In short: in Bled it is worth seeing Lake Bled with its island and the Church of the Assumption, a pletna boat ride to the island and Bled Castle on the cliff (the oldest in Slovenia), and nearby the Vintgar gorge.
Bled is Slovenia’s most famous postcard — an emerald-coloured Alpine lake with a small island in the middle, a little church on it and a medieval castle on the cliff above the water. In this guide we go through Lake Bled, the sights, the viewpoints, the excursions and where to eat, plus when to go and how many days to set aside, and if you are also planning the Belgrade to Bled minibus transfer, how to get there is at the end.
Lake Bled and Bled Island
Lake Bled is an Alpine lake at the foot of the Julian Alps, in the middle of which lies Bled Island — the only natural island in Slovenia. Around the lake runs a flat walking path about 6 km long, on which the whole circuit is done in an hour and a half to two, without tiring climbs and with a constant view of the water, the island and the castle. In summer the water is warm, up to 25–26 °C, so swimming at the landscaped bathing areas is a real pleasure.
Bled Castle — the oldest castle in Slovenia
Above the lake, on a cliff about 130 metres high, rises Bled Castle — the oldest castle in Slovenia, first mentioned in 1011. From its ramparts and terrace opens the famous view of the whole lake, the island and the Julian Alps in the background.
Within the walls is also a museum display (under the auspices of the National Museum of Slovenia) that tells the history of the area from prehistory to today, as well as a chapel, a wine cellar and an old printing works in which traditional printing techniques are tried out. The castle is reached by car or on foot uphill, and the ticket is especially worth it for the view.
The pletna boat ride, the church and the “wishing bell”
To the island in the middle of the lake sails the traditional wooden boat, the pletna, rowed by the local pletna oarsmen — a craft passed down through generations since the 16th century. On the island you climb the 99 baroque stone steps to the Church of the Assumption of Mary, where every visitor pulls a rope and rings the “wishing bell” and makes a wish. By old custom, the groom should carry the bride up all 99 steps if they want to marry in the church on the island. Besides by pletna, the island can also be reached by your own rowing boat or SUP.
Viewpoints above Bled — Ojstrica and Osojnica
The loveliest photos of Bled are taken from the viewpoints above the western shore. To Ojstrica leads a short but steep climb of about twenty minutes, with a bench at the top and a view of the whole lake. Somewhat more demanding is Mala Osojnica (685 m), reached by a steep forest path in about 45 minutes, with the reward of the classic panoramic sight of the lake, the island and the Karavanke. For both, good footwear and a little fitness are enough.
Vintgar — the gorge near Bled
A few kilometres from Bled is the Vintgar gorge — the canyon of the river Radovna with wooden paths and little bridges alongside the waterfalls and rapids, one of the loveliest natural excursions nearby. It is easily reached by car, and it is open during the warm half of the year. Along with Vintgar, popular excursions from Bled are also nearby Bohinj and the mountain plateau of Pokljuka.
Bled with children — Straža and swimming
Bled is rewarding for a family holiday: the walk around the lake is flat and safe, and the pletna ride to the island is a real experience for children. Above the town is also Straža — a summer toboggan run reached by a chairlift, with a descent on which the sled goes up to 40 km/h, a safe but exciting ride. In summer there are landscaped bathing areas by the shore with a shallower entry into the water, so Bled easily entertains the youngest too. Nearby Bohinj (Belgrade to Bohinj transfer) is an even calmer Alpine alternative for families.
The cream cake and where to eat in Bled
The hallmark of Bled is the cream cake (the Bled cream slice) — a cake of puff pastry, vanilla custard and whipped cream, served in the cafés by the lake since the mid-20th century. Along with it, the restaurants around the lake offer lake and Alpine cuisine — trout, Upper Carniolan specialities and Slovenian wines. A glass with a view of the island is an essential part of the experience.
When to go to Bled and how many days
The season is loveliest from late spring to early autumn: July and August are the warmest for swimming, but also the busiest, while June and September bring fewer crowds and finer light for photos. For the lake, the island and the castle a single full day is enough, but with the viewpoints, Vintgar and a trip to Bohinj it is nice to stay two to three days, or make a base for touring the whole of Upper Carniola.
How to get to Bled from Belgrade
For the Belgrade to Bled minibus transfer we drive door to door, departing from Belgrade. Departure is at night, at around 23:00h, by the route via Croatia and the Bregana border crossing, so you sleep through most of the journey and reach Bled in the morning. The journey is about 585 km, a drive of 7–8 hours.
The price is fixed and free of hidden costs — see the price for Bled or the whole price list, and we also drive to the other towns of northern Slovenia (Belgrade to Northern Slovenia transfer). Before the trip, check the border crossings and live cameras, and read about the whole region in the guide northern Slovenia. Nearby are also Bohinj and Kranj.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Bled?
Lake Bled with its island and the Church of the Assumption, the pletna ride to the island, Bled Castle on the cliff and the Vintgar gorge nearby.
How old is Bled Castle?
Bled Castle is first mentioned in 1011 and is considered the oldest castle in Slovenia. It stands on a cliff about 130 metres high above the lake.
How do you get to the island in Bled?
To the island sails the traditional wooden pletna boat, rowed by the local oarsmen. On the island you climb 99 stone steps to the church and the “wishing bell”.
Is Bled good for children?
It is — the walk around the lake is flat and safe, the pletna ride is an experience for children, in summer there are landscaped bathing areas with a shallower entry, and above the town the Straža summer toboggan run with a chairlift.
Which are the loveliest viewpoints in Bled?
Ojstrica (a short climb of about twenty minutes) and Mala Osojnica (685 m, about 45 minutes) above the western shore — from there opens the classic panoramic view of the lake, the island and the castle.
How many days to set aside for Bled?
For the lake, the island and the castle a single full day is enough; with the viewpoints, Vintgar and a trip to Bohinj it is nice to stay two to three days or make a base for the whole of Upper Carniola.
What is the Bled cream cake?
The famous cake of puff pastry, vanilla custard and whipped cream, the hallmark of Bled, served in the cafés by the lake since the mid-20th century.
How far is Bled from Belgrade?
About 585 km, a drive of 7–8 hours. With a night departure from Belgrade (around 23:00h) via the Bregana crossing, you reach Bled in the morning.
When is the best time for Bled?
From late spring to early autumn. July and August are the warmest for swimming, while June and September bring fewer crowds and finer light for the view of the lake.
