Are you planning a trip to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia, but you’re not sure where exactly to go?

Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s best-kept secret. Hidden in the heart of Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest permanent lake, and arguably its most relaxing and peaceful. Surrounded by the towering Julian Alps, it offers a wilder, more untouched alternative to nearby Lake Bled. With crystal-clear waters, it is absolutely gorgeous and so worth a stop on any Slovenia itinerary.

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I have just spent 5 days in Lake Bohinj, which, as someone who is (I’m ashamed to say) usually quite a fast-paced traveller, is quite a long time for me, and the wildest part…    I really didn’t want to leave.

Despite the fact that I spent 5 days here, and could have easily spent longer, I do think that 3 days is a great amount of time to explore Lake Bohinj, the surrounding hikes and really get a feel for the area. I’m going to break down what to see in 3 days around Lake Bohinj, where to stay and how to get to each spot.

Keep reading to start planning your 3 days in Lake Bohinj, Slovenia!

In a hurry? Here is our quick guide to visiting Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

How to get here: Fly into Ljubljana Airport and either get public transport to Lake Bohinj or hire a car. The distance is 62 km, approximately a one-hour drive.
What language is spoken? Slovenian
What currency is used? The Euro
Where to stay: Read our full post on where to stay in Lake Bohinj here.
The eSim we use: SimLocal, use code MEMORIES to save 5% – Fast data & low prices
The best travel insurance for Digital Nomads: SafetyWing!

How to Spend 3 Perfect Days in Lake Bohinj: The Ultimate Slovenia Travel Guide

Here’s a quick look at what this 3-day Lake Bohinj, Slovenia itinerary will cover!

Day 1: Travel to Bohinj and take the Vogel Cable Car for views over the lake

Day 2: Take the boat across the lake and hike to Savica Waterfall

Day 3: Hike to Mostnica Gorge (optional further hike) and swim in the lake

Here is a handy map to help you find each spot:

Before we dive into the itinerary, I’ll cover how to get to Lake Bohinj, where to stay, and the best time to visit Bohinj.

If you’re short on time in Slovenia, but still want to visit Lake Bohinj, then I really recommend this one-day tour from Ljubljana. You’ll spend the morning exploring Savica Waterfall and Lake Bohinj, and then the afternoon in Lake Bled. It’s a whistle-stop tour, but a great way to get to see these two gorgeous Slovenian lakes.

I recommend booking the tour before you travel. This tour is also incredibly popular, so if you can, book as far in advance as possible to avoid missing out. You can book the Ljubljana: Savica Waterfall, Lake Bohinj, and Lake Bled Tour here.

Everything you need to know to visit Lake Bohinj

Is Lake Bohinj worth visiting?

Oh my gosh, yes! I didn’t know what I was expecting, but I didn’t expect to fall in love with it as much as I did. Surrounded by the Julian Alps, the large azure blue lake is stunning, and there’s so much to see and do, with some incredible hikes. Visit Savica Waterfall, Mostnica Gorge and Vogel Ski Resort.

Where is Lake Bohinj?

Lake Bohinj is located in northwestern Slovenia, within the gorgeous Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the more well-known Lake Bled, making it an easy addition to any Slovenia itinerary.

How to get to Lake Bohinj

There is one main airport in Slovenia: Ljubljana Airport. You can fly here from most European cities. I flew here from London Gatwick and paid £350 for a return flight; however, I booked it very last minute and travelled in June. If you know that you’re travelling to Slovenia, then I recommend booking your flights as soon as possible.

How to get from Ljubljana Airport to Lake Bohinj

From Ljubljana Airport, there are four options:

1. Get the public bus
2. Get a shuttle bus
3. Take a taxi
4. Hire a car

Taking the public bus from Ljubljana Airport

My immediate advice, if you’re trying to save money, would be to take the public bus. It runs once per hour, on the hour during high season, and costs €10. However, I waited for two public buses, and both were full, leaving me unable to get on either of them. It also only takes you to Lake Bled. So, from here you will have to get a separate public bus from Lake Bled to Bohinj. These run fairly regularly from the Bled bus station, which I have linked for you here.

It’s also worth noting that the bus only takes cash. If you don’t have any, there’s an ATM just outside the airport, which costs €4 per transaction.

