If the most spellbinding place in Slovenia has to be named then it will arguably come down to Lake Bled. The place is one of the most fascinating places for tourists in entire Europe. Bled itself is a very small town which is situated northwest of the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Julien Alps is exactly where Lake Bled is located.
It is a very hot tourist destination for people coming to this part of Europe. The experience of visiting this lake would be nothing short of fairytale-like. It is probably the combo of this lake with the incredible Alps all around that makes it so appealing to the eyes that you wish to visit it again and again.
On top of that, the crystal blue water of the lake is addictive and has got the beauty of its own. Apart from the natural beauty, the manmade beauty further adds to the charm of the site. It includes the clifftop castle and island church which are the most significant monuments seen here with an epic mountainous backdrop.
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Useful Tips for Visiting Lake Bled
When you are visiting Ljubljana then it is quite convenient for the tourists to visit Lake Bled first. It could be done as a day trip or you may plan to spend one or more nights here if you have the time and the resources. The tips mentioned below would ensure that you have a very comfortable and memorable tour of Lake Bled where you haven’t missed out on any worth seeing the place as well.
Reaching Lake Bled Slovenia is a beautiful and small country. Planning even a day trip to Lake Bled is not much of a big ask. The lake is 52 kilometers away from the capital, Ljubljana, which makes it quite a manageable journey. There are multiple options to reach Lake Bled as given below:
Car
Reaching the lake by car is the most convenient and the most tried option by the tourists. It will allow you the much-needed freedom while you want to enjoy the place and its vicinity to the fullest. The drive from Ljubljana to Lake Bled takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
You can park your car at the public parking just outside of the Bled Sports Hall. There are multiple other parking spots as well so you can choose whichever option is most suitable for you. This is the most suitable option for the nationals of Slovenia and those coming from different parts of Europe in their car.
Public Transport
If you are looking to reach Lake Bled through public transport then your best option is to take the bus. It will drop you just a stone’s throw away from the center of the town. The bus from the capital takes one hour approximately and it will cost you roughly 6 Euros one way. If you want to come by train then the Bled town is served with a couple of train stations, Bled Jezero and Lesce-Bled.
Both stations are conveniently located on either side of the lake. Just like the bus, it will be an economical option and wouldn’t drop you too far from the center of the town. From the Lesce-Bled station, you might need to take a taxi to reach the town, as the said station is 4 kilometers away from the center.
Guided Tour
As Lake Bled is one of the most iconic tourist spots of Slovenia so there are plenty of guided tours available for the place. If you are looking for a no-nonsense itinerary with maximum enjoyment then booking with a renowned guided tour is your best option. These tours usually span between six to ten hours, which depends upon what is included in your package.
However, the majority of these tours are of full one day. You may also find some tours that are coupled with some other major tourist attractions in the country such as Lake Bohinj, Postojna Cave or the Triglav National park, etc.
Best Time of the Year to Visit Lake Bled
There is no good or bad time to visit the subject lake as different weathers would bring different exciting experiences for you. The winter or autumn weather of course might not be too comfortable for extreme coldness in the area but still, some tourists love to visit this place in those days as well.
In summer, you will find the lake at its best when it will be mostly sunny and dry. Everything here for the tourists would be open and that too for long hours. You will see the place crowded at this time of the year, which typically includes the months of June, July, and August. The next best time arguably to visit Lake Bled is spring which runs from March till May. Some tourists prefer this time to visit the lake due to fewer crowds there. The weather however doesn’t take much from the tourists.
The winter and fall season is from September to February. These are colder months but offer a unique experience to the tourists for enjoying the lake like no other time of the year. The fall season is charming as the leaves change their color and on the other side, winter here could mean a beautiful light blanket of snow as well.
Swimming in the Lake Bled
If you are lucky then you might enjoy skiing opportunities nearby. One key thing to note here is that a majority of cafes, restaurants, resorts, and other activities are closed during this time.
If you visit Lake Bled in the summer then one great opportunity that you could have is to swim in the lake. The average temperature of the area in summers rises to 27 degrees and that gives a great excuse to take a dip in the lake. The authorities here have allocated a designated area for swimming so you don’t need to worry about clashing with the different boats and other water sports equipment in the lake.
The place for swimmers also offers a jump board and a slide at one place and things couldn’t get better than this. You may also get those lovely relaxing sun loungers. Umbrellas might also be availed on rent from the locals there at a very reasonable price.
