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Bled is a town in Slovenia, on the east side of Lake Bled.

Understand

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Bled Island seen from the Castle

Bled is a popular destination in Slovenia due to its romantic scenery and access point for Triglav National Park, which offers numerous outdoor adventure opportunities. The town features a little white church on an island in the center of an emerald green mountain lake, with Bled Castle perched high above, amidst the Julian Alps.

The TIC is by the lake at the foot of the castle, on Cesta Svobode 15. It's open M-Sa 08:00-19:00, Su 10:00-17:00.

Get in

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By plane

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The closest airport is 1 Jože Pučnik Airport Ljubljana Airport on Wikipedia (LJU IATA), which is easily accessed by bus for €7 or by taxi for €40 and up to €55; see the link for details.

Near Lake Bled is a small civil airport Lesce-Bled for fun and sports fliers.

By bus

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The bus station in Bled is centrally located northeast of the lake at the intersection of Cesta Svobode and Grajska Cesta.

Buses leave from Ljubljana to Bled hourly on the hour and in the other direction hourly on the half-hour. The journey takes 75 minutes and costs €7. Schedules are available online.

A lot of buses from Ljubljana drop passengers off at Lesce-Bled station 4 km southeast of Bled where you can switch to a local bus to Bled (it costs €1.60)

By train

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Trains from Ljubljana drop passengers off at Lesce-Bled station, 4 km southeast of Bled. The journey takes slightly under an hour by regional train. These run irregularly, but more or less once every hour. In addition, there are a few IC services a day, which are slightly faster.

Buses connect the station with Bled at least every 30 minutes for €1.30. A taxi to/from the station costs €10.

  • 2 Bled Jezero Stationis on the other side of the lake, opposite the town, 1.5 km away. From here, trains leave to/from Jesenice and Nova Gorica every two hours or so.

Train schedules are also available online.

Get around

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On foot

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Bled is small enough to cover on foot. A walk around the lake will take just over an hour.

By pletna

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The traditional way to reach the lake's island is by a pletna boat, which resembles a huge gondola. The round-trip fare is fixed at €12 per person, and the rowers will typically wait to get minimum ten people on the boat before departing. The entire trip takes 90 minutes, including 60 minutes of rowing and 30 minutes on the island. The pletnas depart from various locations around the lake. Click here for reservations.

By rowboat

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A popular method of travel to the island church is by renting a rowboat.

By bicycle

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Bled and the vicinity are great for riding bicycles, which can be rented at many outdoor agencies. There are no designated bike lanes in Bled. Cycling off-road or off-track is not allowed in Slovenia. A list of suggested bike routes is available here.

By horse

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Horses are available for rent, with or without guides/instructors, at most outdoor agencies. In addition, horse-drawn carriages are available for rides around the lake, to the castle, and further afield.

See

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Bled Castle
View of Bled Island in autumn with snow covered alpine peaks.
Ringing the Wishing Bell
  • Lake Bled. Formed after the recession of the Bohinj glacier at the end of the Ice Age. As much as 2120 m long and 1380 m wide. Maximum depth is 30.6 m. With no natural tributaries, it is fed by a few springs. (updated Nov 2023)
  • 1 Bled Castle (follow the paths marked Grad for a 15 minute steep climb). 08:00-19:00, until 17:00 in winter. A picturesque white and red castle enclosed by a Romanesque wall with parapets, ramparts, and towers. The current incarnation of the castle dates from the 17th century and was restored in the 1950s. The upper courtyard includes a 16th-century chapel decorated with frescoes from 1700 and includes a painting of Henry II conferring Bled to Bishop Albuin. There is a small museum with an exhibition on the castle's history and the usual array of medieval pomp, pageantry and weaponry. However, the items do not include descriptions in any language. The castle terrace offers great views of the lake and island below. There is also a small wine center run by Andre, the monk. There, for the price of a champagne bottle (€15) Andre will teach you how to perform Sabrage, or Sabree, the art of cutting the top of the bottle off with a blade. You can also bottle, label, and wax stamp your own wine right in the cellar with Andre. The wooden steps near the wine cellar lead to small shop that sells various herbs and oils. Go in here for the smell. Adults €15, students €9.50, children €6. 20% off for disabled & 65+. Bled Castle (Q2049047) on Wikidata Bled Castle on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2023)
  • Bled Island (By rowboat or pletna - see above). Excavations on the island have revealed the remains of a pre-Romanesque Chapel and a large Slavic cemetery dating to 9 AD. (updated Nov 2023)
    • 2 Church of the Assumption (Cerkev Marijinega Vnebovzetja). 08:00-dusk. The present baroque church dates from 1698. Well preserved frescoes depict scenes from the life of Virgin Mary. Ring the wishing bell, which was installed in the original Gothic church in 1534. The Provost's house and the smaller building behind the church were used as guesthouses. According to local tradition, a husband who can carry his newly married bride the 99 steps up from the dock into the church will be ensured a happy marriage, and ringing the bell in the church will fulfill one of your wishes. €3. 
  • 3 Iglica Waterfall (4 km southwest of Bled, in the caves of Iglica, near the village of Bohinjska Bela). 18 m high, but very narrow waterfall over a vertical wall of Permian limestone. Popular for rock climbing. If you go up the stairs you have a beautiful view over the whole area. 
  • Babji Zob (Hag's Tooth) Caves (4 km southwest of Bled, near the village of Bohinjska Bela). 300-m cave system includes rare helictites (calcium deposits) and a tooth-shaped pillar atop a 1128-m peak. Very different than other caves in Slovenia. Three-hour tours take place Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the summer. Meet at Bohinjska Bela 34. 

