Lake Bohinj, the largest permanent lake in Slovenia, is one of our favorite destinations in the Alps. Its appeal lies in its pristine, untouched setting, protected within Triglav National Park, as well as its crystal-clear water (perfect for swimming) and easy access to incredible hiking trails.
The three main lakeside villages–Ribčev Laz, Stara Fužina, and Ukanc–each offer a slightly different experience, from convenient and lively to quiet and remote.
We’ve stayed in all three. Here’s how they compare, and where you should base yourself depending on your travel style.
Tip | If you visit Lake Bohinj in June, July, or August, book an accommodation with air-conditioning.
- Lake Bohinj Travel Guide: Things to Do in Lake Bohinj
- Ribčev Laz accommodation: Hotel Bohinj (4-star hotel), Vila Muhr (exclusive luxury suites)
- Stara Fužina accommodation: Pr `Agotnik apartmaji sobe Bohinj (apartments) and Hotel Majerca (3-star hotel) and Villa Park B&B – ADULTS ONLY (B&B)
- Ukanc accommodation: Bohinj Apartments Goldhorn Kingdom (apartments)
- Bohinjska Bistrica accommodation: Bohinj River House (4-star hotel), Hiša Križaj (apartments), and Sunrose 7 (4-star hotel)
Ribčev Laz
Ribčev Laz is the main hub of Lake Bohinj, with direct bus connections to Lake Bled and onward to Ljubljana. It’s where you’ll find St. John the Baptist’s Church and the highest concentration of restaurants, grocery stores, and boat rental shops, making it the most lively and convenient base around the lake.
If you’re traveling without a car, Ribčev Laz is the most practical place to stay thanks to its transport connections. However, set at a crossroads, it’s also the busiest spot around the lake.
For food and drinks, Karakter Bar is great for a laid-back drink, Foksner delivers on burgers, and the lakeside Restavracija Kramar is a solid pick for salads.
Hotel Bohinj
We stayed in the 4-star Hotel Bohinj, mere meters from the lakeshore. Designed to impress as much as to pay tribute to the region’s cultural heritage, Hotel Bohinj is as striking on the outside as it is within.
The lobby ceiling represents the stalactites, commonly found in the karst caves of the Julian Alps. And, the hotel’s logo signifies the four brave men from Bohinj who first climbed Mount Triglav in 1778.
As you wander through the hotel, you’ll be mesmerized by the bold design decisions, charmed by the motifs, and soothed by the natural materials and textures. It’s a work of art.
I recommend Hotel Bohinj for its central location, air-conditioned rooms (essential in summer), generous breakfast buffet, on-site restaurant showcasing local flavors, and relaxed garden lounge with bar service.
Hotel Bohinj also offers a spa and wellness area (at an extra cost) featuring a Finnish sauna, steam sauna, outdoor whirlpool, heated salt relaxation room, and juice bar. We opted for a 3-hour sauna session on an overcast day and found it especially relaxing.
The spa menu also includes massages (classic, relaxation, and sports), facials (beauty, deep cleansing, and peeling), and a selection of curated wellness packages.
More Ribčev Laz Accommodation
Adjacent to Hotel Bohinj is the newly-built Vila Muhr, an exclusive accommodation made-up of 4 luxurious suites and a fine dining restaurant.
A little further from the lake, yet still within walking distance, is the 3-star Hotel Gasperin Bohinj, 2-star Apartments and rooms Cerkovnik, and 4-star Art Hotel Kristal
Look for accommodation in Ribčev Laz.
Stara Fužina
Stara Fužina, north of Ribčev Laz, is the other main settlement on the eastern side of Lake Bohinj. Accommodations in Stara Fužina are all within walking distance (around 10 minutes) of the lakeshore and the Fužinski Bay swimming area.
In the village center, the main road splits south toward Ribčev Laz, north toward Planina Blato (Seven Lakes Valley and Veliko Špičje trailhead), and east toward Srednja Vas v Bohinju, continuing on to the Pokljuka Plateau.
From the village, hikers can hike directly to Kosijev dom na Vogarju and the Lake Bohinj alpine pastures as well as Mostnica Gorge. For deeper access into Triglav National Park, it’s best to take the shuttle to the Vogar-Blato crossroads and the hop-on hop-off Pokljuka bus to Rudno Polje, the Viševnik Peak and Mount Triglav (2 days required) trailheads.
We stayed at the charming 3-star Hotel Majerca, a boutique property with an on-site restaurant. The dining area opens onto a private garden overlooking farmland with the Julian Alps forming the backdrop. In summer, breakfast served in the garden is a particularly lovely way to start the day.
Just up the road from Hotel Majerca is Apartmaji Triglav, a well-kept aparthotel with 23 apartments and an on-site restaurant (Restaurant Triglav Bohinj), in Stara Fužina. Breakfast is included. Guests can rent bikes and e-bikes on-site.
Residence Novak Bohinj offers stylish one-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens in a peaceful area of Stara Fužina. Guests love the idyllic surroundings and mountain views, the proximity to Lake Bohinj, and the kind hosts.
Ideal for families, the warmly run Pr `Agotnik apartmaji sobe Bohinj consistently receives excellent reviews and offers spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens and washing machines.
More places to stay in Stara Fužina | Old Mill House (apartments) and Sobe rooms Simon Ceklin-BOHINJ (guesthouse)
Look for accommodation in Stara Fužina.
Ukanc
I think Ukanc is the most scenic place to stay around Lake Bohinj, though it’s a bit less convenient in terms of access and amenities.
Ukanc, on the western shore of Lake Bohinj, is home to the Vogel cable car. From the upper station, hikers can access routes to Mount Vogel and the Edelweiss-covered Rodica, some of the most popular summits in the Southern Julian Alps.
A road from Ukanc also leads to Planinski dom Savica, the trailhead for Savica Waterfall as well as the challenging ascent route to Črno Jezero in the Seven Lakes Valley. Good to know: you can also skip the road and hike to Savica Waterfall directly from Ukanc.
Most notably, where the Savica River flows into the lake, Ukanc offers the most blissful swimming spot in Lake Bohinj.
Keep in mind that if you stay in Ukanc, you’ll either need to self-cater or head to the other side of the lake for dinner, as there are no restaurants in Ukanc.
The best self-catering accommodations in Ukanc are Bohinj Apartments Goldhorn Kingdom, riverside TUBA Apartments, and ALPIK Chalets.
The best bed and breakfasts are riverside Villa Park B&B – ADULTS ONLY, Hiša Erlah (where we stayed) and PRIVILLAGE STARE – B&B, Villa and Chalet Resort
Look for accommodation in Ukanc.
Bohinjska Bistrica
Bohinjska Bistrica, the largest village in the Bohinj Valley, lies about 6 km east of Lake Bohinj. In my opinion, it’s far preferable to stay in one of the lakeside villages for easy access to the water, especially in summer, when parking is limited and always paid. That being said, if you can’t find accommodation by the lake, Bohinjska Bistrica is still a practical alternative.
These are the best places to stay in Bohinjska Bistrica, all of which have air-conditioned rooms: Bohinj River House (4-star hotel), Hiša Križaj (apartments), and Sunrose 7 (4-star hotel with restaurant and spa).
More Slovenian Alps Travel Guides
Travel:
- Slovenia Travel Guide
- Visiting Slovenia Without a Car
- Where to Stay in Slovenia
- 2-Week Slovenia Road Trip
- 5-Day Slovenia Road Trip
Hiking:
Destinations:
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