Slovenia’s beauty captures its visitors every time. It’s overflowing green nature is overwhelming and holds an unmatched tranquility.
Slovenia is the only country with the word “LOVE” in it and the first country in the world to be declared a green destination.
If there was one place that could be the capital for those two things, it would be Bled. Lake Bled’s sheer natural beauty is mesmerizing. It was one of the first places I went to when I began living in Slovenia, and even now, 7 years later and many trips later, it still blows me away.
Bled is quickly picking up traction for tourism, it’s smallness in stature is now buzzing with people itching to discover it’s unique beauty in the busy Summer months.
Since there are so many tourists, now that the magic of Bled has gotten out to the social media feeds, timing of when you go is KEY. If you visit in the Summer, be prepared for a lot of tourists. During the Winter months, it is more empty; if you’re lucky, just you and the birds swimming on the lake. Fall is one of the best times to go because of the changing colors of the trees. Magical.
If you make Lake Bled apart of your travels, there are five things you absolutely cannot miss out on.
5. Visit Vintgar Gorge
The first thing you should do is visit Vintgar Gorge, which isn’t part of Lake Bled at all. It is close to Lake Bled, only 4 km, and more than worth the trip.
There is a 4 euro entrance fee, and it is about an hour and a half walk to the end, where there is a beautiful bridge overlooking the Šum Falls, the largest waterfall in Slovenia. Make sure once you complete the 1.6 km walk on the wooden paths along the Radovna River and get to the bridge, continue over it, or find the path behind the coffee hut, which winds you down to the small pool with the waterfall.
The water is freezing, almost every time of year, but it’s extremely refreshing after your hike through the gorgeous gorge. It also has a large rock in the middle of the pool. Depending on how much water is rushing through at the time, you will be able to stand on it for the best view of the waterfall.
4. Make friends with the Insta swans as you make a loop around the lake
Big beautiful white majestic swans have taken up residence around Lake Bled. I call them Insta swans, because they are often posing and let you get close enough to take beautiful photos which usually end up on Instagram. These are the diva swans of the world, they love paparazzi. But be careful not to get too close, swans aren’t aggressive but they are defensive. I wouldn’t mess with one. But I will Insta one.
No matter how you do it, choose a mode of transportation; your own two feet by walk or run, or a rented bicycle from the bordering hotels or the rental shop just up the main road; and complete the circle of Lake Bled. The loop of the lake is about 5 km. The perfect length for making an enjoyable round.
3. Alpine slide, a must!
For years, I had never gone down the alpine slide, which is a bobsled on a track. Mainly because there is one in Maribor and I have been on that one several times and didn’t think I needed the same experience.
Was I wrong. This past year I made the trip up to the top, bought my 9 euro ticket (or 12 euros for 2 rides) and rode the chairlift to the top. You will see once you get off the lift and round the corner for the view. And getting that view while racing down full speed on the slide makes it that much better (don’t even think about touching the break, full speed ahead!!)
2. Rent a boat, row to the island and back
The most captivating part of Lake Bled, is the island in the middle of the lake. On the island is a church. It’s picturesque beauty has captured many photographers and visitors around the world.
There are no motor boats allowed on Lake Bled, which enhances its peacefulness and pure beauty. But there are options for wooden row boats, Pletnas. You can either pay a man, a very strong one, to row you to the island for about 12 euros a person. Or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can rent your own small boat for 15 euros an hour and take on the task of rowing yourself to the island and back. If you’re experience is anything like mine, it is well worth the entertainment to rent your own and enjoy in the process of making several circles before figuring out the arduous process of maneuvering the wooden boat in a straight line
Once to the island, there are 99 steps to the top of the hill where the church is. It is a popular location for the locals for weddings, one in which you need a reservation years in advance if you want the magic place to be yours for the big day. Part of the wedding tradition, involves the groom carrying his bride up the 99 steps to their ceremony. Hopefully your groom (and the bride for that matter) is in shape!
1. The rope swing and the swim.
Even though Summer is busy, it does have it’s benefits; swimming in the lake.
One of the perks of my job as a tour guide, is each time I take a new group to a destination I have already been, each group discovers something else I didn’t know and gives me a new experience. This is how the rope swing came to be.
This past summer I took a mens volleyball team to Bled and they came up with the idea to wake up at sunrise, swing from a rope swing they found half way around the lake tucked within the trees, and swim the distance to the lake. How can you pass up on that experience?
The rope swing is a blast, and a great adrenaline kick start to the not-so-leisurely swim to the island. What I can tell you, the island looks much closer than it actually is. And it is a lake, which means there isn't salt water to assist in keeping you afloat. It is hard work after alternating from front stroke, to back float, to butterfly, to doggy paddle for the course of 20-30 minutes and by the end you can't feel your arms let alone your entire body. But oh so worth it. The best activity I have done at my favorite Slovenian destination.
Crown jewel, magical, paradise, extremely beautiful, stunning.. all words used in reviews of Lake Bled. And all true. One of those places that pictures do it justice, yet still, even more beautiful in real life.
