I had wanted to visit this place for a long time. Finally, the circumstances this year were appropriate and I was able to enjoy the visit.
Despite being a much more commercial place than the less known Lake Bohinj (in fact, it is the most popular place in the country), the visit is essential during the stay in Slovenia.
It is a lake of glacial origin with crystal clear waters. The fact of having an island in the central part with a church makes the environment a unique landscape. All this in a setting surrounded by mountains in the heart of the Julian Alps. The small town of Bled is located on the eastern edge.
Date of the visit: October 2021
I have to admit that it is one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Thanks to that, in addition to the stunning autumn setting in mid-October, that day I took some of the best photos I have ever been able to take. After exploring the area, these are for me the essential activities in Bled.
- Hike Around the Lake
A priori it may seem like a long walk, however, it is perfectly feasible for anyone, even if you are not used to doing sports often. Completing a complete lap is 8 km, although depending on the route taken.
In my case, I started at the Triglav Hotel, where I had stayed the night before, and headed west, deciding to take the route counterclockwise. The first stop was Velika Zaka beach, where there is a jetty that, however, was empty at that time. This is the closest point of land to the island.
The photos below are taken when I returned, in the afternoon, after touring the entire lake, hence the difference that can be seen in the light.
From there a wooden path for pedestrians begins that surrounds the lake. As the traveler goes through the place, on the left is the lake, while on the right is the road. This part is undoubtedly the most photogenic of Bled. It is easy to get lost for hours in the area. It is possible to see the lake, the island, the church, the castle, and the impressive scene of the Julian Alps in the background.
After continuing to walk south, you will reach an area called “Villa Bled“, in which the path separates from the road, accessing a large park. There are mansions with views, as well as hotels on the right side of the trail.
At the park exit, you come to an area called “Mlino“, where there are several restaurants, a supermarket and a jetty, through which travelers are taken to the island. There is also a bus stop, which I had used the day before to get to the area from Bohinj. In fact, it was there in fact that I got on the barge to the island, which I will talk about later.
After returning from the island, I continued on my way, heading east, at the end of which is the small town of Bled. As the traveler progresses, the island becomes smaller, and the castle bigger in the eyes.
Although the western part of Bled is generally less crowded, as you get closer to the town, you will notice more people and more cars. At that time, my next stop was the castle.
Upon reaching the town, there are numerous hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. It is clear that the tourist industry in the area is fully developed. There is a park overlooking the lake, just in the eastern part of it, where it is an excellent place to rest.
It is at the end of this park when you enter the path up to the castle, which is reached in about 10 minutes from there. By this time, I had already gone more than half a circle around the lake.
After leaving the castle, you go down the other side, where there is a path that leads directly to the lake. If Google Maps is used, the traveler will not get lost, but care must be taken because there is no signage.
It didn’t take me long to get back to the starting point (Hotel Triglav), and since there was still an hour of daylight left, I decided to be brave and go back to the Velika Zaka Beach to take a bath. The water was certainly cold, but it was a unique experience. In fact, I had not bathed in a glacial lake since I visited Sanabria Lake in my region in Spain back in the days.
When I finished bathing in the cold waters of the lake, I returned to the hotel to take advantage of the spa for a while. After all, it was a welcome break from the long day I had had. Later, after having warmed up again, I took a taxi back to the Mlino bus station, from where I returned to Ljubljana with an excellent feeling.
In summary, doing the route around the lake is an exceptional experience, whether by bike or on foot. Actually, any point on the route is a postcard.
- Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica Viewpoints
These two places are the best known to be able to observe the whole environment. Although the climb is hard, sometimes, with very steep slopes, the effort is worth it, and when you arrive, you have one of the most beautiful and photogenic views that someone could enjoy.
There is another viewpoint, even higher, called Velika Osonjnica. It is located higher up, and it takes much longer to get there. If your time is limited, visiting one of both Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica is more than enough.
In reality, and despite the fact that geographically both are very close (approximately 400 m), it takes (depending on the step), about 25 minutes to get from one to the other. In Bled, there are at all times signs like the one below marking the way, and indicating the approximate time to arrive.
The ascent to Ojstrica is marked very close to the Velika Zaka beach itself. You will easily find the wooden sign beside the road. The traveler will enter fully into the forest, so populated that there is little light, and on stony roads. The summit is 611 meters above sea level.
I recommend going early in the morning, before sunrise or just after, to see the place in all its glory. The route takes about 20 minutes on foot. The slopes are quite steep, but upon arrival, the views are fabulous:
The climb to Mala Osojnica is even more complicated and steep. In fact, there are routes in which it was necessary to install a ladder with handles at an angle of almost 90º on the ground to gain access. A path that can be very tiring, but it is also an excellent exercise for the knees. It is also signposted, so it is difficult to get lost.
If you don’t have time to visit both viewpoints, you can choose one of them. I chose Ojstrica. However, in my case, days later, I took an organized excursion to Predjama Castle and the impressive Postojna Cave from Ljubljana, which included a stop in Bled for an hour and a half, and it was then that I took the opportunity to visit Mala Osijnica. In this case, the top is 685 meters above sea level. The weather that day was much more cloudy and humid, which can be seen in the photos themselves.
