Introducing Bled
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.
The town was first mentioned in writing a millennium ago in 1004. It prospered in the Middle Ages due to pilgrims coming to see the church on the island. The first true tourists began to visit Bled in the 19th century to benefit from the healthy climate and thermal springs, the curative powers of which had been discovered by the Swiss hydrologist Arnold Rikli. He spent more than fifty years in Bled and founded the Institute of natural healing. Guesthouses, hotels, restaurants and villas sprang up to cater for the needs of visitors. In the beginning of the 20th century, it was recognized as the most beautiful thermal resort of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, attracting the European aristocratic elite who appreciated the value of water, air and sunlight for health.
Nowadays Bled represents the synthesis of natural, cultural and symbolic value. It’s a vacation hotspot for tourists from all over Europe and the world. It is an all year round resort with plenty to do in both summer and winter. Numerous spas and wellness facilities, hotels with pools, organized swimming areas and numerous other water-based activities, walking paths, excellent horse riding possibilities, the oldest and the largest Slovenian golf course, tennis and beach valley courts, an adrenaline park, a casino, a sports airport in Lesce, and other nearby natural and cultural sites provide plenty of reasons for a visit.
Winter offers skiing, skating on the frozen surface (if the winter is cold enough), sledding trails, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and more.
The glacial lake is definitely the centrepiece of Bled’s beauty. In the middle of the lake there is a charming little tear-shaped island, the only island in Slovenia. The largest building on the island is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary. Sitting atop a cliff 130 meters above the lake is the iconic castle offering magnificent views of the lake, the lake and the surrounding countryside. Further attractions include the Vintgar Gorge and the Bled health spa.
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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. |
Bled Pictures
Aerial view of the town of Bled and its lake. (photo: Jani Kolman, Bled.si)
Bled is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia, it’s definitely a photographer’s paradise and a traveller’s dream. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)
Bled in the winter season. (photo: Ales Krivec, Bled.si)
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The town of Bled, located in the northwestern corner of Slovenia between Austria and Italy, is a spectacular destination surrounded by Slovenian Alps. |
Bled is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia, it's definitely a photographer's paradise and a traveller's dream. |
Bled is a must-see destination in Slovenia that needs little introduction. The town is famous for the picture-perfect Lake Bled at the heart of the town that draws in visitors from around the world. |
Bled with its idyllic lake is a magical place, especially during the holiday season, and it's not like any other place in Slovenia. |
Lake Bled is a 2,220 meters by 1,380 meters lake that looks like it’s straight out of a children’s storybook with its little tear-shaped island in the middle of the lake, the medieval cliff-top castle and incredible panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. |
Lake Bled is one of the most picturesque destinations to visit in Slovenia. It's a photographer’s paradise and travel eye candy and has plenty of magnificent photo opportunities. |
Lake Bled is one of those places that feels like it was pulled off straight from the pages of a fairytale. Thousands of tourists visit it every year, and all you have to do is follow the hiking trails leading around the lake and you'll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views and Instagram-worthy photo-ops. |
Take a look through these stunning aerial drone photos that offer a different perspective on Lake Bled. |
Take a look at these breathtaking drone photos of Lake Bled in the fall season. |
The most remarkable view of Lake Bled is definitely from the Mala Osojnica viewpoint. |
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 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. |
While Lake Bled is naturally beautiful, it’s made a hundred times more striking with Bled Island sitting idyllically in the middle, garnished with a picture-perfect church that visitors to Bled can visit. |
Bled Island is the iconic island in the center of Lake Bled that you see from pretty much everywhere as you walk around the lake. It is the soul of Lake Bled. Visitors to Bled like to capture it in all the classic frames – from across the lake, from the viewpoints, and from the Bled castle. |
Bled Island is a small tear-shaped isle in the middle of Lake Bled and the most famous building on it is the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake, a Gothic church with a 52-meter tower. |
The Church of the Mother of God on the Lake is located on a tiny island in the middle of Lake Bled. It has such a remarkable setting that photographs of it are regularly found in travel magazines. |
The Church of the Mother of God on the Lake is the iconic church on the Bled Island that you see from pretty much everywhere as you walk around the lake. |
Vintgar Gorge, or Bled Gorge as it is also known, is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary places to visit in Slovenia. It 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. |
Walking through the Vintgar Gorge is such an amazing experience. It is clearly one of the best things to do in the Lake Bled area. |
With its jade green waters and natural beauty, Vintgar Gorge has become one of the most popular natural attractions to visit in Slovenia. What makes this stunning natural attraction so special is the man made boardwalks that cross their way through the gorge and make this a photographer’s dream. |
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If you’re looking for the most popular Lake Bled viewpoint, it’s highly likely you’re referring to Mala Osojnica. Set only a short hike from Bled, Mala Osojnica provides stunning views of Lake Bled and surrounding mountains. |
The Bled area is ideal for cycling and offers breathtaking scenery for extensive cycling tours. |
Location of Bled on the map
