Why Northern Slovenia is best for summer fun in the sun

Suzy Pope

Suzy Pope

While temperatures soar in southern Europe, the Slovenian mountains promise plenty of activities and lakeside relaxation under warm sunshine with more bearable conditions.

Iconic Lake Bled, Northern Slovenia
Iconic Lake Bled, Northern Slovenia © Larauhryn - Adobe Stock Image

Northern Slovenia* is a world of towering mountains, sparkling lakes and deep green forests. Bordering Alpine Austria, villages are shambles of chalet-style wooden houses with church spires jutting against the mountainscape of the Triglav National Park.

Summers here are blessed with clear blue skies and sunny days, but the temperature remains in the comfortable high twenties thanks to fresh Alpine air whipping off glaciers and early sunsets behind the peaks.

As popular summer holiday destinations across Europe see dangerous temperature increases, Northern Slovenia remains verdant and pleasantly balmy. Here's how to enjoy a summer break in Slovenia's green north.

Getting there: find fantastic value holidays to Slovenia with TUI Lakes & Mountains*, which specialises in rural breaks with a twist.

Dip in the lake

From June to September lidos open up around Lake Bled. Swimming is best kept to the designated areas as a series of pleasure boats drift across the water from Bled*.

For families, the Grajsko Kopališče (castle bathing area) public lido can be found just beneath the rocky outcrop of Bled Castle. Here you'll find several lake-water pools, a grassy sunbathing area and water slides for the kids.

Summer swimming in Lake Bled
Summer swimming in Lake Bled © Gokhanadiller - Shutterstock.com

A couple of the hotels in the town of Bled have private lidos for guests' use, but the Grajsko Kopališče is open to the public. Swimming in nearby (but equally beautiful) Lake Bohinj* has a more casual set-up, with rocky beaches submerging into the crystal-clear water and wooden jetties and piers for jumping off.

Adventure on the water

Water sports are a big deal in the Triglav National Park. On Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and rowing are popular ways to traverse the calm water where the only danger is a crick in your neck from gaping at the surrounding scenery as you glide by.

While on the glacial waters in the Triglav National Park, white water rafting and kayaking over rapids is a popular pastime on the Soča and Sava rivers. The crystal-clear rivers rush with burbling rapids and cut through steep gorges.

Out on the waters of Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
Out on the waters of Lake Bohinj, Slovenia © Janoka82 - Adobe Stock Image

Adrenaline-seekers can also embark on a canyoning adventure in the Fratarica Gorge where stone smoothed with age creates natural water slides and abseiling beneath waterfalls is on offer.

A landscape of history

The region around Lake Bled was a Slavic settlement as far back as the 7th century and, up on a rocky outcrop high above the town of Bled, a 10th-century castle dominates the skyline.

It's a short but steep hike to the top via a pretty forest path or you can take the electric shuttle from Bled. Inside you'll find exhibitions dedicated to the region's history from the Bronze Age to the burgeoning days of lakeside tourism, the first printed book in Slovenian, an ancient printing press, and a wine cellar with Slovenian wine tasting.

That's not to mention the panorama of the Julian Alps, green valleys and ramshackle villages from the esplanade.

Every image search of Lake Bled produces the same thing; fairytale images of the little island marooned out in the water, the church spire standing against the deep green hills.

The current Church of the Mother of God on the Lake (or Our Lady of the Lake) dates from the end of the 17th century, but the foundations go back much further, to 1142 in the Middle Ages when the area was an early Slavic settlement.

The island can be reached by rowboat from the shore and, once here, visitors ring the church bell for luck.

Hit the hiking trails

Across the Triglav National Park, there are hiking routes into the mountains and sedate flat paths around lakes and through valleys. From the shores of Lake Bohinj, it's an easy hour-long walk to the tumbling cascade of Savica Waterfall.

Or, if you're based in Bled, there's a 4 km walk from the town and into Vintgar Gorge. Wooden walkways dating from 1893 snake through the gorge, crossing the swirling Radovna River, which seems to glow an impossible shade of teal.

Walkway at Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia
Walkway at Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia © Janoka82 - Adobe Stock Image

For seasoned hikers, there are longer routes like the Soča Trail, which follows the clear, turquoise Soča River for around 25 km through gorges and past waterfalls.

Experienced climbers can summit the peak of Mount Triglav over two days, with an overnight hut stay on the mountainside. At 2,864 metres up, it's not a trail for the faint-hearted.

The old ways

All but electric motors are banned on Lake Bled, so a lakeside stay here comes without the persistent buzz of speedboats or chug of outriggers. Instead, you can take a traditional pletna boat to the iconic Bled Island.

Throughout the day, a flotilla of wooden boats with colourful awnings makes their slow, peaceful way from the shores of Bled town to the monastery on Bled Island. Boats are rowed and steered by pletnars; like the gondoliers of Venice, it's an esteemed position.

Expect a peaceful journey across the lake's surface with nothing but the swish of oars cutting through the silence.

Cruising on Lake Bled in a traditional pletna boat
Cruising on Lake Bled in a traditional pletna boat © Peewam - Dreamstime.com

For those who would rather keep their feet on dry land, a great way to see Lake Bled is taking a traditional horse-drawn FIjaker carriage around the water's edge. Like pletnars, not everyone can become a Fljaker carriage driver.

It's a job handed down through generations of family. The wooden carriages were once used to taxi tourists from the railway to the lakeside in the 19th century, and drivers still wear the striking uniform of black emblazoned with Gorenjska carnations as a nod to tradition.

On your bike

With a landscape of Alpine climbs and sleek-surfaced winding roads, it's no wonder the world's top cyclists and an increasing number of winners of the Tour de France hail from Slovenia.

The roads, trails and exhilarating downhills of the Julian Alps are a keen cyclist's dream, not to mention the breathtaking scenery at every sharp turn. On sunny days, you'll see families of all ages pedalling serenely along the traffic-free flat paths around Lake Bled and Lycra-clad pelotons puffing their way into the surrounding mountains.

Climate in Slovenia

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall

The above guide shows the climate in Bled. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Slovenia.

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Suzy Pope

Suzy Pope

Posted on Wednesday 26th June 2024 in: Adventure Europe Nature Summer

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