A fairytale medieval citadel with Romanesque tower, drawbridge and moat sits perched up excessive, overlooking a peaceful glistening lake rippling solely by the flap of a duck wing or the dip of a kayak paddle.
A small island residence to a church and legends sits within the middle of all of it, whereas al fresco cafés and ambient paths create an fulfilling define.
However sufficient with the explaining.
Let me set this stunning scene by photographs:
This all being mentioned, there are particular experiences at Lake Bled which are extraordinarily overrated.
My journey to Slovenia was a solo journey, and touring low season meant the hostels had been fairly empty and there weren’t many excursions working.
Principally, I’d been having basically a silent retreat and apart for a number of locals by homestays, the one phrases I’d uttered not too long ago had been “espresso, please” or “the massive slice with pepperoni.”
So, when the bus dropped me off at Lake Bled and I discovered different misplaced English-speakers, I used to be instantly excited.
Two had been from Miami learning overseas in Prague, Lauren, and Kirlos, and the opposite was a French lady, Sophie, residing in London.
All of us instantly clicked and determined to discover collectively.
Visiting Lake Bled Journey Video
Earlier than studying additional…
You’ll study precisely what makes Lake Bled so particular.
The Worst Of Visiting Lake Bled
“We’re planning on doing a ship journey to Bled Island,” mentioned Lauren. “You may ring the wishing bell. It’s the primary attraction of Lake Bled.”
As I appeared round and spied nothing however water and woodland, I had a tough time believing a church bell could be the primary attraction.
“Wait, so that you imply that actually tiny island within the middle of Lake Bled?”
She nodded.
Bled Island
I may scent this vacationer lure a mile away.
Pay 12 Euros ($13 USD) to take a 15-minute boat experience to an island the dimensions of my house. This sounded particularly ridiculous as all the spherical journey bus journey from Ljubljana was 12.80 Euros ($14).
Not solely that, however you then must pay 6 Euros ($6) to see the sights — an exhibition, church with wishing bell, and tower with some sort of pendulum-operated time-telling system.
It was the kind of factor I loathed, to not point out we had been surrounded by attractive Lake Bled mountains that may be extra enjoyable to discover. Nevertheless, I needed to hangout with my new associates.
“Okay, however my want higher come true after I ring that bell!” I half-joked.
My instincts had been 100% appropriate about this island.
The enormous pendulum clock was fairly fascinating, with all the tower go to taking about quarter-hour, most of which is spent climbing the big staircase up, which has bible verses regarding the appreciation of time.
The Seventeenth-century baroque Assumption of Mary Church is fairly, however the wishing bell is so excessive up into the church tower you may’t even see it.
You merely pull an extended rope close to the alter that seems to be hooked up to nothing and hope it’s the appropriate bell.
Ringing the wishing bell. I’m sorry, however I can not take a look at that educational signal with out bursting into laughter.
The vacationers are coming!
You may climb up into this tower to see an previous pendulum-style time telling system
There was a legend that if a groom may carry his bride up the church’s 99 steps and ring the bell, the wedding could be a contented one; nevertheless, these steps had been closed to the general public.
The exhibition I didn’t actually take a look at. We had been visiting Lake Bled in March, which means it was low season and we had been solely allowed half-hour on the island, which I needed to spend taking photographs.
Fast word:
The perfect time to go to Lake Bled, when it comes to every part being open and having good climate, is Could by September.
That being mentioned, remember that touring to Lake Bled in July and August can get crowded.
Now again to my rant:
Don’t waste your time on Bled Island, a minimum of in my view, particularly for the worth.
I could have loved it extra if I rowed there myself as a result of a minimum of I’d have felt prefer it was an exercise; nevertheless, the row boat rental firm was not open but for the day once we had been attempting to go to the island. It additionally appeared prefer it may probably get costly at 15 Euros ($16) per hour.
Additionally, don’t neglect to deliver snacks!
