Lake Bled

Lake Bled (Blejsko jezero) is an iconic landmark of Slovenia, its main attraction and one of the most beautiful places in Europe.




The town of Bled is popular at any time of the year, even in winter, due to one of the most famous ski and biathlon stadium Pokljuka, which is located nearby. You can swim in the lake and there are several beaches. The closest to Bled is located under the castle (N 46 22.126 E 14 06.116, https://www.kopalisce-bled.si/sl/Cenik).




A real beach, with a shore, is located at the other end of the lake, where there is also one of the few parking lots N 46 21.746 E 14 04.898. On both beaches you can rent a boat and reach the island.


We saw both beaches during the evening walk. There is an excellent 5-kilometer path around the lake. Even if you travel by car, it makes sense to rent a bike, as parking here is a disaster.

We swam around our hotel, here N 46 21.590 E 14 05.813. But in this place there is no normal entry into the water, you need to go down from a wooden beam.


Here is also a pier, with the passenger Pletna boats (https://pletna.si/en/) which go to the island in the middle of the lake. The other locations with boats can be found on the tourist map at the top of the page.

Wooden boats got the name "pletna" from the German Plätten - "ironing". In 1740, the Archduchess of Austria Maria Theresa allowed 22 families to transport pilgrims to the island. So the boatman profession here is inherited as in Venice and not everyone can engage in this profitable business.


The main building on the island is the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake (Cerkev Marijinega vnebovzetja). Usually you have 30 minutes to visit the island.


Built in the 17th century, it is now a popular place for weddings.


On a high cliff above the lake stands Bled Castle. Originally mentioned in 1004, it later belonged to the Austrian Habsburgs, one of the most powerful royal dynasties in Europe.


After the First World War and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bled moved to the new state of Yugoslavia, and the castle became the residence of the monarchs and presidents of the country, including Josip Broz Tito. At the moment, there is a museum inside.


The castle can be reached on foot from Bled along the marked trail, or by car, parking N 46 22.225 E 14 06.052. Check the opening hours on the official website http://www.blejski-grad.si/en/opening-hours.

In the evening, Bled offers great views of the sunset and the castle.




A mandatory point on the lake is a climb to the Mala Osojnica viewpoint. The trail begins here N 46 21.528 E 14 05.120 and takes about 40 minutes.




The viewpoint offers the classic and most picturesque view. You can go even higher to the next Osojnica viewpoint, but the view there is about the same.






If you travel by public transport, then Bled town itself will be the best option for an overnight stay, but if you are by car, it is better to stay somewhere in a picturesque place on the lake, we spent the night at Guest House Mlino (booking.com). Or if you have more money then consider the historical hotel Vila Bled (booking.com) on the hill nearby, the former summer residence of Josip Broz Tito.

Getting there: trains from Ljubljana go to the station Lesce-Bled (https://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en). From the station you can get to the town by shuttle for 2 euros or by taxi for 10 euros. Near the lake there is another Bled Jezero station, but trains come there quite rarely. From Ljubljana Airport you can take a bus for 7 euros, a direct shuttle for 15 euros or a taxi for 55 euros. Travel time 30 minutes. Buses from Ljubljana run every hour. (https://www.ap-ljubljana.si/en/).