There’s a reason why Slovenia has the word love in it. When you visit Lake Bled you’ll understand why! Anyone that comes here will spread the word about how incredible it is and a quick image search will show you just why everyone is so enamoured with this place. Here’s a few other reasons to stop off in Lake Bled!
Meet Jani and Ushka at Jazz Hostel
Feel right at home so much that you’ll immediately want to stay more nights here. Jani will set you up with any extra activities that you may want to do such as horse-riding, paragliding, or canyoning. His BBQs are notorious, featuring local specialties such as cevapcici and ajvar to taste along with some other more familiar favourites. The actual accommodation is modern, with clean rooms and comfy bed and a large kitchen area with plenty of seating.
Add in a bar to drink rakija with the locals and even an outdoor porch swing and you’re golden! Jani’s brand new breakfast room, complete with a ‘cook your own bacon’ station and waffle iron will have you packing on seconds. And thirds. Jazz hostel is located a 5 minute walk from the lake’s edge (downhill too) so it’s super convenient for the lazy among you!
The Lake
Head to Park Restaurant & Café to try Bled’s very own specialty, a recipe perfected over decades, Bled Cake. Deliciously made up of vanilla cream, butter dough and whipped cream, it can only be described as YUM! There’s plenty of swimming spots all around the lake so take a stride around the edge and try them all out! Seems like that’s the only way to truly determine the winner. Once you’re done taking photos from the lake’s edge, up your panorama game and head to the best view point for a killer shot from the Ojstrica path. It’s only about 610m high but hands you a ‘best travel photo’ award on a platter.
Make your wish come true by climbing the 99 steps to the church on the Island of Lake Bled to ring the bell and make said wish. The story says a widow had a bell made in memory of her husband and it sank on the way across to the island. Luckily, the pope heard about it and consecrated a new one. Keep a listen out for the first bell that still rings from the bottom of the lake.
Activities
Get your adrenaline fix on the slopes of Straza hill and reach speeds up to 40km/hr while tobogganing in summer! Your screams will no doubt echo across the mountains as you careen down 520m of track. No adulting required. Otherwise you could quite literally row your own boat! Try your hand at the local Pletna boats and go for a paddle out to the island of Lake Bled. Make sure you have a squad with you because it’s hard work on your own! Usually this will only set you back about €12 but it’s well worth it for a spin in one of the most picturesque lakes in Europe.
Vintgar Gorge
It’s GORGEous! A glacial melt river cutting through vertical rock walls and wooden walkways that hug the edge of tall cliffs and a spectacular 13m waterfall to finish. Book yourself a taxi out to the national park for a few euros (it’s only about 4km away). Entry to this Disney-like landscape will set you back a mere €5. Take your time and make sure you wander through the cool rainforest wonderland at your own pace.
Triglav National Park
Book yourself on the Emerald River Adventure with your Busabout guide and the guys at 3Glav will take you to Kozjak waterfalls as part of this incredible day out! For those brave souls who are willing jump into the 12 degree water for a swim, they shall be rewarded with a badass Insta photo. Just try not to let the goosebumps show! There’s always a sunny meadow to warm up in afterwards.
Hike the Julian Alps! See why Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian was filmed in this region and get sweaty on the many trails available for trekking. Did anyone say views for days? Your guides will take you right to the very source of the crystal clear waters to a spring inside the mountain! Chase those waterfalls! Add in some white water rafting (also a part of the Emerald River Adventure) with eyes popping out of your head at how translucent the water is, you’ll barely have time to focus on paddling.
You can experience all of this on our Hop-on Hop-off network. Check the website for more details!
