14 Popular Swimming Lakes in Europe

Summers are getting hotter, and a refreshing dip in the water is more than welcome. How about combining your next plunge into cool waters with a trip to an exciting and beautiful region in Europe?

Travel experts from Travelcircus have taken a closer look at the largest swimming lakes in Europe. How are these lakes rated on Google? Which ones are particularly popular on Instagram? A total of 58 major European lakes were examined for their travel potential.

To make choosing your next lake adventure easier, we detail the best 14 lakes.

Particularly in summer, numerous people flock to refreshing swimming lakes. But where can you swim beautifully within Europe?

To find the answer, Europe's largest swimming lakes were examined across the following categories:

Kicking off our list of popular large swimming lakes is Sweden's largest lake, Vänern. The special feature? With an incredible size of 5,519 km², there are a total of 22,000 islands to be found in this lake.

Cultural enthusiasts won't be disappointed either: if you're in the mood for sightseeing, you'll find at least one exciting city to explore in every direction, such as Trollhättan to the south, Åmål to the west, Karlstad to the north, and Mariestad to the east.

The Pyhäjärvi, translated from Finnish as 'sacred lake', claims the 13th spot. Mostly only four to seven meters deep, and due to its few islands, it is one of the largest open-water surfaces in the country, inviting many fun hours in the water.

It's also a great place for fishing or admiring the idyllic nature from a kayak.

Claiming the 12th spot is one of the few steppe lakes in Europe, Neusiedler See. It's no surprise that this over 13,000-year-old lake with its incredibly beautiful nature in the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel and Fertő-Hanság National Parks invites stunning panoramic photography.

Not only that, but the exceptional flora and fauna are further highlighted by the region's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape Fertő/Neusiedler See.

Not only did Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler admire our 11th place, but Lake Geneva is also a popular travel destination today. Almost exactly in the center split by a national border, you can experience the charming Switzerland on one side and romantic France on the other.

Shaped like a crescent moon, don't miss the city of Geneva at the southern point, which offers a beautiful historic old town for history lovers, while shopping enthusiasts can enjoy the numerous luxury shops.

Nestled under the shining Spanish sun, the 10th-place lake shows not its sweet side, but its salty one. The Mar Menor, Europe's largest saltwater lagoon, is directly located on the coast.

With a paradisiacal climate, you can enjoy hours of fun swimming in the warm waters here. Perfect for a good relaxation. For those seeking a bit more excitement, various water sports are available in many spots.

Just narrowly before the 10th place, Ijsselmeer secures the 9th spot. Formerly a large part of the sea bay Zuiderzee, Ijsselmeer is now the largest lake in the Netherlands due to artificial diking.

On one side of the artificially built dam runs the A7 highway and a bike path, while you can swim in many other parts of the lake. Particularly, the touristy towns Enkhuizen and Hoorn invite hours of swimming fun, as water sports are also very popular here.

A unique feature of the lake is the Near-Shore Wind Farm located in the north. Here, 86 wind turbines generate sustainable electric energy.

The 8th spot is secured by Germany's largest lake, the Müritz. Besides pure water fun, you can experience the Mecklenburg Lake District as well as the Müritz National Park, directly bordering the lake.

Due to its shape, the Müritz only has shorelines on the east and west side. These are adorned with beautiful natural features, small forests, meadows, and fields. Those craving a bit of city flair can visit the town of Waren in the north.

The 592 km² Lake Balaton can secure the 7th rank. Not only its beaches but also the adjacent thermal springs and spas make it Hungary's second most important tourist destination.

With a maximum depth of 12.50 m, the lake promises pure water fun, especially in summer, as its shallow depth allows for better warming, meaning the lake can reach a warm 30 °C in summer.

Since fishing and viticulture are important parts of the region, gourmet lovers will also find happiness at Lake Balaton.

Our 6th place is located in Lombardy, known for its beautiful landscapes and the fashion metropolis Milan. Here, amidst a Mediterranean flair, you'll be breathless at the panorama of the lake, Alps, and numerous charming Italian villages along the shores.

In paradise-like weather, you can stroll through groves of olive trees, palm trees, and lemon trees. In addition to a refreshing dip in the lake, visiting the city of Como at the southwestern tip and taking a romantic boat ride should definitely be on your agenda.

A shimmering lake in the sun, surrounded by breathtaking Alps - what sounds like a stunning artwork is a reality in Switzerland: Lake Lucerne. The lake, located in Central Switzerland, narrowly secured the 5th spot ahead of the 6th.

Though this lake consists of several branch basins, the many shores together form about 150 km in length, offering numerous swimming opportunities. For those who prefer to stay dry, a relaxing boat trip is also an option.

The 4th rank takes us to beautiful North Macedonia and Albania to one of the oldest existing lakes in Europe, Lake Ohrid. This lake's uniqueness leads to a special diversity of plants and animals.

Along with the old town of Ohrid, the southern national park Galičica, and the same-named mountain, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979 - a trip here promises not only stunning landscapes but also exciting cultures from two countries.

Experiencing two countries in one go is also true at Lake Maggiore. Despite its name, this lake's area of 213 km² is not as large as other European waters, but the name delivers what it promises:

With Italy on one side and Switzerland on the other, you'll enjoy a particularly vibrant lifestyle and can truly pamper yourself, especially gastronomically.

Compared to the 3rd spot, the 2nd spot takes it a step further: instead of two countries, at the 536 km² Lake Constance, you can experience three countries. As part of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, it is hard to decide from which shore to jump into the cool water.

On the German side, cities like Constance, Meersburg, and Lindau lie, while you can explore the city of Bregenz on the Austrian shore and the city of Arbon on the Swiss side.

"Do you know the land where lemons bloom?" - Even back then, Italy had one of its biggest fans in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. So it's no wonder that one of his favorite places in Bella Italia still ranks number 1 today - the beautiful Lake Garda!

Surrounded by vineyards, Italian culture, and Mediterranean flair, Lake Garda is a true paradise for vacationers. Particularly popular are the towns of Riva del Garda, Brenzone, Tremosine, and Limone sul Garda, which are located directly on Lake Garda. The historical town of Sirmione, located on the lake with its old town and the water castle at the entrance, is also a popular destination.

Of course, you don't need a reason to travel. But isn't it much nicer to get inspired and make your anticipation even greater?

Our 14 popular large swimming lakes in Europe are just that: an incentive to escape everyday life, discover Europe's unique and beautiful landscapes, and just dive into the water.

It doesn't matter if you're simply seeking a refreshing break from the hot summer, wanting to explore exciting cities by the water and the culture of other countries, or just looking to experience a hike through breathtaking nature - Europe's popular large lakes truly offer something for everyone.