How to photograph Lake Bled? Top tips and photo spots

Photograph Lake Bled from the best photo spots! Discover how to get the most out of any weather condition or season!

Bled Lake is probably the most famous photo location in Slovenia. No matter the time of the year, it is worth getting up early or waiting for sunset by the lake, as it is guaranteed to get one of the most beautiful photos you have ever taken.

As a travel photographer, I decided to spend more than one day in Lake Bled. I wanted to take photos in different weather conditions, explore multiple locations, and then, write a guide for any photography lover visiting the area.

Thus, this is how to photograph Lake Bled, its top photography spots, and tips on how to shoot in the multiple weather conditions you can encounter. Moreover, I have also included a list of recommended lenses to capture Lake Bled.

Top weather conditions to photograph Lake Bled

Weather conditions will greatly affect your experience at Lake Bled. Weather changes pretty drastically, especially during the first and last hours of the day. Check the tips section to find out the best ways to account for these changes. Nonetheless, being such a beautiful location, it is possible to take amazing photos regardless of the weather conditions.

If you want to photograph Lake Bled, keep reading to find out how to make the most of the following weather conditions: fog, rain, snow, ice, wind, sun, and clouds. Of course, sunny conditions are great, but there are lots of ways to approach the other ones, which sometimes can lead to even more special photographs.

Fog

This is, without any doubt, my favourite weather condition to encounter at Lake Bled. I was lucky enough to get two different foggy sunrises. One in which the island was almost hidden by the fog, and another where it was the Bled village the one hidden, while the island remained fully visible, surrounded by a mysterious landscape.

Fog is, by definition, highly unpredictable. There are ways to determine if it is likely to be there, but no one can say with certainty. If you find yourself on a foggy day by Bled Lake, the best strategy to take amazing photos is to get as close as possible to the island.

From the village itself, the island seems quite far away, but if you get to the opposite side of the lake, you are quite close to it. If the fog is not too thick, it will be the best area to take photos of the lake + island (check the spots in this area below!).

Rain

Rain and photography are never a good mix. Especially if you are using gear that is not weather-sealed. Yet, when it is rainy, the lake becomes a different place. People disappear, the sound of the water crashing on the lake surface dominates and, if mixed with a light fog, the island is correctly separated from the background, where the village, Bled Castle, and mountains are.

I strongly recommend looking for a hidden area if you want to take photos on a rainy day in Bled. Well, unless you are ok with your gear being soaked.

Wind

The enemy number one of a great Lake Bled photo is the wind. As you might have guessed, perfect reflections are what any photographer should be looking for to take an unforgettable image of the lake. This is why many people use tripods there, to enhance the reflections if there is a bit of movement in the water.

Fortunately, it is not usual for the whole lake surface to be too wavy to generate a reflection. Look for areas that do not face the wind direction, and get as close to the water as possible to use the reflection.

Check the weather forecast for an estimate of wind gusts and to find the best hour to take perfect photos of the lake. It usually is at sunrise, but it can vary. More about this at the tips section, where you can find out the best apps to prepare your shooting.

Clouds

Photography is all about light. And when there are clouds, light conditions change. This is especially true when clouds are not distributed uniformly. If you are taking a photo of the lake and the island and all but the island receives sunlight, wait for a couple of minutes, and you will get a much better image. Make sure that the main element is receiving sunlight, and the photo will be much better.

At Lake Bled, clouds can be beneficial, especially at sunrise and sunset, when they can lead to crazy coloured skies. Again, proper weather forecasts and planning are key to getting the best possible conditions for photography.

Sun

Sunny summer evenings by the lake must be amazing. I have no clue, as I visited it during winter. Yet, I had plenty of clear skies to photograph Lake Bled. One of the best things about clear skies is the beautiful mountain ranges that surround the area. The snow-covered peaks reflected on the lake, with the last daylight on them make a perfect photography composition.

Snow

I remember the first photo I saw of Bled Lake. It was also then when I decided I wanted to visit it during Winter, covered in snow. And so I did. Snow is usually present in Lake Bled from mid-December until early spring, and it gives it a surreal vibe. It is annoyingly beautiful! Nonetheless, with snow, some other challenges appear.

Taking photos of a landscape surrounded by snow is difficult, mostly because cameras find it difficult to set a realistic white balance value. Moreover, with the negative Celsius temperatures, batteries drain really fast, and you need more spare ones.

If you decide to go to Lake Bled in winter (I strongly encourage it), make sure you have extra batteries, thick gloves, and a good hat. This should be enough to take some amazing photos of Lake Bled. Well, also make sure to check the next item on this list.

Ice

It gets really cold on lake Bled outside of the summer months. When I visited during winter, temperatures dropped to -8 celsius degrees. If these temperatures are mixed with snow or rain, you get ice, lots of ice. And ice means that getting to the viewpoints listed later into this guide is way more challenging. Moreover, despite the efforts of the Slovenian government to keep the roads and alleys “slip free” (which is almost perfect), if you are not used to walking on ice, it might be an added challenge. Especially if you wake up early in the morning for sunrise when the temperatures are at their all-day minimum.

