Amazing lakes in Europe

15.06.2020.

Those incredible colours that you just have to see are nestled between the mountains, those crystal clear waters. Only Austria has more than 300 lakes. What can give you peace more than nature? Walking in the picturesque towns with additional beauty of hiking and mountainous flora is just magic. To give you the reason to visit I collaborate with more than 20 amazing bloggers to discover some of the most amazing lakes in Europe.

Lake Bled, Slovenia by Helen Rapp from Helen on her Holidays

Even if you haven’t heard of Lake Bled, there’s a good chance you’ll have seen it. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Europe, a picture-perfect combination of lazy-blue lake water, surrounded by forests and mountain peaks. And as if that wasn’t enough, in the middle of the lake there’s a tiny island with a fairytale church.

Visiting Lake Bled is a popular day trip from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. Most visitors arrive by bus or car, but if you want to stay overnight there are several hotels, campsites and guest houses. Glamping in a wooden hut with hot tub is another option.

Lake Bled is small enough to walk around in an hour or two, even at a gentle pace, but if you’d prefer to rent a bike to explore some of the nearby trails then there are hire places in Bled itself. Bled is also the perfect place to sample a local delicacy, Bled cake – a frothy concoction of puff pastry, vanilla cream and custard that dates back to the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian empire in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The area around Lake Bled is rich in hiking opportunities. In almost every direction are the peaks of the Julian Alps, and not far from Bled you’ll find another beautiful Slovenian lake, Lake Bohinj and the astonishing Vintgar Gorge. 

Lake Bachalpsee by Nisha Dalal from Nerdy Footsteps

Hidden between the alpine peaks of First, Lake Bachalpsee is a beautiful Swiss lake.

The journey to lake Bachalpsee is itself a treat. The regional train from Interlaken West to Grindelwald is one of the most beautiful train rides I have ever been on. The sky-high mountains and w\the waterfalls tumbling down them were definitely the highlights. After reaching Grindelwald, walk to the First-Gondola station. You will see the beautiful village of Grindewald in between with its lush greenery and the traditional wooden Swiss houses. From the Gondola station, take a 30 minutes gondola ride to First. The ride is beautiful and well worth the hefty price. Alternatively, you can hike up to the lake that might take around 3-4 hours.

Once you reach First, Lake Bachalpsee is another 30-40 minutes walk. The scenery up here is very fresh and unique. You will find waterfalls in making, especially if you are there in spring or summer. The Lake itself is very pretty. We found it semi-frozen, even in spring.

On the way back, feel free to see the 360-degree view of the surroundings from the Tissot walk, free of cost. You will find it just next to the gondola station. It can be cold up here, so please bring an additional layer of clothing.

Lago Maggiore by Nisha Dalal from Nerdy Footseps

I didn’t know about Lago Maggiore before I saw it in all its glory. While going to Milan for two days, I saw this beautiful shimmering of a gem from the train. I didn’t know what this serene place was. So, I checked the almighty, Google Maps. Lake Maggiore, it said. I made a mental note to stop by here sometime and spends the most wonderful two days in Milan.

On the way back, I decided to hop off the train and explore this beautiful region. I got down at the closest train station, Stresa, and went to Lago Maggiore. It was much prettier than from the distance. The beautiful alpine backdrop, shimmering lake, and the traditional houses at the shore made it so unique and wonderful.

I learned about the three islands in the lake and took the hop-on, hop-off boat rides to them. Each island was so unique in itself. Be it Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola Superiore, it was worth visiting them even for a few hours.

The best way to reach the lake is by regional train to Stresa and then walk to the lake. I highly recommend visiting the islands as well.

Pessons Lakes, Andora by Gábor Kovács from Surfing the Planet

Andorra is one of the tiniest countries in the world, however, this alpine country has an incredible concentration of pristine lakes in it. In the valleys of the Pyrenees there are more than a hundred beautiful lake, and probably one of the most beautiful areas to visit in Andorra are the Pessons Lakes.

You can actually walk a circular trail called the glacial circuit of Pessons, where you will see a dozen lakes of different size. It’s a moderately difficult trail, since the total elevation gain is around 800 meters. However, the trail that connects the lakes is gradually climbing the mountain, so you don’t need to be extra fit or need any special material.

Since the Pessons Lakes are found over 2000 meters (even the lowest one) the scenery starts in a pine forest, but most of the lakes are found in a rocky and quite barren landscape. When you get to the top, the panoramic view of the lakes is simply breathtaking.