I’m unsure if it’s as a result of it was low season, however there weren’t a ton of fast budget-friendly choices for meals.
I ended up consuming three panini sandwiches that weren’t superb.
It will have been a lot simpler for me to simply deliver my very own nourishment, which I often do as a defensive traveler. Trace: I’m a giant fan of TSA-friendly PROBAR Meal Bars, particularly the Banana Nut Bread taste.
And lastly, don’t fear about getting misplaced.
If you happen to’re questioning find out how to get to Lake Bled, you’ll be joyful to know that after the bus drops you off you may merely observe a path behind the bus station that leads proper all the way down to this Slovenia attraction.
You’ll be there in lower than 10 minutes.
The Finest Of Visiting Lake Bled
Now to the extra cheerful part of my submit. Regardless of shedding 18 Euros ($19) throughout my crappy boat tour, I had gained three new associates, so to me it was value it ultimately.
What was significantly superior about them was they had been a lot better planners than I used to be — whose plan encompassed not planning something — and they also had a slew of energetic adventures they needed to embark on. After all, I used to be down.
At this level, it was important for us to get meals reserves as we’d be having an energetic day, beginning with renting bikes from the vacationer data workplace proper on the Lake (3 Euros ($3) for 3 hours, 11 Euros ($12) for the day).
We determined to cycle round Lake Bled — one of many world’s finest biking routes, seemingly stunning from each single vantage level of its 6.5-kilometer (4-mile) size — and make our method to the enduring viewpoint: Ojstrica, positioned at signpost #6 (Lake Bled walks/hikes are numbered).
Lake Bled Climbing
While you see the street signal for the 611-meter- (2,005-foot-) excessive hill you’ll lock up your bike and start one of the scenic Lake Bled hikes, heading uphill by the forest for about 20 minutes to the highest.
Lake Bled selfie with new associates. For some motive there’s one part of the lake — proper right here — the place it nearly seems to be just like the Caribbean.
This hike to the highest could appear to be a stroll within the woods…however it’s not.
The hike is brief however not simple; nevertheless, the aerial view of all the Lake Bled panorama and surrounds is effectively definitely worth the sweat.
My group and I lingered up there for a minimum of half-hour, taking photographs, respiration within the crisp contemporary air and simply letting the inspiring surroundings wash over us.
Even the small island — which simply an hour earlier than I hated for stealing my cash — made me smile to take a look at from above, the white church and historic tower including to the idyllic emerald-green lake.
This could positively be in your record of issues to do in Slovenia.
Meditating atop Ojstrica at Lake Bled. See these Alps?!
If you happen to’re not drained from the climb, you may go even increased and summit the adjoining Velika Osojnica — 756 meters/2,480-foot excessive — which additionally awards views of the Karavanke mountains and Kamnik Alps.
We didn’t do that second one, as we’d be experiencing the Alps otherwise:
Biking to Vintgar Gorge, throughout the well-known Triglav Nationwide Park.
One phrase:
WOW!
However I’m getting forward of myself.
After mountain climbing Ojstrica we head again down, seize our bikes, and proceed biking across the lake path till we see arrive again close to to the knowledge middle the place we rented the bikes.
Now, we make a left again towards the bus station, following indicators for the village of Podhom.
At first we’re merely biking by small villages, suffering from small inns, pubs, retailers and houses.
Till…we’re not.
All of the sudden, there’s nothing however brilliant inexperienced pastures and desolate farmland enhanced by a backdrop of snow-covered Karavanke Mountains.
My group stops each 10 minutes or so to take photographs, the scene changing into extra stunning at each angle.
If I may outline the phrase “serenity,” it could be this place, the place silence envelops you want a blanket.
Biking our method to the Gorge
Staring up on the alps. Ahhh…
One other fascinating function of the experience:
The scents.
There are such a lot of totally different aromas wafting by the air that we find yourself making it right into a sport, shouting out the totally different aromas:
Apples, vanilla, cherries, campfire, honey, pine.
