"A town plucked from a storybook" Bled by GillianMcLaughlin

Bled Travel Guide: 898 reviews and 1,763 photos

View through a parked pletna to the castle

1000 years of history unfold

When German Emperor Henrik II presented the Bled estate as a gift to Bishop Albuin or Brixen in 1004, it’s unlikely that he gave much thought to what would become of it. Little more than a fortress on a rocky outcrop would have stood at the time, and it is unlikely that much would have betrayed its future popularity.

As I write, Bled celebrates its millennium. It is known worldwide as a place of outstanding natural beauty and has developed its reputation and not inconsiderable wealth in part through its discovery as a health spa. The clean glacial waters combined with its temperate climate have drawn the great and the good to the shores of Bled Lake for generations.

A world class sports centre

The lake at rest

Bled also offers a perfect environment for sportsmen and women from around the world. Its lake has long been used as a venue for rowing championships and today you can often see competitive rowers building up a sweat as they power their boats amidst the stunning mountains that surround the town. These mountains are second home to skiers of the world and, when the lake cannot be used for rowing, it lends itself to ice-skaters over the winter months. Trekers and mountaineers also use Bled as a base as they wend their way through the Julien Alps that surround it.

Something for everybody

Marshall Tito's former residence

Bled's year round popularity has helped its locals and enthusiastic in-comers to ensure that all the needs of its various visitors are well catered for. The traveller arriving in Bled will not be at a loss for a hotel, some good food and a great choice of bars to spend their evenings in. Indeed Bled has witnessed visits from the great and the good for a long time.

Marshall Tito established a guest house in Bled to which he welcomed world leaders such as Haile Selassie, Khrushchev, King Hussein, Nehru, Indira Ghandi, Nasser, Kaunda and Akihito of Japan amongst others.

Today it offers something for all budgets and all tastes.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A destination of outstanding beauty, with all facilities required for the discerning traveller
Cons:Perhaps a bit genteel for some tastes
In a nutshell:As pretty as Europe gets

Last visit to Bled: May 2004
Intro Updated Jul 12, 2004
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Reviews (14)

Triptych in the chapel at the castle - Bled

Your personal directory to all things... Favorites (3)

The Bled website is comprehensive and quick-loading (more than can be said for the Slovenian one). Here are a few useful... more travel advice

Getting round the lake and up to the... Transportation (2)

Personally, I enjoyed my stroll round the lake, but if an hour's walk is not your thing, there is a tourist train that... more travel advice

A Pletna just ready and waiting for you - Bled

Getting to the Church on the island Transportation (2)

Bled is the home to a unique type of boat, the Pletna. Like a huge gondila, it will take you on a romantic trip across... more travel advice

A pletna with the Julian Alps to the fore - Bled

Romantic trip on the lake in a... Favorites (3)

The Pletna is a sort of gondola, steered and motored by a muscular chappie with 2 oars. There were none on the lake the... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Crazy decor and excellent local cheap...
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Comments (35)

KiKitC Oct 2, 2009 at 2:30 AM Report Abuse

Fabulous tips and incredible pictures. I would also be disappointed at the level of mental enegy exerted on the skeleton's forensics. Hope you have a happy birthday.
christine.j Sep 24, 2006 at 7:47 AM Report Abuse

I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to Bled for next year, so your tips here are very helpful. Thank you.
Callavetta Aug 12, 2006 at 8:41 AM Report Abuse

You always catch the exact perfect pictures! Beautiful opening photo.
Redlats Apr 21, 2006 at 3:24 PM Report Abuse

Your tips are very well written. How far actually is it to the church island? All things Bled eh? Bled sure is a scenic spot.
IanMacPhail Apr 7, 2006 at 9:33 AM Report Abuse

Hi Gillian, I know that you`re so modest but your info is the best! Great tips on Bled and I`ll use them when I go in July. Ian
Anchovy56 Apr 3, 2006 at 1:44 PM Report Abuse

Got to run soon have fun in the forum...
Maurizioago Apr 3, 2006 at 6:24 AM Report Abuse

I had another look at these tips. They are very good. I hope to go there soon. Ciao!
topoftheworl Feb 13, 2006 at 7:59 PM Report Abuse

The 'lake at rest ' is a moving picture. The 'Pashupati' spoke volumes. Glad I set that straight!
luckyzen Feb 9, 2006 at 9:43 AM Report Abuse

Great Page, Gillian! How are you doing out there? Have a great week and thank you for sharing!
iandsmith Jan 22, 2006 at 11:50 PM Report Abuse

In a word - "excellent"