Do

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Vintgar Gorge

Most of the outdoor adventure activities, as well as the must-see Vintgar Gorge, are in nearby Triglav National Park. However, Bled also offers numerous activities.

  • Altitude Activities, Ljubljanska cesta 1, ☏ +38631268718, . Friendly outdoor agency run by twin brothers, who are outdoor enthusiasts. There you can go on guided tours for activities like paragliding, skydiving, hiking, mountaineering, canyoning, kayaking, rafting, hot air ballooning, bike tours, rock climbing, via Ferrata and day tours around Triglav national park. If you need any information about hiking, they are happy to help and give you information. There you can also rent bikes and equipment for climbing. €80. (updated Nov 2019)
  • A Adventure Factory Ljubljanska cesta 4, +38640217330, info@aadventurefactory.com. A friendly ATV tour company, that offers also the possibility to rent a quad. If you seek information about the surrounding area or any other activities, feel free to ask them, they are allways ready to help.
  • Hiking. Bled offers several easy to moderate hikes, many of which offer amazing picturesque views of the island. Velika Osojnica, a 756m high peak at the southwestern corner of the lake offers the best and most famous views of Bled, and is popular among photographers. An easier, but less spectacular option is to hike up 638m Straza, covered with linden oak and spruce trees, southwest of the Grand Hotel Toplice. 
  • Canyoning & rock climbing There are multiple canyons near Bled that allow outdoor enthusiasts to jump and rappel with the rope over waterfalls. In Triglav national park you can also find over 10 sport climbing areas.
  • Take amazing photos Best viewpoints are Mala Osojnica near Camp Zaka and Bled castle. You can enter the castle for free in the evening after the museum closes. Just say that you are going to a restaurant.
  • Swimming at Grajsko kopališče (Castle Bathing Area) (on the north shore underneath the castle). Mid Jun-Sep 08:00-19:00. 6,000-m² area, a great place to swim, also has two waterslides, a trampoline, a climbing wall, four outdoor swimming pools, a jump board as well as climbers, swings and a sandbox for children, table tennis, chess, 1,000 changing rooms, 107 lockers, boat rental, snack shop, and a grassy beach. €6 for a daily ticket, €3 after noon. 
  • Strel Swimming Adventures. Swim across Lake Bled and around the Island with well known operator for Slovenian swimming adventure holidays. 
  • Indoor Ice Skating at Sportna Dvorana (just east of the Park Hotel), ☏ +386 4 578 0534. Fee: €4.50; skate rental: €4. 
  • Bled Golf & Country Club, Kidriceva 10c (2km east of town on the Bled-Lesce Road), ☏ +386 4 537 77 00. Slovenia's premier golf course. 9 holes €30, 18 holes €60. 
  • Mini Golf, Ljubljanska cesta (Behind Hotel Park), ☏ +386 41 840 079. 09:30-23:00. 18 holes. Hosts a variety of classic mini golf competitions, including the National Championship. 
  • Spas & Wellness Centers. Unwind in thermal pools, whirlpools and saunas, or alternatively let yourself be pampered with a soothing massage, a calming bath or a rejuvenating beauty treatment. 
  • Summer tobogganing, ☏ +386 4 578 05 34. Open only during the summer. Ride down a 520-m track on a 131-m hill in a small cart. Speeds top out at 40 km/h. 
  • Fishing. Fishing for catfish, pike, carp and lake trout is permitted on Lake Bled with the purchase of a permit from the tourist office for €20 per day. 
  • Hot Air Balloon Flights (Ballooning center Barje), ☏ +386 41664545, . 24/7. Accepts bookings via email or phone, at least a day before the flight. Hot air balloon flights are only early in the morning, starting at Sunrise. Whole programme is about 3-4 hr (flight time approx. 1 hr). (updated May 2016)

