Places to See Sunrise & Sunset in Slovenia: Lake Bled & Ptuj

There are many places to see beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Slovenia. During my visits to Slovenia, I have watched some impressive sunrises and sunsets in Ptuj, Maribor and Lake Bled.

The highlight of my visits was the sunset walks at Lake Bled and the nearby countryside. Sadly, I didn’t get to see any in Celje.

What Time are Sunrise & Sunset in Slovenia?

Times in Slovenia vary depending on the time of the year that you are visiting. However, a quick Google search will let you know the estimated time. I find that if you arrive 45 minutes before the specified time, you can enjoy the sky as it changes colour.

Don’t leave too quickly; the sky can stay colourful for around 45 minutes afterwards. Be aware that the landscape of Slovenia, including mountains, often means the sun disappears earlier at sunset and arrives late at sunrise.

Lake Bled & Nearby Countryside

Sunset and sunrise are fantastic times to see Lake Bled and the nearby countryside, especially on clear days. During my visit, I got to see some fantastic colours during early and late walks.

Sunrise Bled

The area near Spodnje Gorje was fantastic for the sunrise, with misty and colourful views towards the castle and mountains. The autumnal mists certainly added to my early morning sunrise walks in this part of Slovenia.

The mountains nearby might delay the sunrise time slightly; however, seeing them with a red sky is majestic.

The farms and small churches in the nearby countryside are also great backdrops for the early sun. They are also fantastic spots for a drop of tranquillity.

Sunset Lake Bled

I found the best place to be for sunset was at the east end of Lake Bled, near the town. The sunset creates some great reflections on the lake, and the castle or island certainly enhances the views.

I enjoyed watching the spectacle along the eastern shore, which was fantastic on a clear evening, and there were loads of benches to sit on. You might also get to see some locals fishing and maybe catch some lake fish.

The boat landing stages were pretty cool at sunset. The boats really are nice and certainly add to photographs. It was pretty quiet, as they had stopped running trips to the island before the sun was going down.

The park below the castle and the church on the hill is a good place to sit with a can of beer and watch the colourful skies.

Ljubljana

Sunrise Places in Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a lovely city for sightseeing, and at dawn and sunrise, it is especially beautiful. It’s a great time to explore the pretty buildings and see the red skies. I enjoyed a few early-morning walks during my 2024 visit to see the red skies. Prešeren Square was a top place to see the sun in the morning.

The nearby canal in central Ljubljana is also nice, especially when facing east from the bridges.

For a full-on view of the little red dot, I found the market square excellent, with the colonnades as a backdrop.

Ptuj in Slovenia

One of the many fantastic things to do in Ptuj is to watch the sunrise or sunset on the banks of the River Drava. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the quiet time and the splendid views, too.

Sunset Ptuj

I found the area upstream of Most za pešce in kolesarje on the far bank to be the most beautiful spot. The sunset here rises from behind Ptuj Castle on the hill. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the sunset, and there’s also wildlife to see.

If you like the countryside, the lanes and walking trails heading upstream from the city are great. Open countryside and late sun are a fantastic combination.

Sunrise in Ptuj

To watch the sunrise in Ptuj, I enjoyed walking along the west bank of the river Drava. This has splendid views at any time of the day. However, the early light was rather special.

I noticed the sun was a bit later than the sunrise time when sitting on the bank of the river. It was well worth the wait and one of my favourite sunrises.

As well as being a beautiful backdrop, the castle’s historic round tower is nice to see in the early light.

Walking through the town centre was also nice during the golden hour in the morning. A pleasant spot is on Slovenski trg, a nice town square.

Just up the hill is St George’s Church, which is also a nice place to see the sunrise. There are a few places for refreshments here too, which is a bonus for after an early walk.

Lasko

Sunrise

The small town of Lasko was pleasant for sunrises. However, during my visit, there was a lot of mist, which added to the vibe. The main bridge across the river, facing the castle, was nice but not vivid.

I found the higher ground lovely in the early sun and enjoyed a walk down the lanes to take in the view.

Sunset

I was usually exhausted after hiking to the hills at sunset. However, the views downstream from the town’s bridge were pretty special during golden hour.