I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation on staying in Lake Bled, or in a smaller town like Radovljica or Kranjska Gora? We will have 3 nights before moving on. It seems Lake Bled is more expensive. We to hike a bit but will not have a car. After we leave Slovenia we will move on to Slovakia.
Any ideas are welcome.
I stayed in Radovljica last year and have no regrets about picking it over Lake Bled. Like you, I had no car on my trip so got there via bus. To visit Lake Bled, I walked there (there are a couple of routes) through fields and villages and was a bit overwhelmed by the MANY people I found when I got there. It is as stunning as it looks in all the pictures but I was relieved to grab the bus back to Radol'ca at the end of my visit. I stayed at the Lectar (https://www.lectar.com/), which was very comfortable.
That said, if you're thinking of alternatives slightly further afield (like Kranjska Gora) and don't have your heart set on Lake Bled, I highly, highly recommend staying somewhere near Lake Bohinj. I spent 6 nights in Stara Fužina and it was the highlight of my 3 weeks in Slovenia. The hiking is fantastic, the lake is amazing for swimming, and it is all way calmer than Lake Bled.
I spent 2 nights in Lake Bled a few days ago. I am in Ljubljana now.
It was quite pleasant and tranquil when I was there. Some beautiful walks around the lake and environs.
I stayed in a not cheap apartment but that was my choice.
However I am leaving today at 12 noon for Lake Bohinj for 2 nights. I found a small apartment on Airbnb that is managed by the tourist office at Bohinj which is close to the lake and certainly convenient for info. I think Bohinj is more my style. I can see both lakes becoming very busy later, especially Bled,but now is a great time to visit.
I am staying two days prior to a RS Adriatic tour at Pension Mayer at Lake Bled, which is a Bavarian-style building with lovely grounds close to the city center. I reserved several months ago, however, and do not know if there would be openings without reserving ahead. That said, I don’t know if the entire pension is open right now because I have not seen very many other people. I was surprised at the number of hotels here. This must indicate a large influx of people in high season. Since I rented a car at the airport, I may take a trip to Lake Bohinj which appears to be a larger, less populated lake. Lake Bled is a beautiful lake and is not overly touristy right now. I plan to visit the castle, walk around the lake, and visit Vila Bled (Tito’s summer residence, now a hotel) for a cream cake with views from the outdoor terrace. Since our tour returns here next week, I’ll save the ride on the plaetna boats to the island for then.
I’d stay in Bled. Especially since you don’t have a car.
