Travel Month – July
After taking the train from Budapest to Ljubljana, we had just two days to fall in love with Slovenia — and somehow, that was enough. This tiny alpine country punches way above its weight: a laid-back, walkable capital in Ljubljana, and one of Europe’s most photographed lakes just an hour away in Bled. Slovenia’s terrain shifts fast — from the flat, walkable streets of the capital to the forested foothills and karst limestone landscape of the Julian Alps within a single day’s drive — which is part of what makes it such a rewarding country to pack into a short trip. What followed was a short but unforgettable stretch of green hills, turquoise water, and a pace of travel that felt refreshingly slow after the trains and border crossings that got us there.
If you’re piecing together a longer Balkans or Central Europe route, this pairs naturally with our Budapest to Ljubljana train guide.
Table of contents
Day 1: Ljubljana — Slovenia’s Walkable Little Capital
We arrived by train from Budapest — you can read the full breakdown of that ride, including booking tips and what to expect onboard, in our Budapest to Ljubljana train post.Ljubljana is one of the smallest, most walkable capital cities we’ve visited, and we treated our first day exactly that way — no fixed agenda, just a loose walking tour through the old town. The Ljubljanica River cuts right through the center, lined with cafés and connected by a handful of picturesque bridges, including the famous Triple Bridge and the dragon-flanked Dragon Bridge — the city’s unofficial mascot.
We wandered up toward Ljubljana Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the old town and gives a great first orientation to the city’s layout, then spent the rest of the afternoon simply drifting through the pedestrian-only streets, popping into shops and stopping for coffee along the riverbank. Because the entire old town is compact and mostly car-free, it’s an easy, low-stress city to explore with kids — nothing felt rushed.
Getting to the castle: You can walk up for free, but the funicular is the easy option if you’d rather skip the climb. There’s a ticket office right at the lower station near Krek Square (by the Puppet Theatre) — no need to book ahead unless you’re visiting in peak summer. A funicular-only ticket is just a few euros round trip, or you can get a combined castle + funicular ticket that also covers the Slovenian History Exhibition, Museum of Puppetry, and viewing tower. Tickets can also be pre-booked online through the official castle website if you’d rather skip the line.
A few tips for Ljubljana:
- The old town is small enough to see on foot in a single day — no need to plan transit
- Riverside cafés get busy in the evening; grab a table early if you want a view of the bridges at sunset
- Ljubljana Castle has a funicular if you’d rather skip the walk up
Other Top Sights in Ljubljana Old Town
Beyond the bridges and the castle, a handful of other spots are worth folding into your walk:
- Ljubljana Central Market (farmer’s market) — Running along the riverbank near the Triple Bridge, this open-air and covered market (designed by Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik) is where locals shop for produce, flowers, and local goods. We stumbled onto it while wandering and it ended up being one of our favorite unplanned stops — a great spot to see everyday local life rather than just the tourist sights. It’s busiest, and best, in the morning.
- Prešeren Square (Prešernov trg) — The city’s main square and unofficial heart of the old town, anchored by a statue of Slovenia’s national poet, France Prešeren, and framed by the pink Franciscan Church.
- St. Nicholas’s Cathedral — Easy to spot by its green dome and twin towers, just steps from the Central Market. The baroque interior, with frescoes and a grand bronze door, is worth a quick look inside.
- Town Hall (Mestni trg) — A baroque town hall building in the old town’s main square, with the ornate Robba Fountain right outside.
- Congress Square (Kongresni trg) — A quieter, tree-filled square that’s a nice spot to sit for a few minutes away from the busier riverside streets.
- Metelkova — An alternative, street-art-covered cultural quarter a bit outside the immediate old town core; more of a fit for a second visit or if you have older kids interested in something less traditional.
Day 2: Lake Bled
We left Ljubljana early — around 7:30 am — to beat both the crowds and the summer heat, arriving at Lake Bled by about 8:30 am by car. That early start turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.
Getting to Lake Bled
We rented a car locally once we reached Slovenia. A bus to Bled is also an option if you’re not driving, but with the summer heat and a young kid in tow, having our own car gave us the flexibility to move at our own pace — including the detour to Bohinj later in the day. There were also day tours from Ljubljana.
Hiking to Ojstrica Viewpoint
We parked at the closest public parking lot and walked about 15 minutes to the trailhead, then did a roughly 30-minute hike up to Ojstrica, one of Bled’s classic viewpoints, looking out over the lake, the island church, and Bled Castle in the distance. There are other, longer hikes in the area if you want more of a challenge, but ours was a manageable climb for most fitness levels — just note that the last stretch gets a bit rocky and narrow. The payoff, that first full view of the lake from above, is worth every step. On our way back down, we noticed the parking lot was already full — glad we’d gotten an early start.
The Pletna Boat Ride
Boat rides to Bled Island start at 9:00 am, and timing our hike to arrive just as they opened meant we got on the water before the tour buses showed up — a small piece of planning that made a big difference. The ride is about 1 hour 10 minutes round trip, roughly 20 minutes each way, and it’s cash only, so come prepared. Pricing came out to about $20 per adult and $10 per kid.
Out on the island, the big draw is the church and its “wishing bell” — tradition says if you ring it, your wish comes true. It’s touristy, sure, but it’s a genuinely lovely stop, and the water is that impossible turquoise-green you’ve probably seen in photos.