Wear a good pair of hiking boots, it really makes the difference when it comes to shooting Lake Bled in harsh weather conditions.

Tips to photograph Lake Bled

If you want to go to photograph Lake Bled, there are a few things you should take into account. From the weather forecast to other simple tips that will make your photos way better. Moreover, places like Lake Bled are photographed a lot. If you want to take a unique photo, you’ll need to invest some time and creativity in it. These are the main tips to photograph Lake Bled, obtained after multiple sunrises and sunsets shooting by the lake.

Check the weather forecast

Seriously, it makes the difference. I am not saying that depending on the weather forecast it is not possible to take good photos. If you know the conditions, you can make better decisions on where to shoot from and what gear to use.

Oh, and I am not talking Accuweather weather forecast. I am talking about more advanced tools, apps like Windy or Clear Outside would be my top recommendations. Yet, make sure to double-check between apps, and know that the weather can change really fast in the area. Don’t forget to check the fog prediction!

Photograph Lake Bled at sunrise and sunset

Yes, waking up early is annoying. But again, it really makes a difference between a nice and a good photo. Sunrise and sunsets by the lake are different. The golden and blue hours (best hours to take photos) give a unique light. Sunbeams, colourful clouds, reflections… Things happen when the sun is setting or rising.

While sunsets let you sleep more, you won’t be the only one there. Hordes of people (and photographers) will make the same decision and think the same way. On the other hand, fewer people will be photographing the lake at sunrise, making it easier to find nice spots and take better photos.

Also, sunrises are usually the time of the day when the wind gusts are weaker or nonexistent. Another powerful reason to get up early, as well as to check the weather forecast.

Look for reflections (use a tripod)

When I started taking photos I never used a tripod. They are bulky, annoying, and not airport security friendly. Nowadays, it is my best friend. Especially in places like Lake Bled, tripods are very handy.

Try to find the perfect reflection. Get close to the water to avoid non-quiet distant water patches. However, if the water isn’t perfectly still, use a tripod. Unless it is quite windy, it will make the trick.

Do not photograph Lake Bled Island

While this article revolves around Lake Bled and its main photography element, don’t “only” photograph it. There are other beautiful things to photograph at Lake Bled. Reflections, wildlife, the fishermen’s huts, nature at its finest…

When at any of the locations listed in this guide, make sure to turn your head and admire other photo-worthy elements. Moreover, this is a perfect way to get unique photos. You will see that most people only focus on the island and the church.

Play with Bled Castle

This is another distinctive element of the lake that is sometimes disregarded or forgotten. Make sure to frame it correctly when photographing the island. Try to make it fall on the left or right side of the image for a perfect composition.

You can even try to capture it alone! Don’t forget about it at sunrise or sunset, especially if it is foggy, as due to its elevated position, it can be the only building visible from the shore of the lake. Compose it with the mountains behind it for a perfect image!

Bled Lake best photography spots

For starters, it is quite easy to take good photos of Lake Bled. Given the right conditions, almost every spot with direct access to the lake makes for a good photo. Nonetheless, after walking around the lake and taking photos with different weather conditions and lenses, there are some spots that are worth mentioning.

Some of them are the typical spots you will find in any guide. Others are a bit more specific, exact locations where the church is positioned perfectly between the mountains, or where it is more obvious that there is an island with a church on it. Finally, some of them are viewpoints, perfect for a more aerial view of the lake and its surroundings.

The lateral view

Most photos of the Beld lake came from the opposite side of the castle and the village of Bled. If you start walking by the castle side of the lake, after passing next to a couple of private houses, there is a quite direct view of the lake and the church. Don’t stay on the paved road, get close to the lake to avoid the trees blocking the view, and take a photo. In foggy weather, the silhouette of the mountains reflected on the lake makes for a perfect composition. Exact location from where the photo below was taken: here.

Castle viewpoint

Aerial views are always special. This is what you get from two of the spots on this list, the first one being the Bled city castle. The Bled Castle has a fantastic view of the lake. However, the castle itself is not a very interesting place, and the price of the ticket made me question if it was worth taking the photo from its walls. Not many people know the secret viewpoint from the Bled Castle, the free one. It takes a bit of hiking and another bit of creativity, but there is a nice platform with a non obstructed view of the lake and the island. The exact location of the viewpoint is marked on Google Maps, and there are a few “paths” that can be seen there as well. Exact location here.

DISCLAIMER: The photo below was taken in December. It is possible that during the summer months, the view is somehow more obstructed by the green-leafed trees.

Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica’s viewpoint

The second viewpoint of this list, is in fact, two viewpoints. Any Lake Bled photography guide will include them, and this really means something. These are probably the most well-known and shared aerial views of Labe Bled.

