Click, Wander & Savor

Mist, Mountains, and Magic – A Day at Lake Bled

It was still dark when our bus pulled away from Pula, winding north through Croatia’s rolling hills toward Slovenia. The excitement built with every turn — Lake Bled had been on my list for years, and now we were finally on our way to see its storybook setting for ourselves. Somewhere past the border, the scenery shifted: mountain peaks rose in the distance, and a silvery mist clung to the valleys like lace. By the time we reached Bled, a soft drizzle hung in the air — the kind that makes everything feel hushed and dreamlike.

First glimpse of Lake Bled from the bus, the island barely visible through morning mist.

The First Look

As we stepped off the bus, the air smelled of pine and rain. The lake lay before us — perfectly still, reflecting the clouds above like polished glass. In the center, a tiny island floated as if on cue, crowned by a single white church tower. It was one of those rare travel moments when reality feels quieter, softer, and somehow more beautiful than the photographs.

We decided to begin with a horse-drawn carriage ride around the lake. There was no canopy to protect us from the drizzle, so we tucked close together under the open sky, half-laughing, half-wondering if we should find a shop to buy sweatshirts before the day was through. The driver, unfazed by the weather, guided his chestnut horses along the lakeside path while sharing bits of local lore – how Lake Bled was formed more than 15,000 years ago after the last Ice Age and how, for centuries, pilgrims have made their way to the church on the island to ring its legendary bell.

Raindrops gathered on our sleeves, the rhythmic sound of hooves echoing between the trees. Even in the rain, it was impossible not to feel the romance of the place – the still water, the reflections, the distant call of the church bell drifting through the mist. Admittedly though, we didn’t not come properly prepared for the weather and quickly learned there wasn’t a single sweater or sweatshirt for sale in Lake Bled in August!

Horse-drawn carriage circling the lake in the mist — no canopy, just rain, laughter, and the sound of hooves.

The Island and the Wishing Bell

Next came one of Bled’s oldest traditions – crossing the lake in a pletna boat, a handmade wooden vessel rowed by a single standing oarsman. These boats are unique to Lake Bled and have been passed down through families since the 16th century. Our oarsman rowed with smooth, steady strokes, and as the boat glided over the mirrorlike surface, the island grew larger, its steeple rising through the low clouds.

Traditional polenta boats crossing Lake Bled.

At the dock, we began the climb up the 99 stone steps to the Church of the Assumption of Mary. I paused halfway, turned to my husband, and suggested (half joking) that he carry me – as the legend says grooms should do to bring lifelong good luck. He laughed, shook his head, and said, “Too late now – marrying you already proved my luck.” We both cracked up and continued our climb, rain-damp hair and all.

The 99 stone steps I had to walk on my own and the church tower.

Inside, the baroque church shimmered with candlelight. The famous Wishing Bell, cast in 1534, hung above the altar. The story goes that a young widow once commissioned a bell for the church in honor of her late husband, but it sank to the bottom of the lake during a storm. The Pope later sent a replacement — the same one that still rings today. Visitors who pull its rope three times and make a wish are said to be blessed with good fortune. Naturally, I rang it. The bell’s soft tone echoed through the nave, across the water, and up toward the castle — a sound as timeless as the lake itself.

View from the island steps looking back toward Bled Castle through drifting mist.

Rain, Markets, and Handcrafted Charm

By the time we returned to shore, the drizzle had turned steady again, but it only added to Bled’s moody charm. In the lakeside park, we stumbled upon an arts and crafts fair, its white tents glowing like lanterns under the gray sky. Local artisans sold everything from lace and pottery to honey, carved wood, and hand-painted glass.

I fell in love with two small treasures – a hand-painted candle holder and a delicate vase, both painted by a local artist. They captured the very feeling of the day: soft colors, intricate detail, and beauty that shines even in the rain.

Local artisan market — bright umbrellas, handmade glassware, and the hum of conversation under the rain.

