# Bled Castle

> Bled Castle stands on a cliff above Lake Bled and is one of the oldest castles in Slovenia.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/bled-castle/

A castle on a cliff above Lake Bled with a museum, a small chapel and terraces that look over the island and the Julian Alps. Come at opening or late in the day to avoid crowds, and expect a short uphill walk from the car park.

Bled Castle stands on a cliff above Lake Bled and is one of the oldest castles in Slovenia. King Henry II transferred the estate to the Bishop of Brixen in 1004; in 1011 the castle is first mentioned in writing as “castellum Veldes”. It remained under Brixen's rule for about eight centuries, until 1803. An earthquake in 1511 caused severe damage, and in the 17th century lightning strikes and fires damaged the complex. In 1561 Baron Herbard von Auersperg hosted the reformer Primož Trubar here.

After falling into decay in the period after the Second World War, the castle was comprehensively restored from 1952 under the architect Tone Bitenc and was declared a national cultural monument in 1999. Today it houses a museum. From the terraces you look out over the lake, the island and the Julian Alps. Come at opening time or in the late afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds; from the car park it is a short uphill walk.

- **Nearest town:** Bled, Slovenia
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 46.3689, 14.1000

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Slovenia: Vignette needed for motorways.** Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## Sources

- [Bled Castle: History](https://www.blejski-grad.si/en/discover-bled-castle/history/)

## Nearby

- [Blejsko jezero](https://camping-spirit.com/places/bled/) – 1 km
- [Vintgar Gorge](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-vintgar-gorge/) – 3 km
- [Radovljica Old Town](https://camping-spirit.com/places/radovljica-old-town/) – 6 km
- [Peričnik Waterfall](https://camping-spirit.com/places/pericnik-waterfall/) – 17 km

## FAQs

### Where is Bled Castle?

Bled Castle is in Bled, Slovenia, at GPS 46.3689, 14.1000. It is about 19 km from Ribčev Laz.

### Can you camp near Bled Castle?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is PZA Bled, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 40 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Bled Castle?

Places worth a stop nearby: Blejsko jezero (1 km), Vintgar Gorge (3 km), Radovljica Old Town (6 km) and Peričnik Waterfall (17 km).

### When is the best time to visit Bled Castle?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)