Bled Castle
We saw Bled Castle from a distance but skipped the visit.
Bled Castle sits on a cliff above the lake and is Slovenia’s oldest castle, with records dating back over 1,000 years. It’s one of the most-photographed spots in Bled, especially at sunset when the lake and island church line up below it. We’d planned to visit, but skipped it on this trip due to the midday heat — if you’re visiting in cooler weather or early morning, it’s worth the climb for the view alone. And if you’d rather skip the climb altogether, you don’t have to walk — there’s parking right near the castle, taxis will drop you at the upper entrance, and a seasonal shuttle bus runs roughly April through September.
Tickets can be bought at the gate (card or cash) or booked online in advance through the official castle website — worth doing if you’re visiting in July or August to skip the queue. Standard adult entry runs around €19 and covers the museum, chapel, printing workshop, wine cellar, and terraces, not just the view. Kids under 7 accompanied by a parent get in free but still need to pick up a ticket at the box office.
A few tips for Lake Bled:
- Arrive by 9:00 am to catch the first boats and avoid the tour bus crowds
- Bring cash for the Pletna boat — cards aren’t accepted
- Wear real shoes — the Ojstrica hike isn’t technical, but it’s uphill the whole way
- Visit the castle early in the day if you’re traveling in summer heat
Lake Bohinj: The Quieter Alternative
After Bled, we drove on to Lake Bohinj for lunch. Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest lake and sits inside Triglav National Park, and it’s noticeably quieter and more low-key than Bled — fewer crowds, no island church, just calm water ringed by mountains. It made for a relaxed lunch stop before heading back to Ljubljana for the evening.
Hiking to Slap Savica Waterfall
We had lunch in Bohinj, then headed to Slap Savica, a dramatic 78-meter waterfall that drops into a striking emerald-green pool near the village of Ukanc, at the western end of the lake. The trail up from the parking area is short but steep — mostly stone steps through forest — and takes about 20–25 minutes each way, with a small entrance fee to access the trail. It’s an easy add-on to a Bohinj stop and one of the most rewarding short hikes we did in Slovenia.
We skipped Slovenia’s cave tours (Škocjan and Postojna are the big ones) on this trip, mostly because we’d already done similar cave experiences at the Rock of Gibraltar. But they’re worth calling out if you have an extra day: the Škocjan Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site — one of the largest known underground canyons in the world — while Postojna Cave, though not UNESCO-listed itself, is Slovenia’s most-visited cave and includes an underground train ride through the karst system. Either would make a great addition to a longer Slovenia itinerary.
A few tips for Lake Bohinj:
- It pairs naturally with Bled as a half-day add-on if you have a car
- Much quieter than Bled — a good lunch stop or a spot to decompress after the Bled crowds
- The Slap Savica trail is short but has a fair number of steps — wear real shoes
- Skip the caves if you’re short on time, but they’re worth prioritizing on a return trip
Slovenia Travel Tips: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Getting Around Ljubljana itself is entirely walkable — you won’t need a car in the city. For Bled and Bohinj, a rental car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you want to add the Bohinj detour. A cross-border rental from Hungary is pricey; renting locally within Slovenia once you arrive is the more affordable route. A bus to Bled is available if you’d rather not drive.
Cash vs. Card Slovenia uses the euro, and while cards are widely accepted in Ljubljana, the Pletna boat ride to Bled Island is cash only — make sure you have euros on hand before you head to the lake.
What to Pack If you’re visiting in summer, pack for heat: light layers, a hat, and comfortable shoes for the Bled viewpoint hike. Mornings can still be cool, so a light layer for the early start is worth having.
Timing Both Ljubljana and Bled reward an early start. Getting to Bled by 8:30–9:00 am meant we had the lake and the first boats to ourselves before the tour buses arrived — arriving even an hour later would have meant a very different, much busier experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough to see Slovenia?
Two days is enough to get a solid first taste of Slovenia's highlights — a day in Ljubljana and a day at Lake Bled (with a stop at Lake Bohinj) covers the country's two best-known draws. That said, Slovenia has a lot more to offer, from the Julian Alps to the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, so if you have extra time, it's worth extending the trip rather than rushing through.
How do you get from Budapest to Ljubljana?
We took the direct train, which takes about 7 hours 45 minutes. Full details on booking, what to expect onboard, and how it compares to the bus are in our Budapest to Ljubljana train guide.
Do I need a car to visit Lake Bled from Ljubljana?
A car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you want to add Lake Bohinj to the day. A bus to Bled is also an option if you're not driving, though it offers less flexibility for side trips.
Is the Lake Bled boat ride cash only?
Yes — the Pletna boat to Bled Island is cash only. Pricing is around $20 per adult and $10 per kid for the roughly 1 hour 10 minute round trip.
What time should I arrive at Lake Bled to avoid crowds?
Aim to be at the lake by 8:30–9:00 am. The first boats depart at 9:00 am, and arriving early lets you get on the water before the tour buses show up.
Where to next? Explore more of our travel guides
Shaminee is a U.S.-based mom and family travel blogger who designs detailed itineraries for her own family and turns them into practical guides for others. Her goal is to make family travel simpler, more organized, and more enjoyable.
Read more →