Spoiler alert: We hope you like Swiss shorelines…
Europe’s most beautiful lakes aren’t all in Switzerland, but it’s hard to look at a Swiss lake and not fall head over heels — at least, that is until your heart yearns for the magical lakes in Scotland, the enchanting blue-green lake in Bled, and the reverent Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia.
Pack your boat shoes: here’s how you can get to the most beautiful lakes in Europe by train.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Matteo Colombo. Image Location: Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como, Italy
Closest station: Como
Lake Como: let’s just end it right there. You already knew that Lake Como is written on a list of Europe’s most beautiful lakes in permanent marker. The rich and famous either vacation here or own the villas along the lake. Hollywood uses the dramatic mountain backdrop, Renaissance architecture, and air of wealth as a perfect backdrop for big-budget movies. And all just an easy day trip from Milan.
Related: how to get to Lake Como from Milan by train
Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Closest stations: Geneva | Lausanne
We’ve got plenty of ways to see the best of Geneva, but let’s not forget that Switzerland’s second city isn’t Lake Geneva’s only good side. This dazzling lake looks just as lovely when observed from the terrace of one of the best hotels in Lausanne.
Windermere, The Lake District, UK
Closest station: Windermere
Cumbria’s Lake District without a doubt has the most beautiful lakes in the UK — and Windermere is one of them. The most popular of the Lake District Lakes, Windermere has a task for every traveler: golf, hiking, dining, and even spa sessions. Best of all, Windermere is a quick train ride from London so you can take an English holiday while on your American holiday.
Loch Ness, Scotland
Closest station: Inverness
It’s one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes — though you probably know it as one of Europe’s most-likely-to-hide-a-mythical-creature lake. Don’t go looking for Nessie here. Instead, appreciate the real wonders of this waterway south of Inverness. Urquhart Castle, a ruined castle from the 1500s, is an excellent half-day trip from the Capital of the Highlands.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrea Comi. Image Location: Lake Bled church, Slovenia
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Closest station: Bled Jezero
We still can’t fathom how Lake Bled’s castle has yet to be used as inspiration for a Disney castle. Lake Bled is scenic on its own, thanks to the forest and mountains that cradle it. But its island church and hilltop castle are as enchanting as it gets. The forecast in Lake Bled is favorable so you won’t mind the weather most times of the year and the many quaint hotels around Lake Bled make it an extremely underrated vacation in an under-the-radar country.
Read more: how to visit the enchanting Lake Bled by train from Ljubljana
Lake Garda, Italy
Closest station: Desenzano del Garda/Sirmione
Make room in your itinerary for Lake Garda: Italy’s largest lake requires your undivided attention and a slice of your schedule. There’s so much to explore around this lake that its castles, amusement parks, and museums alone can create a fulfilling experience.
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Closest station: Balloch
Loch Lomond is where the Scottish Highlands begin. Part of The Trossachs National Park, Scotland’s first national park, Loch Lomond is awash with activities ranging from fishing and canoeing to windsurfing and jetskiing. In our humble opinion, grabbing a bottle of Scotch and reading Robert Burns by this beautiful lakeside is just as enticing.
Lake Zürich, Switzerland
Closest station: Stadelhofen
Swiss chocolate and sunsets: that’s what a boat tour on Lake Zürich has in store for you. This large lake on the edge of an even larger Swiss city is framed by hills curving as gently as the water’s waves skim the surface. A boat tour no matter the time of day is a fantastic way to soak up the views without taking a day trip from Zürich.
Read also: visit the best lakes around Zürich
Image Credit: Getty Images, assalve. Image Location: Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Closest station: Luzern
Lake Lucerne is Switzerland’s fourth-largest lake, but we rank it as number one for travelers who desire unique rides on this delightful body of water. Historic paddle wheel steamboats and salon motor vessels sail visitors across the lake. For the ultimate experience, buy a ticket for the Gotthard Panorama Express: a rail-and-sail ticket that includes a boat ride on Lake Lucerne and magical train trip to Lugano.
Read also: the best scenic train rides in Switzerland
Lake Maggiore, Italy
Closest station: Arona F.S.