The experience isn’t simple — though it’s well-marked there’s a variety of up and downhill — and at some factors, we’ve to get off the bikes and stroll due to the steep inclines; nevertheless, none of us minded the onerous work the place we had been surrounded by such magnificence.
I’m not going to lie, after that bike experience, biking round Brooklyn goes to be robust to return to.
Once we attain the doorway for Vintgar Gorge we’re instantly entranced by the crystalline turquoise water, full of large fish simply chilling out.
It’s value noting the doorway was additionally closed — we went in March, and the gorge doesn’t formally open till Could — however we went in anyway (no scolding please!) and noticed a number of others in there, as effectively.
Some sections of the boardwalk had been a little bit precarious
I’m unsure what it’s like in excessive season, however Vintgar Gorge was pure peace.
Whereas our countryside experience supplied a dreamy alpine serenity, the Gorge was extra of a refreshing calm, waterfalls creating the soundtrack to a woodland boardwalk stroll, the waters beneath us fully translucent as we pressed our backs in opposition to craggy rock canyon wall to get the very best shot.
A picnic lunch alongside the way in which was my finest meal of the journey, regardless of the soggy sandwiches.
Sandwiches within the gorge
General, I wouldn’t change a factor about how I spent my day at Bled Lake apart for the island, which I’d have exchanged for one of many following actions I didn’t get to do.
- Take the bus 20ish minutes to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest everlasting lake at 318 hectares (790 acres) and completely beautiful in photographs. I’ve been informed by locals it’s nice for the surroundings and journey sports activities, however that the close by waterfall is a vacationer lure as it’s a must to pay to see it after which can’t get very near it.
- Take pleasure in extra walks and hikes round Lake Bled. There are 15+!
- Stroll as much as Bled Fort. I’m not an enormous citadel particular person, however this medieval citadel — thought to probably be the oldest in Slovenia — stands excessive above the lake, and I wager presents stunning views. There’s a museum inside and, much more engaging, a wine cellar with tastings.
- Eat a Bled Cream Cake. I meant to do that however by the point I arrived again from biking to the Gorge I had solely 20 minutes to return my bike, pay and hustle again to the bus station. Bled Lake is understood for its Bled Cream Cake, a light-weight and fluffy cake filled with candy cream and closely dusted with powdered sugar. Simply scripting this makes my abdomen unhappy I didn’t get to strive it. Fortunately, my hostel in Ljubljana — my homebase for my Slovenia journey — is close to to a tremendous bakery referred to as Lolita, which makes scrumptious and elaborate desserts of every kind and a really smooth, fashionable and pampered really feel inside.
Lake Bled presents unimaginable inns.
Click on right here to view them.
Lake Bled Inns
If you wish to e book a lodge close to Lake Bled there are numerous choices, which you’ll view right here.
Just a few highly-rated native lodging embody:
- Rikli Stability Lodge. This beautiful 4-star resort focuses on well being and wellness, and the opulent spa is not-to-be-missed. In addition they have a waterslide and an indoor pool, plus provide free breakfast and WiFi.
- Pension & Glamping Pibernik. This budget-friendly lodging possibility options free WiFi, bike leases, outside grills, a backyard, a picnic space, a terrace, a hearth within the foyer, and a buffet breakfast (further cost). Furthermore, you’ll have quite a lot of room and house choices to select from.
- Triglav Bled. Oh, the views! Positively e book the balcony room with views of Lake Bled and the encircling mountains. Different highlights embody a pool, spa, scorching tub, onsite restaurant and bar, and free WiFi. There may be additionally breakfast obtainable for an extra price.
Your different possibility is to base in Ljubljana and take the bus as I did.
Click on right here to see a listing of Ljubljana lodging choices.
Particularly, I like to recommend testing the Grand Lodge Union. It’s budget-friendly, positioned close to all the finest sights inside Ljubljana’s car-free Metropolis Middle, and has a great deal of facilities and onsite services. Sizzling tub, anybody?