The Pessons Lakes are found in the so called Grandvalira region of Andorra, close to the French border. This is a famous ski area, and there’s a large parking of the Grau Roig ski station, where you can leave your car. If you don’t want to walk too much, in high season you can use the 4WD shuttle transport that takes you up to the first lake from the parking.

Zell am See– Austria by Gabrijela Zec from Under Flowery Sky

Zell am See is a popular austrian ski centre near Salzburg, actually 1 hour and a half. Nestled underneath the mountain of Schmittenhöhe which offers fantastic views it’s surely a treasure to visit. Few cable-cars reach the summit but you can also do it on your own in 4 hours just like austrian princess Elisabeth or Sissi did but even shorter.

Town is very sweet enriched with lovely austrian architecure and many hotels among which its royal role at the centre takes the biggest one, Grand Hotel located at its own peninsula. Tower church dominates and the painted houses. Actually, once it was named Zell am Pinzgau.

Mountain Schmittenhöhe is not the only one that encirles the town, but two more mountains: Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel. The national park Hohe Tauern spreads around with the richness of flora and fauna.

Glacier Kitzsteinhorn can be found at the next town Kaprun, only 6 km away. Except the viewpoint of the glacier, Kaprun offers a wide range of cultural and nature treasure including the Kaprun castle and Sigmud Thun Gorge.

Zell am See offers so much activities and entertainment during the year including the Winter Baloon Week in February, Magic Lake Show in summer, Line Dance Alpfestival in June and much more. Zell am See is thus the perfect austrian embrace.

Eibsee Lake by Darek Pawlak from Darek and Gosia

There are many beautiful lakes in Europe. They have been delighting tourists for centuries with picturesque location among mountains, hills and surrounded greenery. There is often the possibility of practising water sports too, which makes them a popular destination for relaxation.

If you are spending a holiday in Germany, you have to visit Eibsee lake – one of the most stunning lakes in Europe!

Eibsee lake lies in the Bavarian Alps, around 10 kilometres south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen – a worldwide known winter sports resort. When visiting this famous mountain town, be sure to go to the beautiful reservoir around the highest mountain in Germany – Zugspitze. The 2,962 m high mountain rises just above the lake surface, creating spectacular scenery!

The lake itself is not huge and you can easily go for a 2-3 hours hike around it. While hiking, around the north shore you will be able to see eight picturesque islands. The crystal-clear water with shades of green & blue attracts visitors from the whole region of Bavaria. However, due to the relatively high location of the lake, the water heats up here very slowly.

If you would like to swim in the lake and you prefer water temperatures above 20 degrees, it’s better to visit Eibsee lake at the end of summer.

Garda Lake-Italy by Gabrijela Zec from Under Flowery Sky

The fairy-tale Lago di Garda near Verona is the world of possibilities and cozy towns. The most famous by the attraction park Gardaland the lake is one of the biggest in Italy. All your heart wants can be found here from the mountaineering, castles, swimming and picturesque towns. The most popular places are Sirmione which covers the Scaglier castle on the lake and Malcesine, nestled at the bottom of Monte Baldo. Monte Baldo and its magnifiscient views can be reached by cable car or by walking 11 km from Malcesine. It also offers the botanical route with its vastness. Another castle from 13th century finds its place in Malcesine with its charm which includes also a Museum of Natural History.

The main connection point at Lake Garda by train is the town Pechiera del Garda which hosts also Gardaland. The ferry circulates through the whole lake but considering the time taken it’s better visiting by bus.

Many castles enrich the lake, almost at every town. Desenzano is not only where the castle resides but the ancient roman villa and archeological museum. Lasize is enriched by the castle but also amazing villas and two thermal lakes. At Garda town you can explore the views from the viewpoint above and enjoy pretty walking area. On the north part except Malcesine the most fabulous towns are Riva del Garda and Limone sul Garda. Pretty streets of lake Garda stay memorable with its caffee bars and pure magic.

Lake Windermere by Anna Liddell from My Travel Scrapbook

Lake Windemere is one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. Located in the Lake District national park in England, Lake Windemere is England’s largest lake. At 18km long this is a popular lake there are plenty of things to do in and around the lake.

