My wife and I will be flying into Budapest and out of Prague September 25-October 8. My original plan was to spend all of our time in Budapest and Prague with side trips, but now my wife really wants to see Lake Bled. I know it's almost a full day to travel from Budapest to Lake Bled so I am wondering if there any similar locations between Budapest and Prague or a day trip/overnight from either city. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Washington DC
28249 posts
I can't help with alternatives, but there's a slight possibility that if you share this information with your wife, she may change her mind:
Lake Bled is a beautiful little place--accent on "little". You can walk all the way around the lake in 2 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace (I did it). I've read that the walking path is about 3.6 miles. The town of Bled is not special. The city of Ljubljana, on the other hand, is a wonderful place, really charming. You'd need to spend 3 nights in Ljubljana/Bled for a reasonable visit, and they are not the only worthwhile things in the lovely country of Slovenia. There are some excellent destinations in northern Croatia as well. It's worth saving places until you have time to see them in a non-rushed manner.
Good luck.
Posted by
Folsom, California, USA
322 posts
Hi Stephen,
I have been to all three places...but on different trips. I liked Lake Bled, but didn't LOVE it. I think there are many cool little towns in Czechia and Hungary that are worth it before considering the drive to Slovenia. I would include Pecs, Hungary, Sztendre, Hungary, and Czesky Krumlov, Czechia in this list. Also, there is a huge lake complex in Western Hungary (lake balaton?) but I don't know much about this as I haven't been to this lake.
Ultimately, if you choose to go to Lake Bled, plan a few days, see the Vrsic Pass and other areas in Slovenia to make the drive/stay worth it.
As my husband always says when my list of "want-to-go-to"s get larger than our time in the country, "we'll just have to see that on the next trip."
If you have specific questions, feel free to message me,
Kaye
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1901 posts
Lake Bled is a very nice place to visit. However, not if you are in Budapest en-route to Prague. I also don't have an alternative to which is similar to Lake Bled, but think about spending some time in Vienna on your way to Prague. A great city and it will break up your train travel between Budapest and Prague.