Introducing this place:

Bled is a tourist city in northwestern Slovenia in the region of Upper Carniola. The area within the Julian Alps is a popular tourist destination

Sightseeing:

- The Bled lake with an island; The lake was formed after the recession of the Bohinj glacier. It is up to 2120 m long and up to 1380 m wide, its maximum depth being 30.6 m and tectonic in origin. After the last Ice Age, the Bohinj glacier deepened the natural tectonic hollow and gave into its present form. The basin was filled with water when the ice melted. The lake has no large natural tributaries; it is fed only by a few springs. The thermal springs in its north-eastern part are led into three swimming pools - Grand Hotel Toplice, Hotel Park and Hotel Golf. The picture-like image of Lake Bled is highlighted by the island in the western part of the lake.

-The Vintgar gorge; This ravine in the immediate vicinity of Gorje, approximately 4 km north-west of Bled, was discovered by Jakob Žumer, the Major of Gorje, and the cartographer and photographer Benedikt Lergetporer in February 1891. The discovery was accidental   and took place at a time when the water level of the Radovna river which flows through Vintgar was very low. They started their exploration in Spodnje Gorje and headed towards Blejska Dobrava. They made it through, the otherwise impassable ravine with great difficulty and discovered so much natural beauty that they decided to establish a construction committee. The gorge was arranged for visits, especially for visitors to Bled. It was opened to the public on 26th August 1893. The 1.6 km long Vintgar gorge carves its way through the vertical rocks of the Hom and Bort hills and is graced by the Radovna with its waterfalls, pools and rapids. The path leads you over bridges  and Šumer’s galleries, and ends with a bridge overlooking the mighty 16 m high Šum waterfall. Due to its natural beauty, Vintgar was classified among the more important tourist sights in Slovenia and the number of visitors increases every year. From the Šum waterfall you can take the opportunity of walking up a picturesque footpath through Hom to St. Catherine-a historical church with a beautiful view. At the entrance, and at the Šum waterfall there are cafes serving refreshments. Access by car and buses is possible as far as the parking area in front of the entrance to the ravine.

-The cave under "Babji zob" ;This approximately 300 m long cave is adorned with beautiful stalactite formations. A special feature of this cave is spiral stalactites, so-called helectites, and large calcite crystals which are rear in Slovenia. The tradition of visiting this cave dates back to the 19th century and has continued to the present day through the Bled Society for Cave Research. The Society in co-operation has arranged paths and electrical lighting to enable safe access to the cave.

-The Bled castle; The castle is now arranged as an exhibition area. The display rooms near the chapel, a most interesting building, present the ancient history of Bled from the first excavations, and the castle in individual stages of its historical development with furniture, characteristic of those times. Although these pieces are not originally from Bled castle, they are important as an illustration of the style of living in the historical periods presented. You can also visit  printing works, castle cellar, herbal gallery, restaurant, souvenir shop and see multivision. Bled castle attracts visitors not only with it sage and picturesques architecture but also for the unforgettable view of the lake and the wider area of Gorenjska and the Julian Alps. In summer  months, the castle atmosphere is enlivened by the visit of a count and an archery tournament, and on warm summer nights, visitors are drawn by concerts of classical music under the starry skies.

In bled you can also find many galleries, churches, monuments...

Things and Sports to Do:

Natural beauties and fresh Alpine rivers, riding in nature and climbing the surrounding mountains, cycling and golfing, ballooning and parachute gliding … But after a straining day – a pleasant freshening up in the lake or in hotel swimming baths filled with thermal water. And the evening can start…


-Golf ; Bled has the largest golf course in Slovenia. The season runs from March to December. The course is renowned as one of the most beautiful in Europe. The golf course is situated 2 km east of Bled on a plateau, 60 m above the Sava river canyon. Its height above sea level is 504 - 520 m. The land has a slight roll and is covered with forests. The truly beautiful backdrop with the high Karavanke mountains in the north and the sharp - ridged julian Alps with Triglav in the western horizon, will ensure the greatest pleasure and an unforgettable experience for golfers. The extremly pleasant climate permits a golf season from spring to late autumn. Access to the golf course is via the Bled - Lesce road.

-Cycling; Moving around by bike can be one of the best ways of acquainting oneself with a new place. Bled is very convenient for cycling - be it for, less demanding older tourists, young families or determined cycling enthusiasts. There are no special lanes for cycling in Bled or its vicinity, however since traffic is light, most roads can be used. Local roads between villages around Bled are suitable for short cycling trips and a dense network of forest roads on jelovica, Pokljuka and Mežakla can satisfy even the most demanding mountain cyclist. For less damanding cycling, we suggest a trip through the valley of Radovna or you may drive to Pokljuka where the plateau offers pleasant cycling in the cool shadow of the pine forests. Please note that cycling off - road or off - track is not allowed anywhere in Slovenia.

