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Fresh air. Clear water. Green forests. Towering mountains. Wide pastures. Deep gorges. Flourishing in nature. Lake Bohinj, Slovenia is uncomplicated and raw. Lake Bohinj is a postcard-picture scene, naturally designed in hues of unbelievable blues and shades of intense green. Cradled in the Julian Alps, the glacial Lake Bohinj is watched over by the mountain peaks that rise around it and is protected within the boundaries of Triglav National Park.
Yet, tourists often pass over Lake Bohinj in favor of her more popular sister, Lake Bled. While Lake Bled is gorgeous, the appeal is enhanced by man-made embellishments: the lone church and bell tower that occupy the island in the middle of the lake, the castle that is dramatically perched on the edge of the cliff, the sleek restaurants and modern casino that entertain guests on the lakeside.
Lake Bled has accessories, while Lake Bohinj is a natural beauty, existing exactly as created. On Lake Bohinj, the (very) few lakeside dwellings blend in, rather than stand out. Nature is what Lake Bohinj, Slovenia is all about.
About Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest natural lake, measuring nearly 2.5 miles in length with a depth of up to 145 feet. In the height of summer, the sun warms the frigid lake temperature to 71˚F, which is warm enough for a refreshing swim. The water in Lake Bohinj completely – and naturally – cycles out three times a year (entering the lake from Savica Stream on the west and exiting via Sava Bohnijka to the east) keeping the lake water crystal clear and impeccably clean. In fact, so clean that the Lake Bohinj water is potable in the non-summer seasons.
However, the lake is not the sole attraction; there are a plethora of things to do in Lake Bohinj. Savica Waterfall tumbles over the edge of a cliff in a long ribbon of water. Mostnica Gorge – not as deep as nearby Vintgar Gorge, but just as beautiful – cuts through the forest. The Vogel Cable Car whisks visitors to the mountaintop for outstanding views of Slovenia. And the many Lake Bohinj Hiking Trails are pleasant and abundant.
Our Lake Bohinj, Slovenia 3-Day Itinerary
Detouring from the main Slovenian tourist route – even for just a glimpse of Lake Bohinj – is worth the effort. However, our suggested Lake Bohinj, Slovenia 3-Day Itinerary offers more than just a quick look. In three days, we explore the varied landscapes around Lake Bohinj with numerous hikes, a cable car ride and a train excursion. Even with all the adventuring, we still allowed plenty of time to do exactly what it seems Lake Bohinj was created for: to admire the beauty of Slovenia while relaxing by the stunning Bohinj lakeside.
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Day One at Lake Bohinj – Boat Ride, Waterfall Hike, Cable Car to the Mountaintop
Day One of our Lake Bohinj, Slovenia 3-Day Itinerary is all about the lake and viewing it from different angles. After dropping your bags at your Lake Bohinj accommodation, walk to the eastern shore of the lake and inhale a deep breath of fresh mountain air. Blink…twice; it’s real. Delight in the simplicity.
To truly put the size of the lake into perspective, get out in the middle of it. Hop on the Electric Tourist Boat and head to Ukanc at the west end of the lake. Enjoy the commentary – or simply hang out the window and watch the passing scenes.
On the west end of the lake, find the trailhead (or the bus stop) to Savica Waterfall. The Bohinj waterfall, which flows in two streams (255 feet and 82 feet) down the side of a cliff from underground sources, is the sole continuous source of water into Lake Bohinj. From the Savica Hut, the main waterfall entrance, hike the 500 stairs to the viewing platform, stopping along the way to look back over Lake Bohinj.
Find more information about fees and history of Savica Waterall Slovenia.
Next, head for the Bohinj Cable Car. Take the 4.2-minute ride to the Vogel Ski Center – and linger on the platform for the best views down to the lake. Spend a couple of hours exploring the summit, taking one of the many hiking trails that begin near the Bohinj ski center.
Find more information about fees for Lake Bohinj Cable Car. Watch our video of the Mount Vogel Cable Car Ride.
