Hidden Jewels Of Europe: 6 Beautiful Lakes You Should Visit

Europe is a vast continent, with a lot of beautiful outdoor spaces.  Some of the world’s most stunning lakes, in fact, can be found there. If you are somebody who’s a fan of water sports, fishing, sailing, or hiking, then there are a lot of European lakes worth visiting.

However, because there are so many incredible lakes in Europe, it can be hard to figure out which one to visit. If you are planning a trip and aren’t sure where to go, then this post has you covered.

Here are six lakes you should visit:

Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes are without a doubt Europe’s best. You can get Plitvice tickets online, which will help you to avoid the inevitable queues at the booking office when you arrive. If you are not familiar with the lake, then it is located in Croatia. It is a breathtaking, unforgettable location. One of the best things about visiting Plitvice is that, unlike many other major lakes in Europe, you can swim there. Most people swim in the river Korana, which snakes through the national park where the lake’s based in. If you intend on visiting, then do consider taking a tour. There are many very interesting sites located in the national park, like waterfalls and hidden walking trails. If you attempt to visit on your own, there is no way that you will be able to see all of these places. Always research tour companies online before booking, so you can be sure they are genuine and provide a reliable service.

Lake Como

Lake Como is located in Italy’s Lombardy region. It is a beautiful lake, frequented by fishermen, swimmers, and kayakers. Around the lake are some of Italy’s most luxurious and exclusive hotels. However, you do not have to stay in one of these hotels if you want to stay by the lake. There are many small towns and villages with their own hotels in the area around the lake. Most of these smaller hotels are much more affordable and better suited to travelers who’re on a budget.

Loch Ness

Loch Ness can be found in Scotland. It is nowhere near as stunningly beautiful as Lake Como or Plitvice Lakes, but it is still incredible in its own way. One of the main reasons people visit Loch Ness is to see if they can spot Nessy or the Loch Ness monster. If you are somebody interested in folk history and cryptids, then you will no doubt enjoy visiting. Loch Ness has some great hotels around it and some fantastic restaurants. Scotland has many other beautiful lakes, or lochs, that are worth visiting too. Be sure to check them out if you take a trip there.

The Serpentine

The Serpentine is not so much a lake as it is a man-made river. It can be found in the heart of London, in Hyde Park. One of the things that make the Serpentine so great is that you can swim in it all year round. It’s also possible to go fishing there and rent a boat and take it out on the lake for the day. The Serpentine can be found in Hyde Park. Hyde Park is one of London’s largest and most historic parks, originally used for hunting by the British monarchy. You do not need a ticket of any kind to visit the Serpentine, it’s free to see.

Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is a lake that’s shared by Switzerland and France. It is an incredibly beautiful lake, and very deep. It is possible to take a boat across the lake and visit France from the Swiss side, and vice versa. If you have never been to Switzerland before then it’s worth staying on for a while if you do visit. Switzerland has some fantastic hiking trails. The Swiss Alps are also great for going cycling if that’s something that interests you.

Lake Ohrid

Lake Ohrid can be found in North Macedonia, a Balkan nation. It is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. The lake’s eastern point also touches on Albania. If you are interested in fishing or hiking, then Lake Ohrid is worth a visit. There are some of Europe’s best hiking trails running parallel to the lake. You may need a permit to fish on the lake because there are many rare and protected species of animals living there. You can also take a boat out on the lake if you want to.

Europe has some great lakes. While all of the lakes mentioned here are fantastic and worth a visit, they are only the tip of the iceberg. There are literally hundreds more not mentioned. Once you have seen these, then do your own research, and learn about what else Europe has to offer.