This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Bled.
Bled is a town located in the northwestern region of Slovenia and is without a doubt considered as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is famous for its lake, named simply Lake Bled, which surrounds a small island. You can get there with a number of different boats, but the most famous one is Pletna, which has a long tradition of bringing passengers to the island and back. However, this type of trips can be quite pricey (the price changes depending on the oarsman/owner of the boat).
On the island, you will find an old church where weddings are held frequently and a stairway consisting of ninety-nine stairs leading up to the building. The tradition is that a groom carries the bride over the ninety-nine stairs, makes a wish in the church, and rings the bell -- all in the name of good luck. Overlooking the lake is the medieval Bled Castle, which is believed to be the oldest castle in Slovenia. Besides the museum and a restaurant you will also find a wine cellar there.
Surrounded with forests and hills, Bled offers a lot of opportunities for recreation. Especially popular are hiking, cycling, rowing, and swimming, although going for a swim anywhere outside the designated area is probably not a good idea. During the winter, the lake usually freezes and becomes a pretty popular ice-skating destination.
Because Bled is such a popular destination, there are plenty of options to find a good sleep. Even though the Bled hotels and pensions dominate the accommodation sector, you can find quite a few nice Bled hostels, especially suitable for backpackers and younger travelers. Two, particularly popular amongst backpackers, are located very close to the castle and just a few minutes' walk from the lake, while the others are a bit further away. Nevertheless, Bled is a small town and getting to any of these on foot shouldn't be a problem at all.
Written by local enthusiast for Bled hostels
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