You can shop at the superstores or malls in Bled where there are a large variety of goods stocked at fair prices or at the more exciting and smaller shops where the locals display their wares.

You'll love shopping in Bled, and with our Bled Shopping Guide below you'll be armed with all the information you'll need to find the best deals and places to shop. In Bled you should also enjoy the relaxing pace and take a break from shopping in one of the delightful Bled restaurants. Our Slovenia Shopping Guide tells you all you need to know about what to look for when shopping throughout the country.

Bled Shopping Guide

Bled's largest mall, the Bled Shopping Centre, has everything that you could need, all under one roof. There are banks, a pharmacy, goldsmiths, restaurants, car rental agencies, leather stores, travel agents, a photo studio, a perfume shop, a chemist, clothing and footwear stores, coffee shops, Bled souvenir shops, a toy shop and a store selling mountaineering gear!

Mercator is Bled's other favourite shopping destination and a nice way to spend time shopping in Bled. Mercator stock everything, buy some fresh baked rolls, juicy fruit, ham, cheese, fruit preserves or even something heavier. Pick up a few cans of beer or some wine and you can enjoy lunch in the lovely Bled outdoors.

For something local, pick up souvenirs at the tourist association office, Gallery Pletna, at your hotel or one of the many souvenir shops in Bled.

For a more unusual memory of your trip, head down to the wine cellar at Bled Castle. Here, you can try your hand at bottling, corking and even wax sealing your very own bottle of wine. They will even give you a certificate that says you did it all yourself! It makes for a lovely gift for someone special or even a wonderful reminder of your trip to Bled.

Handicrafts and Local Goods

While in Bled, be sure to pick up some of the local specialities. The beehive art or Panjska koncnica is really unique and very special souvenir. The tradition dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries when farmers would paint characters from popular folk tales onto the front of beehives. While some would carry pictures from Slovenian fables, others would have a religious or educational message on them, and some were even satirical. You might not be able to get the original style Panjska koncnica, but the replicas are really pretty anyway.

Slovenians stored their linens, toys and clothes in special small chests called the Skrinjica. You can buy one decorated with traditional local style ornaments and hive painting patterns. Since they aren't too large you should be able to carry one home with you. If you'd like something smaller but handcrafted, then pick up the clay jug or the Majolka. These jugs come beautifully adorned with lovely patterns, designs and ornaments and can be used to serve wine, milk or even just water.

Linen and quilts are another worthwhile buy from Slovenia. These bedclothes, sleeping bags, covers and pillows are all of good quality and come in nice patterns. The local designers have ensured that you get a combination of style and comfort in the materials that are used, so stock up on these while you're in Bled. Skofja Loka's Odeja is the location of the largest bedding manufacturing centre and there is a mind boggling variety of styles to pick from.

Just in case you need to look for something like sports goods, climbing gear or skiing equipment, Bled caters amply to your needs. There are sporting equipment stores in Bled where you can pick up your gear as well as maps. Some shops even double up as agencies that help organise adventure sports and outdoor activities.

Remember, when in Bled, you may not always recognise the names of some of the brands in the stores, but the quality of many is no less than any international label. What you get are well priced products, which, though not inexpensive, are value for money. Some local brands that are worth a look include Peko for shoes and Rasica for knitwear.