The overview below shows the most beautiful lakes in Europe, conveniently divided by country. This makes it easy to find a great holiday destination.
The most beautiful lakes in Germany
Most areas have small or large lakes. However, not every lake is suitable for swimming or other water sports. Germany’s most famous lakes are located primarily in the Sauerland, Black Forest, Eifel, and Bavarian regions. These areas are primarily located in the central and southern parts of the country. Beautiful German lakes include:
• Hennesee (Sauerland)
• Edersee
• Rursee (Eifel)
• Titisee (Black Forest)
• Alpsee (Bavaria)
• Badensee (Bavaria)
• Hintersee (Bavaria)
• Königssee (Bavaria)
• Tegernsee (Bavaria)
• Eibsee (Bavaria)
• Chiemsee (Bavaria)
• Bodensee (Bavaria)
Lake Constance
The most beautiful lakes in Spain
Most tourists will choose the coastal areas for a holiday in Spain. But you can also enjoy Spanish waters inland. The country boasts several beautiful lakes. However, pleasant lakes for swimming are somewhat rare in Spain. Many lakes are located quite high in the mountains. This makes them somewhat more difficult to reach, and the water is often relatively chilly. However, there are several lakes where you can enjoy beautiful walks, for example.
• Lago de Sanabria
• Lago de Banyoles
• Lago de San Mauricio
• La Laguna Negra
• Laguna de Fuente de Piedra
• Lago de Bañolas
• Laguna Rosa
Most beautiful lakes in Switzerland
Nestled among the beautiful Swiss Alps are several lakes. The surrounding mountains create an even more beautiful atmosphere. The water comes from mountain streams, which can make it a bit chilly. Nevertheless, the top temperature can reach around 21 degrees Celsius in summer. Some Swiss lakes are therefore popular for swimming, especially from beaches, sunbathing areas, and jetties. Some swimming pools are also located directly on the lakes, allowing visitors to swim in both the pool and the lake.
Of course, there are many other lakes, but they are mainly smaller mountain lakes. You’ll regularly encounter these during hikes and mountain bike rides.
Beautiful lakes for your holiday in Switzerland are:
• Lake Lucerne
• Lake Geneva (border area between Switzerland and France)
• Lake Constance (border area between Switzerland, Austria and Germany)
• Lake Lugano (border area between Switzerland and Italy)
• Lake Brienz
• Lake Oeschinen
• Lake Cauma
• Lake Blausee
• Lake Maggiore (border area between Switzerland and Italy)
Lake Lucerne
Nice lakes in France
Just like in Germany, France also boasts many lakes. You can find the most beautiful lakes in this overview. This will help you decide which ones are worth exploring in more detail. Accommodation near a lake or the sea often adds a special touch to your holiday. People also find the freshwater of a lake preferable to the saltwater of the sea.
• Lac de Guerlédan (Brittany)
• Lac d’Hourtin (Bordeaux)
• Lac du Pareloup (Aveyron)
• Lac de Gérardmer (Vosges)
• Lac de Grangent (Ardèche)
• Lac de Sainte-Croix (Provence)
• Étang de Berre (Provence)
• Lacs de Clairvaux (Jura)
• Lac d’Annecy (French Alps)
• Lac de Léman (French Alps)
• Lac d’Aiguebelette (French Alps)
• Lac de le Bourget (French Alps)
• Lac de Gaube (Pyrenees)
France, of course, has many other lakes. But these are often smaller or have few amenities. The French lakes mentioned above offer beaches, sunbathing areas, and water sports.
Lac de Sainte Croix
The beautiful lakes in Austria
Just like in Switzerland, Austria boasts several beautiful lakes. They’re great for swimming or boating. Tucked away in the mountains are also several smaller mountain lakes. The lakes listed below are perfect holiday destinations.
