About Bled Island
Bled Island is a small tear-shaped isle in the middle of the remarkable Lake Bled in northwestern Slovenia. Although it is really small, it has quite a few buildings on it, but the most famous one is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary, a Gothic church with a 52-meter tower. The way up to the church consists of 99 steps. The island has been inhabited since prehistory – human traces several thousands of years old have been found there.
To get to the Bled island, you can take a ride on a traditional wooden boat with a roof, called Pletna. More adventurous visitors can rent a row boat and row themselves over.
Bled Island Photos
Enjoy this beautiful photo gallery with 25 high resolution Bled Island photos, all taken by professional photographers!
Bled Island is a tiny teardrop shaped island that sits in the middle of Lake Bled. On the island there is the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake, a small museum, cafe and a gift shop. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
Bled Island is likely one of the most unique and idyllic wedding locations in Europe. It is possible to have Catholic, Protestant or even civil wedding ceremonies in the island’s church. (photo: Michael Matti, Slovenia.info)
Bled Island is free to all visitors, however there’s a fee to enter the church and costs for transportation to get there which is whatever type of boat you choose to hop in. (photo: Ales Fevzer, Slovenia.info)
Bled Island is the iconic island in the center of Lake Bled that you see from everywhere as you walk around the lake. (photo: Marco Coppo, Foto Video Coppo, Slovenia.info)
Upon arrival you will have to climb 100 stairs to the top that were built in 1655. (photo: Vid Rotar, Mediaspeed, Slovenia.info)
Bled Island is home to the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake and its architecture lends itself to dramatic vistas of the surrounding landscape. (photo: Vid Rotar, Mediaspeed, Slovenia.info)
The church on Bled Island is seriously the most charming church. (photo: Vid Rotar, Mediaspeed, Slovenia.info)
The usual way to reach Bled Island is by taking a trip on a wooden gondola-like row boat with a canopy called Pletna. (photo: Vid Rotar, Mediaspeed, Slovenia.info)
The journey to Bled Island is amazing, not only to experience the leisurely lake ride with the traditional Pletna boat, but also to visit the church on the island. (photo: Vid Rotar, Mediaspeed, Slovenia.info)
The main attraction on Bled Island is the wishing bell in the church. It is believed that ringing the bell fulfills three of your wishes. (photo: Marco Coppo, Foto Video Coppo, Slovenia.info)
Built into a steep cliff above the lake, Bled Castle offers magnificent views of the small island on the lake. (photo: Vid Rotar, Mediaspeed, Slovenia.info)
Bled Island is the centerpiece of Lake Bled. (photo: Iztok Medja, Slovenia.info)
The tiny teardrop shaped island, with its charming old church rises out of the turquoise water as the crowning jewel of Lake Bled. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
It’s amazing how peaceful the Bled Island looks at night. (photo: Alan Kosmac, Sidarta d.o.o., Slovenia.info)
The best time to capture autumn colors at Lake Bled is mid-October. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
No visit to Lake Bled is complete without a visit to the island. (photo: Nikola Jurisic, Slovenia.info)
Picture postcard perfect Lake Bled with its iconic island and church is no doubt the most photographed spot in the country. (photo: Nejc Pernek, Slovenia.info)
Of course, the main attraction on the island is the church. (photo: Dean Dubokovic, Slovenia.info)
Mornings are the best time to photograph Bled Island and it pays to be at the lake at least half an hour before actual sunrise. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
It is a treat to see the Bled Island in its winter setting. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
Even when it’s blanketed by snow, there’s no doubt this tiny island with its church in the middle of the lake is a truly special place. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
An increasingly rare sight. Frozen Lake Bled, where people can walk to the island. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
Bled Island looks magical when covered in snow in the winter months. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
Views of Lake Bled are beautiful in every season throughout the year, but in the winter, they are especially spectacular. (photo: Franci Ferjan, Slovenia.info)
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. |