Taking a shuttle bus from Ljubljana Airport

Your second option is to take the shuttle bus. The journey takes around 1 hour. They generally wait around 15 minutes until there are a few of you in it; however, I ended up being the only one in it, so it was effectively a private taxi. The shared shuttle costs €28 per person for two people, or is cheaper for more people.

Taking a private taxi from Ljubljana Airport

Your third option is to take a private taxi. This is the most time-efficient option as you don’t have to wait for anyone else or for the bus to turn up; however, it’s also the most expensive. Taxi prices vary; however, it should cost you roughly €80-€100 and take around 1 hour.

It’s worth noting that Uber has only just launched in Ljubljana and isn’t very frequently used; however, I anticipate that Uber will become more popular in Slovenia, so keep an eye on this.

Hiring a car from Ljubljana Airport

The last option is to hire a car. I didn’t find the public transport in Slovenia particularly regular or reliable. So, I do think that if you’re able to hire a car, then it will be your best option. Of course, if you’re just visiting Lake Bohinj, then you might not need to. But if you’re visiting as part of a longer trip around Slovenia, then I recommend hiring a car to travel around.

Ljubljana Airport is fairly small, so I recommend booking a car before you arrive. You can book a car here. If you book with Discover Cars, then expect to pay around £55 for 3 days. It’s also worth noting that parking around Lake Bohinj is generally paid for. So, bear this in mind when making your decision.

When is the best time to visit Lake Bohinj?

The best time to visit Lake Bohinj really depends on the kind of experience you’re after.

For warm-weather adventures like paddleboarding, swimming, and hiking, late May to early September offers long sunny days and pleasant temperatures. Autumn, especially late September to October, is ideal for fewer crowds and spectacular foliage, perfect for photography lovers and peaceful walks around the lake. If you’re visiting for snow-capped views and nearby skiing, the winter months from December to February bring a magical, quieter side to Bohinj.

Spring, meanwhile, sees waterfalls at their fullest and nature bursting back to life. Each season brings something different, but for first-time visitors, June or early September is the sweet spot for the best of both weather and tranquillity.

Where to stay in Lake Bohinj

Bohinj is actually a far larger area than I thought it was going to be; the lake itself is large (3.3 km²), so choosing where to stay is harder than you’d first think.

Because of that, I’ve written a whole blog post on the best places to stay in Bohinj that you can read here. I’d recommend checking it out before you visit, as I break down each of the areas and a mix of gorgeous hotels.

Discover the best places to stay in Bohinj here.

How to travel around Lake Bohinj

As I said, Lake Bohinj is pretty large, but you can still walk around it. It takes around 3.5 hours to walk around the whole lake. Your other options are that you can also hire a car and drive around. It’s worth noting that parking is paid around Lake Bohinj, so bear that in mind. A public bus also runs from the other towns in Bohinj to Lake Bohinj and to the other side. You can find more information here on public transport around Lake Bohinj.

Another way to travel from one side of Lake Bohinj to the other is to take the Panoramic Boat; this is by far my favourite way to travel. It runs around once to twice per hour and costs €9 one way. It runs from Ribčev Laz – Ukanc and vice versa.

You can find out more information on the Panoramic Boat here.

Top Tip: If you plan to visit more sights in the impressive Julian Alps or spend some time in Bohinj, then I recommend purchasing the Julian Alps card, which gives you free access and transport and entry to multiple sights in the area (including the bus, boat and entry to Slap Savica).

Another great way to see Lake Bohinj is to travel around is to hiring an Electric Bike, it’s a fun way to be able to travel all around Lake Bohinj and the surrounding areas with full freedom.

Perfect 3-Day Lake Bohinj itinerary: day-by-day breakdown

Day 1: Travel to Bohinj and take the Vogel Cable Car for views over the lake

Late Morning: Travel to Bohinj

For the 3-day Lake Bohinj, Slovenia itinerary, I’m going to assume that you’re flying into Ljubljana on day one of it. So, you’ll start your trip by (hopefully) arriving in Slovenia nice and early.

From here, travel using one of the four ways that I mentioned above (public bus, shuttle bus, taxi, or hire a car). The journey takes around 1 hour on average, depending on which option you take. Keep in mind that public transport in Slovenia only accepts cash.

There is an ATM within Ljubljana Airport, which charges €4 to withdraw cash, so if possible, bring some Euros with you to save on this charge.

