Europe’s lakes, with their glacial waters, Alpine lagoons, and breathtaking scenery, are a great destination for any kind of traveler. When summer rolls around, many Europeans look to Europe’s lakes as an alternative to the continent’s overcrowded beaches.
However, if you plan your lake vacation for the offseason, you can still get in a good workout by hiking the trails or even cross-country skiing along the shoreline. Whatever you hope to get out of your vacation, this selection of Europe’s finest lakes will help you create an experience you won’t soon forget.
Top 10 Beautiful European Lakes to Visit this Summer Vacation
1. Lake Hallstatt | Austria
One of the most beautiful bodies of water in Austria, Lake Hallstatt dates back to the Ice Age. There’s a cute little Alpine town right up against the lake, so naturally, the lake was given the name of the town.
The lake’s 125-meter depth, crystal clear waters, and diverse aquatic life make it a popular spot for scuba divers. Rent rowboats and pedal boats, or head to the nearby Dachstein karst mountains for some challenging hiking.
Over a million people visit Lake Hallstatt annually, thus the water and the little beaches like Obertraun can get congested in the peak summer months.
2. Plitvice Lakes | Croatia
If you’re looking for more watery fun, Plitvice National Park has you covered with its network of 16 lakes and waterfalls. Lakes are separated by moss- and algae-rich natural dams and the mountain runoff combines with the lakes to produce a wide range of watercolors, from azure to green to silvery gray or blue.
Lakes take on a variety of hues as the sun moves through the sky and reflect off the water at various times of the day. Plitvice National Park has approximately 300 square kilometers of breathtaking natural scenery, and there are seven distinct ways to visit it. Trails wind their way through the park’s dense forest, across wooden bridges, and onward to caves and cliff faces.
3. Lake Enol and Lake Ercina in Spain
Located in the mountains of the Spanish Principality of Asturias is the tiny lake of Enol. It stands in the Cantabrian Mountains, within the Western Massif of the Picos de Europa. Located in the Picos de Europa National Park, it is joined with neighboring Lake Ercina to form the Lakes of Covadonga.
The bigger of the two lakes is Lake Enol. It’s around 25 kilometers from Cangas de Onis and 10 kilometers from Covadonga. Arriondas can be reached by taking a winding path down to the lake.
4. Lake Como and Lake Iseo | Italy
One of the deepest lakes in Europe is Lake Como. Since Roman times, the lake has been visited by affluent merchants, monarchs, and tourists. Stars from all over the world go to its shores nowadays to relax in one of the many luxurious spas or visit one of the many charming villages that dot its landscape.
Water skiers, wakeboarders, sailors, windsurfers, and scuba divers will find paradise on Lake Como, one of Italy’s most well-known bodies of water. Lake Iseo, located in Northern Italy at the foot of the Alps, is delightfully less pompous and substantially less crowded than other lakes in the region. Its shoreline span lovely villages that take on a faintly Swiss air the closer one gets to the border with Switzerland.
5. Lake Bled | Slovenia
Lake Bled’s emerald coloration is one of the many reasons to visit this Slovenian gem. The little island in the middle of this lake in the Julian Alps in northwest Slovenia is probably the most recognizable feature there.
Lake Bled attracts visitors for its abundance of outdoor activities, like hiking, bicycling, and water sports, as well as its picturesque setting amidst verdant forests and snowy peaks. The lake is encircled by a six-kilometer-long route that is generally paved and easy to walk, but those seeking more challenging hiking can enter Triglav National Park from the lakeside.
6. Lake Annecy | France
The third largest lake in France is located in the heart of the French Alps and is well recognized as one of Europe’s purest bodies of water. Although Lake Annecy is somewhat shallow (only 82 meters) compared to other European lakes, its beautiful, crystal-clear blue waters make up for its lack of depth.
Lake Annecy, one of France’s most stunning bodies of water, is encircled by towering mountains and dotted with sandy beaches. As you travel through the several medieval towns dotted around the lake, you’ll continue to be awed by the contrasting colors and textures.
Lake Annecy becomes a winter wonderland when the snow begins to fall, and the surrounding mountains and valleys are ideal for a variety of winter sports, including cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and even paragliding on clear days.
7. Lake Geneva | Switzerland and France
Lake Geneva, which is in the shape of a crescent, is located in the Alps, on the boundary between France and Switzerland. Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Switzerland, is a popular tourist destination all year round. They come to go boating, stroll the winding, cobbled streets, and buy antiques.
The western coast of the lake, which is bordered by the snow-capped peaks of Mont Blanc, is one of the lake’s most attractive regions. The depth of Lake Geneva is 310 meters, allowing for big historic paddle steamers to travel its waters, linking communities. There are 116 beaches around Lake Geneva, the vast majority of which are open to the public without charge.
8. Lake Wastewater, Lake District | U.K
There are plenty of accessible European lakes to visit this summer; you need not travel to some far-flung corner of the continent to enjoy a lakeside getaway. Windermere in the Lake District of the United Kingdom is the perfect place for a refreshing swim. The region’s fells and countryside draw 15 million visitors annually, and it’s easy to see why.
Lake Wastewater’s picture panorama of rocky hilltops, alpine tarns, and shimmering lakes has been inspiring visitors’ imaginations ever since the arrival of Romantic writers in the 19th century. Recognized for its distinct hill-farming lifestyle, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017.
9. Lake Thun & Lake Brienz | Switzerland
Switzerland is home to many lakes that are suitable for boating. Both of the Bernese Oberland’s lakes are distinct from one another. There are three castles on the banks of Lake Thun, which is accessible from the northwest. The other Brienz lake is emerald in color, like a Norwegian fjord.
At 47.69 square kilometers, Lake Thun dominates the Bernese Oberland as the region’s largest lake. The tranquility of Brienz is contrasted by the bustle of Lake Thun. Transportation over Lake Thun to Interlaken began commercially in 1835 when steamships first crossed the lake.
The turquoise gem is Lake Brienz. Lake Brienz’s color is especially vivid and vivid, however, it is shared by many other Swiss lakes. The glacier waters of the Lütschine and the Aare are washing microscopic particles of dirt into the lake, giving it its distinctive hue.
10. Lake Königssee | Germany
Located in the southernmost part of the Bavarian Alps, on the border with Austria, is the Berchtesgaden National Park, home to the magnificent Königssee and other natural wonders. It’s the country’s cleanest lake, and it looks like something out of a fairy tale—a shimmering emerald.
The lake stretches over 4 kilometers and is in intimate contact with the verdant beauty of the Alpine valleys; it is surrounded by the towering peaks of Mount Watzmann, which reach approximately 3000 meters in height. This lovely location is surrounded by the tranquility of a breathtaking natural setting.
Conclusion
Europe’s lake resorts are among the most sought-after in the world, due to their stunning surroundings and promise of peace and quiet. We hope you liked our list of the top 10 lakes in Europe and will visit at least one of them this summer.