Make sure that the first lake you visit in the Italian Lakes region is Lake Maggiore. A short train ride from Milan, think of Lake Maggiore as a great introduction to the many lakes floating around the Italy-Switzerland border. Use the historic villas on the lakefront as focal points for your amateur photography session.
Lake Constance, Switzerland
Closest station: Kreuzlingen | Konstanz-Fürstenberg
If you can only choose to visit one of the best lakes in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, choose Lake Constance. Bordering all three countries, inline skating is a surprisingly ideal way to gaze at the undulating landscape that draws visitors year-round.
Lake Annecy, France
Closest station: Annecy
Feeling’s a little antsy in Lyon? Leave the city behind and escape to Lake Annecy. Annecy’s Old Town gives way to a greenway and cycle paths; so pedaling these routes is as picturesque as it gets. Some say the mountains are the true MVPs of the lake, but we think you should see it from all views — via hiking, paddling, and paragliding — then make your judgment.
Image Credit: Getty Images, name. Image Location: city, country
Oeschinen Lake, Switzerland
Closest station: Kandersteg
The most beautiful mountain lake in Switzerland is quietly awaiting your arrival just outside of Kandersteg. You’ll need to take a gondola train to reach it, but when you do, you’ll see why UNESCO gave it World Heritage Site status. Tobogganing, in summer and winter, is a popular activity in one of Switzerland’s larger alpine lakes.
Lake Lugano, Switzerland
Closest station: Lugano
Switzerland loves its friendly game of tug-o-war with Italy over Lake Lugano. Imagine the site: a glacial lake in a climate where citrus trees thrive. Lake Lugano does have villages that feature Christmas markets, annual events, and museums, but we think its landscape is the real lure. Gorgeous parks surrounding the lake make it a nature lover’s paradise.
Lake Brienz, Switzerland
Closest station: Interlaken Ost | Brienz
Lake Brienz is such a treat. Getting around this lake by boat, bus, train, or boots is so relaxed and peaceful. The views of the Alps against the turquoise water never get old; the winter activities like kayak tours and swimming in nipply waters make Brienz a popular spot no matter the season.
Lake Balaton, Hungary
Closest station: Balatonfüred | Siófok
As relaxing as Budapest’s thermal baths are, there’s nothing quite like a dip in the wild outdoors. Lake Balaton is one of the largest thermal lakes in the region and one of the most popular. You’ll see hundreds of boats gliding across the glass-like water in the summer, many headed to the lakeside villages where vineyards grow in the Badacsony wine district.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Achim Thomae. Image Location: Lake Eibsee, Germany
Eibsee, Bavaria, Germany
Closest stations: Ehrwald Zugspitzbahn Bahnhof | Untergrainau
When you need a getaway in Germany but don’t want to leave the Bavarian Alps, Lake Eibsee is the perfect place to pick. Emerald-green waters lap the shores of this secluded lake near the Austrian border. It’s such a pretty lake that we almost didn’t include it on this list; see it for yourself and you’ll wish fewer people knew about it.
Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Closest station: Ohrid Bus Station
Splitting its shoreline with Albania, North Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid is an ancient lake in Europe. It’s one of the deepest on the continent and is swimming with endemic Ohrid trout. Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed her visit (and fish dinner) and we have a feeling you’ll enjoy a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes Lake Como look like a puddle in size and age.
Lake Thun, Switzerland
Closest stations: Thun | Spiez | Unterseen
We can’t mention Lake Brienz and ignore Lake Thun on the opposite side of Interlaken. Lake Thun is larger, thus has more to see but also takes longer to traverse. You’ll love this lake if you’ve got plenty of lazy day time to sail around its shoreline that’s dotted with castles and hosts the annual Thun Lake Festival.
Lake Tegernsee, Bavaria
Closest stations: Gmund (Tegernsee) | Finsterwald | Tegernsee
Bavaria is much more than Munich and Lake Tegernsee proves that you can have time well-spent outside of the beer halls. An hour away from Munich, Lake Tegernsee is a year-round holiday haven offering Nordic walking trails, paragliding, yoga, and sailing.
Looking for a cheap and fast way to get to the lake? Download the Trainline app and we’ll get you all squared away with train tickets to Europe’s most beautiful lakes.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Christoph Wagner. Image Location: Herzogstand, Bavarian Alps, Germany
