Where is Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinj is situated within the boundaries of the Triglav National Park in the Upper Carniola region of northwestern Slovenia.

Only a 30-minute drive from Lake Bled, Slovenia’s most famous destination, Lake Bohinj offers a more tranquil experience than its bigger sister, as it’s not yet overrun by upscale tourism, giving it a relatively pristine feel.

Lake Bohinj’s unspoiled shoreline, exceptional culinary offerings, and stunning alpine scenery make it a true hidden gem for those seeking untouched natural beauty in Slovenia.

Where to stay in Lake Bohinj

Given that I have visited Lake Bohinj three times, I feel relatively confident to state the following: my insights will make finding the right accommodation here a tad more comfortable.

With a clear focus on green tourism, wellness & spa, and all things outdoor, Lake Bohinj has no shortage of inviting accommodation options, with an elevated standard in terms of quality.

So whether you’re looking for a boutique stay, a budget-friendly hostel or something in between, I am sure you will find good options either way, no matter your travel style, budget and needs.

To make things even more comfortable for you, I’ve picked my favourite out of the bunch below:

Hotel Bohinj | After visiting Lake Bohinj three times, where I stayed at Hotel Bohinj on all occasions, I am confident to say that it is the absolute best hotel in the area. Situated at the edge of the Lake, this hotel reflects the spirit of this Alpine village in the best possible way. With comfortable spacious rooms, an exceptional sauna with a heated outdoor pool, cosy common areas, and a truly spectacular in-house restaurant, Hotel Bohinj is a true delight. Find out for yourself here.

Sunrose7 | Located in the heart of the Bohinjska Bistrica at a 12-minute drive from Lake Bohinj, Sunrose7 offers a tranquil getaway fueled by top-notch hospitality and the most incredible food one can imagine. On top of that, the rooms are absolutely stunning, with comfy beds, a working station, and an excellent bathroom with a rainshower. Add to that an incredible in-house sauna, and you instantly realise why I chose to opt for Sunrose7. See it for yourself here.

Vila Muhr | Those looking to splurge will be delighted to read about Vila Muhr; a truly spectacular addition to Alpinia Group’s exceptional offerings here in Bohinj. With just 4 suites, this newly opened villa provides an intimate experience that is marked by aesthetically pleasing interior choices, all the contemporary amenities, and an overall luxury feel that will simply make you feel a certain way. But my favourite thing about Vila Muhr is that it is directly connected to Hotel Bohinj, which means you also have access to the wellness centre and restaurant there, making it even better than it already is. Make sure you check Vila Muhr here.

1. Take a short hike to the impressive Slap Savica Waterfall

Hidden in the lush forest at the very north of Lake Bohinj, Slap Savica is a charming waterfall, and the journey to the gushing waters of the waterfall provides a magical, fairytale-like experience.

Also known as the Savica Waterfall, this 78-meter-high waterfall is celebrated for its distinctive shape, as the gushing water splits into two separate streams before cascading into the emerald waters of the basin down below.

When researching Lake Bohinj, I discovered that the hike to Slap Savica was often among travellers’ favourite things to do in Lake Bohinj; after roaming the enchanting forest to the waterfall myself, it is easy to see why.

Starting at the Savica Lodge in Ukanc, the well-marked trail takes you on an easy, leisurely hike through serene, dense woodlands to the waterfall in just about 25 minutes.

At every step, the gushing sound of Slap Savica’s dropping water intensifies, tending to uplift visitors to up the pace so they can get their first glimpse of the waterfall as quickly as possible.

Once you reach the waterfall, you’ll be left in awe, as the beauty of its massive limestone rock formation and the immense force of nature combine for a truly spectacular sight.

3 Walk the stunning Mostnica Gorge

One of the main reasons I wanted to visit Lake Bohinj was being able to be out in nature as much as possible whenever I felt like it, and the Mostnice Gorge contributed to this desire.

As if lifted straight out of a fairytale, the walk along the gushing waters of the Mostnica Gorge will make you reconnect with nature’s essence in the blink of an eye, making it an absolute highlight on any list of things to do in Lake Bohinj.

Starting at Stara Fuzina, the trail slowly leads you through the lush forest, along the waters of the impressive gorge down below, with several small streams and waterfalls coming in from the dense greenery along the way.