I was very lucky because I was able to contemplate the landscape in both viewpoints, one of them in sunny weather and the other in autumn weather. Either of these two places are essential when visiting Bled. In the attached map below, you can see the location of both the viewpoints and the beginning of the routes.
- Boat Trip to the Island
The trip to the Bled Island is a unique experience in itself. Whether you go by motor boat, rented boat, or canoe paddled by a local (there are even people who do swim), it is something unforgettable. In my case, I chose to go in a rowing boat. The price was € 15 round trip.
Depending on the place of departure, it will take more or less time to arrive. However, if you decide to go rowing canoe from the Mlino jetty, it takes 20 minutes. It is not a long time if you consider the size of the lake as well as the number of people it takes on each trip (maximum of 20 people).
The name of this boat is pletna. It is extremely important to place the same weight on both sides of the boat, and not to get up during the journey so as not to throw it off balance.
During the journey, you can see the crystal clear waters, as well as the native fish as you progress. On the shores of the lake, local fishermen can also be seen.
Also, it is interesting to observe the mountains that surround the lake from the water. It is curious that, in the company that I went, each ship has a woman’s name.
- Bled Island
Once the island jetty is reached, travelers are informed that they have 50 minutes to visit the place. Although it may seem like a short time, it is actually enough, since the place is not big. The jetty is in the southern part (there is another in the northern part).
Afterwards, the traveler faces a great staircase of 99 steps, which dates back to 1655. It is possible for couples to get married on the island, and there is a tradition, in which the groom has to carry the bride in his arms to the end of the stairs. Otherwise, according to legend, it will be an omen of bad luck.
Once at the top, you have the church, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, where the entrance, with a climb to the bell tower included, costs € 12. In my case, I decided to tour the surroundings and buy a watercolor made by a local artist. There is also a cafe.
If it weren’t for the large number of tourists, it would be the perfect place to rest. It is curious to observe from the island the places where it had already been, both the beach and the viewpoints. There are also several smaller piers on the island.
Later, I went down to the opposite side of the island, and I could see, in addition to the hotel in which I had stayed, the part of the route that still had to be covered.
After 50 minutes had passed, I was back at the jetty to return to Mlino, where I would continue my walking route around the lake.
- Bled Castle
Bled Castle is just outside the hilltop village of the same name. The climb is possible either by car, bicycle or on foot. It is important to know in advance that there is no public transport. In my case, I was walking, as part of the complete loop around the lake. It takes approximately 15 minutes from the center of the village to the entrance to the castle.
Admission costs € 13 and the visit is structured in two parts, the lower part and the upper part. In the lower part, there is a craft workshop where documents are printed with an old printing press, the same one that Gutenberg used. A really interesting visit. In fact, during the visit, with the ticket, either a magnet printed with said printing or a tasting of a glass of wine in the cellar is offered.
The lower patio offers views of the lake, which, although incomplete, are still spectacular. It is very curious to see the park from the top where just half an hour before I had walked.
Already in the upper part, there is another patio, where there is a terrace, and magnificent views of the entire lake, including the island. There is also a small chapel, which requires a deep restoration. In the tower, there is an ethnographic exhibition of the history of Slovenia.
Going down again, the traveler comes across the winery, where I went in and tasted a Slovenian wine. Inform that the winery does not produce wines, it is only a converted place to house wine from the country’s wine region.
The total visit should not last more than 60 minutes. Although it depends on how long you spend in the exhibition. It is a recommendable place both for the medieval atmosphere and for the views of the lake.
My conclusion after the visit is that Lake Bled is a suitable visit for all types of travelers, from backpackers to families with children. I have to say that none of the photos exhibited here expresses the beauty that is perceived when you are right there.
Definitely, visiting Lake Bled is an essential visit in Slovenia, and it is a unique place to go to at least once in your life. It was the culmination of two excellent days surrounded by lakes, nature and culture.
Related Links
Tourism Official Sites
Bled Tourist Information
Bled Island
Bled Castle
https://www.blejski-grad.si/en/
Places to see in the area
https://www.slovenia.info/en/places-to-go/regions/alpine-slovenia/bled
Slovenia Travel Information
Slovenia Bus Information
Useful Information
Do not forget to have cash with you prior boarding to the island, in case you use the same boat.
It is perfectly feasible to visit all these attractions in one day, although it depends on the hours of sunshine.
Where to Stay in Bled Lake
Hotel Triglav
Usually, accommodation in Lake Bled is more expensive than in the rest of the country. Since you never know when you can return, in my case I decided to take a good hotel with a room from whose terrace you could have direct views of the lake.
The experience was very good, the staff was friendly at all times, and I was able to use both the restaurant and the spa.
https://www.hoteltriglavbled.si/en/
Where to Eat in Bled Lake
Restaurant 1906
https://www.hoteltriglavbled.si/en/restaurant-1906/
Haute cuisine restaurant located in the hotel itself. A tasting menu is around € 50. The gastronomic offer is based on a fusion of traditional Slovenian dishes and modern cuisine. Both for dinner and breakfast.
Hotel and Restaurant Starkl
Perfect for a tea or coffee. Tasty food, but the stuff could be more polite.
Did you know that…
… the island of Lake Bled is the only natural island in Slovenia?
… the World Rowing Championships were held four times at Lake Bled?
Map of Locations
Credits
All photos taken with Motorola One Vision.
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