Our hand-painted candle holder and vase from the fair — small pieces of Bled’s artistry brought home.

A Sweet Stop for Bled Cream Cake

Before heading toward the castle, our guide insisted we couldn’t leave Bled without tasting its most famous treat – the Bled Cream Cake (Blejska kremšnita). We ducked into a lakeside café, still damp from the drizzle, and ordered one to share. The golden square arrived perfectly layered: crisp puff pastry on top and bottom, a silky custard center crowned with an airy layer of whipped cream, all dusted with a snowfall of powdered sugar.

It looked simple, but one bite proved why it’s a national treasure. The contrast of textures – flaky, creamy, light – somehow tasted like sunshine after rain. Our guide told us that the recipe dates back to 1953, when pastry chef Ištvan Lukačević at the Hotel Park perfected this version after countless trials. Since then, more than 15 million slices have been served, each one made by hand using the same recipe.

We lingered over our shared slice, watching the mist roll across the lake and the pletna boats glide by. There was something wonderfully old-fashioned about it – a dessert tied to a single place, unchanged by time. Warmth, sweetness, and just enough indulgence to balance the chill of the afternoon.

Bled Castle: History Above the Clouds

Our final stop was Bled Castle (Blejski grad), perched high on a cliff 130 meters above the lake. Dating back to 1011 AD, it’s Slovenia’s oldest castle and easily one of its most breathtaking. We climbed the steep path, mist rising around the stone walls, and arrived just as the clouds began to lift. From the terrace, the view was cinematic – the lake gleaming below, the island church at its center, and the snow-dusted Julian Alps framing the horizon.

Inside, the castle felt alive with history. The museum traced centuries of Bled’s evolution – from medieval fortifications to a 19th-century retreat for European aristocrats seeking Alpine air. In one courtyard, a craftsman demonstrated the art of printing with a replica Gutenberg press, the scent of ink mixing with rain-soaked stone.

But it was the castle wine cellar that truly captured us. A smiling sommelier invited us to taste wines bottled under the castle’s own label – “Adam & Eva.” After tasting both the red and the white, we purchased a bottle of white and the staff placed our bottle into a wooden souvenir wine holder – a rustic, beautifully crafted carrier that became one of our favorite keepsakes from the day.

View from Bled Castle terrace — lake, island, and mountains melting together in soft gray light.

The wine cellar at Bled Castle — “Adam & Eva” bottles and wooden souvenir wine bottle bag.

A Pause Above the Lake

Before heading back, I lingered at the terrace railing. The air had cleared just enough to reveal the full sweep of the lake – a smooth oval of silver and green framed by forests and peaks. Below, a bell rang faintly from the island, its echo carrying across the water like a whisper.

Bled has that rare kind of beauty that feels both serene and cinematic. Between its legends, its Alpine stillness, and the warmth of the people, it’s easy to see why this place has become Slovenia’s most beloved destination. There’s history in the stones, magic in the mist, and something deeply peaceful about watching a single rowboat glide across that quiet expanse.

Final panoramic view from the castle — Lake Bled unveiled after the mist.

Sharing our love of Lake Bled.

Traveler’s Notes:

·      Getting There: Lake Bled is about four hours from Pula by bus — a long but rewarding day trip.

·      Must-Do Experiences: Take a pletna boat to Bled Island and ring the Wishing Bell, explore Bled Castle and its wine cellar, and wander the lakeside craft markets if you’re lucky enough to visit during one.

·      Don’t Miss: The “Adam & Eva” wine at the castle — you can seal and label your own bottle on-site.

·      Best Tip: The weather changes quickly — pack a light jacket or sweatshirt even in summer. Rainy days are part of Bled’s charm.

·      Souvenirs to Keep: Local art and the wooden wine holder that the castle included with our bottle of “Adam & Eva

·      Worth Knowing: Lake Bled’s emerald color comes from glacial minerals, and the lake is fed by natural hot springs beneath its surface — which is why it never fully freezes, even in winter.