Lake Bled, Slovenia is a beautiful destination that offers several family-friendly activities for young kids. Ever since we relocated to Europe from the US, my husband has wanted to visit this lake (he heard about it from a former grad school professor). When we arrived at this location, it did not disappoint!

We included this as an add-on road trip from Budapest, which was about five hours away. (For more on our visit to Budapest, visit here). Once in Slovenia, we stayed at a hotel (Four Points Sheraton) in the capital city, Ljubljana, overnight and drove the 40 minute drive to Lake Bled the next morning.

Here are some of the best things we enjoyed when we took our toddlers to Lake Bled, Slovenia.

1. Take a leisurely walk around the Lake Bled:

The entire circumference of Lake Bled is about 6 kilometers (or 3.7 miles), and it offers a scenic path suitable for light-weight strollers. Enjoy the stunning views of the lake, the island with the church, and the castle on the hill while taking a leisurely stroll. The pathways are fun for the kids to have a “mini-hike” along the way.

As our kids walked, stumbled, and giggled at all the lady bugs and ants around them, I asked my two-year-old if she needed help. She replied “I do by self, I’m proud of myself”. This is forever a core memory for me. We also took time to simply relax by the lake, and feed ducks – which was probably our kids favorite part of our visit there.

2. Taste Bled Cream Cake at a restaurant with views of Lake Bled:

Don’t miss the opportunity to try the famous Bled cream cake, a delicious local dessert. Many cafes and restaurants around the lake offer this specialty. It can be a delightful treat for the whole family. We went to Cafe Belvedere, which not only has great Bled cream cake, but beautiful views.

3. Visit Bled Island:

Take a boat ride to Bled Island, which is located in the middle of the lake. The whole family will enjoy the short boat trip, which was quite easy for us to find and pay for on the spot. Once on the island, you will need to climb a set of stairs so keep in mind if you have a stroller. Once you get up the stairs, you can explore the picturesque surroundings, ring the wishing bell in the church, and enjoy some ice cream! The boat guide will tell you what time to return down the stairs to return to shore.

4. Explore Bled Castle:

Bled Castle is perched on a hill overlooking the lake and offers breathtaking views of the area. Although there are some uphill sections, you can visit the castle with toddlers. They will be fascinated by the medieval atmosphere and can enjoy the castle courtyard and the interactive exhibits. There were quite a few steps up to the castle, so you also have the option to drive up there. Because we were tired by the end of the day, we drove there and then walked the grounds a bit, although the castle itself had already closed for the day.

5. Ensure Toddler Safety:

Remember to ensure the safety of your toddlers at all times, especially near the water and during activities. There was also the option to do paddle boats, but I didn’t feel comfortable with my energetic/slightly defiant two-year-old on there. Additionally, there was a playground and horse carriage rides that we missed out on that I know our kids would have enjoyed!

Overall, even with the activities we did take on, Lake Bled provided a serene and picturesque setting for a memorable family experience.