance for a cheaper room and a car.

The centre by the bus station

The bus station is three minutes on foot from the lake, and Bled Union station is five. That is the pick for a first visit without a car, because the lake, the shops and the Vintgar shuttle all start within a few streets of each other. The station stands at the junction of Cesta svobode and Grajska cesta, and the shuttle to Vintgar leaves from it.

Hostels cluster here. Ace of Spades Hostel is in the old part of town, Bled Hostel II and Travellers' Haven are also on the list, and Bled Hostel lies 0.75 km from the centre. Hostels start at the low end: from €13 (dorm bed). Read the reviews before you book.

A thermal spring feeds the lake from its eastern side, which is why this shore keeps the spa hotels. Grand Hotel Toplice has pools at 22°C filled with natural thermal water, while Hotel Park and Rikli Balance run theirs at 28°C. The promenade runs along the water here, and the Spa Park, which dates from 1891, fills the space behind it.

The shore suits visitors who want to step out of the room onto a path. Whether a hotel's pool is open to people staying elsewhere is a matter for the hotel, so book with the pool in mind only if your room includes it. The distance to the bus station is longer than from the centre.

Mlino, Zaka and the south shore

The south shore belongs to the water, and it is the side for anyone who plans to swim, row or climb before breakfast. Mlino and Velika Zaka are piers for the pletna, Mala Zaka and Velika Zaka have public beaches, and Vila Bled, the residence Tito built in 1947, stands on this side. The camp at Zaka is also where the path to Ojstrica starts, a 20 minute climb. The price of the position is distance from the bus station, so a car or a taxi helps on the first and last day. The public Grajsko kopališče beach is open from June to mid-September, and besides the beaches at Mala and Velika Zaka, Vila Bled and Grand Hotel Toplice have their own on the shore.

Lesce, Bohinjska Bela and Zasip

Lesce is where the train stops, 4 km from the lake. The Arriva bus covers the gap in 9 min for €1.50, and an asphalt path runs the same way on foot. On weekdays the bus runs about 70 times a day, and at weekends 20 to 23 times, from October to June. Bohinjska Bela lies 3.7 km from the centre and has a car park at Dom krajanov that is free for the first two hours. Zasip, a village at the edge of the town, is a third name to try. All three save money and ask for a car or a regular bus in return.

The Julian Alps Card and when to book

The summer card is free for guests of partner accommodation. It is requested at the property, not bought. It covers the Bled Bus, takes 10% off the castle and the Grajsko kopališče beach, and includes one chairlift ride up Straža. A tourist tax applies on top. So the question about the card belongs to the booking, not to the arrival.

Getting aroundTrains, buses, the shuttle and the car parks are explained on the page about getting around Bled.Getting around Bled →

2 daysHow the two days fall by the hour, from the first boat to the cream cake, is laid out on the itinerary page.Bled in 2 days →

When to goWhen the lake is warm, when Vintgar is open and when the castle closes early is on the page about when to go.The best time to visit Bled →

FoodWhere to eat the cream cake, and what else comes with a table by the lake, is on the food page.What to eat in Bled →

Day tripsBohinj, Radovljica and Ljubljana from a base in Bled are set out on the excursions page.Day trips from Bled →

MistakesThe page of mistakes lists the choices that cost visitors time, including a few about where they slept.Mistakes everyone makes in Bled →