Lake Bled on Foot or Cycle
The seasonal tourists to Lake Bled unanimously agree that the place is best enjoyed either on foot or on cycle. There is a paved track all around the lake which is six kilometers long. That makes it a very convenient stroll for travelers of all levels of fitness. The real advantage of going on this trip is that you will be able to see The Church of the Assumption and the Bled Castle from many different angles.
You will never get tired of witnessing all that. If you are on cycle and the weather is good (which usually is) then you will be having a great enjoyable time. The beauty of nature is coupled therewith amazing trees which give you another excuse for taking lots of photographs. The experience of walking or cycling there will be different between summers and winters.
Cycling is considered a stress-free kind of activity that will allow you to stretch more in the vicinity of the picturesque lake. In case, you are not in the mood to cycle then you can always walk and the experience will be equally rewarding. Just make sure that you are carrying some waterproof jacket or umbrella along if you are on foot or cycling as it rains quite regularly in the Lake Bled area.
Hiking at Lake Bled
As you very well know that Lake Bled is surrounded by mountains nearby so it makes a lovely place for hiking as well. You will find as many as 15 different signposted hikes in the vicinity.
It involves a paved road of six kilometers (discussed above) as well as the experience of trekking uphill. One great advantage of hiking here is that you will get some breathtaking views of the lake from a height and one amazing viewpoint to mention here is Osojnica.
You may choose from different hikes of different time duration which could be anywhere between 20 minutes to 3 hours. Make sure that you pack your hiking boots along when you are planning to visit this amazing lake. Otherwise, you will be regretting a lot unless you make a trip to the place once again in your lifetime.
Visiting Vintar Gorge
If you are in Slovenia and visiting Lake Bled then Vintar Gorge is a highly recommended place as well. It is not located right on or around Lake Bled, but it is at a drive of 10 minutes from there. It will be worth making a decision even if you are at Lake Bled for a day trip only. The place offers some scenic views and an excellent trail. For a distance of 1.6 kilometers, you will find yourself on the elevated boardwalks that go all along the Radovna River.
The lace is gorgeous and you could experience its beauty and charm so easily. It will be a fun and exciting experience for the entire family and even a group of friends. Make sure you are carrying some good cameras as the place will be so beautiful to take some memorable photographs.
Visiting Bled Castle
The Bled Castle is believed to be the oldest most castle in Slovenia as per the records. This beautiful castle overlooks the lake and that makes a very charming and romantic setting for visitors, especially couples. You will be able to see the lake from the terrace of the castle and this view is something that would beat many other viewpoints of the lake.
On top of that, you will also be able to see the beautiful and picturesque mountain ranges of the Julian Alps and Karavanke, etc. You will also witness here a couple of contrasting structures. One of them would be the walls of the castle which are a gorgeous Romanesque style.
On the other hand, the buildings there are of the Renaissance style. These two options provide two different periods or eras from the history which will be a very unique experience of its type. A lot of tourists staying overnight at Lake Bled have visited the castle at night time for no entry ticket at all. It will be a very fascinating experience especially with a group and more so when it is raining outside.
Boat Ride to the Island and the Church
The beautiful island right in the center of Lake Bled is arguably among the best and biggest attractions in Bled. This island has the Baroque Church of Assumption. This small and beautiful church is from the 17th century time. As per the legend, it is believed that the temple of Slavic goddess Ziva is believed to be at this place too.
You need to climb up 99 stairs to reach the church. Once you are up there, then you may also ring the wishing bell. As per the legend, whoever rings this bell gets his wish granted and is paying respect to the Virgin Mary. You need to take the boat ride to reach the church. The place has those beautiful and traditional pletna boats which could only be seen in Bled. The history of these boats dates back to the late 16th century.
It could easily accommodate 20 people at a time. These boats are easy to spot at the lake due to their striking characteristics. If you want to have a different experience then you may also choose to go with the regular boats to the church. The prices of these boats vary for the rent and it normally starts from 15 Euros per hour. The Church of Assumption has an entry fee of 6 Euros per person as well.
Conclusion
The real experience of this lake will be as serene as you would have seen in the photographs. A real visit to this romantic lake will be as surreal as you could imagine. The tips shared above are from the expert travelers to the place where you will get all the information that is a must for planning your Lake Bled tour.
It will be a sufficient guide whether you are visiting the place for a day trip or planning to stay overnight. The place is not just about the lake and the water activities, but the surrounding areas are breathtaking as well with so many opportunities for tourists. In short, this is a place which you will love to visit more than once.
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