The earth is filled with millions of lakes, from extremely large ones to tiny ones that do not even go ankle-deep. Some of these lakes, such as those on this list, are so stunning that they have become attractions that people come from all over the planet to check out. Besides their incredible scenery, these lakes also offer opportunities for adventures like hiking, kayaking, and swimming, among others. Here are the most beautiful lakes around the world to visit.
10 Lake Como, Italy
Varenna, small town on lake Como, Italy
Lake Como may come third in its country in terms of size, but when it comes to scenery, this waterbody is the most beautiful lake in Italy. Located in the region of Lombardy, this lake is characterized by crystal clear turquoise waters and is surrounded by beautiful towns and villages as well as towering mountains covered with greenery.
While the scenery alone makes it such a delight to visit, the lake also has plenty of attractions and tourist facilities, as well as lots of opportunities for adventures like cruising and hiking.
9 Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Lake Lucerne surrounded by tree-covered mountains under a blue sky
Located in central Switzerland, Lake Lucerne is among the most beautiful lakes in the world and appeals with its emerald waters and the pointed peaks that surround it. Although not a fjord, the lake’s scenery has many similarities with the Milford Sound in New Zealand, but unlike the fjord, this lake also has a beautiful town filled with several facilities like hotels, restaurants, and shops.
All these endowments have made the lake incredibly popular not just in the country but around the world. At the lake, visitors can enjoy activities like cruising, fishing, and swimming, and the scenery is what makes every one of these activities unforgettable.
8 Lake Geneva, France And Switzerland
A small town beside Lake Geneva
Covering a part of Switzerland and France, Lake Geneva is one of the most picturesque water bodies in the world and also one of the largest lakes in Europe. The lake is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and beautiful trees, as well as charming towns and villages filled with castles and other stunning structures.
One of the best things to do at Lake Geneva is cruising, but there are also opportunities for hiking, cycling, and fishing around the lake. All in all, when it comes to the most beautiful lakes in Europe, this one takes home a coveted top spot.
7 Garibaldi Lake, British Columbia
Garibaldi lake surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky
Garibaldi Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada that’s worth mentioning. This lake is located in Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia, and it is characterized by turquoise waters surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains and trees.
While its natural scenery is appealing enough, this lake is also a haven for several adventures like hiking, camping, and fishing. Swimming is also allowed at Garibaldi Lake, although the waters are usually very cold, and there are no lifeguards around.
6 Dead Sea, Jordan And Israel
An aerial view of the Dead Sea under a blue sky
While its name suggests it is a sea, this water body located in Israel and Jordan is actually a saline lake with a depth of 304 m. The lake is characterized by emerald waters and surrounding red rocks that make it look otherworldly. Besides its unique scenery, the Dead Sea also comes with so many unique attributes worth mentioning. At an elevation of 430.5 m below sea level, the Dead Sea”s surface is the lowest point on Earth. Its depth of 304 m also makes it the deepest hypersaline lake in the world.
In addition to the scenery, low elevation, and depth, one other thing that makes the Dead Sea so unique is its salinity levels, which are almost ten times as much as the salinity of the ocean. The lake also has a high density that makes it impossible for anything to sink. While there may not be opportunities for water sports on this lake, the lake’s unique attributes and its otherworldly vistas are enough to make a vacation memorable.
5 Lake Tahoe, California
Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Lake Tahoe is without doubt the most popular lake destination in America, and this fame can be attributed to the lake’s natural scenery and the exciting adventures it offers. Located on the California-Nevada border, this lake has many titles, from the largest alpine lake in North America to the second deepest lake in America. Although, all those titles matter little compared to the lake’s sheer beauty.
Lake Tahoe comes with crystal-clear turquoise waters and is surrounded by trees and mountains that are filled with hiking trails, plenty of cabins, and ski resorts. The lake is a haven for scenery and adventures all year round, from kayaking and hiking during summer to skiing and snowboarding during winter when the entire area gets covered in snow.
4 Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Flowers in front of Lake Tekapo in New Zealand with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains
Lake Tekapo is one of the natural wonders in New Zealand that makes the country so popular all over the world. This is one of the most stunning lakes in the world and is located on the country’s South Island. It comes with blue waters and surrounding mountains that make the views mesmerizing all year round.
During spring, the shores of the lake even become decorated with blossoming lupins, which makes it even more appealing for nature photography.
3 Lake Hillier, Australia
This unique lake is quite different from other lakes on the list. Lake Hillier, off the coast of southern Australia, is a saline lake with a bubble gum-like pink color that just makes it so appealing to the eyes and the tongue. It is, however, not advisable to taste or even swim in this water as it is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world.
As if the pink scenery is not enough, this lake is even located beside the deep blue waters of the Southern Ocean which just blends perfectly to the lake’s pink color. Since blue is more associated with masculinity and pink with femininity, the scenery here just somehow feels like masculine and feminine energy trying to mix but cannot due to the small island in between. Now that’s something interesting to think of.
2 Lake Saimaa, Finland
Lake Saimaa in Finland under a cloudy sky
Finland is blessed with a lot of natural attractions, and one of the most beautiful is Lake Saimaa. This lake is the largest in the country, and its 14,500 km long coastline is also the longest lake coastline in the world. Everything about Lake Saimaa is gorgeous, from the beautiful surrounding forests filled with thousands of cottages and hiking trails to its crystal-clear waters, which offer great opportunities for swimming and boating.
Summer is one of the best times to visit this lake destination in Finland, but it is stunning year-round, and there is always something to enjoy here.
1 Lake Bled, Slovenia
The scenery of Lake Bled has made it one of the most photographed places in the world. Located in the Julian Alps mountain range, this lake is one of the best lakes in the world in terms of beauty; it comes with crystal clear waters surrounded by lush trees, and it also has a breathtaking medieval castle that makes it feel like a fairytale location.
Besides the fantasy-like scenery, this lake also has a small town, several hiking trails, and lots of activities that will make tourists entertained at all times.