Lake Annecy, France
A favourite lake of many European visitors, Lake Annecy pretty much has everything you would want from a lake resort – idyllic mountain scenery, fresh alpine air, icy blue waters and plenty of gorgeous towns and villages to explore. It also makes a great base to explore the rest of the beautiful Savoie region. Try Annecy town itself, the majestic Mont Blanc, the mountain commue Chamonix, the town of Evian and the medieval villages of Yvoire and Geneva.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Splendid Hotel, Annecy – Lovely hotel in fairytale location from €90pn
- Hotel Des Alpes, Annecy – A popular modern budget hotel in a central lake-side location from €60pn
Lake Geneva, France and Switzerland
Not far from Lake Annecy is easily one of the most famous lakes in Europe is Lake Geneva, it’s also one of the largest lakes on the continent spanning both France and Switzerland. Nestled below the beautiful Alps, the glacial lake is known for its icy blue waters, its crescent shape and the many attractive villages, castles and towns surrounding its shores. Try medieval Yvoire a member of the ‘Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of France’ or Château de Chillon a fairytale esque castle which overlooks the lake.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Le Chateau d’Ouchy, Lake Geneva – Four star stylish boutique accommodation housed in beautiful historic chateau from €95pn
- Guest House Le Charlot, Lake Geneva – Exceptionally presented budget guest house with modern decor from €70pn
Lake Garda, Italy
Lake Garda is definitely up there as one of the romantic destinations in Europe, if not the world. Where can you go wrong with a beautiful mountain lake flanked by impossibly gorgeous villages? Each of the lake-side communities are very different from the next and range from a historic town dominated by a medieval castle to a picturesque village brimming with flowers and pastel-coloured houses.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Wellness Hotel Casa Barca, Lake Garda – A cosy wellness hotel with quirky modern decor located on the shores of Lake Garda from €60pn
- Dimora Bolsone, Lake Garda – Exceptionally well presented budget boutique guest house with lake views from €35pn
Lake Como, Italy
There’s just something about those North Italian lakes and Lake Como is arguably the most beautiful of them all. The very elegant resort (and George Clooney’s favourite European hangout) lies in the shadow of the Rhaetian Alps and its shoreline is scattered with pretty villages. Try the world famous Bellagio, a very attractive traditional town and the central hub of the resort tourism.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Relais Regina Teodolinda, Lake Como – A stunningly decorated romantic hotel located right on the shore of beautiful Lake Como from €90pn
- Cipressi Hotel Villa, Lake Como – A well presented budget hotel with a classic Italian style and lake views from €50pn
Lake Wastwater, Lake District, England
England’s largest national park is home to a large number of beautiful lakes. Wastwater lake – the most remote lake – was once voted Britain’s favourite view. It’s hemmed in by some of the highest peaks in England and surrounded by some of the Lake District’s most impressive scenery and is easily worth the extra effort to get to.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- May Cottage, Lake District – Gorgeous Bed and Breakfast with great rates from £45pn
- Scafell Hotel, Lake District – Lodge Style Hotel with contemporary interiors from £65pn
- Cragwood Country House Hotel, Lake District – Stunning country mansion hotel located on Windermere Lake from £75pn
Sognefjord, Norway
Norway is home to a huge number of spectacular fjords and there are four fjord regions in Western Norway; Møre & Romsdal, Sogn & Fjordane, Hordaland and Rogaland. The largest and most beautiful fjord is Sognefjord, the third longest in the world. Also head for Nærøyfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord particularly noted for its unspoiled nature and dramatic scenery which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Brekkestranda Fjord Hotel, Sognefjord – Cosy three star hotel log cabin style accommodation on the shores of the Fjord from €50pn
- Hofslund Fjord Hotel, Sognefjord – Traditional wooden Scandinavian hotel with stunning lake views from €50pm
Loch Duich, Scotland
There are many beautiful lochs in the Highlands – Scotland is famous for them, but we’ve chosen this one for its iconic views. This sea loch situated on the western coast of Scotland, is dominated by the hauntingly beautiful Eilean Donan Castle – a familiar 13th century structure which adorns postcards, calendars and once even a BBC advert.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Onich Hotel, Nr Glen Nevis – Traditional hotel surrounded by beautiful loch scenery from £50pn
- Birchbrae Lodges, Fort William – Luxury log cabin lodges not far from Glen Nevis from £200 a week
Lake Bled, Slovenia