• Lake Constance (border area of Austria, Germany and Switzerland)
• Haldensee (Tyrol)
• Achensee (Tyrol)
• Millstätter See (Carinthia)
• Hallstätter See (Upper Austria)
• Ossiacher See (Carinthia)
• Wörthersee (Carinthia)
• Neusiedler See (Burgenland)
• Attersee (Salzkammergut)
• Wolfgangssee (Salzkammergut)
The beautiful and famous Italian lakes
Italy’s lakes are among the most famous in Europe, thanks in large part to their delightful combination of beautiful summer weather, clear water, mountains, and Mediterranean ambiance. The numerous water sports and other amenities are also a welcome bonus for many tourists.
In Italy, the choices aren’t limited, as the country boasts no fewer than 1,500 lakes. The most popular and beautiful are listed below:
• Lago di Cavazzo
• Lago di Fiè
• Lago d’Iseo
• Lago di Molveno
• Lago di Caldonazzo
• Lago di Caldaro
• Lago Trasimeno
• Lago di Resia
• Lago di Ledro
• Lago di Garda (Gardameer)
• Lago di Misurina
• Lago di Como (Comomeer)
• Lago Maggiore
Het land heeft nog diverse andere mooie meren. Bijna elk vakantiegebied heeft wel een meer.
Andere leuke meren in Europa
De voorbeelden die je hier boven hebt kunnen lezen, lagen in de meest populaire vakantielanden. Maar uiteraard hebben de andere Europese landen ook mooie meren te bieden. Je kunt je bijvoorbeeld eens verdiepen in de onderstaande voorbeelden:
• Meer van Bled (Slovenië)
• Ohrid-meer (Macedonië)
• Saimaameer (Finland)
• Balatonmeer (Hongarije)
• Nationaal Park Lake District (Engeland)
• Meren van Killarney (Ierland)
• Plitvice (Kroatie)
• Sognefjord (Noorwegen)
De warmste meren van Europa
Een “frisse duik” moet je bij veel meren wel heel letterlijk nemen. Vaak is het water namelijk aardig fris. Al zal dit vaak ook wel weer snel wennen wanneer je even de knop omzet. Maar toch kan het lekker zijn om te kiezen voor één van de warmste meren van Europa. Je vindt ze hier handig in een overzicht.
Klopeiner See
In het zuiden van Oostenrijk ligt de Klopeiner See. Het zwemmeer is gelegen in Südkärnten, dat één van de zonnigste plekken van het land is. Mede hierdoor staat dit meer bekend als één van de warmste van Europa. Hierdoor is het een geliefde vakantieplek en zijn er diverse zwemplekken gemaakt. Ook ligt er rond het hele meer een wandelboulevard. In circa een uur kan je een rondje lopen.
Levico meer en Caldonazzo meer
Tussen de Italiaanse Dolomieten en het Gardameer liggen het Levico meer en Caldonazzo meer. Mooi verscholen tussen bergen, heuvels en bossen. In de zomermaanden kan de watertemperatuur wel oplopen tot 24 graden. Maar zelfs in mei is het water vaak al 18 graden.
Het Caldonazzo meer heeft een oppervlak van vijf vierkante kilometer en langs de oevers meerdere zandstranden. Sommigen met voorzieningen zoals ligbedden, strandwachten, speeltuinen en parasols en andere stranden juist zonder extra voorzieningen. Naast de vele zwemmogelijkheden, zijn er ook allerlei watersporten te doen.
Het Levico meer heeft een oppervlak van één vierkante kilometer en een smalle langgerekte vorm. Rond het meer liggen wandelpaden, een groot strand en strandtenten.
Lake Wörthersee,
in Austria’s Carinthia region, is also known as a warm lake. It’s a fairly large and lively lake, often frequented by boats, pedal boats, swimmers, and water sports enthusiasts. The surrounding mountains create a charming atmosphere, and the clear, blue water completes the picture.
The various villas dotted around the lake are also striking.
French Lakes:
Due to the high temperatures of French summers, many lakes in France are pleasantly warm. Especially the smaller lakes without rivers or meltwater can warm up relatively quickly.