Water sports are popular on the lake and kayaking is a romantic thing to do in the Lake District national park for adventurous lovers. If you don’t fancy going on the lake, you can enjoy wandering around one of the lovely villages around the lake. Ambleside is a very pretty village to the north of the lake. You can go up higher and enjoy the amazing views of Lake Windemere. For hundreds of years, visitors have been captivated by the beautiful lake. A young man, called Wainwright walked to the top of Orrest Head, a hill which overlooks Lake Windemere. The view of the lake and the surrounding hills changed his life forever. He then painstakingly spent his entire life exploring the entirety of the national park and documented the walks in several books. Even today people tick off the Wainwrights.

You can reach Lake Windemere by getting the train to Windemere or there are plenty of car parks around the lake if travelling by car.

Lake Windermere is a magical lake in England. 

Strbske Pleso by Kamila Napora from My Wanderlust

Strbske Pleso is probably the most popular lake in Slovakia, located picturesquely in the High Tatra mountains in the northern part of the country, in the town with the same name as the lake. You can easily get there by train – there are frequent connections from Poprad or Strba (both stations are on the main Slovak railway corridor). The lake is located in the central part of the town and you can easily walk here from all the direction. From the southern shore, you can admire the stunning panorama of High Tatras, with characteristic buildings of ski jumping hills and a triangular-shaped hotel in the foreground. Be sure to go for a walk around the lake – it’s an easy hike that should take you around half an hour and you can see the lake from each perspective. In the summer months, you can rent a boat and paddle on the lake. In winter, when the lake is frozen, you can go skating or cross-country skiing or simply walk across the lake. There are a few hiking trails to the upper parts of the mountains starting near the lake or you can take the nearby chairlift to go higher and see the lake from above. Strbske Pleso is one of the top places to visit in Slovakia and you don’t want to miss it!

Lake Königssee, Germany by Soumya from Stories by Soumya

Lake Königssee, a crystal-clear lake in the middle of the Berchtesgaden National Park is one of prettiest places to visit in Bavaria, Germany. Surrounded by sheer cliffs and gorgeous alpine vegetation on all sides, the lake is extremely picturesque. Exactly why the Germans say, Lake Königssee is one of nature’s true masterpieces.

There are many wonderful things to do at Lake Königssee. But the highlight is definitely taking an electric boat ride to explore the lake and beyond. The ride is slow and peaceful giving you just the right amount of time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. However, the best part is when the oarsman blows on his harmonica and the music comes bouncing right back from the sheer cliff walls. That experience is truly magical.

The boat tour will first take you to the pretty, onion-domed church of St. Bartholomew where you can also enjoy a lunch of fresh fish and salad. You can then head to Salet, the last stop on the tour, and enjoy some amazing views of the Bavarian Alps. If you fancy a hike, take a walk on the Königsseer Fußweg or the Koenigsseer footpath right behind the Berchtesgaden train station.

The best time to visit Lake Königssee is between April – October when the weather is pleasant and warm. The bright sunshine makes the lake look even prettier. And it’s a great time to get some gorgeous pictures. 

Lake Loch Awe, Scotland by Kathi Kamleitner from Watch Me See

When it comes to beautiful lakes in Scotland you have to know two things: 1) they are called by their Gaelic name “loch” and 2) there is more to see than Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. 
Loch Awe is a beautiful freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands and is located only 2 hours from Glasgow in an area called the Heart of Argyll. Measuring 25 miles from end to end it is one of the largest lochs in Scotland and offers many sites and things to do. 
No trip is complete with visiting the stunning ruin of Kilchurn Castle. Once a stronghold of the Campbell clan, it was abandoned in the 18th century. Nearby, the quirky architecture of St Conan’s Kirk is also well worth a visit.
Loch Awe is framed by dramatic mountain landscapes and dotted with small islands. While there are a few small villages around the loch, the shore is mostly lined with thick woodlands. 
Hire a small motorboat from Loch Awe Boats (near Cladich) or explore one of the numerous hiking trails near Dalavich in the south or Ben Cruachan in the north. By boat, it is also possible to land on one of the islands of Loch Awe and explore more castle ruins or the graveyard where Dukes of Argyll are buried. 
The best way to get to and around Loch Awe is by car. There is a train station not too far from Kilchurn Castle, but the southern parts of the loch are only accessible by road. 

Lake Como by Lieze Neven from Glitter Reber

Does Lake Como still need an introduction? After George Clooney bought a ‘’modest’’ holiday home on the banks of the lake, Lake Como made international headlines. Lake Como is often considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy and attracts many tourists every year.

