Introducing Bled Castle
Bled Castle or Blejski Grad as it is called in Slovene is the oldest castle in Slovenia, built on a precipice above Lake Bled in northwestern Slovenia, overlooking the picturesque Lake Bled. The castle was first mentioned in 1011 as Castellum Veldes (Veldes is the German name of Bled). Later on it was devastated by two earthquakes, ransacked in a peasant uprising, and finally beautifully renovated and restored in the 1950s. It is currently one of the most visited tourist attractions in Slovenia.
Bled Castle Review
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 historic and cultural attractions in Slovenia with over 300.000 annual guests. You have to pay an entrance fee to get into the grounds of the castle, but it is well worth it.
The entrance to the Bled Castle is particularly interesting due to its Gothic arch and drawbridge across a now filled-in moat. Once you enter the castle, you’ll be surprised with the amount of things to do in the castle – there is a small chapel, a very nice restaurant overlooking the lake, two courtyards, a really interesting museum, a wine cellar with wine tasting, a blacksmith shop, print shop, and gift shop. Throughout the year, but especially in the summer months, the castle hosts numerous interesting events. Every year there is a medieval day where people experience something of life in the Middle Ages and a number of times every year, different medieval and renaissance events take place as well. Bled Castle is also the popular choice for many newlyweds for their dream wedding, with its remarkable medieval castle wedding venue.
The castle is opened from January to March between 8.00 and 18.00, from April to June 14 between 8.00 and 20.00, from June 15 to September 15 between 8.00 and 21.00, from September 16 to October 31 between 8.00 and 20.00, and in November and December between 8.00 and 18.00. Entrance fee is €9 (students €7, children €4,5). The castle can be reached by car (there’s parking at the top), or you can take a bus, but if the weather is nice, we would definitely suggest taking a 15-minute walk on a beautiful path towards the castle.
Bled Castle Pictures
The spectacular cliff-top Bled Castle. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)
Photographers try to capture the castle from all angles, and in all seasons and times of the day. (photo: Jost Gantar, Bled.si)
It is amazing how remarkable Bled Castle looks the next morning after snowfall. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
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Bled Castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia, first mentioned in the year 1011. The castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. |
Boasting a perfect picture-postcard setting atop a 130 meter high cliff above the north shore of Lake Bled, Bled Castle is one of the most-photographed castles in the world with many landscape photographers choosing to capture it from all angles, and in all seasons and times of the day. |
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. Because of its position, it is usually the first thing to photograph for those visiting the town of Bled. |
Bled Castle location on the map
Address: Grajska cesta 61, 4260 Bled
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.36987, 14.10068
GPS coordinates: 46° 22′ 10.9884” N 14° 6′ 2.3292” E
Region: Gorenjska (a.k.a Upper Carniola a.k.a Slovenian Alps a.k.a Oberkrain)
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: 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. |
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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. |
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. |