Make your way – via hike, walk, boat or bus – back to the east end of the lake. Gather picnic supplies from the grocery store and then find a spot along the east shore of the lake to dine and watch the sunset.
Day One Timing
- Electric Tourist Boat: 30 minutes, each way
- Savica Hike from Ukanc: 2-3 hours, roundtrip
- Savica Hike from ticket entrance: 1 hour, roundtrip
- Vogel Cable Car: 4.2 minutes each way; plus, as much time as desired at the top exploring Vogel Bohinj
- Hiking near Vogel Ski Center: 45 minutes for a short hike; up to 5-6 hours for longer hikes
Bohinj Restaurants en Route
In Ukanc, near the Electric Tourist Boat dock, there is a casual restaurant with lake views that has basic food at decent prices. Bohinj restaurants can also be found at the Slap Savacia Slovenia Waterfall entrance and at the top of the Bohinj Vogel cable car.
Day Two At Lake Bohinj – Hike, Swim, Relax
On Day Two of our Lake Bohinj, Slovenia 3-Day Itinerary spend the morning hiking the Voje Valley Trail that follows the Mostnica Gorge Slovenia. The four-hour roundtrip hike from Stara Fuzina follows the deeply-cut, narrow gorge, before passing through open pastures and then re-entering the forest to a waterfall at the end of the trail. This easy hike is not to be rushed; slow down and enjoy it!
Read more about Lake Bohinj hiking
In the afternoon, take a rest from all the hiking and test the chilly waters of the lake. Pick a spot along the eastern shore to slowly ease into the shallow water for an afternoon of Lake Bohinj swimming. Brave swimmers might consider jumping from the end of the dock using the trampoline to launch into the lake (find it next to Kramar restaurant). If you’re feeling motivated, consider renting a row boat, kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
Tips On Timing
- Mostnica Gorge Hike from Stara Fuzina: 4 hours, roundtrip
- Relaxing at the lake: As much time as desired!
Bohinj Restaurants en Route
On the hike along the Mostnica Gorge, there are two restaurants on the trail – one at the halfway point and one near the waterfall at the end of the trail. In Stara Fuzina, Gostilna Mihovc serves traditional fare. Kramar restaurant, on the eastern shore of Lake Bohinj, has a patio overlooking the lake and café food, like pizza.
Lake Bohinj Day Three – Lake, Train, Walk
For the last day of our Lake Bohinj, Slovenia 3-Day Itinerary, start the day early and head out to the lake before the crowds arrive. Experience the stillness and solitude of the lake while the rest of Lake Bohinj still sleeps. Before leaving the lakeside, step inside St. John the Baptist Church to the decorated interior.
Tip: The low light and lack of people make this a great time to take photos.
Mid-morning, catch a bus (or drive) to Bohinj Bistrica train station to join the scenic train journey to Nova Gorica on the Bohinj Railway. On the way, the train passes through the Bohinj Tunnel – a four-mile long mountain tunnel; it continues alongside beautiful, blue rivers and crosses Solkan Bridge – the longest stone arch bridge in the world. The train ride is more about the journey than the destination, so plan on catching the first train back to Bohinj. During the short time in Nova Gorica, stop at Europe Square just outside the train station. The Italian-Slovenian border runs through the middle of the square, so you can literally stand in two countries at once.
Watch the video highlights of our ride on the Bohinj Railway.
Once back at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia take advantage of the long summer days and walk the lake circumference trail to savor the lake views from every angle. Don’t miss the photo op of the Zlatorog statue on the south side of the lake.
Tips On Timing
- Train from Bohinj Bistrica to Nova Gorica: 1.5 hours each way; plus, about 1.5 hours in Nova Gorica (total time 4.5-5 hours)
- Bohinj Lake Circumference Trail: 3-4 hours to circle the lake
Restaurants en Route
There is a small restaurant next to the Bohinj Bistrica trail station, as well as options in Nova Gorica. On Lake Bohinj, there are restaurants at the southeast corner of the lake in Ribcev Laz, as well as outdoor dining on the south side of the lake (toward the east end) behind the Zlatorog statue.