Once at Lake Como you can visit Villa Carlotta and the Como Cathedral or go for a boat ride to snap pictures of the many millionaire’s mansions perched on the hills and banks of the lake.

As for hikes, you can try and walk around the lake. There is a path that runs along the banks, up and down hills and rocks and takes you past old settlements, ancient villa’s and hidden chapels. There are ample opportunities to stop for panoramic picnics or drink a local wine in one of the many little villages around the lake.

As Lake Como is nestled in the North Italian Mountains, the temperatures in Summer sit between 22 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees. This makes Lake Como a great place for hikes and people who love to go on walks!

Lake Annecy by Gabrijela Zec from Under Flowery Sky

Annecy lake at the picturesque town of Annecy is popular in France, but not so much elsewhere. It’s situated in the French Alps, one hour from Lyon and 40 minutes from Geneva. Interwined with the river canals, it’s also called „Venice of France“. These floral passages and colurful buildings with the view of the castle above bring the fantasy feeling.

Lovers’ Bridge is the place to take scenic photos of the lake, the place which connects European gardens with the Thiou river. Amazing greenish colours of the lake nestled between the mountains offer the boat rides or just walking. The public beach or Imperial beach is filled with bars, concrete background, mini golf but most people also go out of the main sights to enjoy the lake.

Annecy lake hosts International Animated Festival in the summer, the most popular event in Annecy.

Annecy itself is characterised by the enchanting Palais de l’Isle directly on the river, now a history museum but once a prison.

If you come to Annecy, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the surroundings including Gorge du Fier with its canyons. Unfortunately, it’s closed from October till March. Annecy captures with the sweetness and easiness of nature, don’t miss it out. Annecy and its special greenish water is wating, just it wasn’t so special when I was there. It’s one of the largest lakes in France.

Lake Ohrid, Macedonia by Cassie Bailey from Cassie the hag

The magnificent Lake Ohrid, spanning across the two Balkan countries of Albania and North Macedonia, is a sublime place. Whether you view it from mountainous vantage points while hiking, from a boat trip over the lake or by staying in the charming historical town of Ohrid, it is truly calming and beautiful. It is deepest lake in the Balkans at 288m and also one of the world’s oldest. There is plenty to explore here since Ohrid stretches out at 30km long and 15km wide. 

With just over two thirds in North Macedonia, I recommend staying in Ohrid itself. Here you have easy access to dozens of historical buildings as you roam the old streets, including the famous Church of Sveti Jovan. Its cliffside position makes it THE best sunset spot in the area. Ohrid is a UNESCO World Heritage Site too. In Summer, you can even sunbathe by the lake (or swim, of course) at one of the many city beaches.

Hiking opportunities around Lake Ohrid include a day trip to Galicica National Park or taking on the lesser-explored Albania trails. Of course, the adventurous could even hike around the entire lake! Prefer exploring UNDER water? It is also possible to snorkel and dive in Lake Ohrid in summer.

Bodensee (Lake Constance) by Wendy Werneth of The Nomadic Vegan

A favorite outdoor playground for Europeans, the Bodensee also serves as a triple border for three European countries: Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Many of the towns and villages on the lakeshore are easily accessible by train, and there are also ferry boats that connect one side of the lake to the other. The largest and most accessible city is Konstanz in Germany, which also gives the lake its English name — Lake Constance.

Hiking and cycling opportunities abound, the most obvious paths being those that run alongside the lake. A complete circumnavigation would take days if not weeks to cover the whole 260 kilometers, but you can also do just a short stretch as an easy half-day hike or bike ride. Another popular cycling route in the area is the Donau-Bodensee Radweg, which starts in Ulm, Germany and finishes in Kressbronn am Bodensee, a small village on the lakeshore.

If you love flowers, you won’t want to miss a visit to Mainau Island. Its gardens, greenhouses and butterfly house are a joy to explore. Summer is certainly the most popular season to visit Lake Constance, but if you’re here in winter you can enjoy the “Weihnachsmarkt am See”, which translates as “Christmas Market on the Lake”.

Lake Geneva, Switzerland by Paul & Nicki from The Two That Do

Lake Geneva or Lac Léman in French is central Europe’s largest lake.
Stretching 95 km from Geneva in the west to Montreux in the east the
Lake sits at an elevation of 372 metres.

