Sitting atop a steep cliff rising 130 meters above Lake Bled, Bled Castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia and the symbol of the country. As it rises above the lake, the castle offers an amazing view of Lake Bled and the surrounding mountains. Because of its position, it is usually the first thing to photograph for those visiting the town of Bled.
The castle consists of several buildings, which are arranged around two courtyards which lie on a different level and are connected with a staircase. The lower level houses the print shop, gallery, shop with honey products, café and wine cellar. A chapel dating from the 16th century, museum, gift shop, restaurant, and forge are arranged on the upper level.
Bled Castle Photo Gallery
A beautiful picture gallery containing 30 high resolution photos of the Bled Castle taken by tourists and amateur photo enthusiasts who have visited Bled.
The iconic Bled Castle. Image by Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0
Overlooking Lake Bled, perched more than 100 metres high above on a precipice, is the Bled Castle. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
The castle as seen from Lake Bled. Image by Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0
View of the castle cafe and courtyard from the entrance. Image by Gord Webster / CC BY-SA 2.0
Lake Bled with its island and castle from the Ojstrica view point. Image by James Southorn / CC BY 2.0
Bled Castle looks like how most people imagine a medieval fortress to be. Image by Bastian Gross / CC BY-SA 2.0
The walking path takes you to the castle within less than 15 minutes. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
The entrance to the castle is particularly interesting due to its Gothic arch and drawbridge across a now filled-in moat. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
Bled castle has a drawbridge over a moat. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
Entrance to the chapel on the upper courtyard. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
The castle has two levels. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
View on the Slovenian Alps on the other side. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
The view from the window in the castle. Image by Maik-T. Šebenik / CC BY-ND 2.0
Another view from the window in the castle. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
The Bled castle wine cellar attracts with tastings of its top-quality wines. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
The old well at the castle. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
Some flowers. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
Used in defense of the castle. A museum in the castle shows you the history of Bled from the ice age to the middle ages and all the way to the present times. Image by Pinky sl / CC BY-SA 3.0
The exhibition rooms are furnished with old furniture dating mainly from the 19th century. Image by Pinky sl / CC BY-SA 3.0
Castle Restaurant offers stunning views over the lake and Slovenian Alps. Image by Gord Webster / CC BY-SA 2.0
One of the reasons, why to go to the castle is the breathtaking view. Image by Johann Jaritz / CC BY-SA 2.0
The Bled castle on top of a cliff above the lake. Image by Kevin Jones / CC BY 2.0
The view of the town Bled from the castle. Image by Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0
Bled Castle looks pretty small from afar, but it’s pretty big when you’re closer. Image by Ciaran Roarty / CC BY-SA 2.0
The oldest castle in Slovenia stands on a sheer cliff above Lake Bled. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
The castle as seen from Lake Bled. Image by Maik-T. Šebenik / CC BY-ND 2.0
Sitting atop a steep cliff 130 meters above the lake is the iconic Bled Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress with towers, ramparts, moats and a terrace. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
Lake Bled, Slovenia, taken from western end of lake at twilight, October 2013. Image by Edwardwexler / CC BY-SA 3.0
Bled castle and lake at night. Image by Eneko Bidegain / CC BY 2.0
The castle at night. Image by TravelingOtter / CC BY 2.0
A walk by Lake Bled when lit up at night is truly magical. Image by Gilad Rom / CC BY 2.0
With an incredibly beautiful glacial lake surrounded by the peaks of the Slovenian Alps, an iconic church nestled in a tiny island in the middle of the lake and a medieval Gothic castle built on a 100-meter cliff overlooking the lake, Bled is possibly the most beautiful and remarkable Alpine resort in Europe. |
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Overall Rating: In Slovenia, there is a real place that looks like it came from the fairy tale world! That place is the beautiful Lake Bled, known for its stunning mountain-backed vistas, the iconic church located on a tiny island in the middle of the lake and the spectacular medieval Gothic castle built on a 130-meter cliff overlooking the lake. |
Overall Rating: When people say that a place is like something from a fairy tale, often they are exaggerating, but that is not the case with this charming little tear-shaped island in the middle of Lake Bled. The island has such an extraordinary beautiful setting that photographs of it are regularly found in travel magazines and it’s without a doubt the most recognizable place in Slovenia. |
Overall Rating: This stunningly picturesque gorge with turquoise water of the Radovna river and a spectacular waterfall at the far end is part of the Triglav National Park and is located just outside the northern side of Bled. It has been made into a huge attraction by the addition of walkways alongside and across the river. |
