Sheltered by magnificent mountains, Bled was established in 1004, and considered so beautiful by the Holy Roman Emperor that it was gifted to the Bishop of Brixen. Bled Castle sits in the center of picturesque Lake Bled with its glacial blue waters surrounding the tiny island and bordering the town of about 5,000, renowned as the home of some of the most beautiful health spas in the region. Hiking to the medieval hilltop castle provides especially stunning panoramic vistas.