Afternoon: Take the Vogel Cable Car up 1535 meters above sea level for views over Lake Bohinj

This was one of my favourite things that I did in Bohinj. I’m a sucker for a cable car and a viewpoint, and the views from the top didn’t disappoint.

First, to reach the Vogel Cable Car, you’ll most likely be starting from the main part of Lake Bohinj, near Ribčev Laz. From here, you’ve got two options: take the bus directly to the base of Vogel, or hop on the boat across the lake to Ukanc, which is on the other side. The bus is definitely quicker and drops you closer to the cable car station. But the boat is a much more scenic and relaxing option (if you enjoy boat rides, of course).

The Vogel Cable Car costs: Return tickets are €33 for adults, €18 for children, €29 for youth/seniors and take around 4 minutes to reach the top.

Once you’re at the top, there is a restaurant where you can sit and take in the views, hike on one of the many trails or go on the Panoramic ride on the Orlove Glave quad chair.

This runs between 9:00 – 16:00 daily. When I visited, there was a sign saying that it was free, so I just hopped on it. I’ve never been on a ski lift before, so it was a nice little bonus with gorgeous mountain views.

Once you reach the end of the journey, there’s a cafe/ bar where you can grab a hot chocolate, bowl of soup or glass of wine, depending on what you fancy, surrounded by the mountains.

Top Tip: It’s worth noting that the best views of Lake Bohinj are immediately as you get off the cable car. You can’t come back to this viewpoint until you leave, so take all of your photos and soak up the views when you first get off the cable car. Everyone only seems to spend a couple of minutes there, so stay a little bit longer and you’ll have the viewpoint all to yourself.

If you have any time left after you’ve visited Vogel, then relax around the lake. You can swim in it, hire a kayak or paddleboard board or simply relax on one of the little beaches. There’s a popular one near Bohinj campsite, just around the lake from where the Panoramic Boat leaves.

Evening: Enjoy a local Slovenian dinner

Lake Bohinj (and Bohinj as a whole) has plenty of wonderful local restaurants to try, ranging from small local places to larger hotels. For your first night here, I recommend heading back to  Ribčev Laz and trying one of the many restaurants here.

I recommend trying either Karakter Bar for a relaxed outdoor setting with live music, or Foksner for some craft beer and burgers. For a more traditional Slovenian meal, head to Gostilna Mihovec – a family-run local restaurant.

Day 2: Take the boat across the lake and hike to Savica Waterfall

Morning: Fuel your day with breakfast and catch the boat across Lake Bohinj

Today will involve a (fairly short) hike. So, make sure you fuel yourself before setting off. I recommend trying ‘Kaiserschmarrn’, a delightfully fluffy and light scrambled pancake, which is available at most spots in Bohinj. They were incredible, slightly sickly, but very tasty!

After breakfast, you’re going to hike to a gorgeous spot around Lake Bohinj, called Savica Waterfall – a double waterfall.

Savica Waterfall is one of the highlights of visiting Bohinj. I’ve written a full guide on visiting Savica waterfall, which you can read here. But, if you’re just searching for a shorter summary on visiting Savica waterfall, then keep reading:

Savica Waterfall is a gorgeous double waterfall located in Komarča at the end of Lake Bohinj and is said to be the most famous waterfall in the whole of Slovenia.

I recommend taking the Panoramic Boat across the lake from Ribčev Laz to Ukanc, if possible, catch the one at 10:10 or 10:50 so that you have enough time to slowly enjoy your hike at your own leisure.

Afternoon: Hike to Savica Waterfall

The walk to Savica Waterfall is fairly easy and flat, and takes around 1 hour to arrive at the car park (which you also have the option of driving to if you have hired a car and prefer this option). Once you arrive at the car park, there is a restaurant here where you can stop for a drink or some lunch on the way back (or before if you arrive later and are feeling hungry). From here, the walk is around 20 minutes up 553 stairs to Savica Waterfall.

It can get fairly busy at the waterfall, but there’s a spot to sit and enjoy the views from, so I recommend going with enough time that you can relax at the top and wait for a few moments when you have it all to yourself.

I spent about 1 hour here and enjoyed taking in the incredible views before heading back down. I recommend having some lunch here before hiking back to Lake Bohinj and catching the boat back across the lake.

If you’re looking for more information about hiking to Savica Waterfall, I’ve written a full guide all about it here.

