Visit 10 of Europe’s most beautiful lakes

There are few things as truly magnificent as a beautiful lake. Oceans, rivers, waterfalls, even deltas all have a charm of their own, but lakes are what the word 'tranquil' was invented for. These vast tracts of landlocked water bodies used to be central to life throughout ancient European landscapes and are still one of the largest attractions in these parts of the world. Here are some European lakes that will make us take a direct flight and never come back.

1. Lake Geneva (France & Switzerland)

Lake Geneva lies on the border between France and Switzerland, and the world-famous Rhone River is its primary estuary. Known to the French as Lac Léman or Lac de Genève, to the Italians as Lago Lemano or Lago di Ginevra, Lake Geneva is but a shade as versatile as its many names suggest. You can find something to enjoy all year round, whether it be from skiing down powdery slopes or ziplining over breathtaking sceneries to relaxing with an indulgent spa treatment or going antique shopping along its stunning shorelines.

2. Lake Bled (Slovenia)

Situated in the Eastern European country of Slovenia, Lake Bled is a scene every young girl might dream of when envisioning their future fairy tale kingdom. Picture this: on an island in the center of the emerald-green glacier lake sits a small, white church, overlooked by a castle at the foothills of the imposing Julian Alps. That's the stuff early Disney animations were made of! In fact, some frames of the movie The Chronicles of Narnia were made in the Slovenian countryside and you can easily understand why. The little town along the picture-postcard lake is relatively small, nevertheless extremely popular with locals and tourists who go there to picnic along the shore, paddle in traditional pletna boats, and just stroll along the walking and horse carriage trails that circle it. A must-see on your trip, easily reachable by train from the capital of Ljubljana.

3. Lakes of Killarney (Ireland)

The Lakes of Killarney comprise Lough Leane, Lower Lake, Muckross Lake, Middle Lake, and Upper Lake, which cover approximately 24% land area of Killarney National Park: a protected area of extraordinary native woodlands, rare fauna and flora, and historic sites dating all the way back to the beginning of the Bronze Age. In fact, Ross Island on Lough Leane is the famous site of one of the oldest copper mines in all northwesatern Europe and there are ruins of a 7th-century monastery on Innisfallen Island on Lough Leane. This is also where the 'Annals of Innisfallen', unique and valuable records of Ireland's early history, were written.a

4. Lake Garda (Italy)

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and an internationally renowned holiday destination that for centuries has generated the inspiration of artists of every ilk. One of the most extensive areas around this extensive lake offers a superb variety of solutions for free time: from fairytale villages to places of historical interest, from windsurfing to hang-gliding, from MTB routes in high demand to the world famous Gardaland Amusement Park. And, just like different things, it is breathtakingly beautiful. If you ever plan to Lake Garda, do remember to carry an extra charged camera to capture some marvelous shots of the lakeside castles and pastel-coloured houses lying along the shore.

Related: Lake Como lies only an easy 2-3 hour drive from Lake Garda.

5. Windermere Lake (England)

The largest lake in England is Windermere, named after the official title. This lake lies in the famous district of England that goes by the name Lake District. Lined on its shores are pretty villages such as Ambleside, Waterhead, Bowness-on-Windermere, Lakeside, and Windermere, making it one of the most favorite destinations for locals and residents from the entire United Kingdom. In these areas, you can find the best scenery, the greenest countryside, and the grandest views across Britain. 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.

6. Loch Tummel (Scotland)

Loch Tummel in Perthshire is a jewel just a wee bit to the west of Pitlochry, one of the finest bodies of water in the lush landscape known as Scotland's Big Tree Country. It is known for its high-quality leaf change display and therefore is very popular with thousands of walkers, runners, and cyclists from around the world who come here to sample some of the fabulous waymarked trails. There's a range of perspectives over the loch and the mystical, heather-clad mountain of Schiehallion that borders – surely the most famous being Queens View, a smartly appointed lookout that boasts its own tearoom, forest shop, and visitors' amenities.

7. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

The Plitvice Lakes in Croatia are a section of the Plitvice Lakes National Park and constitute no fewer than sixteen crystalline lakes that cascade into one another through a series of waterfalls and cascades. The scenic bounty can be traversed along 18km of wooden footbridges and pathways that inch along the edge of the water and stretch fearlessly across the tumbling waters.

8. Lake Hallstatt (Hallstättersee) (Austria)

With tree-covered mountains and villages straight out of the fairytales, located in Austria's Salzkammergut region, Lake Hallstatt—Hallstättersee in German—is famous for scuba diving, scenic cruises, and fishing. Meanwhile, cycling, hiking, and paragliding are favorite pastimes here because the land is so unspoiled and offers such striking cliffside scenery. The region's rich history and ancient culture and customs, of which Celtic tribes had made their home here over 4000 years ago, mean that this lakefront village, Hallstatt, is designed as a UNESCO World Heritage site—something that might be of interest to history buffs.

9. Lake Brienz & Lake Thun (Switzerland)

In Switzerland, the twin lakes Brienz and Thun represent a veritable water-borne playground. Think in terms of turquoise waters and cool breezes at the foot of Alpine peaks—one whiter from dramatic snow cover, offering fun. Join a laid-back cruise among mysterious lakeside castles and picture-perfect fishing villages, or get that adrenaline pumping with a SUP tour, jet boat ride, wakeboarding excursion, water skiing, or family fun kayaking session.

Top Tip: If you happen to be there in the winter months, do make time for a night sled to fully embrace your Switzerland adventure!

10. Lake Saimaa, Finland.

His landscape, a deep forest in emerald green with shimmering lakes, such as the Finnish Lakelands, provokes the inspiration of many artists, such as Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Eero Jarnefelt. Here, many national parks look after this wonder, offering the traveller an awe-inspiring communion with nature in verdant deeps, complemented with the modern sparkle of information centres and conveniences. The perfect place for extended walking trips or kayak excursions. Linked together by numerous straits and dotted with islands, the sheltered waters of Saimaa are like a made-to-measure paddling pool, with delightful guest harbours or small campsites at easily reachable intervals and stunning scenery all around.

With so much natural beauty and landscapes, well, it is not rocket science to guess why millions of globetrotters from across the world pour in to visit Europe's lake districts. The travel mistakes are therefore truly restoring in such pristine beauty. Here's to superbly scenic adventures and lakeside revelry!