This small and very picturesque glacial lake can be found in the Julien Alps in Northwestern Slovenia. Popular with visitors, its main attraction is Bled Island, a tiny forested circle that’s home to the 17th-century Church of the Assumption and its prominent baroque clock tower.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Vila Mia, Lake Bled – Luxury guest house with modern decor and lake views from €30pn
- Villa Istra, Lake Bled – Unique four star hotel housed in a charming historic building from €35
Lakes of Killarney, Ireland
Ireland is known for its wild and rugged landscapes but if you want to find some of the country’s most beautiful scenery head for the Lakes of Killarney. It is a renowned scenic attraction which consist of three lakes – Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake. History fans will also be kept busy with the surrounding Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and Muckross House.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Loch Lein Country House, Lakes of Killarney – Luxury traditionally Irish country house set within stunning surroundings from €45pn
- Muckross Park Hotel & Spa – Exceptional five star hotel with very romantic decor from €100pn
Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Located in central Switzerland and encircled by gorgeous mountains and Alpine towns, Lake Lucerne is said to be reminiscent of Norway’s fjords but with a milder climate! Also explore Lucerne city itself (located on the lake shores). The old town is filled with historic buildings, painted facades and narrow cobbled streets lined with shops selling traditional Swiss goods.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne – A five star hotel with the wow factor with beautiful lake views and an on site spa from €190pn
- Hotel Flora Alpina, Lake Lucerne – Well presented but reasonably priced three star located on the banks of Lake Lucerne from €70pn
Lake Saimaa, Finland
Covering a huge area of 4,400 square km, Lake Saimaa is the fourth largest lake in Europe. It’s also one of the most beautiful. One of the most scenic sights in Finland, most of the lake is dotted with 14,000 small islands of different shapes, making it look like a watery labyrinth. Those Scandinavians definitely like to keep active and there’s no shortage of actives available from cycling, canoeing and hiking in the summer to cross-country skiing in the winter.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Lappeenranta Spa Hotel – Typical Scandinavian mid range hotel with onsite spa facilities very near the lake from €35pn
- Punkaharjun Valtionhotelli – Charming hotel accommodation housed in an attractive historic house from €45pn
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe. Known throughout Europe for its extraordinary unspoilt beauty, its woody hills are home to sixteen turquoise lakes that are connected by waterfalls and cascades. Wildlife fans are also in their element here, it’s one of the few places in Europe where bears and wolves still roam. Also expect to see deer, wild boar and a huge variety of birds.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Ethno Houses Plitvica Selo – Unique and cosy four star accommodation with great amenities near the national park from €45pn
- Etno Garden Exclusive Rooms – Traditional luxury guest house accommodation with easy access to Plitvice Lakes National Park from €50pn
Hallstattersee, Austria
An UNESCO world heritage site, this beautiful Austrian lake enjoys a relaxed atmosphere – very far from the madding crowds. Surrounded by huge mountains, Lake Hallstatt is located at the heart of the Salzkammergut region and was once where Celtic tribes settled some 4000 years ago. Today it’s an extremely photogenic place with mirrored waters surrounded by steep cliffs and typically attractive Austrian villages.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Pension Sarstein – Typically Austrian guest house with a fairytale location from €45pn
- Heritage Hotel Hallstatt – Fabulous unique hotel set in the scenic parkland of Hallstatt from €85pn
Konigsee Lake, Germany
Located in the southeastern portion of Germany and on the border’s of Austria, is the beautiful Lake Königssee – Germany’s deepest and cleanest lake. This area has been used for outdoor recreation for centuries – both Bavarian royalty and the local rulers of Berchtesgaden and Salzburg once hunted here. In keeping with its pure and natural surroundings only electric-powered passenger ships, rowing and pedal boats have been permitted on the lake since 1909.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Konigssee Hotel Schonau am Konigssee – Traditional Alpine chalet accommodation with reasonable prices located on the lake shore from €45pn
- Alpenhotel Brunneck Schönau am Königssee – Mid range chalet inn with traditional Alpine decor located in pretty countryside from €40pn
Kerid Crater Lake, Iceland
Iceland is famous for its crater lakes, but one of the most visited and attractive is Kerid – a volcanic crater lake located in the Grímsnes area in south Iceland. Like many of Iceland’s attractions, it’s a pretty surreal sight; the pool has a brilliant aquamarine colour and the surrounding steep barren walls gives it an almost lunar-esque feel.
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