Lake Bled is the stuff of Instagram legend. But there’s much more to Bled than just one or two pretty spots. Here’s are our picks for the most Instagrammable places in Bled plus hotel recs.
The Most Instagrammable Bled Hotels
Some of the best lake views can be had at the various gorgeous lakeside hotels. To have access, you need to be staying at the hotel or dining at their restaurants and cafes. If you dream of waking up with Lake Bled views or sitting in a jacuzzi looking at Bled Castle, then you should stay at one of the hotels on the lake. Just make sure to book early since Bled is a popular Slovenian vacation destination and the best rooms sell out early.
If you want to research more information on where to stay in Bled, we have a guide to the best hotels in Bled and surrounding areas for all budgets.
Vila Bled
Vila Bled is the most famous and historic hotel on the lake. It was the summer residence of President Tito when Slovenia was a part of Yugoslavia. Today it’s a four-star hotel with a luxury spa. The furniture and decor are an updated take on 1950s style from the Tito-era.
While President Tito used the vila he hosted leaders from around the world, including Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie, leader of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev, King Hussein of Jordan, and Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, among others.
Guests of Vila Bled have access to a private swimming dock, boat house, and a restaurant with lake views. You can choose rooms with lake or park views.
The restaurant on site serves both Slovenian and international dishes, but the highlight just might be the views.
Hotel Triglav Bled
A four-star hotel originally opened in 1906 (but updated in 2009), Hotel Triglav offers rooms with lake views in addition to multiple common areas and eating spots where you can relax and look out on Bled Island.
Other hotel amenities include a wellness center, a restaurant, a piano bar, and a fireplace lounge for those who visit Lake Bled during the winter.
Learn more about Hotel Triglav here.
Check Hotel Triglav reviews and availability.
Grand Hotel Toplice
Located right on the lake shores, the five-star Grand Hotel Toplice offers amazing panoramic Lake Bled views, with all guests having access to the lakeside terrace and private beach.
Amenities include two restaurants, bars, a cafe, and the boutique wellness center which includes saunas, a thermal pool, and beauty treatments.
Learn more about the Grand Hotel Toplice here.
Can you imagine relaxing in the sunbeds on the private beach and waking up looking at Bled Castle?
Check to see Grand Hotel Toplice reviews and availability.
The 13 Most Instagrammable Places at Lake Bled
Lake Bled is the stuff that Instagram dreams are made of, but it’s not as easy as just showing up and snapping a pic. You need to plan which shots you want since many of the best pics involve a hike, a boat ride, or walking until you get the right view.
Mala Osojnica Hike & Viewpoint
Getting to the top of Osojnica is a hike that takes about an hour and includes a stop at Ojstrica as well (see below). Osojnica includes a bench with the perfect island viewpoint. Getting to the top is easier than getting back down, which can be slippery and steep. It’s suggested that if this will pose a problem for you that you return the way you came, making the entire trip about two hours (excluding however long it takes you to get insta-perfect).
Ojstrica
Ojstrica is the first hill you’ll encounter on the way to Osojnica. Click here for instructions on how to hike to both locations.
On Bled Island
While most people choose to take pictures of Bled Island, it’s actually a great photo opportunity in its own right. This is the view from the Church of the Assumption, but you can explore the island and look for many different takes.
Bled Castle
The cliffside Bled Castle is one of the most picturesque castles in Slovenia (or possibly all of Europe). The view of teh castle changes whether you are looking at it from across the lake or on the shoreline below it and a few hundred meters away.
From Bled Castle
While the castle is beautiful from the ground, if you want to visit make sure to stop and get pictures from the castle terraces with Bled Island in the background.
Boats on the Lake
The boats on Lake Bled are iconic. You can choose to take photos of them from the shore, or you can get in one and combine a trip to Bled Island with a chance to grab a boat selfie.
There are different kinds of boats available at the lake, including rowboats and passenger boats. Either way, make sure to stop and appreciate the beauty of the wooden lake boats.
Lake Bled Swans
See the lake from swan-level, and appreciate how beautiful the views are for these amazing creatures that call the lake home.
The Boardwalk
My favorite thing to do at Lake Bled is to walk the boardwalk completely around the lake to see how the views change as you progress around. Bring your camera with you and go on a self-guided (and entirely free) photography walk around the lake.
Chairlift
If you’re looking for a more unique take, find the tobogganing line and chair lift at the Bled ski resort.
From the Docks
If you want to be in the frame, one of the best shots is the have someone photograph you while you stand at the end of one of the docks. While some are public, some are privately owned, so pay attention and use good Instagram etiquette.
If you want to enjoy the docks for more than just a quick pic, a great way to do so is to bring a picnic and enjoy your time on the edge of tranquility.