- Paragliding and Gliding; The Lesce-Bled sports airport lies 4 km from the centre of Bled. In addition to glider flights and tandem (guided) paragliding, panoramic flights over Bled, Bohinj and the Julian Alps are available.

- Mountaineering; The woods of Pokljuka, Mežakla and Jelovica form the backdrop to Bled. Futhermore the Julian Alps and Triglav on one side, and Karavanke with Stol, Vrtača and Begunjščica on the other, highlight the beauty of the background. On a clear day the Kamnik and Savinja Alps can be seen on the east horizon. In short, there are plenty of mountains near and further from Bled. Bled too is proud of its rich mountaineering tradition, now over 100 years old. The development of tourism in this region has been closely tied to mountaineering. Bled offers many opportunities for backpacking or hiking in the mountains. Mountains of medium height such are Jelovica (Talež), Pokljuka (Galetovec, Lipanca), Mežakla (Jerebikovec) and Karavanke (Ajdna, Roblek under Begunjščica or Dobrča), are not only inviting but also a good testing ground for mountain tours to higher ranges.

- Swimming and diving in Bled lake

- Tennis; There are 14 outdoor tennis courts in Bled and its surroundings.

- Fishing; Fishermen can test their skills as well as their luck on Lake Bled. Fishing for catfish, pike, carp and lake trout is permited. In the Sava Bohinjka river fishing for grayling, brown trout and rainbow trout is allowed.

- Rowing; Lake Bled with its beautiful surroundings, is ideal for this water sport since it provides all the natural elements it requires.During the post-war years, Bled developed into an important site for rowing sports and is today one of the world´s most renown rowing centres - with, perhaps, the most beautiful course anywhere. Many national and international regattas have been organised here, including three World Championships (1966, 1979 and 1989). In addition to medals won at world chanpionships, Bled oarsmen brought home medals from the Olympics where Slovenia first competes as a soverign state - Barcelona 1992.
Every year, numerous regattas are held the traditional 1st May regatta, the International Regata in June and the National Championship in September.

- Rafting: For lovers of these sports there are organised trips with entertainment available.

- Alpineclimbing - Sportclimbing; Considering that Bled lies at the doorstep of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke mountains, it is an ideal starting point for mountain tours. Those visitors with a more adventurous nature may even be overcome by a desire for alpine climbing. The Karavanke show a timid face on their south side and do not offer much opportunity for eager climbing. The walls of the Julian Alps, however, are an attractive destination for alpine climbers. The starting point is less than an hour´s drive from Bled, and a mountain guide may be hired at specialised agencies. Sport climbing is gaining in popularity and represents a well - established tourist interest. There are two well maintained and equipped sites near Bled: Pod Iglico in Bohinjska Bela, ( courses range from 11 m to 27 m in height, with levels of difficulty ranging from 4 to 10), and in Peč under Bodešče ( courses here range from 11 m to 25 m, with levels of difficulty ranging from 6 to 9). You can rent necessary equipment and hire a guide at specialised agencies.

- Horseriding; Bled and its surroundings offer excellent opportunities for lovers of horses and horse riding.

- Walks; Despite the fact that the Bled landscape is well known and immediately recognisable by many, there are still plenty of joyful discoveries to be made here. It is not only the lake, the island and the castle but also many other small and hidden, intimate details, that are here to be discovered. Strolls or short trips, in and around Bled, present a special quality of the town as a tourist place. Well-maintained footpaths will take you to lone hills above the lake. Views of the surroundings from the Castle Hill, Straža, Dobra Gora, Kozarca, Osojnica or Kuhovnica are especially breathtaking. Amongst these magnificent surroundings, not to be missed, is the rich cultural and arhitectural heritage of the region - this can be seen, simply, when strolling through Bled. Paths are clearly marked with directional signs, each bearing the name and the number of the trip, you can find illustrations of trip routes in the "Bled - City Map" (1:6600), as well as in "Bled - A Tourist Map" (1:30000). Maps are available in tourist agencies where you can also arrange for a guided tour.

- Cross-Country skiing; Cross-country skiing is one of the nicest and most environmentally friendly forms of recreation. The sport is experiencing a rebirth throughout Europe, and makes up an important part of tourist activities in the Bled area.

- Ski Touring; Ski touring is lately becoming even more popular. The mountains close to Bled, the Julian Alps and the Karavanke, offer many opportunities for good ski touring. The most popular, and for Bled the most easily accessible starting point for ski touring, is Pokljuka. In fact the ridge of the peaks above the plateau is, in its entirety, ideal for ski touring. Naming just a few of the most visited destinations would include Debela Peč, Brda, Mrežce, mountain Lipanca, Viševnik and Veliki Draški Vrh. In the Karavanke near Bled, Stol and Begunjščica also provide an opportunity for skiers - however, because of steep slopes and danger from avalanches, skiing here is more demanding. Of course, using Bled as a central point, other skiing points are within easy reach - it is not far to other well known skiing points in the Julian Alps such as Komna, Fužinske Planine, Through Krma on to Kredarica amongst others. Equipment for ski touring may be rented, and a guide may be hired. Guidebooks are available and ski touring routes are marked on various maps.