To spend 5 days in the stunning Lake Geneva Region is to marvel at the
extraordinary scenery that engulfs you in every direction. The simmering
deep blue lake waters under summer sunshine with the dramatic backdrop
of an Alpine panorama is difficult to top anywhere in Europe. No wander
this region has been a popular spa and health retreat for the world’s
rich and famous for decades.

Located at the border of Switzerland and France the region boasts
several charismatic towns themselves worthy of a day trip or city break.

Geneva speaks for itself but Lausanne with its historic old town and
home of the IOC merits more attention. The luxurious Montreux boasts an
International Jazz Festival, a floral lined lakefront promenade and the
beguiling Chillon Castle.

On the southern side the French spa town of Evian les Bains known for it
healing waters is often overlooked by its more elegant Swiss neighbours.
However, venture in to the hills of the Haute Savoie region above the
town and the views over the lake are truly some of the best you’ll find
anywhere.

As mesmerising as these views the most memorable way to experience its
natural beauty and grandeur is to jump on one of the many ferry services
that cross the lake each day. Fill your lungs with the crisp air, sit
back and relax. Life does not get much better!

Black Rock Lake in Georgia by Baia Dzagnidze from Red Fedora Diary

Black Rock Lake, located in the Lagodekhi region in the eastern part of the country, is a natural border between Georgia and Dagestan sitting at 3,000m above the sea level.

Being part of the Lagodekhi Protected Areas, the only way to get to the lake is to hike, making it a perfect three or four-day getaway for hiking lovers. The area features a variety of unique flora and fauna, therefore hiking the Black Rock Lake trail is an impressive adventure.

This well-maintained but seldom-used 38 km loop involves quite a large vertical gain, but the hard work pays off as you traverse a full ecosystem change from dense beech forest overflowing with wild blackberries to high alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers to the end destination

Depending on how physically fit you are, this 38km loop trail might seem challenging or easy as you hike uphill most of the time. However, it’s one of the most beautiful and interesting treks to take in Georgia boasting with walking through a full ecosystem change from dense forest-covered slopes to alpine meadows and magnificent views over the Caucasus.

There are two tourist shelters to sleep overnight and designated places to camp if you have your tent. Alternatively, you can hire a horse with a guide if you don’t feel like walking this long.

Lake Balaton, Hungary by Anjali Chawla from The Travel Melodies

Dotted with vineyards, thermal spa resorts, little Hungarian towns and villages, and volcanic mountains, Lake Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe. Often called as Hungarian Sea, this 50 miles long lake attracts locals as well as tourists around the world.

There are quite a good number of spa towns and resorts along the lake’s foreshore, and the distance from Budapest depends upon where you choose to stay. Siófok (105 km) is the closest resort town from Budapest.

The town of Keszthely, Hévíz Lake (largest thermal lake in the entire world), and Lake Cave in Tapolca are some of the best places to visit in the lake region. Not to mention, spending time at one of the beaches in the Hungarian Sea is a must!

If you are fond of hiking or cycling, Balaton Uplands National Park is well worth a visit.

Self-drive is one of the most beautiful ways to travel from Budapest to Lake Balaton. There are regular buses and trains to all main resort towns from Budapest. You can also choose to join a guided tour with a local for an authentic experience.

June to August is the best time to visit the lake as it’s warm and pleasant enough to enjoy outdoor activities.

Gelmersee Lake by Kathrin Bird from The Wandering Bird

If you’re looking for a beautiful lake to visit, you have to go to Gelmersee.

Gelmersee Lake is in the Swiss mountains and is one of the prettiest lakes I have ever seen. The colour of the water is breathtaking, as well as the views of the surrounding Alps. It’s the perfect destination for a picnic, or a day hiking into the mountains.

There are two ways to reach the lake- by hiking up a (big!) mountain. 

Or by taking the Gelmerbahn Funicular.

The Gelmerbahn to Gelmersee Funicular is one of the steepest mountain railways in Europe. The gradient is 106%  and it goes STRAIGHT up the mountain. 

When we visited, we didn’t really know what to expect, but it was one of the highlights of our trip to Switzerland.

You can (and should!) take a picnic up to Gelmersee lake- there are no facilities or cafe up there so you will at least need some water. 

To get back down, you can either buy a ticket for the funicular (buy it BEFORE you go up) or you can walk back down the mountain, which takes several hours and is a beautiful hike. 

Also, be sure to check out the amazing suspension bridge, near the ticket office. It’s free to walk across and take photos on- and it is a LONG way down. But if you enjoy heights it’s a great way to see right down the valley- the views are superb. 