In addition to its exceptional nature, the Mostnica Gorge trail is also relatively easy, making it accessible for all levels of fitness, which, for many travellers, might put it ahead of other more challenging hikes in the Julian Alps.

Those looking to move on can cross the bridge at the end and venture into Voje Valley, a stunning alpine meadow surrounded by towering mountains, with the 21m high Mostnica Waterfall at the end of it all.

I personally also opted to visit Voje Valley and absolutely enjoyed being out there.

4. Admire the Church of St. John the Baptist

Easily one of the most famous sights in Bohinj, the Church of St. John the Baptist is a true icon.

Nestled on the edge of the lake, this fascinating church dates back as far as the 12th century and is marked by its pristine white appearance, which is commonly done in the oh-so-captivating Slovenian medieval architecture style.

Absolutely stunning from the inside out, the interior is famed for its amazingly well-preserved frescoes, including the well-known ‘White Devil’ lurking over Cain’s shoulders while whispering evil schemes into his ears.

While I chose to behold the church solely from the outside while wandering around the lake, I truly believe that those paying the small entrance fee of €3,50 will be left satisfied, based on the intricate frescoes I’ve seen when researching the church.

When arriving in Lake Bohinj, you will instantly see that there’s no going around this iconic church, as each activity in the surrounding area will lead you right back here, at the foot of the stunning Church of St. John the Baptist.

Those into photography should head out early, when the gloomy Bohinj morning fog creates an absolutely amazing moody scenery, which, in my opinion, matches perfectly with the overall appeal of Lake Bohinj.

5. Stay at the beautiful Hotel Bohinj

Nestled on a picturesque hill overlooking the utterly charming lake, Hotel Bohinj is special.

Defined by the perfect combination of natural materials and modern design elements, the design of Hotel Bohinj is a true delight for those appreciating minimalistic architecture yet also enjoying thoughtful, rustic touches that refer to the natural surroundings.

But it is not just the design that stands out, no, the whole experience is in a league of its own. 

Top-notch hospitality, exceptional cuisine, and an absolutely amazing sauna with an outdoor pool offering views that are simply impossible to rival set the tone for an exceptional experience.

It almost feels like a destination on its own, where travellers tend to discover new layers of calm at each and every moment of their stay, which elevates their time in Bohinj to a whole other level.

I would even go as far as stating that my time at Hotel Bohinj has been one of the most incredible ones ever – if you want to find out for yourself, make sure you read my in-depth review here.

6. Ride the Vogel Cable Car and take in the views

Towering high above the lake, the Vogel viewpoint will welcome you with the most stunning panoramic view of Lake Bohinj, the surrounding valleys, and the towering peaks of the Julian Alps in the distance.

Seeing Lake Bohinj from the Vogel Viewpoint is absolutely stunning, as the viewpoint gives you a mind-blowing perspective of the immense size of the lake.

However, to reach the Vogel viewpoint, you have to take an equally impressive journey.

First started operating in 1964, the Vogel Cable Car offers a steep, yet quick journey to the first level of Mount Vogel, which is located at a height of 1537 metres above sea level and exactly where the viewpoint is.

From here, you can also venture deeper into the mountains, as some of Bohinj’s best hikes start here, including the ones to peak Šija, Rodica, and Vogel. Alternatively, you can also choose to opt for all sorts of winter sports activities when visiting in winter.

One thing worth noting is that the Vogel Cable Car becomes significantly busier during the winter season, as Bohinj has rapidly grown among winter sport enthusiasts over the last few years.

7. Have an epic burger at Foksner

As a burger enthusiast at heart, I recognise a good burger joint when I see one.

When I first stumbled upon Foksner, I immediately knew it was business, given a massive Green Egg (barbeque aficionados will know) was projecting the mouthwatering smell of perfectly grilled burgers from afar.

Once seated, my eyes instantly fell on the Tartuf, a juicy locally sourced beef burger topped with red onions, truffles, Mature Cheddar Cheese and a little personal twist; sriracha instead of ketchup, giving it the extra kick that I always aim for when ordering a burger.

All burgers are served on a superior bun and come with crunchy potato wedges, making sure you leave nothing short of satisfied. Personally, I was so satisfied, that during one week around Lake Bohinj, I came back twice – don’t judge me.

If I had to give one remark, it would be that they are not open around lunchtime, which to me is the best time to savour a burger.