Top 5 places to visit in Bled
Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe it. Bled is a resort town with a small island floating on a lake formed by glaciers from the Alps and a picturesque castle perched on a cliff on the lakeshore. The castle and forest reflections on the lake are a must-see, especially in the morning when the swans wake up to the emerald sunlight.
Bled island
A trip to the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary on Bled island aboard the traditional ferry Pletna is a highlight of any trip to Bled.
The church is over 1,000 years old and is located on Bled Island, which floats on Lake Bled. It’s said that in the past, worshippers would arrive by ferry at night, stay up all night, and return for the dawn mass. It’s one of the top 10 churches for Europeans to get married, and weddings are held here every weekend. After getting off the boat and climbing the 99 steps at the beginning of the island, the church appears.
Inside the small church is a wish bell, and if you pull hard enough on the rope in front of the altar, a clear, high-pitched chime rings out. If you ring the bell three times, your wish is said to be granted, which is why people keep coming back. The traditional ferry ‘Pletna’ will take you to Bled Island in 10 minutes.
Bohinjsko jezero
If Lake Bled is a fairytale-like landscape, Lake Bohinj is a glacial lake that shows the vastness of nature. Surrounded by the majestic Julian Alps, the lake is one kilometer wide, four kilometers long and 12 kilometers in circumference, making it three times the size of Lake Bled. Despite its enormous size, the water is so crystal clear and clean that you can see small schools of fish. The lake is fed by the Bohinj valley and is a natural wonder that drains and refills three times a year.
The best way to explore the vast lake is on an electric motorized boat tour. The view from the boat is breathtaking, with the mirror-like lake reflecting the Alpine landscape like a decalcomanie. Paddleboating, canoeing, and fishing are just a few of the many things to do on Lake Bohinj. Camping is also romantic, with tents pitched in the forest by the lake and mornings waking up to misty lakeside views. However, to protect the environment, cooking is prohibited at the campground.
Vogel Ski Center
Vogel Ski Center: Half Day Skiing with Instructor
A cable car from Lake Bohinj takes you to the ski center at the top of Mount Vogel in four minutes and two seconds. The cable car has three ‘simkung points’: when you look down at the lake from the cable car, when you walk on the glass-floored observation deck at 1535 meters above sea level, and finally when you take in the view from the observation deck. Wash down your excitement with a hot soup at the restaurant next to the observation deck and quench your thirst with a beer. If time and stamina permit, you can also try trekking. Trekking routes vary from one to six hours. In winter, you should definitely go skiing. The ski season lasts six months, from November to May.
Bohinjia Village
This small village in the Triglav National Park is surrounded by the Julian Alps. A bridge over a mineral spring-fed stream leads to a cluster of wooden houses. There are several hostels where you can stay at a reasonable price. Most of the villagers farm and raise goats, sheep, and other livestock and run farm stays on the side. Even if you don’t stay in the village, it’s worth taking a stroll around. The relaxed smiles of the locals you meet along the way will warm your heart.
Blejski Grad
Lake Bled with Bled Castle Included
This fortress stands on a cliff 100 meters above the lake. The castle was built by German Emperor Henry II in 1004, and a tower was added in the Middle Ages. It was once used as a summer residence for Yugoslav royalty.
From the top of the castle, the crystal-clear Lake Bled shines beautifully in the sunlight, and the cathedral on Bled Island is postcard-perfectly small and cute. Standing on the castle parapet, the rugged peaks of the Julian Alps and the Caravanke Mountains offer breathtaking views. Inside the castle, you’ll find a museum displaying armor and swords excavated from the Bled region, a baroque chapel, a restaurant, a winery, and a blacksmith shop. The 16th-century chapel is worth a visit for its frescoes on the walls. You can also sit on the outdoor terrace and enjoy a meal overlooking the lake.