- Alpine skiing; Althrough Bled is not a classic alpine skiing sports centre, those who like snow, the sworn alpine skiers and snow boarders as well, are well provided for. The ski slope at Straža is almost ideal, be it for visitors or for local skiers. Only a short walk away from the centre of Bled, it is equipped with a double chair-lift and a rope tow and has artificial snow making equipment as well as lighting for night skiing.

If you need any further information about things and sports or accomodation in Bled, please feel free to ask via mail (blaz.inti@gmail.com)

Culinary:

Bled’s Culinary Offer;

The Carniolan countryside has no greater beauty, as gastronomy is all, this image of paradise!

I don’t suppose there would be any objections from the Slovenian poet France Prešeren (1800-1849) about my borrowing and slightly adapting his famous thought about Bled, one of seven characteristic and special features of the modern tourist attractions of Slovenia, for the preface to this useful guide.

Of course, this ‘image of paradise’ is not only made up of natural features, cultural attractions, forms of hospitality and diverse possibilities for our guests’ accommodation and wellbeing, but also of varied forms of ordinary days and holidays which are reflected in dishes and beverages in inns, restaurants, patisseries, pubs and cafés, on tourist farms, in wine bars and brewpubs. I could say in an allegorical way that all of this is the ‘stomach of Bled’ and its surrounding area. It’s comprised of preserved and developing evidence of gastronomic heritage of this Gorenjskan part of Slovenia, as well as of search and innovation in the directions of new gastronomic discoveries. Therefore you will discover a palette of diversity in the culinary guidebook in front of you, which is the first of its kind in all Bled’s tourism history – from local and regional specialities, to flirtation with international culinary achievements. Individual houses are showcased, which do not just strive to offer guests food and beverages on plates and in glasses, but also tales of healthy ingredients for their preparation, of characteristics that set them apart from other parts of Europe and the world, or of the role and importance of individual dishes and drinks in the fields of economic, social and spiritual activities of the inhabitants of Bled and its surroundings. Cuisine, or in other words, the culinary and gastronomic offer, is today one of the leading motifs of tourist activities. The modern tourist has realised that it not only enables him to have a more or less full stomach, but that it is above all a way to discover and get to know the characteristics of local cultures and lifestyles. Likewise in Bled.

prof. dr. Janez Bogataj
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts

Traditional events:

The most famous of Bled´s events is the "Bled Days". This happens on the 4th weekend of July each year. It is a beautiful sight with floating lights on the lake and fireworks to set the scene, as well as the "Home and Art Craft Fair" to see and various concerts on the Bled promenade to enjoy. On New year´s Day, you can listen to classical music at the traditional New year´s Day Gala Concert at the Festival Hall - Easter Sunday, however is the day for non other than the Easter Concert.

Within the setting of the "Merry December" festivities, you can buy gifts at the St. Nicholas Fair and the Christmas/New year Fair. Amongst numerous other events, one of the more interesting ones is "The Legend of the Sunken Bell" which happens on Christmas Day - and you must not forget to embark on a romantic stroll around the lake with flickering fire torches. It was for the first time in the year 1999 that we organized Rikli´s sports days in the beginning of July - this included an expedition to Straža following "the Rikli method" and various sporting tournaments.

Geography and Climate:

Basic information

Altitude 501 m, Castle Hill 604 m, Mt. Straža 646 m. Number of inhabitants 5476. Tourist capacity 4000 beds. Lake: altitude 475 m, length 2120 m, width 1380 m, area 144 ha, maximum depth 30.6 m, maximum annual water temperature is 26°C.

Climate

Bled's is a mild, healthy sub-Alpine climate with the longest swimming season of any Alpine resort. The ridges of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke protect it from the chilly northern winds. During the summer months there is no fog. The average monthly temperature in July is 19°C and in January -1.7°C.

How to get here?:

Bled lies in the extreme northwestern part of Slovenia, at the foot of the Julian Alps and between the Sava Bohinjka and Sava Dolinka rivers. It is accessible in all seasons.

The Lesce-Bled railway station (4 km) lies on the Villach - Jesenice - Ljubljana - Belgrade - Istanbul - Athens railway line. It is approximately 45 km from the national borders with Austria (Wurzenpass - Korensko sedlo) and Italy (Fusine Laghi -  Rateče).

The nearest international airport at Brnik is 36 km away.

Bled is connected with  all larger towns in Slovenia by regular bus  routes.

For any further infomration please feel free to ask via my email (blaz.inti@gmail.com)