Bled has several must-see magical spots that you just have to visit when you arrive. Start with a walk around Lake Bled to get a feel for this Alpine gem and enjoy the enchanting views. 

If you don’t mind the winter air, take a ride in a traditional “pletna” boat or a modern electric powered boat, and visit the island on Lake Bled. It was once a temple to Živa, the goddess of love, but today it is the home of the romantic little church of St. Mary Help of Christians and its famous wishing bell dating back to 1943. 

foto: Izidor Jesenko

Having sent your wishes to the sky, it is time for some refreshment. The Park Café serves a variety of sweet treats, including the legendary original Bled cream cake and a special winter range of hot chocolate drinks. To burn off the calories, climb up to Bled Castle and take in the bird’s eye view of Bled, or visit the castle print shop and gallery of herbs.

Bled lies in the heart of the Julian Alps. It is perfectly situated for winter sports enthusiasts to visit a different ski resort every day. On day 3 of your stay, why not catch the Bled winter shuttle, which offers daily transport to Pokljuka in season. Pokljuka is a veritable paradise for cross-country skiing, winter hikes, snowshoe hiking and ski touring. It also has a world-famous biathlon centre and a popular sports centre for families, with countless activities for children. 

Feeling full and pleasantly tired, visit the Živa Wellness Centre for some water fun before bed. Get warm in unique saunas – don’t miss our memorable outdoor sauna – and enjoy the perfect ending to a day of sports and activities.

The path around Lake Bled will take your breath away again and again. An hour-long winter walk hand in hand, or a ride in a traditional horse-drawn carriage can be equally romantic. The fairytale winter setting will add a spring to your step, while the fresh air will fill you with energy.

There are a total of 99 steps to the church that sits on top of the island on Lake Bled. If a couple wants to get married on the island, ancient tradition dictates that the groom must carry the bride all the way up the 99 steps. Every day, visitors to the island ring the wishing bell, hoping that it will help their wishes and dreams to come true.

If you are a fan of hiking and mountaineering, don’t miss Mala Ojstrica, which is particularly popular for its breathtaking views of Lake Bled and the Sava plain. It is the perfect spot for taking panoramic shots of Bled and capturing unforgettable moments. 

Snowshoeing is gradually becoming one of the most popular winter activities in Slovenia. All you need for this unique sport is a pair of snowshoes and some snow. You will feel as if you are gliding along on clouds of snow! Snowshoeing is similar to walking and running. Try your hand at this ancient activity and enjoy the beautiful sights of the Triglav National Park.

Getting pampered in the warm is the perfect way to end a day spent in the fresh air. Visit the Živa Wellness Centre in the Rikli Balance Hotel, to soak in thermal water or get warm in one of the saunas with the most beautiful view of Bled.

Skiing enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that Bled is ideally situated for access to a number of ski resorts. We recommend those in Kranjska Gora, Krvavec, Kanin, Cerkno and Soriška planina.

At the end of the day, pamper yourself with treatments at the Živa Wellness Centre. This is where Alpine freshness meets the Rikli healing approach, resulting in one-of-a-kind wellness products that you won’t find anywhere else, such as massage therapy with spruce tips for muscle relaxation, beauty treatments with honey from the Carniolan honey bees for glowing skin, and the Pokljuka ritual for total regeneration.