About Bled

Lake Bled is often described as the fairytale lake of Slovenia and is the premier tourist attraction in Slovenia, and a highlight of anyone’s tour of Southern Europe. Whether you want a holiday or are just travelling through, Lake Bled is must on anyone’s itinerary. It’s the perfect European vacation spot in both summer and winter, or anytime of the year.

Bled is a world famous town on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake. Defined by its unique island church sitting proudly in the middle of this immense body of water, surrounded by towering alpine mountains, and the castle perched high on a cliff standing guard over the town, Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions.

The lake was formed after the Bohinj glacier receeded millions of years ago. The lake is 2120m long and 1380 m wide, with a maximum depth of 30.6 m. The lake has no large natural tributaries; it is fed only by a few springs.

Slovenian summers in general are nice and hot, and therefore Bled in summer is perfect for the holidaymaker who wants to kick back and relax for a week or two. You can laze in the sun by the lakeside, swim in the cool alpine lake water or take leisurely walks around the lake. Or either hire a rowing boat, or be rowed across in style in the lake’s traditional pletna boats (unique to Bled) to the exquisite island Church of Assumption. Marvel at the ornate golden altar and ring the church bell and make a wish, it might come true. Given its fairytale surroundings, the island church is a popular place in which to get married, so you could be lucky and arrive in the middle of a wedding.                                                                                                Photo © Ian Middleton

In contrast Slovenian winters can be extremely cold, and in a typically cold winter such as the one in 2006, the lake can freeze over completely. Moments like this enhance Lake Bled's already dreamlike-atmosphere. Come and join the locals as they pass by the frozen-in boats and walk across the ice to the island church. Families stroll hand in hand, children run and slide, and locals ice skate between them.

So whatever the year, Bled is the perfect European holiday/vacation spot with a wealth of activities to keep you and the kids busy for weeks. For more info on activities, including canyoning run by the owners of the Bled holiday apartment, visit the activities link.

Photo © Ian Middleton

Around Bled

A few kilometers drive from the holiday apartment is the stunning 1.6km Vintgar Gorge, carved 150m deep into the mountains by the Radovna River. The gorge was discovered by chance by the town mayor in 1891, who then set to work building walkways to open the gorge up to the public. At the entrance to the gorge is a lovely restaurant where we suggest you try the trout dinner.

Photo © Ian Middleton                                                                                                        Photo © Ian Middleton

You then continue on to the equally breathtaking Pokljuka Gorge. However, the similarity ends there as here you will be a world away from the tourist crowds. The Pokljuka Gorge was carved out 10,000 years ago at the eastern edge of the plateau.