This spectacular lake in the foothills of the Alps is famous for its emerald-green waters,
small island with a church and an ancient castle on the cliff. No wonder that this fairytale
place is full of legends and myths. This is Lake Bled, one of the most popular places in picture
perfect Slovenia. Hi guys. My name is Rok and I’ve spent the last 9 years travelling around
Europe as a tour guide and I can’t wait to show you Things To Do In Bled, Slovenia.
Bled became popular already in the 19th century due to its healing properties like fresh air,
clear lake, mild Alpine climate and hot springs. That is why a Swiss healer Arnold Rikli built
the first natural healing resort here. Nowadays thermal springs are filling the pools in three
hotels around the lake. But you can soak up the healing benefits of Bled also in this
historic Café Belvedere perched on high pillars above the lake. It was designed by the famous
Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik as the "waiting room" for audiences of the Yugoslavian King
Alexander who had his residence in the nearby Vila Bled. Here is where the Yugoslav president
Tito hosted members of royalty, presidents and famous people at tea parties, cognac and cigars.
You can reach the cafe by climbing up the stairs leading from the walking path around the lake.
According to the legend, there used to be a meadow valley with a small hill and a rock,
where mountain fairies danced at night. Shepherds grazed their sheep in the valley, which ate grass
around the fairy rock. The fairies asked the shepherds to put a fence around their dance area,
so that the grass would remain soft. The shepherds ignored their request and one day,
the youngest and most beautiful fairy broke her leg while dancing. The angry fairies called upon
the springs and brooks to storm into the valley and fill it with water. Only the hill with the
rock remained as an island in the middle of the lake, where fairies could dance. To get the best
views of the beauty left by the fairies you will need to do a steep hike to get to this Hilltop
viewpoint that offers the most iconic panoramas of Lake Bled. The hike starts on the west side
of the lake, where right next to the road you can spot a bench and a sign marking the trail to
Mala Osojnica. Most of the time the trail is under the cover of trees. When you reach the long metal
staircase you are 5 minutes from the top. From there you can continue the hike to other peaks.
The roundtrip hike will take you about an hour, but as you can see it is well worth the effort.
The best way to see Lake Bled is to simply walk around it.
Walking around the lake is among the most popular things to do and it should take you
at least 2 hours as the total distance is 6 km or 3.8 miles. The route uses pathways and pavements
wherever possible and on the northern shore, it runs along a lakeside road closed to traffic.
The views are gorgeous and along the way you may come across some very pretty swimming spots or
you will take a break in one of the cafes and bars with stunning views.
If you don’t like walking you can still go around the lake. You can rent a bicycle, enjoy a ride in
a horse-drawn carriage or take a tourist train that runs around the lake every 45 minutes.
Straža is a hill opposite to the Bled castle. It is popular for a nice, easy uphill walk and
offers many summer and winter activities. The climb is not difficult and takes 15 minutes,
but if you prefer you can take the chair lift. The top of the hill offers a beautiful
view overlooking the Lake, the castle and the mountains. At the top is also Adventure park
Bled set up in the natural environment of trees, suitable for beginners and advanced climbers. But
the most popular summer activity is adrenaline tobogganing down the hill. The toboggan run is a
lot of fun and it gets up to some pace as well. Toboggan ride with chairlift ride is 10 euro.
In winter, if the snow cover is thick enough, the track becomes a ski centre.
When you visit Bled, you have to taste Bled cream cake. As the name suggests this dessert
was invented here, more precisely in Hotel Park. It is offered in many patisseries across Slovenia
and you will have no trouble finding it virtually everywhere in Bled. But the
original Bled cream cake can be found in Kavarna Park, opposite to the hotel where it was invented.
At the bottom the cake has a golden crispy crust made from butter dough,
then it has a delicious vanilla cream of exactly the right consistency so that it does not collapse
after cutting and is topped with whipped cream and a crispy layer of butter dough and finally
a good dusting of icing sugar. Original Bled cream cake has been made fresh every day since 1953.
You can also have fun on the Lake as Bled is famous for rowing.
Many international regattas have been organised here, including four World Championships. There
are several ways for rowing experience as the use of motor-driven vessels is prohibited.