Pustolovski Park Bled
An adventure park in Straza Park above Bled that offers obstacle courses complete with ziplining. It also has great views with Bled Castle basically parallel to eye-level. Accessible by chairlift.
Straza Park Bled
For those who want to skip the adventure park, you can still come to the top of the hill and appreciate the views (minus the ziplining).
Insta-Heart
While these kinds of photo spots aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, the beautiful Insta-Heart on the edge of Lake Bled frames Bled Island.
You can take photos of the heart framing the island or you can get into the frame yourself.
10 Bled Instagram Spots that Aren’t at Lake Bled
While most people come here are looking for Lake Bled photography locations, there is so much natural beauty in the area that you don’t need to restrict yourself to just the lake.
Lake Bohinj
Less famous than Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj is another serene mountain lake just a thirty-minute drive away.
Church of St. John the Baptist
If you come out to Lake Bohinj, make sure to stop by the Church of St. John the Baptist and its iconic bridge.
Lake Jasna
Just forty minutes from Lake Bled, Lake Jasna is rising in popularity after there were renovations to the lake’s facilities in 2015. A gorgeous Alpine lake with new swimming areas and an ice cream parlor? Yes, please!
Šobec (Sobec)
A camping area just ten minutes away from Lake Bled, Camping Sobec is located on its namesake lake, complete with a Blue Flag beach.
Vintgar Gorge
A fifteen-minute drive from Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge is one of the most popular sites in the country. Beyond the sublime natural beauty:
The Vintgar gorge also includes two man-made sights. The single-arch stone bridge of the Bohinj railway, constructed in 1906, which crosses the gorge 33.5 m above the trail, and the dam from which the water is routed to the small Vintgar hydroelectric power plant under the Šum waterfall.
Sava River
A ten-minute drive from Lake Bled, the Sava River is one of the most important rivers in the Balkans, flowing all the way to Belgrade. Its beautiful mountain setting turns a picturesque river into something truly majestic.
Triglav National Park
Mount Triglav is so important to Slovenians that it’s actually on the crest on their flag. Just a fifteen-minute drive from Lake Bled, you can enjoy winter sports here or come for beautiful views year-round.
Pericnik Falls
A thirty-minute drive from Lake Bled, Pericnik Falls in Kranjska Gora is a 52m waterfall that is best visited on foot from Mojstrana. If you’re careful you can access the area behind the waterfall, just be careful because it’s slippery. There’s also another waterfall (though a much shorter one) that you can also visit.
Kozjak Waterfall
This one is the furthest spot away from Lake Bled since the drive is two hours, but it’s just so beautiful that I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention it.
Love waterfalls? Check out 13 Gorgeous Slovenia Waterfalls to Add to Your Itinerary
Iglica Falls
While not as stunning as the two previously listed waterfalls, Iglica Falls is just a five-minute drive from Lake Bled, which is perfect for anyone looking for a quick excusion.
Bonus: Wherever You Are
Of course, if you’re looking for an interesting tattoo idea, get a Lake Bled tattoo as your souvenir from Slovenia. Just know you won’t be the first (or the last).
Slovenia Travel Resources
Headed to Slovenia? We have some great travel resources to help you with your trip. First read our guide to planning a trip to Slovenia, which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more. We also have a Balkan currency guide which explains how money works in Slovenia and local tipping customs.
If you’re still putting together your itinerary, here’s a great list of places to visit in Slovenia to help you choose.
Next, you’ll want to read our guide to shopping in Slovenia so you know which souvenirs are truly local gems.
If you’re set on visiting Bled this winter, check out our guide for the best Lake Bled winter activities, how to visit the Bled Christmas Market, and how to celebrate Christmas in Bled!
If this will be one of your first trips in the Balkans, check out our massive list of things to know before traveling the Balkans as well as our Balkan bus, road trip, and itinerary guides.
We publish new articles and trip advice nearly daily! For more information about traveling to Slovenia and the Balkans, bookmark our Slovenia and Balkan travel pages, where you’ll find our entire archive plus anything new we publish before you leave for your trip.
Finally, Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
I’m sure you’re aware that travel insurance is essential for Slovenia and for travel in general! This is especially true when you’re talking about traveling with your camera and smartphone because you don’t want your trip ruined if they get lost, stolen, or fall in the lake!
Allison and I have both been paying customers of World Nomads for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.
While Slovenia is perfectly safe to travel around, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel, so it’s better to play it safe. The saying goes “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel” is true!
Pin this Bled Instagram Guide for Your Trip
Stephanie has been living in and traveling around the Balkans for the past three years. She’s written for National Geographic Online, appeared on CNN Arabic and in the New York Times, and ridden more Balkan buses than is good for a person.
