When you think of golfing holidays in Europe, the mind immediately takes you to Portugal's Algarve region, the Costa del Sol of Spain, and Turkey’s Belek region. 

However, cast your mind to Slovenia, and you’ll find Royal Bled. It is the best golfing resort in the country, located less than an hour from the capital city of Ljubljana, and only a few miles from the border with Austria. With 27 holes of golf, surrounded by incredible views of the Karavanke mountain range and Julian Alps, it is a stunning place for a golf trip.

It will feel like you’re slightly going off the beaten track, and with just 14 rooms across the resort’s two accommodation options - the King’s House and Lake House - it is a very private resort. The majority of the rooms in the King’s House have private balconies, while those staying in the Lake House have incredible views of the golf courses that lie out in front of them.

Those two golf courses are historic. The King’s Course is the oldest golf course in Slovenia and has played host to the Ladies European Tour and the European Challenge Tour in the 1990s. Prior to that, the 9-hole Lakes Course was constructed at the resort to add to its charm and character. Along with the two courses, Royal Bled also has its own Golf Academy, which includes a driving range, short game area and qualified professionals on hand to provide tuition.

If you fancy something different for your golfing holiday this year, then take a look at Royal Bled. Yes, Slovenia is still up and coming when it comes to the golfing scene, and is nothing compared to Spain, Portugal or Turkey, but a stay at Royal Bled will certainly change your opinion on that!

 

Book your trip to Royal Bled with Golfbreaks now.

Visit Royal Bled’s website here.

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Like a lot of courses on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, Royal Bled is blessed to have two stunning golf courses. The King’s Course is the 18-hole championship layout at the Slovenian resort, while the 9-hole Lakes Course is a glorious addition.

The King’s Course is Royal Bled’s championship offering. It is the largest and oldest golf course in the entirety of Slovenia, with its beginnings dating back to before the Second World War. The King’s Course is a strategic lay-out, with stunning views of Bled Castle, while the Karavanke mountain range and Julian Alps sit in the background.

William Swan and the Swan Golf Designs Group extensively renovated the King’s Course during the mid-2010s, bringing the course to the high standard that it currently is. From the championship tees, the King’s Course is almost 7,200 yards long, so golfers need to be at their best to tame Royal Bled’s championship offering.

The Slovenian Ladies Open, a Ladies European Tour event in 1992, was held on the King’s Course at Royal Bled. The European Challenge Tour has also staged events on the King’s Course in the past, with the BTC Slovenian Open held on the course from 1997 to 1999. The King’s Course has also been the host to several major amateur tournaments in its history.

Gerald and Gunter Hauser were the two men to set out the 9-hole Lakes Course at Royal Bled, with the course being opened in the early 1990s. Originally, the plan was for this to become the first half of a second 18-hole championship course.

However, those plans changed, with the 9-hole lay-out being left as it was to create the challenging Lakes Course. It incorporates the same sort of challenges as its bigger brother, thanks to the topography of the course.

The state-of-the-art Royal Bled Golf Academy has a stunning practice area, in a unique location with a wonderful view of the Karavanke mountain range. The Academy provides first-class conditions for training and learning to play golf.

The driving range is incredible, a 300-metre long stretch of perfect grass, primed and ready for golfers to practise their long-game skills. The Academy also plays host to a stunning short game area, to practise chipping, putting and bunker play.

The Royal Bled Golf Academy works alongside IMG to help golfers that come through the doors. The partnership brings the latest technology to the Academy so swings can be analysed to identify the most effective way to coach individuals. 

Lessons are available at the Academy with or without the use of technology. Individual lessons, group packages and on-course tuition are all available at the Royal Bled Golf Academy.

The King’s House was originally built in 1938, a year after the King’s Course was opened at Royal Bled. It was built in the typical Slovenian architectural style of the time, and it has maintained that look to this day.

Following an extensive renovation in recent years, the King’s House at Royal Bled has been restored to its original grandeur. With open fires and comfortable furniture, guests are welcomed in to relax and enjoy the surroundings. 

There are ten rooms on offer at the King’s House, where guests can stay and be pampered with luxury. The majority of those rooms have private terraces, and all have stunning views of the natural surroundings that the building finds itself in.

The Lake House is a stone’s throw away from the King’s House, and like its accommodation partner, it offers a Slovenian touch to its style. The traditional and local decor is complemented with modern furnishings. 

There are only four rooms in the Lake House, but each of those is a wonderful double room, which provides comfort and luxury to all of its guests. Those staying in the Lake House can also enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness centre and the two saunas on site. 

Where is Royal Bled located?
Royal Bled is situated in the northern part of Slovenia, just south from the country’s border with Austria. The course straddles the Slovenian regions of Jesenice and Radovljica, with Bled being the nearest city to the golf resort, a couple of miles to the west.

What is the nearest airport to Royal Bled?
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, the country’s biggest and busiest international airport, is located just 25 miles from Royal Bled, and it operates daily flights to the United Kingdom and some European countries. 

What golf facilities does Royal Bled offer?
As well as 27 stunning golf holes, Royal Bled also offers a Golf Academy, where golfers can take tuition from qualified professionals. The Academy is the home to a 300-metre long grass driving range, short game area and putting green, with the use of TrackMan Technology available during lessons.

Does Royal Bled offer golf lessons?
The Royal Bled Golf Academy has a range of tuition packages available with their qualified professionals on site. From an individual lesson to group packages, on-course lessons and TrackMan analysis, the Golf Academy at Royal Bled offers tuition for both those starting off with the sport, to those looking to fine tune their abilities. 

What are the green fees at Royal Bled?
Prices for the two courses at Royal Bled are the same year-round. To play on the King’s Course will cost guests €220, while a round on the 9-hole Lakes Course costs €65.

What accommodation is on offer at Royal Bled?
The accommodation at Royal Bled is split into two houses - the King’s House and the Lake House. The latter is next to the golf courses, and has four stunning rooms. The King’s House plays host to ten spacious bedrooms, most of which have balconies to take in the incredible surroundings guests find themselves in.

What other resorts and courses are nearby?
Royal Bled is the only resort on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list to be based in Slovenia. The nearest resort on the list to Royal Bled is Grado, a venue in the northeast corner of Italy. The two are separated by 110 miles on the road.

 

Book your trip to Royal Bled with Golfbreaks now.

Visit Royal Bled’s website here.

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.