Practical information about the Savica Waterfall hike:

Distance: 1.8 km return/ 1.11 miles return
Elevation: Roughly 140 m / 459 ft. elevation gain
Type: In and out trail
Length: If driving 20 minutes one way, if hiking 1 hour one way
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Fee to enter: €3 for adults (free with a Julian card) + parking if you choose this option

Evening: Enjoy dinner at Hotel Bohinj, then watch the sunset over the lake

Hotel Bohinj was my favourite spot where I had dinner during my time in Bohinj (closely followed by Danica Guesthouse), but that’s a bit further out, so I recommend dinner at Hotel Bohinj during your second night in Lake Bohinj, Slovenia. The food was absolutely incredible. If you’re vegetarian, then they do a vegan steak, which I can’t rate enough. Also, the Creme Brulee was ‘chef’s kiss’!

After dinner, head to the lake to soak up the golden hour glow. Whilst you can’t see the sun actually dip behind the lake, it creates a gorgeous glow all around it.

Day 3: Hike to Mostnica Gorge (optional further hike) and swim in the lake

Morning: Catch the early morning glow over the lake 

The early mornings here really are the most special part of the day. The lake is bathed in a soft light, and the reflections are incredible. These photos were taken around 8:30, but I’d imagine it’s even more impressive earlier on as the sun is rising.

Afternoon: Hike to Mostnica Gorge

Mostnica Gorge is another gorgeous hike around Lake Bled that starts from Stara Fuzina, the ‘main’ side (Ribčev Laz) of Lake Bohinj.

You can either opt to hike to Mostnica Gorge and stop there, which will take you around two hours round trip, or you can opt to continue on to Voje Waterfall, which will take you around four hours in total.

To reach the trailhead of the Mostnica Gorge, you can either walk from the lake, which takes around 30 minutes, or there’s a parking lot in Stara Fuzina nearby.

The hike is beautiful and twists and turns along the water; be prepared to stop every few minutes to take photos and take in the views. Once you reach Mostnica Gorge, you’ll see a collection of little waterfalls and beautiful blue lakes with rushing water. Sit here and relax for a while, taking in the views.

If you continue to Voje Waterfall, you’ll pass by a little mountain cottage (Slap Voye is the name)  where you can stop for a drink or some food.

The Voje Waterfall is only a few minutes past the cottage, so you can decide if you want to stop before or after you see the waterfall.

This is the perfect spot to take a little break, enjoy the waterfall, and relax before you make the journey back down to Stara Fuzina!

The hike from Mostnica Gorge to Voje Waterfall is generally pretty flat through the mountains and wildflowers. I was personally more impressed with Mostnica Gorge than I was with Voje Waterfall; however, I would recommend continuing your hike, as overall it’s still really beautiful and peaceful.

Practical information about the Mostnica Gorge and Voje Waterfall hike:

Distance: 11.7 km return/ 7.3 mi
Elevation Gain: 345 m/ 1,125 ft elevation gain
Type: Loop trail
Length: 3 – 4 hours in total
Difficulty: Moderate, mainly easy forest paths, but some muddy/slippery areas and two short uphill sections (to the hut & waterfall) 
Elevation: Trail varies from 600 m at Stara Fužina to ~750 m at its highest (Voje Valley) 
Summer/peak: €4 for adults/ Off‑season: €3 for adults (free with a Julian Card)
Fee to enter: €4 during peak season, or free during off-season

Evening: Time to depart Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

There you have it, your three days in Lake Bohinj. On your final evening, it’s time to depart Lake Bohinj and head to your next destination. I recommend either visiting Lake Bled, which is just down the road, around 30 minutes away or Ljubljana for a night. If you’re short on time, then opt for an evening flight home from here.

If you’re looking for other places to pair with your trip to Lake Bohinj in Slovenia, I’ve written a guide on all of the best places to visit in Slovenia, which you can read here!

Final Thoughts on a 3-day itinerary for Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

And that wraps up my 3-day itinerary for Lake Bohinj!

Lake Bohinj really surprised me, in such a good way. There’s so much more to see here than you would first expect, and it’s much quieter than nearby Lake Bled.

Three days is the perfect amount of time to do some of the more popular hikes, relax by the lake and really soak up the incredible nature and views that are on offer.

If you have less than 3 days in Lake Bohinj, then I recommend just choosing one of the hikes to do instead.

If you have more time in Slovenia, then you can read my 5-day Slovenia itinerary here.