Best things to do in Bled

Built into a steep cliff above the lake, Bled Castle offers magnificent views of the small island on the lake, two nearby towns, and the surrounding mountains. German Emperor Henry II donated the castle buildings, arranged around two courtyards, to the bishop of Brixen in 1011. These days, discover the museum collection presenting the history of Bled, its culture and people. Learn about traditional hand-printing techniques at the Bled Castle Printing Works and print your own memorial document. Visit the wine cellar and ask the monks to tell you stories about the castle and Slovenia's wine regions. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Julian Alps from the castle's terraces.

Ride a traditional wooden boat called a "pletna" or rent your own boat and row to Bled Island rising above the surface of a glacial lake. This Ice Age limestone glacial deposit covered with trees is thought to have been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological excavations have uncovered traces of Slavic settlements from the 9th and 10th centuries. Legend has it that the present stone Baroque church was built on the remains of an ancient temple dedicated to the Slavic goddess of fertility. Climb the monumental 99 steps leading up to the church and ring the "wishing bell" above the church nave.

See a different side of Bled on a zipline tour, an outdoor experience that combines adrenaline with sightseeing. This activity can take a couple of hours, so you'll still have plenty of other time to enjoy other activities on the same day. Most operators offer rides throughout the year, but bad weather can prevent operation, so it's a good idea to check ahead of time and keep the weather conditions in mind. Various zipline courses often cater to younger visitors and families with kids, so you can choose one that fits into your needs and preferences.

Hike through the alpine mountain slopes and valleys of Triglav National Park, traversed with an extensive network of well-marked, easy to follow, and properly secured trails. The area features more than 7,000 km (4,350 mi) of marked paths. You can relax by taking easy strolls through the woods and by the lakeside, or by slowly driving through lush meadows along picturesque villages. More experienced hikers can venture on longer and more demanding trails that lead up to the towering peaks. Many mountain huts and lodges along the way offer opportunities to rest and grab a bite to eat. The river rapids and gorges make the park popular with water sport enthusiasts.

Straža Bled is thought to be the best viewpoint in the area, offering vistas of the city, castle, lake, and surrounding mountains. Take the chairlift to the top of the small hill or hike on the well groomed tracks through meadows and woods. The area features an adventure park with 81 attractions set up in the woods, as well as a children's snow park, which is open seasonally. The small ski slope lights up for night skiing and is equipped with snow cannons.

St. Martin's Parish Church (Slovene: župnijska cerkev svetega Martina) in Bled (northwestern Slovenia) is the parish church of the Parish of Bled.

Cut deep between two hills overgrown with beech forests, Vintgar Gorge is full of small waterfalls, rapids, and erosion potholes. Cartographer and photographer Benedikt Lergetporer and mayor of Gorje Jakob Zumer discovered the gorge in 1891. Walk along the tourist path with narrow passages, wooden bridges, and galleries, constructed on the rocks in 1893. Listen to the roar of Radovna River echoing along the 1.6 km (1 mi) long gorge marked at the end by a waterfall plunging 16 m (52 ft). The gorge also features two manmade attractions: an arched stone railway bridge from 1906 and a dam. When you reach the end of the gorge, walk back across the meadows passing St. Catherine's church.

Nestled in a valley between the Julian Alps, Lake Bohinj provides many opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, camping, skiing, and parachuting. Surrounded by pristine alpine landscapes of lush woods and green meadows, Slovenia's largest glacial lake is 4.2 km (2.6 mi) long, 1 km (0.6 mi) wide, and 45 m (148 ft) deep. Take a boat trip or rent a canoe and explore the lake's waters and shores. Nearby attractions include a church, which can be seen from across the lake, and the Savica waterfall. Mountain slopes around the lake offer good skiing opportunities.