Slovenian Lakes
Bled, Bohinj and the lakes that appear and disappear.
Bled is the lake on every poster, and it deserves the attention. It is also the busiest place in Slovenia by a wide margin, which is worth knowing before you build a trip around it.
Bohinj, twenty minutes further into the mountains, is four times larger, sits inside Triglav National Park, and is the one most Slovenians would pick. Cerknica disappears for part of the year – an intermittent lake that fills in autumn and drains by summer. Jasna is a small glacial pool below Vrsic Pass that takes ten minutes to see and photographs better than almost anywhere.
The comparison below is mostly about crowds and season. Bled in August and Bled in April are not the same destination, and the difference is larger than for anywhere else on this site.
| Lake | Best for | Days needed | Crowd level | Nearest base | When to go | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Bled | Island church, castle, first-timers | 1-2 | Very high in summer | Bled | May, Sep-Oct | Read guide |
| Lake Bohinj | Swimming, hiking, national park | 1-3 | Moderate | Ribcev Laz or Stara Fuzina | Jun-Sep | Read guide |
| Lake Cerknica | Intermittent lake, birdwatching | Half day | Low | Cerknica | Oct-May (when full) | Read guide |
| Lake Jasna | Photography, quick stop below Vrsic | 1-2 hours | Moderate | Kranjska Gora | May-Oct | Read guide |
| Lake Bled’s Vintgar Gorge | Boardwalk gorge walk nearby | 2-3 hours | High | Bled | Apr-Oct | Coming soon |
| Lake Velenje | Local swimming, no tourists | Half day | Very low | Velenje | Jun-Aug | Coming soon |
Scroll to see all columns →
Past the photograph
Three things about these lakes
Featured
Bled without the crowds
The lake is at its worst between ten and four in July and August. Walk the six-kilometre shoreline path early, take the traditional pletna boat before the tour groups arrive, and climb to Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica for the view everyone else is queuing at the castle for.
Latest guides to the lakes
Lake Jasna: The Photo-Stop Lake Below the Vršič PassTwo small artificial lakes at the foot of the Vršič Pass near Kranjska Gora, with turquoise water, the Zlatorog statue and a…
Lake Bohinj: Slovenia’s Largest Natural Lake, ExplainedSlovenia's largest natural lake: quieter than Bled, ringed by the Julian Alps, with a photogenic medieval church, a waterfall hike and a…
Bled Travel Guide: The Island, the Castle and What It CostsSlovenia's most photographed lake: what it actually costs, when to come, and what is worth doing rather than photographing.Frequently asked questions
Bled or Bohinj – which is better?
Bled for the iconic scenery and easier logistics, Bohinj for swimming, hiking and far fewer people. Many visitors do both, since they are twenty minutes apart.
How do I get to Bled island?
By pletna, the traditional oared boat, or by rented rowing boat. There is no bridge and motorboats are not permitted on the lake.
Can you swim in Lake Bled?
Yes, in designated areas. Water temperature peaks around 24C in late summer. Bohinj is colder but cleaner and far less crowded.
When is Bled least crowded?
April to May and late September to October. Midweek is noticeably better than weekends in any month.
Is Vintgar Gorge worth visiting?
Yes, but book a time slot in advance in summer – entry is capped and it sells out. The walk takes about ninety minutes there and back.
Why does Lake Cerknica disappear?
It sits on karst. Water drains through sinkholes into the limestone below during dry months and refills when the water table rises after autumn rain.
Newsletter
Don't miss anything new
One new Slovenia guide in your inbox every couple of weeks. No spam, unsubscribe any time.