Festivals

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A complete listing of events in Bled is available on the Tourist Information website

  • Bled Days. On the 4th weekend of July. Three days of fairs and concerts. The event culminates in fireworks and the lighting of thousands of candles on the lake. 
  • Okarina Etno Festival. 1st weekend in August. Ethnic festival featuring folk music performances. 
  • International Music Festival Bled. Early July. Classical music festival. 
  • Medieval days A weekend festival that takes place on first weekend in June at Bled Castle

Eat

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Bled Cremeschnitte at Bled lake

Most of the hotels have restaurants and bars. In addition, the following are stand-alone restaurants worth a visit. Prices in Bled tend to be inflated due to the tourist nature of the town. Try the local speciality kremna rezina also called kremšnita (Cremeschnitte), a cake of vanilla custard and cream.

Sleep

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Most prices listed do not include tourist tax of €1.01 per person.

Budget

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Camping

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  • 1 Camping Bled. In a beautiful green setting close to the lake. Free (but slow) WiFi at the reception. €8.50-12.50. 

Hostels

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  • 2 Bled Castle Hostel 1004, Grajska Cesta 22, ☏ +386 41 567 512, . Free internet. 
  • BACK Bar & Hostel, Grajska 21 (Above the George Best Bar, at the edge of town, next to Youth Hostel Bledec, just beneath Bled castle), ☏ +386 40 743 398. Check-out: 11:00. Five rooms with 20 beds. Free Wi-Fi. Laundry service. Adventure trips. 
  • 3 Bledec Youth Hostel & Penzion, Grajska 17 (On the edge of town). Popular place for families. Member of Hostelling International. Breakfast included. Dorm bed: €18-22; Double: €36-48. 
  • Jakelj Backpackers House, Selo 11A 4274 Zirovnica (a little out of town (10 km), but there is free pickup in Bled from 08:00-20:00), ☏ +386 31 616889. Free pickup from the Bled train station. Free Linens/Towels and Internet. This hostel is run by a great family. The son runs some excursions and is very nice. The breakfasts were complimentary eggs (made by the mother) and are fantastic. Dinners at the hostel are €6 for 4 courses of Slovenian fare. The food is fantastic. They offer a huge range of activities (rafting, canyoning, horse back riding, outdoor camping, skiing, national park trips). Dorm bed: €15-20. 
  • 4 Traveller's Haven, Riklijeva cesta 1, ☏ +386 5 904 42 26. Features what are possibly the most comfortable mattresses in any hostel around the world! Located in a typical Bled house from the beginning of the 20th century in the old part of Bled, just a few minutes from the bus station or the lake, with the grocery store just across the street. It has 27 beds in 6 rooms, an equipped kitchen, living room and two small balconies. Free laundry machines. You can arrange free pickup from the train station. Free bike rentals. Dorm bed: €19; Double: €48. 
  • 5 Vila Gorenka Guesthouse, Želeška cesta 9, ☏ +386-4-5744722, . Built in 1909. €17 per person. 

