The back story
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The back story
The Julian Alps: the back story
Two glacial lakes, an emerald river and Slovenia’s highest peak, deep in the Julian Alps.
Area guide · Slovenia
The Julian Alps: Our Favourites
Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, Kranjska Gora and the emerald Soča valley, in Slovenia’s Alpine north-west. For Ljubljana itself, see our Ljubljana guide.
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What to see and do
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Video 3 photosCliff-top castle
Bled Castle
Bled’s castle, first recorded in 1011, set on a cliff 130 metres above the water.
Nature, lakes and beaches
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3 photosThe island church
Lake Bled & Bled Island
A green Alpine lake with Slovenia’s only natural island, crowned by a pilgrimage church.
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Video 3 photosEmerald gorge walk
Vintgar Gorge
Wooden walkways and bridges trace the emerald Radovna for 1.6 km, 4 km from Bled.
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3 photosBled’s wilder neighbour
Lake Bohinj
Slovenia’s largest permanent lake, set in a glacial valley inside Triglav National Park.
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3 photosA 78-metre fall
Savica waterfall
A waterfall of about 78 metres in a narrow gorge above the far end of Lake Bohinj.
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3 photosSlovenia’s highest peak
Mount Triglav
Slovenia’s highest mountain and national symbol, 2,864 metres high and climbed over two days.
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3 photosEmerald Soča
The Soča valley & Bovec
The emerald Soča and its valley around Bovec, for rafting, kayaking and gorge walks.
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3 photosAlpine village
Kranjska Gora & Lake Jasna
Slovenia’s best-known ski resort, with Lake Jasna mirroring the peaks below the Vršič road.
Eat and drink
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Lakeside fine dining
Julijana
Fine dining at the Grand Hotel Toplice, listed in the MICHELIN Guide Slovenia 2026.
Cesta svobode 12Explore View on map
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3 photosThree MICHELIN stars
Hiša Franko
Chef Ana Roš’s Soča valley restaurant, awarded three MICHELIN stars in the 2026 guide.
Where to stay
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3 photosLakeshore grande dame
Grand Hotel Toplice
A 19th-century grand hotel on the shore of Lake Bled, with a thermal-water pool.
Cesta svobode 12Explore View on map
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7 photosRoyal summer villa
Hotel Vila Bled
A historic villa in private parkland on the southern shore of Lake Bled.
Cesta svobode 18Explore View on map
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Video 3 photosTreehouse glamping
Garden Village Bled
Treehouses, glamping tents and pier tents over a stream, a short walk from the lake.
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2 photosFamily and wellness
Bohinj ECO Hotel
A family hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica with its own aquapark, rooftop wellness and mountain views.
Triglavska cesta 17, 4264 Bohinjska BistricaExplore View on map
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At Lake Bohinj
Hotel Jezero
A hotel in Ribčev Laz on Lake Bohinj, with balconied rooms, an indoor pool and two restaurants.
Ribčev Laz 51, 4265 Bohinjsko jezeroExplore View on map
Getting there and around
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3 photosLake to peaks
Vogel cable car
A cable car from the Bohinj shore to the Vogel area, about 1,500 metres up, facing Triglav.
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3 photosFifty hairpins
Vršič pass & the Russian Chapel
A high mountain road of 50 hairpins over the 1,611-metre Vršič pass, usually shut in winter.
Where to go next
Questions and answers
Do I need to book Vintgar Gorge?
Book Vintgar Gorge tickets online in season and arrive early.
Is the Vršič pass open all year?
The pass is usually closed in winter. In summer the road climbs from Kranjska Gora to the Trenta valley through 50 numbered hairpins.
How do I get up above Lake Bohinj?
The Vogel cable car lifts off near the western end of the lake and rises to about 1,500 metres, with the view across to Triglav.
Share your The Julian Alps tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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