Lake Bled, Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle Day Trip

Summary

Slovenia’s caves, castles and Lake Bled in one full day

You’ll feel Slovenia shift under your feet—from chilly Postojna Cave’s echoing tunnels to cliff-perched Predjama Castle and finally Lake Bled’s calm blue water. Ride a pletna boat, ring the island bell if you like, and catch views from Bled Castle—all with stories from your local guide along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to shiver in June, but that’s exactly what happened when we ducked into Postojna Cave. The air changed—suddenly damp and sharp, with a faint mineral smell that stuck to my jacket. Our guide, Maja, handed out a few warnings about the temperature (9°C inside), but I still laughed at myself for thinking I’d be fine in just a T-shirt. The train ride into the cave was honestly surreal—like something out of a Bond film, except it smelled like wet stone and everyone whispered instead of shouting. At one point, Maja pointed out these tiny white salamanders—the “human fish”—and I had to squint to see them wiggling in the shadows. She said they can go years without eating. Wild.

After warming up back in the van (air-conditioned but somehow cozier than the cave), we wound our way up to Predjama Castle. It’s wedged right into a cliff face—looked almost fake from below, like someone photoshopped it onto the rock. There were wildflowers everywhere and a breeze that kept tugging at my map while I tried to follow Maja’s story about Erazem, this outlaw lord who supposedly escaped through secret tunnels. We climbed more stairs than I want to admit (my knees are still mad), but peeking out from those castle windows made me forget all that—just forests rolling away under grey clouds.

Lake Bled was next, and honestly, I thought I’d seen enough postcards of it to know what to expect. But stepping onto that old wooden pletna boat felt different—the oarsman barely spoke but grinned when he saw me trying to pronounce “Blejski otok.” The water was greenish-blue and glassy; you could hear church bells echoing over the lake every so often. On the island itself, there’s this steep staircase (I lost count halfway up) leading to the little church where you can ring an ancient wishing bell. I did it—felt silly at first but then weirdly hopeful. Afterward we wandered around Bled Castle too; there’s this spot on the ramparts where you can see everything at once: lake, mountains, tiny boats drifting around below. Still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle

• Explore Postojna Cave
• Visit Predjama Castle

Day 2 — Discover Lake Bled and Surroundings

• Travel to Lake Bled
• Ride Pletna boat to Bled Island
• Explore Bled Island and ring bell
• Visit Bled Castle and museum

Top questions

How long does this Lake Bled, Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle day trip take?

The tour is a full-day trip starting from Ljubljana and covers all three main sites in one day.

Is transportation included for this Slovenia day trip?

Yes, comfortable transport by air-conditioned minivan is included for all guests.

Are entry fees included for Postojna Cave or Bled Castle?

The reference content does not specify entry fees as included; check with provider before booking.

Is lunch provided during this Lake Bled tour?

No lunch is mentioned as included; you may have free time to purchase food on your own.

How many people are on each group tour?

The small group tour has up to 8 people per van.

What should I wear for visiting Postojna Cave?

Warm and comfortable clothes plus sturdy footwear are essential due to the cave's low temperature (9°C/48°F).

Is there hotel pickup for this tour?

The tour includes a central Ljubljana meeting point rather than individual hotel pickup.

Are there many stairs on this Slovenia day trip?

Yes; expect quite a few stairs at Bled Island, Bled Castle, and Predjama Castle—but the pace is fairly slow.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting at a central spot in Ljubljana before heading out in an air-conditioned minivan with your English-speaking guide. You’ll get all transport between sites covered—and if you’re traveling with little ones or need extra comfort, infant seats are available too. Just remember warm clothes for Postojna Cave!