Don't park at Zaka car park in Bled!

Lake Bled in Slovenia is beautiful at any time of the year, and one of the best parts is on the western side next to Zaka Campsite. But if you’re not staying at the campsite and just want to visit for the day, either to swim in the lake at the beach or hike up to Mala Osojnica, then your only choice for parking is at the small car park beside the campsite.

Until this year the price for this was 5 euro for all day (low season) and 10 euro all day (high season), or 5 euro if you arrived after 4pm. Not so great if you planned to stay for one hour, but in most cases people would stay longer.

Zaka parking is now 5 euro per hour

But, that has all changed. They now have barriers at the entrance and the charge is a whopping 5 euro per hour. We stopped here just to hike up to Mala Osojnica. It took us just over 2 hours, but of course because we went just 10 minutes into the 3rd hour it was charged at the full 5 euros.

Best option

Sadly there aren’t many options for parking on this side of Bled lake. The best option is to drive up the hill a bit and park at the Bled Jezero train station, which is 10 euros per day all year round from 6am til 10pm, and 6 per half day. It’s a coin only machine, so make sure you have enough coins. However, it also gets very packed in summer, but is worth a go. It’s about a ten-minute walk back down the road to the lakeside. Unfortunately overnight parking for campervans or motorhomes is not permitted here.

The only other option

There’s parking at the rowing club at Mala Zaka, but it’s also charged per hour. Last time I was there it was 2 euros per hour. However, you can download the great app, easypark, which you can use to pay. Easypark can also be used in many car parks around Slovenia. You enter your car’s registration and pay via paypal. If you are going to be late back, no need to run back and put another ticket on. You can just extend the time directly from the app.

On the eastern side

Otherwise you’ll have to park on the eastern side of the lake and either walk around, or take the tourist train.

The best place is on Preserenova Cesta 23, which currently charges 2 euros per hour. More details here:

Parking for motorhomes & Campervans

The only place, other than campsites, to park and sleep is in the designated RV parking area next to the big Mercator on Kajuhova Cesta. The cost is 25 euro per day with water and electricity included.

Park and ride?

There is a talk of a new park and ride system, but no details as of yet. As soon as I get some I’ll update this page.

Beautiful views from Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica

It is a shame that this car park has become so expensive because it was a great place to park for a hike up to Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica, especially early in the morning out of season.