Lake Bohinj, Slovenia 3-Day Itinerary Details and Tips
We have a few additional tips and packing hacks to help you have the best Lake Bohinj trip!
Lake Bohinj Restaurants
The restaurants that surround Lake Bohinj range from quick take-away spots with options of cevapcici and pizzas to gostilnas serving traditional Slovenian meals. Bakeries offer a local specialty, burek, a pastry stuffed with meat or cheese, that is filling enough to be considered a complete meal.
Since we like dining lakeside – and only one restaurant (Kramar) is right on the lake – most of our meals were picnic-style. The local grocery chain, Mercator, has stores in both Ribcev Laz and Stara Fuzina where we could purchase picnic food items – meat, cheese, bread, fruit, wine (and plastic cups!) – then find a place along the shoreline to dine. For our hikes, as well as the train, we brought food along with us to enjoy along the way.
Bohinj Accommodation
There are many choices of lodging accommodations in the area of Lake Bohinj, Slovenia. We recommend staying in one of two villages on the lake, Ribcev Laz or Stara Fuzina (both on the east end of the lake), where you can find Lake Bohinj hotels and guesthouses. Ribcev Laz is on the southeast corner of the lake, providing easy access to the lake, but is slightly congested with traffic. Stara Fuzina is a rural village on the northeast corner of the lake, but is set back off the water. It is about a 15-minute walk along a path from the town to the lake.
The Bohinj hotel we chose was a comfortable and affordable family-run guesthouse, Rooms Simon Ceklin, in Stara Fuzina. It has a shared kitchen and shared bathroom in a quiet location with friendly owners.
Hotel Jezero is a popular – and highly-reviewed – hotel in the city center, practically on the lake. Budget travelers looking for a hostel in Bohinj may want to stay at Pod Voglom, on the south side of Lake Bohinj.
There are a few options for Lake Bohinj camping. On the west end of the lake is Camp Zlatorog Bohinj – but for an upgraded experience, consider staying at Garden ECO houses Cebelica.
Lake Bohinj Visitor Tips
Need more ideas of what to do in Bohinj? Visit the Tourist Information Center for maps and brochures.
During our visit, we purchased a Bohinj Guest Card (now called the Julian Alps Bohinj Card). The discount card was available to individuals and families staying two or more nights at Lake Bohinj and provided free or discounted admission to attractions.
Lake Bohinj Map of Sights
Getting To Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
Lake Bohinj can be reached by train, bus or car.
Getting from Ljubljana to Lake Bohinj: The best way to travel from Ljubljana to Bohinj is by bus as the bus stops right at the edge of the lake. Check the Lake Bohinj to Ljubljana bus schedule on Rome2Rio to plan your trip to Lake Bohinj.
Tours from Ljubljana to Lake Bohinj: There are several Ljubljana tours that include a visit to Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled. Check out these highly-rated tours on Viator: Bled and Bohinj Valley Tour and Alpine Region Day Trip.
Before You Go to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
- Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable travel shoes for your trip – and some lake shoes, too. I (Sarah) have traveled with these shoes by Columbia, Skechers and Reef. Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell and Sanuk.
- We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip. Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for higher quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos, but can be a bit clunky) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures and is a slim and lightweight budget camera).
- Get (and stay) organized for your vacation to Europe by using our Trip Planning Printables!
- If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip to Slovenia, consider traveling protected with reliable company.
Planning a side trip to Lake Bled, Slovenia? Read about Lake Bled hiking to scenic viewpoints and visiting Vintgar Gorge before you go!
Start planning your trip to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page!
Learn More About Beautiful Slovenia! Our detailed guides will lead the way to the coastal town of Piran, inland for skiing and wine tasting in Maribor, arts and crafts in Kranj, as well as Glamping In Slovenia!
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