After hiking in Vintgar Gorge, we then headed to the lake. But before that, we climbed the hill where Bled Castle was located. This castle is in a very prime location, and the views it provides looking down is simply spectacular.
The shots I have above of the lake were taken in two locations: from the castle as well as from the island. The water is quite clear, and clean enough to swim in. Motors are banned, so all watercraft are powered by human effort.
Bled Castle is depicted in the pictures above. Castles in Slovenia tend to be small affairs, and even though they have dramatic locations, they are rather petite compared to other castles in Europe. That said, this perch is quite well-situated, and if you're hiking this hill, it will take a while to get to the entrance.
The castle is composed of multiple sections, some function as a museum, others function as cafes and restaurants. It seems that castles in Slovenia are re-purposed as museums, and this is not an exception.
The island is reachable by boat. You either rent your own boat and paddle there, or you can ride this larger boat that is paddled by a human, which takes half an hour. You then have some time to explore the island, which contains a church and some old buildings. It is a wonderful ride, and is best done in the late afternoon. Don't make it too late however, as the boats don't run all evening.
I loved this place. It was fantastic, and even though it is a popular destination, it knows how to manage the crowds, that it was nevertheless still a pleasant place to visit.
