Holiday in Bled

What makes Bled special as a destination?

Bled is a small town in the Julian Alps of Slovenia, which has become one of the most photographed places in Europe due to its fairy-tale lake. The emerald-green Lake Bled with its tiny island, topped by a white Baroque church, framed by snow-capped Alpine peaks and a medieval castle on a rock — this image looks like it is from a fairy tale and is yet completely real. The island Blejski Otok is the heart of the area. A ride on the traditional Pletna — a handcrafted wooden boat rowed by standing boatmen — is a must-do. Upon arriving on the island, one climbs 99 steps to the Church of the Assumption and rings the wish bell — according to legend, every wish is granted when the bell rings three times. Bled Castle sits atop a 130-meter high rock above the lake and is the oldest castle in Slovenia. From the terrace, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the entire Alpine region can be enjoyed: the lake with the island, the Karawanken mountains in the background, and on clear days, the 2,864-meter high Triglav, Slovenia's highest mountain. The lake can be comfortably circled on foot in an hour — the path leads through forests, past historic villas and swimming spots with views of the island from various perspectives. In summer, the water reaches 24°C and invites swimming; in winter, the lake occasionally freezes completely — a magical sight. The Vintgar Gorge, just 4 kilometers away, is a spectacular canyon through which the Radovna River rushes in turquoise water over cascades and waterfalls. Wooden walkways lead 1.6 kilometers through the narrow gorge — a natural experience that perfectly complements a visit to the lake.