Lake Bled : The Fairytale Lake of Slovenia
The moment I set my eyes on Lake Bled, there was no denying that it would form a perfect backdrop for any fairytale. Surrounded by the Julian Alps, with an island at its centre and a castle on a cliff overlooking the lake, it cannot get more picturesque.
Lake Bled
Lake Bled is a major attraction of Slovenia, a beautiful and a highly underrated country in Europe. The lake is located in a town called Bled, hence the name.
My visit to Lake Bled was scheduled just after I had treated myself to the beauty of Dubrovnik. I took an early morning train to Bled from Zagreb. On reaching the town, I first had a hearty breakfast and then made my way to the lake.
The first thing you notice on reaching the lake is the island at its centre. The island houses a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The island also has a Wishing Bell. It’s a local folklore that if you ring the bell 3 times, your wish will be granted! One can reach the island via the pletna (the local boats) available by the shore of the lake. It costs about 14 euros for a round trip. For the adventurous ones, you can rent out (14 euros/hour) a boat and row your way to the island and back. The entry fee to the church is not just 6 euros but also a 99-stair long climb!
Before you think this is a long climb let me tell you an interesting local tradition that will make your climb seem simple… According to the local tradition, the groom has to carry his bride and climb these 99 stairs for a happy marriage!
Yes, it all sounds fun but in IMHO it’s all a little too touristy and I decided to give it a skip.
The best viewpoints for Lake Bled
There are several viewpoints around Lake Bled that offer you an opportunity to witness the lake in its full glory. I personally suggest :-
1. The Bled Castle
It took me around 20 minutes to walk from the lake to the castle. On reaching the entrance I was told there is a 10 euros admission fee! “I am not interested in the castle but the view it offers from this height. But 10 euros is a lot of money” I thought to myself. Dejected, I excused myself, and made my way to the parking lot to go back to the lake.
I almost reached the parking lot at the foot of the castle when I saw this narrow path towards the right side of the lot. I was in two minds, should I follow it or go back to the lake. But curiosity got better of me, and for good! I continued walking on it for a couple of minutes and guess what! I couldn’t believe my luck! I reached a spot that offers a breathtakingly beautiful view of the lake. I just saved myself 10 euros!
2. Mala Osijnica
This is another popular spot. In my opinion it’s a better one than the castle. It takes between 45 mins to 1 hour by walk to reach that spot. Unfortunately, during my visit it was closed for maintenance.
How to reach Lake Bled
There are direct trains to Bled from Ljubljana and Zagreb. There are 2 train stations catering to Bled: Lesce Bled or Bled Jezero. Lesce Bled station is about 5kms from the lake but has a better frequency of trains. The Lesce Bled station has a bus stop right outside the station with buses going down to the lake. Alternatively, you can also board a direct bus from Ljubljana to Bled.
Sincera Tip
- If you are visiting during the summers, do carry your swimming costumes. It’s a great place to swim.
- If you have to choose between Mala Osijnica and the Castle as a viewpoint, pick Mala Osijnica. If possible, go for both since they offer different views. But do not pay at the castle; rather follow the pictures above to reach the free viewing point.
- Combine your trip to Lake Bled with Lake Bohinj and Vintgar gorge. They all can be done in 2 days.
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