If I had to pick a favourite place that I’ve visited in Slovenia, it would be Lake Bohinj. As Slovenia’s largest lake, it often gets outshined by picture-perfect Bled, however, there are so many things to do in Bohinj that it is very much worth dedicating at least one full day to visiting this beautiful Alpine lake.
Planning to spend one day in Bohinj or simply going for a day trip from Ljubljana or another nearby city is one of the best choices you can make during your trip to Slovenia.
Much quieter and more peaceful than the more popular Lake Bled, Bohinj has just as much to offer and is surrounded by the incredible nature of the Julian Alps.
No matter how long you have to spend here, you’re sure to be immediately taken by the beauty and tranquillity of Lake Bohinj.
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How Many Days in Bohinj?
Like so many places in the world, if you have the time I would definitely recommend spending as long as you can in Bohinj as it really is worth it.
You will see a lot of day tours and even itineraries that include a visit to Bohinj in the same day as visiting places like Lake Bled and other attractions in Triglav National Park.
While this can be a fine option if you’re only interested in a quick pitstop before moving on, it won’t give you nearly enough time to really enjoy this lake.
While there is a lot to do near Bohinj, if you simply want to visit the lake and a few attractions nearby, then you should plan to spend at least one full day at Lake Bohinj.
This way you can get to really enjoy the atmosphere of the lake itself and visit some nearby natural sites like the Savica Waterfall and the Mostnica Gorge.
Getting To and Around Bohinj
Whether you’re planning on staying near Lake Bohinj, are based in Ljubljana or are resting your head elsewhere in Slovenia, you still need to figure out how to get to the lake and how to get around when you’re there.
The by far easiest and most convenient way to get to and around is by personal vehicle. Having your own car in Bohinj can make getting from point A to B on your own schedule an absolute breeze.
There are lots of places to park in Bohinj (prices can vary depending on the season) but it is best to get where you want to go early just to make sure you get a good spot, especially in the summer months.
If you need to a rent a car for this trip, browse Rentalcars.com which shows the best options across major suppliers.
If you don’t have a car, there are lots of bus options to Lake Bohinj from Ljubljana. It is worth noting, however, that when taking the bus it may be more difficult to also get to the other things mentioned on this Bohinj itinerary, namely the Savica Waterfall and the Mostnica Gorge.
Once in Bohinj proper, you can get to most places by foot (there are a lot of hiking opportunities!) but if you don’t have a car, you will be walking or more reliant on other forms of transport more than if you have your own vehicle.
If you are planning on relying on your own two feet, you will be pleased to find out that most everything is incredibly well signposted and you will be able to find where you are going with relative ease!
Another popular way to get to and around Bohinj is by taking an organised tour. Most day tours from Ljubljana unfortunately don’t spend as much time in Bohinj as would be preferable and cram a bunch of other attractions around Slovenia into one day.
However, if you can’t decide whether to visit Lake Bled or Lake Bohinj, this full-day tour or this full-day tour will take you to both of these lakes over the span of the day!
Things To Do In Bohinj: A One-Day Itinerary
Savica Waterfall
The first stop on any Bohinj itinerary should be at the Savica Waterfall. Located on the western side of Lake Bohinj, we recommend getting here as early as possible as this is a really popular spot.
The car park can fill up if you get there later in the day and the actual area where visitors can view the waterfall is very small, so it’s best to get there when as few people as possible have arrived to get the best views.
Parking is €5 per vehicle and the entrance fee into the waterfall is €3-4 depending on the season.
There is a well-paved pathway up to the waterfall that takes about 20-25 minutes. It’s worth noting that the pathway is incredibly well maintained but it is relatively steep and consists of mostly stairs, so a moderate level of fitness and mobility is required.
The waterfall itself is absolutely beautiful, but the views of the surrounding Bohinj Valley are worth the hike up there in and of itself are worth the trip.
Mostnica Gorge
Located just east of Lake Bohinj a bit outside of the village of Stara Fuzina, this is another place to visit that you want to get to early.
I say this from experience because the first time we tried to go to the Mostnica Gorge, the car park was completely full and there was nowhere to park at all within the village.
However, when we got there in the morning on another day, we had no problem finding a place to park and didn’t have large crowds to contend with on the trail.
The Julian Alps region of Slovenia has countless river gorges to visit — the most famous being the Vintgar Gorge near Lake Bled. However, Vintgar Gorge gets incredibly busy and popular and if you’re looking for a more mellow experience, then the Mostnica Gorge is a great option.