Mid-range

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  • House Klasika (former Garni Pension Švigelj), Levstikova 2, Bled (in the centre of Bled, just 5 minutes walking distance from the lake), ☏ +386 4 5744 841, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Family-run four star pension famous of it's hospitality, fabulous breakfast and traditional architecture. Free internet in all rooms (cable, wireless), free computer access, free parking. Double: €65-95. 
  • Apartments Špec, Levstikova 10, Bled (In the center of Bled, 5 minutes from lake), ☏ +386 4 574 14 77, . 40-m² furnished apartments for 2-4 persons. Quiet location, free computer access, free wi-fi, tvs in all apartments, free parking. €55-75. 
  • 6 Hotel Jelovica, Cesta svobode 8 (200m from the lake). Three-star higher middleclass hotel, connected with a pleasant park leads down to the lake shore. Single: €47-73; Double/Twin: €60-132. 
  • 7 Hotel Astoria Bled. Single: €69-119; Double: €89-139. 
  • 8 Garni Hotel Berc (300m from the centre), ☏ +386 4 576 56 58, . 15 rooms. Family-run three-star hotel. B&B. No credit cards. Free internet. Single: €45-50; Double: €70-80 inc tax. 
  • 9 Garni Hotel Jadran, Cesta svobode 12, ☏ +386 4 579 1365, . In a beautiful historic building overlooking the lake. Use of the wellness facilities at the Toplice is free of charge for guests of the Jadran. Single: €64-96; Double/Twin: €74-116. 
  • 10 Garni Hotel Villa Bojana, Ljubljanska cesta 12, ☏ +386 4 576 81 70, . 3 star family-run hotel. 11 rooms. Free internet: LAN and WIFI in every room. Roof terrace. 
  • 11 Family Hotel Savica (300 m to lake, next to the Golf Hotel and Ziva Wellness Center). 3 star hotel. Pool. Family friendly, provides all necessary facilities for babies and young children as well as a broad animation program. Apartments and suites are available. Breakfast included. Single: €88-100; Double/Twin: €100-122. 
  • 12 Hotel Trst (opposite the Grand Hotel Toplice.). Guests may use the swimming pool of the Toplice free of charge. Single: €61-71; Double/Twin: €76-86. 
  • Hotel Ribno, Izletniška 44 (in the village of Ribno, 2km from Lake Bled), ☏ +386 4 578 31 00, . 58 rooms and three suites. Free wi-fi. Popular for weddings and corporate outings. Single: €79-98; Double/Twin: €93-115. 
  • 13 Pension Mayer, Želeška cesta 7 (200 m to lake), ☏ +386 4 576 5740, . Restaurant and summer garden. Free wi-fi. Cottage and apartments available. Single: €55; Double/Twin: €75-80; Cottage: €120-150. 
  • Krek Hotel (5 km from lake Bled at the motorway exit Lesce/Bled,). 34 rooms. New modern hotel and restaurant, big secured underground parking, free internet access B&B. Single: €48-60; Double: €70-85. 
  • Krek Pension (Ribno, 2 km from lake Bled and 500 m from river valley Sava). Family-run three-star guesthouse. Excellent location for fishing and hiking. Single: €37-44; Double: €54-57. 
  • 14 Pension Mlino (On the shore of the lake), ☏ +386 4 574 14 04, . 13 rooms. Free wi-fi. Single: €35-45; Double/Twin: €50-70. 
  • Apartments Union, Ljubljanska 9 (300 m to lake), ☏ +386 4 57 80 110, . Apartments available. Great bar downstairs. Accessible by disabled. Single: €25-55; Double/Twin: €31-38. 
  • Vila Ajda, Cesta svobode 27 (central), ☏ +386 4 576 83 20, . Four apartments. Fish restaurant. Lake views. Four-person apartment €110. 
  • Pension Tiffany, Jarska Cesta 7 (in the very vicinity of the lake and the centre), ☏ +386 4 574 26 53, . All of the apartments have well equipped kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms with cable tv and balconies. Parking place is ensured. Free Wi-Fi Apartment for 2, 3, 4, 5 persons, €45-90. 

Splurge

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  • 15 Best Western Premier Hotel Lovec, Ljubljanska Cesta 6, ☏ +386 4 6204 100. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. 4 star hotel. Breakfast included. From €94 to €240. 
  • 16 Golf Hotel, Cankarjeva 4, ☏ +386 4 579 1700. 4-star hotel featuring the excellent Ziva Wellness Centre. Single: €125-160; Double/Twin: €135-190. 
  • 17 Grand Hotel Toplice, Cesta svobode 12, ☏ +386 4 579 10 00, . 5-star hotel. Features thermal springs. Single: €140-195; Double/Twin: €150-240. 
  • 18 Hotel Vila Bled, Cesta svobode 26 (On the southern side of the lake), ☏ +386 4 575 37 10, . 4-star hotel. This was the private getaway of Marshal Tito during the days of Yugoslavia. In spite of its renovation, it hasn't lost any of its historic charm. The hotel also features a small new wellness studio. Double/Twin: €159 when booked for 3+ nights. 
  • King's Club House (on Bled Golf Course). 4-star hotel. Single: €170; Double/Twin: €238-258. 
  • 19 Park Hotel, Cesta svobode 15 (on the lake shore), ☏ +386 4 579 1800, . 4-star hotel. Features a swimming pool on its highest floor with a great view. The famous cream cakes were invented at the hotel in 1953 and over 10 million have been baked in its patisserie so far. Single: €103-125; Double/Twin: €130-170. 

Connect

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Bled has 4G from all Slovenian carriers. As of Sept 2021, 5G has not reached the town.

Stay safe

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Be sure to take necessary precautions when participating in outdoor activities.

Bled can become extremely crowded during the summer months especially at weekends. A visit during winter, while cold, presents you with the chance to see a frozen Lake Bled and have the place to yourself. Alternatively those seeking a bit of peace will find that the side of the lake opposite the town is often somewhat quieter.

Go next

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This city travel guide to Bled is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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