Vacation rentals in Lake Bled

Surrounded by pine forests and the peaks of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled is half a square mile of pure Slovenian magic. The tiny Bled Island sits in the center of the lake, with its iconic 17th-century church a site for pilgrimages for centuries. These days, the lake’s vibrant turquoise water draws sailors, swimmers, and paddle boarders. The 3.7-mile loop around the lake will take you past swimming spots, row boat rental shops, traditional chalets, and lakefront cafes. You’ll also find endless hikes in the surrounding hills and mountains, from beginner trails like the route to Ojstrica with its famous overlook to more challenging alpine treks with waterfalls and lush greenery. The landscape transforms into a winter playground during the colder months, with skiing, ice skating, and sledding among the popular activities.

No visit to Lake Bled is complete without a piece of kremšnita, the Bled cream cake and prized delicacy that’s a protected dish of Slovenia. Be sure to indulge in one of these creamy pastry delights while sitting at one of the lakefront cafes.

Lake Bled enjoys the warmest, sunniest weather between June and August, when there’s little chance of heavy rain. During the third weekend in July, Bled Days sees a beautiful celebration of light, as thousands of candles set in eggshells are released to float across the lake. If you’re visiting during the summer months, you can take advantage of the toboggan track, which can shoot you down the nearby hillsides at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. A winter visit will see the area in all its snowy glory, and your cozy apartment rental in Lake Bled will be a welcome sight after a day on the cross-country trails on the Pokljuka plateau or downhill slopes nearby.

Bled Castle

The oldest castle in Slovenia overlooks the lake, with the Romanesque tower dating back to 1004. The building has undergone many transformations since. Today, its museum tells the story of the lake below and its centuries of residents. If you wander down to the cellar, you can bottle your own wine and seal it with wax — a unique souvenir of your visit.

Bled Island

The traditional mode of transport to the island is a pletna, a wooden boat similar to a gondola, rowed with oars. Once you’ve docked, you can climb the 99 steps to the Ascension of Mary Church and ring the church bell for good luck. You’ll get to take in scenic panoramas of the lake if you climb the tower.

Vintgar Gorge

Ten minutes from Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge is a one-mile route of elevated boardwalks carved into the vertical faces of the Hom and Boršt hills. You’ll cross bridges, pass pools and rapids, and marvel at the waterfalls — the highest of which is close to 43 feet.