Address: Presernova cesta 1, 4260 Bled, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.36359, 14.09380
GPS coordinates: 46° 21′ 48.9528” N 14° 5′ 37.6980” E
Region: Gorenjska (a.k.a Upper Carniola a.k.a Slovenian Alps a.k.a Oberkrain)
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The picturesque Lake Bled tops the list of the 10 best half-term holidays in Europe, according to the well-known British newspaper The Guardian. |
Despite the warmer temperatures, the fall is here and the nature in the Lake Bled area is changing its colors to the hues of fall with dazzling yellow, orange, red, and brown. |
Lake Bled is one of the most picturesque spots to visit in Slovenia and spring is a fantastic time to visit it. |
Even though Lake Bled is very picturesque during any season of the year, each of them brings its own beauty. This is how it looks in the time between winter and spring, when we wait to watch nature burst to life again. |
To catch a classic view of Lake Bled, for that postcard-worthy Instagram post, the Mala Osojnica viewpoint hike will take you to the best Lake Bled viewpoint. |
Bled is a magical place at any time of the year, but it's extra special during the holiday season. |
We are delighted to let you know that Lake Bled has landed in the top 10 of Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel List. |
Globally renowned travel blogger Aurelia Teslaru has published a list of the 50 most beautiful European towns and villages, with two Slovenian towns on it - Bled and Piran. |
Lake Bled is getting warmer. The official bathing season has not yet started, but the temperature of the lake is already nice enough for many bathers at 21 degrees Celsius. |
Get ready Slovenia, Polar temperatures are coming this weekend and there's a good chance we'll all be able to walk across the frozen Lake Bled to the picturesque island with a church in the middle. |
National Geographic, which is one of the most respected travel, educational and scientific organizations in the world, decided to put Bled on the cover of their 2017-2018 Private Jet Expeditions brochure. |
From November 7th to November 9th, London once more hosted the annual WTM (World Travel Market) tourism fair. We are absolutely delighted to report that this year Bled has emerged as the winner in the Sports Destination category. |
The idyllic Alpine gem Bled tops the list of Europe's 15 most breathtakingly beautiful villages, according to the Thrillist travel portal. |
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| In order to help you get the most out of your trip to Lake Bled, Slovenia, we have compiled a list of the most popular attractions and things to do in Bled and the surrounding area. |
| Lake Bled enjoys pleasant, sunny summers when days are long and temperatures can often exceed 25°C, particularly in July and August. Winter weather in Bled, by contrast, is bitterly cold, with snow and frosty days when temperatures hover at or just below freezing. |
The nightlife in Bled is fairly relaxed and the atmosphere is more calm than lively – perfect for families and those wishing to make the most of a truly relaxing break. There are bars and pubs that can pack a good crowd and provide evening entertainment. |
The alpine resort town of Bled with its idyllic lake, island with a church, and castle, is among the most iconic sights in Slovenia. But Bled is the home to another Slovenian icon, the Bled cream cake (or cremeschnitte), known in Slovenian as kremna rezina or kremsnita. |
| There are lots of great restaurants in Lake Bled offering delicious local and international food and great locations. |
| There are many things you can do in Bled. It is a paradise for lovers of sports and outdoor activities. Swimming, bathing and numerous other water-based activities, cycling, hiking, horse riding, fishing, golf, beach volley, tennis and in winter also skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing and more. |
| Bled Gorge, also known as Vintgar Gorge, is the major attraction in the immediate vicinity of Lake Bled. It’s a must see in Slovenia with its waterfalls, pools, rapids and vegetation. |
| Bled is known for it’s stunning setting, lake, castle on the rock above the lake and an old church on the island, but it’s also an extremely attractive starting point for hiking trips of every degree of difficulty to the eastern reaches of Triglav National Park. |
| It is possible to reach Bled by train but the Bled Jezero train station is on the other side of the lake, opposite the town, approximately one and a half kilometres away. |
| The Bled’s well-stocked tourist information centre is the best place to begin a visit to Bled. The helpful staff can provide a wealth of information on all of the sights both in the town and the surrounding countryside, and various souvenirs, postcards, books and maps are also available for purchase in addition to free brochures and other handouts. |
| If you’re looking for a home away from home in Lake Bled, why not stay in a self-catering apartment? You’ll find all the comforts of your own house, as well as plenty privacy. |
| Find budget places to stay in Lake Bled, Slovenia from as low as €15 per night. Places to stay in Lake Bled are as varied as the places you visit. Whatever your budget, the choice – from basic rooms to smart hotel, from tiny cottage to grand villas – is all part of the fun. If you’re looking to stay in Lake Bled for less, don’t miss budget accommodation options. |
| Finding a hotel that suits your needs and fits your budget can be a hassle. That is why we have reviewed and rated the most popular Lake Bled hotels. |
| There’s a vast selection of privately rented holiday apartments to rent in Lake Bled, Slovenia. From family friendly holiday apartments to luxury apartments for romantic breaks. |
| If you are looking for something a bit more private, many local residents in Lake Bled offer rooms for rent in their homes. This option is an ideal choice for those looking for a budget place to stay in Lake Bled. |
| Wellness centres and spas are available in a number of Bled hotels, offering a range of holistic health and beauty treatments. Many external guests can also do some good for themselves while relaxing. |
| As you might expect, self catering privately rented apartments with a lake view are more expensive than than those without lake view. And rates of apartments with a lake view are generally lower than apartments that are lake front. |
| Rain or shine? Be prepared with the most accurate 5 day forecast for Lake Bled, Slovenia. |