Lake Bled is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia. Located in the Julian Alps, Bled is only 50 minutes by car from the Italian border (Friuli Venezia-Giulia), making it a fantastic destination for a weekend getaway abroad, though not too far from home.

Lake Bled is as clear as it appears in photos, and a visit to this romantic lake is so beautiful that it almost seems unreal. This is why I recommend it as a destination for a romantic escape in the fall, when the temperatures are still manageable, and the warm colors of the foliage make the atmosphere even more magical.

I first visited Lake Bled in 2011 during the winter, just before New Year’s. The experience was enchanting, with the bell tower standing out from behind the fog, but I couldn’t fully enjoy this trip due to the freezing cold and the cold I had at the time (sigh, how unlucky!).

This year, I returned at the end of summer, and it was an entirely different experience. Lake Bled is beautiful to visit at any time of year, but when the weather is mild and nature paints the landscape in such magical hues, you can enjoy it in the best possible setting.

But it’s not just a beautiful view on its own: here is my guide for visiting Lake Bled that will help you plan your trip.

Autumn walking along Lake Bled

The best way to immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere that Bled can offer is certainly to take a walk around the lake. It will take about 1-2 hours to walk around the entire lake. You might need more time to stop and take photos because believe me, this place is incredibly photogenic!

The Island of Bled in the middle of the lake

At the center of the lake lies the Island of Bled (Blejski otok), where an elegant church and bell tower rise above the trees. To visit it, you can rent a rowing boat or take a guided trip on a “pletnja,” a special boat resembling a Venetian gondola, from the dock in front of Vila Prešeren, near the city center.

Once you reach the charming little island, you will find a continuous staircase of 99 steps leading from the dock to the Baroque Church of the Assumption. It is here that the first Slavs built a pagan temple, but it was destroyed during the battle between pagans and Christians, and the church we see today was built in its place.

The church also has a 52-meter-high bell tower, inside which is the so-called “wish bell” that, according to the legend I will tell you about later, will make wishes come true if it is rung three times.

The Historic Villa Bled

The Historic Villa Bled has been a luxury hotel since 1984. It is located on the south shore of the lake, about 20 minutes on foot from the city. Nestled among well-kept gardens, Villa Bled was largely built in the early 20th century by the Yugoslav royal family as a summer residence. Tito used it as a retreat and to entertain world leaders, including Gandhi and Nikita Khrushchev.

The Legend of Lake Bled

It is said that there is a second bell, in addition to the one in the bell tower, which lies at the bottom of the lake. The legend tells that around the year 1500, the feudal lord mysteriously disappeared, likely killed by bandits.

At the castle remained Polissena, the inconsolable widow, also known as the Lady of the Lake. Devastated by the loss of her husband, she gathered all the riches she had and dedicated everything to casting a bell that would ring from the center of the Island of Bled, forever remembering her beloved companion.

Unfortunately, the ship carrying the newly cast bell was caught in a storm and sank into the lake along with the entire crew, never reaching its destination.

Faced with this event, Polissena sold all her possessions to build a new chapel. Pope Clement VII heard the story of Polissena and was deeply moved by the widow’s generosity; he decided to reward her by giving Bled a new bell.

Thus, Polissena’s wish to have a bell in Bled came true. Following this event, it is said that anyone who rings the bell three times and makes a wish will see it come true!

Every year on December 25, an emotional commemoration is held in honor of the unfortunate Polissena, with music and dances. The highlight of the celebration is when an illuminated bell is plunged into the lake to the sound of truly moving melodies.

This is definitely a super romantic destination I highly recommend!
Have you ever been to Bled, Slovenia? Have you ever seen the beauty of Lake Bled?
Let me know what you think in the comments!

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