Top 10 Astonishing and Beautiful Lakes in Europe
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| Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi |
There are few things as truly magnificent as a beautiful lake. Oceans, rivers, waterfalls, and deltas all hold their own unique appeal, but lakes are what the word ‘tranquil’ was invented for. These vast stretches of landlocked water used to be the epicenter of life throughout the ancient European landscape, and today remain one of its largest attractions. Here are the European lakes that make us want to get on a one-way flight to Europe.
The List of 10 Most Beautiful Lake in Europe
1. Lake Annecy, France
2. Lake Geneva, France and Switzerland
3. Lake Bled (Slovenia)
4. Lakes of Killarney (Ireland)
5. Lake Garda (Italy)
6. Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
7. Lake Como, Italy
8. Lüner Lake, Austria
9. Windermere Lake (England)
10. Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)
Which are the Most Beautiful Lake in Europe?
1. Lake Annecy, France
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| Photo: The Times |
A favourite lake of many European visitors, Lake Annecy which is fed by mountain springs and known for its clean water has pretty much has everything you would want from a lake resort – idyllic mountain scenery, fresh alpine air, icy blue waters, and plenty of gorgeous towns and villages to explore.
Located in the Haute-Savoie in France, near both Switzerland and Italy, it makes a great base to explore the rest of the beautiful Savoie region.
Stay in the picturesque alpine town of Annecy home to cobbled streets lined with alfresco bars, cafes and restaurants, pretty winding canals, and charming pastel-colored houses.
Also visit nearby Mont Blanc, the mountain commune Chamonix, the town of Evian, and the medieval villages of Yvoire and Geneva.
2. Lake Geneva, France and Switzerland
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| Photo: Pure Vacations |
Not far from Lake Annecy is easily one of the most famous lakes in Europe – Lake Geneva, it’s also one of the largest lakes on the continent-spanning both France and Switzerland.
Nestled below the beautiful Alps mountain range, the glacial lake is known for its icy blue waters, its striking crescent shape, and the many attractive villages, castles, and towns surrounding its shores.
Once in the area it’s also worth visiting medieval Yvoire a member of the ‘Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of France‘ or Château de Chillon a fairytale-like castle which overlooks the lake. Also, check out our other best spots to visit in Switzerland.
3. Lake Bled (Slovenia)
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| Photo: Trafalgar Tours |
Lake Bled in the Eastern European country of Slovenia is what every little girl imagines her eventual fairy tale kingdom to look like. Picture it – a little white church perches on an island in the middle of an emerald-green glacier lake, overlooked by a castle at the foothills of the imposing Julian Alps.
That’s the stuff that early Disney animations were made of! In fact, parts of The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed in the Slovenian countryside and it’s easy to see why. The lakeside town of Bled is relatively small, but nevertheless extremely popular with locals and tourists who go there to picnic along the shore, paddle in traditional pletna botes, and stroll along the walking and horse carriage trails that encircle it. A must-see on your trip of the capital of Ljubljana, which is an easy train ride away.
| Lake Bled Myth Legend has it that fairies created Lake Bled, Slovenia. Once upon a time, as the story goes, Lake Bled was a fertile valley that attracted shepherds by day and fairies by night. The latter came to dance on the valley’s lush carpet of grass. Afraid that the sheep would eat all of the grass, the fairies asked the local shepherds to build a fence around their dance floor. Unfortunately, the shepherds ignored their request, and soon the sheep had eaten all the grass, leaving behind nothing but dry, barren earth. As a result, the fairies called upon the surrounding springs and brooks to flood the valley and fill it with water. Only an island in the middle of the lake remained, where the fairies could continue to dance under the stars. |
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4. Lakes of Killarney (Ireland)
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| Photo: Killarney Park Hotel |
The Lakes of Killarney include Lough Leane (Lower Lake), Muckross Lake (Middle Lake) and Upper Lake that make up approximately 24% of the total area of Killarney National Park – a protected area that is home to astonishing native woodlands, rare fauna and flora and historic sites that date back all the way to the dawning of the Bronze Age.
In fact, Ross Island on Lough Leane is the auspicious site of one of the oldest copper mines in all of northwestern Europe and there are ruins of a 7th-century monastery on Innisfallen Island on Lough Leane. This is also where the ‘Annals of Innisfallen’, rare and treasured records of Ireland’s early history, were written.
5. Lake Garda (Italy)
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| Photo: Mama Loves Italy |
Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy and an internationally famous holiday destination that has inspired artists of all persuasions for centuries. The region surrounding this expansive lake is vast and offers a superb variety of leisure options – from charming villages and places of historical interest, to windsurfing, hang-gliding, sought-after MTB routes and the world-famous Gardaland Amusement Park.
It also happens to be drop-dead gorgeous. If you ever make your way to Lake Garda, make sure that your camera is fully charged so you can take home some awesome shots of the lakeside castles and pastel-coloured houses that can be found along its shores.
6. Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
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| Photo: Flickr |
One of the world’s oldest lakes also happens to be one of the most beautiful. Straddling the border between the southwestern part of North Macedonia and eastern Albania the beautiful lake (which is also the deepest in the Balkans) enjoys a prestigious location framed by majestic mountains and hills and overlooked by the highly photogenic Saint John the Theologian Macedonian Orthodox church.
The nearby small resort city of Ohrid is equally as pretty and worth exploring. It’s home to an atmospheric old quarter lined with cobblestone streets and dotted with medieval churches, monasteries, historic ruins, and traditional red-tiled roofs houses.
7. Lake Como, Italy
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| Photo: Auto Elite Limo |
There’s just something about those North Italian lakes and Lake Como is arguably the most beautiful of them all. The very elegant resort (and George Clooney’s favourite European hangout) lies in the shadow of the Rhaetian Alps and its shoreline is scattered with pretty villages.
Make sure you visit the world-famous Bellagio, a very attractive traditional town and the central hub of the resort’s tourism.
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8. Lüner Lake, Austria
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| Photo: Dreamstime |
This is another astonishing lake in Europe! It is called the König Lake and it is located in the region of Berchtesgaden, 2 h and 10 min drive from München and only 40 min from Salzburg.
First, we recommend visiting the cute village along the lake called Schönau am Königsee, then taking a boat to the end (the South) of this lake and walk to the small lake nearby called Obersee! For spectacular views over the König Lake, take also the cable car to the Jenner Mountain and if there is a need for a stretch, hike all the way down. A day well spend!
9. Windermere Lake (England)
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| Photo: Sykes Cottages |
Taking the official title of England’s largest lake, Windermere is situated in the celebrated Lake District. With picturesque villages like Ambleside, Waterhead, Bowness-on-Windermere, Lakeside and Windermere along its shoreline, the lake is extremely popular with UK residents and visitors alike.
Here you’ll encounter Britain’s finest scenery, greenest countryside and grandest views. Windermere also has a long and illustrious history as an important waterway for ancient industries – the Romans built their GALAVA for at Waterhead due to its pivotal role in their economy. These days it is a popular destination for boating pursuits of all sorts, as well as adventure activities that range from abseiling and archery to caving, climbing, canoeing, fishing and paragliding.
10. Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)
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| Photo: fallinglakes |
The Plitvice Lakes in Croatia form part of the Plitvice Lakes National Park and are comprised of no less than sixteen crystalline lakes that tumble into one another via a series of waterfalls and cascades. Visitors can explore the scenic bounty by means of 18km of wooden footbridges and pathways that inch along the water’s edge and stretch fearlessly across the tumbling waters.
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