Not as developed as Vintgar, Mostnica is absolutely beautiful and well worth the visit. The price to park is €3 per hour and the entry into the gorge is €3-4 per person depending on when you visit.
There is a very well-marked trail that takes you along the gorge and it is a very easy walk. There are plenty of side trails where you can get right to the edge of the gorge and take some beautiful photos.
The walk along Mostnica Gorge takes about 45 minutes one way and you can walk along the other side of the gorge on the way back. If you’re up for a longer and more difficult hike, you can continue on from the gorge to another waterfall that is about 1.5 hours away.
Church of St John the Baptist
After visiting the Mostnica Gorge, it’s time to head finally to Lake Bohinj itself! And the first stop and one of the best things to do on a trip to Lake Bohinj is to visit the lovely Church of St John the Baptist.
Located on the east end of the Lake just across the lovely little bridge, this church is an iconic part of the skyline of Bohinj.
You can opt to simply take in the view of the church from the outside or you can go inside and view its lovely frescoes and historic atmosphere. If you do want to go inside the church and view the frescoes and interior, entry is €3.50 per person.
Walk Along the Lake
After visiting the Church of St John the Baptist, take the time to really take in the beauty of Bohinj and go for a leisurely stroll along the lake shore.
Bohinj is quite a bit larger than Lake Bled and it would take a fair bit of time to circumnavigate the entire lake, however, it is worth walking along at least a bit of the lakeside.
There is a well-maintained path along the banks of the lake and lots of little beachy areas where you can stop off at and put your feet in the water.
The views of the lake and the surrounding mountains are absolutely unbeatable and it’s very worth taking the time to go on at least a little bit of a walk!
Get onto the Water
One of the absolutely best things to do in Bohinj (especially if you’re visiting in the summer months) is to get out on the lake. Depending on how active you want to be, there are lots of opportunities to rent everything from a stand-up paddleboard to a rowboat to a canoe.
We opted to rent a canoe for a couple of hours from AlpinSport, which is located only a bit away from the Church of St John the Baptist. You don’t need to book anything in advance and if you feel like renting a boat or paddleboard, you can just show up at the office.
The cost for a canoe rental started at €12 per hour, however, the per-hour cost decreases the longer you have your boat. For instance, we had our canoe for 2 hours and only ended up paying €16 for the whole time.
If you want to be a bit more adventurous, you can also opt to go for a canyoning or rafting tour from Bohinj, as well!
Take in the View
If you’re not too tired after a full day enjoying all of the great things to do in the region, you can opt to do one more stop to round out your day — take the cable car up to the Vogel ski resort just above the lake.
In the winter, this is a ski lift that takes you to the slopes so you can enjoy some winter sports. But in the warmer months, you can use the cable car to get to the top of the mountain and take in the amazing viewpoint.
The cable car leaves from the southwest end of the lake and there are discounts available for students, seniors and children. If you’re keen to do even a bit more hiking, there are several hiking trails around here that you can embark on if that interests you.
Have More Time?
If you have more than one day to spend in Bohinj, there are lots of things you can do to keep yourself occupied. For instance, there are countless longer hikes that you will have the opportunity to do if you have the time.
Bohinj also makes for a great base for exploring more of the Julian Alps region of Slovenia and Triglav National Park. With more time around Bohinj, it makes for a great jumping-off point to drive the Vrsic Pass, explore the Soca Valley, or even spend a bit of time in Lake Bled, as well.
If you’re interested in cycling, which is a national pastime in Slovenia, you can opt to go on this 4-hour bike tour from Bled to Bohinj that will take you through all of the beautiful nature surrounding this incredible region of the country.
Where to Stay Near Bohinj
If you’ve decided to spend more than just a day trip in the Lake Bohinj area, then you’re going to need to find an excellent place to rest your head for the night.
Hotel Bohinj – Located just 100 metres away from Lake Bohinj itself, this luxury hotel has several plush rooms on offer and a bar/restaurant on site where you can get breakfast and dinner each day.
Hotel Gasperin Bohinj – Located only a short walk from the shores of Bohinj, they offer a range of rooms some of which have mountain views and a fantastic buffet breakfast each morning.
Private Rental – Another popular option in Bohinj is a private holiday rental. There are lots of options available out there, including luxury riverside cottages like this one to more affordable choices, as well.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Bohinj hotels!
There are so many great things to do when you visit Lake Bohinj that I encourage you to try and spend as much time as possible at Slovenia’s largest lake. This beautiful natural wonder has so much to offer visitors and is sure to take your breath away.
Are you wondering what to do at Lake Bohinj? Are you planning a visit soon? Let us know in the comments!