Ojstrica is the first viewpoint, a short hike from the lake (quite well signalled, also in google as Mala Osjnica trailhead, that has indicators for both viewpoints. I was a bit disappointed by Ojstrica. The view is great, I guess greater during summer months than winter. It was just nice, compared with the amazing viewpoint that Mala Osojnica is. It takes a bit more to hike up there, but it is well worth it. The best view from Lake Bled for photography can be found there. Set up the tripod, relax and wait for the sunrise. Even during the daytime, it is worth going all the way up.

If you visit Mala Osojnica in winter, be very careful with the ice and hard snow. It is easy to slip and the way up is quite steep. Make sure to wear proper hiking boots and remember that you will need to hike down as well.

There is a circular route that connects both viewpoints and the lake. It is great during non-freezing months, but not recommended during winter months, as there are some metal stairs that get frozen. Follow the trail that starts at the Google link above and you will be okay! Once at the top, instead of hiking down the circular route, retrace your steps to the lake.

Wooden Platform (best Lake Bled photo spot)

This is the best spot to photograph Lake Bled. Most people decide to walk the circular path around the lake. Half the way through it, the path descends to the lake level, just at the point where the church is perfectly aligned with the mountains behind. If you could only take one photo from the lake, it would most likely be taken from there.

It is a perfect location both for sunrise and sunset, and the only problem you will have there is that being a wooden platform if there are people walking around, any photo taken using a tripod will have some degree of noise. The solution is to either stick to not very long shutter speeds or to be the only person around (easier at sunrise than sunset).

Make sure to try multiple locations within the platform, as it can change completely the way the overall composition. The exact location of the wooden platform: here

Island and Bled Castle with the mountain range behind

While the previous Bled Lake photography spot has the island situated on the right-hand side of the mountain range, this one has the church tower perfectly aligned with the top of one of the tallest mountains. Moreover, the Bled Castle is also perfectly positioned to be part of the composition, on the right side of the church.

In fact, there are two spots in this area. In one of them, the castle is exactly at the right of the church, as described above, whereas in the other it is on the left side.

Both these spots are easy to access, especially the second one. These are quite well-known spots, but unlike the wooden platform, there are no issues with tripods or lots of people walking around. The exact location of the photo location: here

Velika Zaka

Parking around Bled Lake is a nightmare. Better leave the car in the village and walk. The only parking available at the other end of the lake is one next to the camping site. However, prices are prohibitive and unless you really don’t feel like walking I would not recommend parking there.

Yet, once you see the parking area, check the nearby docks. It is there where you can see some of the large wooden boats that connect the island with the mainland. Despite not having the best view over the lake and the island, it makes for an interesting photo of the boat with the island behind. Exact location: here.

Rowing boats

If large boats are not your thing, there are these small rowing wooden canoes that are kept at the castle-side of the lake. Near the “Olympic” area (you will recognize it because there are the poles for the winning countries’ flags), there are a couple of boats perfect for a nice photo of Lake Bled.

Depending on the time of the day, the boats won’t be there, as people will be using them. If you want to replicate the photo below, either visit Lake Bled during winter or at sunrise regardless of the time of the year. Do not climb on them or use them illegally! For this photography, frame the church and the canoes properly. This is the exact location of the rowing boats.

From Bled Village

By the Bled lake, there is the village of Bled. From there it is possible to capture the island, especially if it is not very foggy. Note that the island is quite far away from the village. If it is foggy, it is quite likely that the view will be compromised. You will need zoom or similar lenses to get this photo (“see photography gear to capture lake bled section”).

The photo below was taken from this spot.

Photograph swans in Lake Bled

All the photography spots listed above are easy to find. There is a specific location, you go there, and you take the photo. However, one of the most beautiful photos you can take of Lake Bled is the island with a swan in the foreground.

It is difficult to find a swan. It is even more difficult to have it in the right position and at the right time. I was lucky enough to find one of the best sunrises I had in Bled, and the final image was probably my favourite Lake Bled photo.

Swans tend to avoid people, and noise… thus sunrises and sunsets are better times to find them. Be ready, and don’t ask! If you see a swan, take a photo!

Photography gear to capture Lake Bled

This short section is something that I would have loved to know before my trip to Slovenia. If you are a photographer (pro or amateur), and you have more than one lens, you know how difficult it is to choose what lenses should come with you and what lenses stay at home.

I recommend 3 lenses to photograph Lake Bled (APS-C numbers):

• Wide-angle: not necessary super wide-angle, something around 15-20mm should do the trick. I used a 10mm and found it unnecessary at most times.
• Prime: take your 35mm. The island is at the perfect distance to be captured with a 35mm.
• Zoom: for details, or a close up of the Church from the viewpoints, a 55-200 is my recommended choice. Yet, if I had to avoid one of the three lenses listed, it would be this one.

This is my how-to photograph Lake Bled guide. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a DM on Instagram (@aniolvisuals), or via the contact form in the Contact section of the website. For professional enquiries, send me a message at hello@aniolvisuals.com.