Slovenia in March: Quiet Lakes, Scenic Walks and a Spa Day
Ljubljana, Lake Bled & Bohinj Itinerary
Visited March 2025
After the pandemic cancelled my first attempt, it was finally time to visit this beautiful country and it did not disappoint! For a relatively small country, Slovenia packs in an impressive amount of scenery, but with limited time and no car I settled on a fairly standard route exploring Ljubljana, Lake Bled and Bohinj.
Visiting in March, whilst cold, was an ideal time to escape the crowds and also enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace, though I will note that not everything is fully open in March so if planning a trip then, it’s worth checking out what’s open.
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Trip highlights
Lake Bled Ojstrica hike
Lake Bohinj walk
Mostnica gorge in Bohinj
A day at Wellness Essense spa in Bled
Ljubljana
If I’m being completely honest, Ljubljana was more of a pit stop on the way to the lakes. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own charm. It’s a relatively small capital, and you can easily explore most of it in a day or two. I spent my time wandering along the Ljubljanica River, crossing the city’s many bridges and drifting through the old town streets. There were some lovely little market stalls dotted around, which made for a nice relaxed wander.
If you have more time, the Ljubljana Castle offers panoramic views of the city so might be one for your list. As I was in the mood for a more relaxed pace, I decided instead to go to Nebotičnik skyscraper for a drink on the 12th floor cafe, where I got some similar lovely 360 views of the whole city, including the castle itself. Sometimes sightseeing is better with a drink in hand.
Lake Bled
Lake Bled is a must-visit destination, and why a lot of people visit Slovenia, famous for its emerald-green waters and the stunning island featuring a quaint church. You can explore the lake on a traditional pletna boat or take a walk around the scenic path surrounding it.
Arriving in Bled, I did a quick bag drop off at my accommodation and made a beeline straight for the lake which was just a couple of minutes away. I was honestly take aback by the view, although maybe because I just love lakes in general.
The full walk around the lake took about 1.5 to 2 hours, but that included plenty of stops along the way to take photos and just soak it all in. It’s a relatively easy walk with a gentle incline near Bled Castle, but thankfully no stairs.
There are a couple of points at which you can take a boat out towards the church and ring the bell. I decided not to bother with this, and was content with admiring from the edges.
Note: I didn’t see a great deal of eating places around the lake so it might be worth taking a few snacks and a drink if you’re likely to get peckish.
The Ojstrica Viewpoint
About two thirds of the way around the lake, you’ll find the Ojstrica hike trail, which takes you to one of the viewpoints. I chose to climb this 20-30 minute uphill walk, and whilst not long, felt very tiring (probably due to my lack of quad strength)! The trail goes steadily uphill through woodland, which means it’s nicely shaded if you’re visiting in summer. The start of the path is easy to miss though, so keep an eye out for a small green sign that simply says “Ojstrica.”
As soon as I reached the top, I forgot about the climb up and was in awe at the lake, spending a little while taking photos and just admiring the view. Luckily, it wasn’t too busy when I was at the top but I imagine in peak season, you may not get to spend as long up top peacefully.
A further twenty minutes from this viewpoint, you can also reach the Mala Osojnica viewpoint, but I felt Ojstrica was more than enough to admire the lake and surroundings.
A Rainy Day and a Spa Treat
The weather turned colder and cloudier on my second day in Bled, so after another short wander around part of the lake (because apparently I can’t get enough of walking in circles), I decided it was the perfect excuse for a spa afternoon.
I decided to take a trip to Wellness Essense spa and sauna. For 75 euros, I got a 50 minute massage and use of steam room, outdoor jacuzzi and 4 different saunas. And to top it off, the jacuzzi and one of the saunas overlooked the stunning country side. Apart from 2 other guests, who left part way through my time there, I also had the whole place to myself so could easily go back and forth between the different saunas as many times.
To round off the day, I stopped at Kavarna Park to try the famous Bled cream cake, and it did not disappoint. Despite sugary treats not being my best friend, I decided to devour this cake and face any possible consequences after!
Other things to do in Bled: Visit Bled castle, take a boat ride to the island church, enjoy swimming, paddle boarding or rowing in summer, and walk Vintar gorge (sadly closed during my March visit).
~ Food Spot Faves ~
Lake Bohinj
A short 30 minute bus ride from Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj is a hidden gem within the Triglav National Park. It’s less touristy and offers a tranquil atmosphere perfect for nature lovers.
Here, you can engage in various outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and kayaking, although again as it was March, I’m not sure kayaking was available.
Mostnica Gorge
On arrival to Bohinj, it was gloomy – cold and rainy, but despite that, the lake was still glistening. My hotel was right next to the lake so after I dropped my bags off, I decided to head straight out on a walk to Mostnica Gorge. (There’s something about being abroad that will make me continue rain or shine. In U.K, I’d never voluntarily go on a walk in heavy rain)!
The walk starts from Ribčev Laz bridge, passing the small Church of St John the Baptist, before continuing along the road towards Stara Fužina village. The route takes you through quiet villages filled with traditional alpine houses and farm buildings, which made the walk really charming despite the weather.
From Bohinj lake, the full walk to Mostnica Gorge and back took roughly 2–2.5 hours. The gorge itself is beautiful, with turquoise water cutting through dramatic rock formations.
~ Food Spot Fave ~
I spent the evening dining at Hotel Bohinj a few yards from my hotel. It had a lovely warm fire where I sat with a drink before enjoying some delicious food. There didn’t seem to be a huge number of places to eat within easy walking distance, but honestly, I would have been more than happy to go back there again.
Lake Bohinj Walk
On my second day the sun finally appeared, which made for the perfect opportunity to walk around Lake Bohinj. The lake is surrounded by the Julian Alps, and the scenery is absolutely stunning. I started again from Ribčev Laz, walking anticlockwise.
The first half of the walk (along the northern side of the lake) was easily my favourite. I must have stopped about a thousand times to take photos.
Towards to the north end of the lake (Ukanc side), there was a small section with a stream running through and no clear signs, so I ended up walking around in circles, a little lost before I somehow made it out. The southern side of the lake follows the main road for a short stretch, and views of the water are limited until you get closer to the Goldenhorn statue.
Other things to do in Bohinj: Take the vogel cable car up to see stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains, take a short hike to Savica waterfall, or explore more trails within Triglav National Park.
After two days of walking, photographing lakes, and generally admiring Slovenia’s scenery, my long weekend sadly came to an end.
Getting back to the airport was thankfully straightforward: a bus from Bohinj to Bled, then another direct bus from Bled to Ljubljana Airport.
For such a short trip, Slovenia left a big impression and I already have a feeling I’ll be back. If you're looking for a quieter stay around the Lakes and don't mind the colder temperature, than March is a good time to visit.
Getting Around Slovenia Without a Car
Travel between these locations was surprisingly easy using buses and also cheap. However, if you're wanting to explore further trails around Triglav National park, then a car is recommended.
*Ljubljana → Lake Bled: ~1 hour (from Ljubljana bus station)
*Bled → Lake Bohinj: ~30 minutes
*Bled → Ljubljana Airport: direct bus
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