Pletna Boat is a traditional wooden boat that fits up to 18 people,
and has its origins from the middle ages. This is a great option if you’d like to save yourself
the hard work of paddling to the island. The Pletna boat rowers go back for generations, and
will take you to the Island and back for 15 euros. For a romantic experience you can rent a wooden
paddle boat. You will see places to rent these on your walk around the Lake. If you want to go a bit
faster you can also take a kayaking tour. But a more popular option is stand up paddle boarding.
Lake Bled is famous for its clean waters and you can swim everywhere you want,
as there are many great spots. But there are a couple main swimming areas and Velika Zaka Beach
is the most popular place. This is a beach next to the camping site at the far end of the lake.
Here are cafes, a restaurant and a small grocery shop.
Beach has green grass and some wooden docks to jump off with a great view of Bled Island.
Another popular beach is in The Olympic Rowing Centre on the western side of the Lake.
This is the home of the Local Rowing Club that has produced
several world-class rowers and Olympic Games medallists.
Grajska Beach is near the centre of the town, and is a great place to relax for
the day. It’s equipped with 2 water slides, 4 outdoor swimming pools and beach chairs.
Daily fee for this beach is 9 euro. Bled has a stunning ancient castle perched on
a cliff towering 130 meters or 430 feet above Lake and offers spectacular views.
Bled castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia with a history spanning more than one thousand years.
In 15 hundreds, after the devastating earthquake the castle was rebuilt and got today's shape.
It has a double structure with a fortified main part, intended for the residence of feudal lords,
and the exterior part with the walls and facilities for servants. In the castle
is a small but informative museum of Lake Bled history, beautiful 16th century Gothic
chapel, the wine cellar, recreated Gutenberg printing press and few other interesting things.
You can use your phone to download an audio guide app to get a more personal experience of the Bled
Castle. But the most impressive experience is lunch or dinner in an excellent restaurant
with breathtaking views of the lake below and mountains beyond. The best way to reach the
castle is by walking on the path that starts just above the Grajska Beach. It will take you about
15 minutes of moderate uphill walk through the forest path that is also lit during the night.
The castle can also be reached by car or bus as there is a small parking lot.
This is the only island in Slovenia and on it stands a 15th century Church dedicated to the
Assumption of Mary. Before the church was built, here was a temple of Slavic pagan goddess of life
and fertility. After the Christianisation of Slavs in the 700s, the ancient temple was replaced by a
church. In the Middle Ages Bled Island has become a popular pilgrimage destination. In the middle of
the 17th century the church was renovated and got today's appearance. In that time the island also
got other buildings including a chapel, and the famous staircase with 99 stone steps. The self
standing bell tower was built in the 15th century, but was also renovated several times. It has three
bells, including the popular wishing bell that is often rang by the visitors. Legend has it that a
young widow lived in Bled Castle and commissioned a bell for the church in memory of her husband.
While the bell was being transported to the island a huge storm struck and the boat with
the bell was lost. The widow lived out the rest of her life as a nun in Rome and, when she died,
the Pope sent a bell to Bled. It’s said that whoever rings this bell and makes a wish will come
true. Admission to see the interior of the church and other buildings is 12 euro. You can get to the
island if you hire a paddle boat or if you take a ride with an electric boat that runs every full
hour and is docked in front of the Hotel Park. But the best way is to go with one of the typical Bled
Pletna Boats. They are run by Pletna oarsmen, an esteemed vocation that is handed down from
generation to generation and they will charge you 15 euro for the ride. Lake Bled is a spectacular
fairytale like Pearl Of Slovenian Alps. It is a perfect destination for outdoor and nature lovers
and can be visited all year round. In summer the lake is a popular swimming and rowing destination,
while in winter the lake freezes and becomes a fairytale ice skating rink. With unspoiled nature,
hot springs and alpine climate it also offers healing properties. No wonder then, that Lake
Bled has the longest tradition in tourism in Slovenia and remains to be one of the most
popular day trips from the capital city Ljubljana, as it is only 40 minutes drive away. If you want
to see what you can do in Slovenian capital, check out my video about Ljubljana in the top corner.
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