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Overall Rating: Above the incredibly beautiful glacial Lake Bled, on a mighty steep cliff rising 130 meters high, is the iconic Bled Castle. It is one of the most visited Slovene sights with over 300.000 annual guests. |
Overall Rating: Church of the Mother of God on the Lake, also known as the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary, or The Church of Mary the Queen, or Our Lady of the Lake, is located on a a tiny, tear-shaped island in the middle of an incredibly beautiful Lake Bled. The church has such a beautiful setting that pictures of it are regularly found in travel magazines and on travel blogs and forums. |
Overall Rating: Royal Bled Golf is the oldest and the largest golf course in Slovenia and one of those must play courses in Europe. The facility comprises the 18-hole King's Course and the 9-hole Lake's Course. The 18-hole King's Course is pretty challenging and plays host to several tournaments and other events during the year, while the 9-hole Lake's course is a bit easier option for those whose handicap is too high, or those with not-so-deep pockets. Club membership is invitation only, but both courses are regularly open to the general public with advanced booking. |
Cuisine: Slovenian Located on the quiet side of Lake Bled, the restaurant has some of the most amazing views of the lake, church on the island, and Slovenian Alps. The food is outstanding with a varied choice on the menu to suit every taste. It’s exquisite fine dining but with quite big portions. OVERALL RATING: PRICES: |
Cuisine: Slovenian This famous restaurant is now under new management of the Jezersek family who serve modern interpretations of recipes written more than 70 years ago by their grandmother. The food is absolutely lovely - it's traditional Slovenian served in a superb fine dining style with lots of lovely touches. OVERALL RATING: PRICES: |
Cuisine: International The restaurant is located in the very heart of Bled. It's a fine restaurant with a lovely terrace that has a breathtaking view of Lake Bled and Bled Island. The menu is varied with a good selection of meat, fish and pasta dishes. The food served is full of flavour and beautifully presented and yet is not too heavy on the pocket. OVERALL RATING: PRICES: |
Cuisine: Slovenian This is a lovely small restaurant that is opened only during the season (from May 1st till mid-October). The setting is charming in an open garden with lit candles all around the tables. The menu is surprisingly extensive for a small place and there's something for everyone. All the plates coming from the kitchen are a feast for the eyes. OVERALL RATING: PRICES: |
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| The accommodation options in Bled can be divided into six main categories: hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, apartments, farm stays and hostels. |
Finding a hotel that suits your needs and fits your budget can be a hassle. Bled is a very touristic place with lots of hotels of varying standards, from ultra-luxurious where guests can indulge themselves in some exquisite spas to a nice choice of affordable 3-star hotels. Find out which hotels in Bled we recommend and why. |
Bled guesthouses are definitely a nice, safe option for a place to stay as they are comfortable and homely with owners who take an interest in their guests. Many offer not only breakfast, but also lunch and dinner. There are quite a few wonderful guest houses in Bled, find out which one would best suit your needs, style and budget. |
Bed and breakfasts are a cheap way of staying in Bled. In essence you get a room and usually also a private bathroom in someone's house, with breakfast included in the price. Find out which B&Bs in Bled we recommend and why. |
Many local residents in Bled offer apartments for rent in their houses. Each apartment has one or two bedrooms, a bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Some also have a living room and a balcony or a terrace. It's a very popular wallet-friendly option when you are staying in Bled. But be careful, the rates and quality vary seriously, so always do a good research before you book an apartment for your stay! Here you will find the apartments that we think are the best ones in Bled right now. |
Hostels are a very popular option for those seeking low-cost accommodations in Bled. Most spaces and amenities are usually shared, but even if you’re not up for the cheapest option - a bed in a dorm room - you can often get a basic private room at a Bled hostel for significantly less than the cost of a low-end hotel or privately rented room. Competition between Bled hostels has grown over the past 5-10 years so the quality has risen considerably. There are now some really nice hostels in Bled, find out which are the ones that we recommend and why! |
There’s nothing quite like going to sleep under the stars, surrounded by nature and only the sound of birdsong to wake you up in the morning. The Bled area has a breathtaking nature which is perfect to do just that: whether it’s an all natural campsite or a luxurious glamping experience, these are the best outdoor sleeping areas in Bled. |
Farm stays are an increasingly popular vacation option, especially for families with young children. Styled after traditional B&Bs, farm stays offer comfortable lodging, low rates, generous breakfasts and direct access to farm animals, fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs. On some farms you can also join in with farm tasks, including feeding and egg collecting. Find out which farm stays in the Lake Bled area we recommend the most. |