Hiirilammit Lake by Alexander Popkov from Engineer On Tour

Finland is known as the land of thousands of lakes. I’ve been living in Finland for 7 years, and I figured out my favorite one. And it isn’t any of the famous lakes. It is a small lake in Vantaa, not far away from Helsinki. The name is Hiirilammit.

I think, what sets it apart is the fact that it is well surrounded by forest. There isn’t much sun or wind. This forms beautiful reflections in the calm waters. There are absolutely no tourists, and a lot of free space to be left alone.

And there is a lot of nature to look at. It is the place, where I took some of my favorite wildlife shots. Squirrels are running on the trees over your head, and the lake is full of different birds.

I believe these kinds of places represent real Finland. Calm, relaxing, and very close to nature. Go there for a picnic and see how nature will give you strength. The area around the lake has one of Finland’s most beautiful cycling routes. 

Lake Fuente de Piedra by Joanna from Andalucia In My Pocket

Fuente de Piedra is one of the most important lagoons in Spain, protected by both Andalucia and the European Union for the amounts of birds nesting here. Fuente de Piedra is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 170 different species, coming and going, which makes the lagoon a perfect destination for birding in any season.

Fuente de Piedra is also the best places to go if you want to see pink flamingos in Spain. Between February and May, tens of thousands of flamingos come to Fuente de Piedra to breed. By the end of May, in the good years, there will be almost 15,000 chicks born here. Before the lake dries out in summer, when the water level is very shallow, the sun creates a mirror effect on its surface, which is quite breathtaking, especially if the flamingos are still there. Seen from above, the water of the lake has a pink shade. The flamingos do leave when the water dries out, only to return again in winter. 

Getting to Fuente de Piedra is quite straight forward from Malaga, both by driving and by public transport, with a direct bus connecting the two places.

As the lagoon is a protected natural area, it is forbidden to approach its shores. There are several hides around the lake, some which you can reach by walking, and some by car. The longest trail from the visitor’s centre is 2.7 kilometres long and goes towards the north of the lake. For visitors who want to learn more about the ecosystem and the wildlife of Fuente de Piedra, the visitor centre organises daily guided tours, in which the guide brings binoculars and a telescope for better observation.

Black lake Montenegro by Ellis Veen from Backpack Adventures

Montenegro means black mountain and this small country in the Balkans is indeed a mountain paradise. The high peaks come along with glittering freshwater lakes. One of the most beautiful lakes in Montenegro is black lake.

Black lake lies in Durmitor National Park. This park is a World Heritage site because of its rich flora and fauna. It was formed by glaciers over many years and black lake is in fact a glacier lake.

When it is cloudy the lake is indeed black, but when the sun shines it is more an emerald green. With the rocky mountain tops in the back and the dense pine forests that surround the lake it is a picture perfect image.

Durmitor National Park is also famous for its hiking opportunities and one of the most popular hikes is the 4 kilometer trail around the lake. It’s possible to finish this in 3 hours, but along the way there are lots of scenic picnic spots.

Therefore definitely bring your hiking shoes, but also some snacks and your swimming suit. Choose your favorite picnic spot and sit down. In summer you will most likely want to cool down and the lake is perfect to take a dip.

Visiting black lake is easy. Zabljak is the main town in Durmitor National Park where you will find all the facilities you need. The lake is 3 kilometer from Zabljak and you can get there by car or on foot.

Plitvice, Croatia by Noel Morata from Travel Photo Discovery

Plitvice national park is such an amazing natural wonderland and national park to visit and located in the center of Croatia. Not only does the park have a lovely and large lake that you can take a nice relaxing cruise on (included with the price of admission to the park), you can also experience the best of the the stunning waterfalls around the top part of the park and walking through protected wooden boardwalks that prevent further deterioration of the fragile environment but brings you up close to the magic and beautiful waterfalls in the area which is amazing for photo opportunities and just enjoying nature at its best in this amazing park. Most of the park you can enjoy on your own and deciding what you want to see and do in your visit and it definitely takes a full day to experience all of the stunning landscape, hikes and even the wonderful boat cruise through the bottom of the park. Make sure when you finish your boat cruise that you hike up to the top of the vantage point (follow the hike directions at the boat dock area) to get an amazing and panoramic lookout point to the entire park.
You’ll love visiting the park and for that extra special visit, try to go there in the fall time when the autumn colors really dazzle and deliver an amazing show and experience. Check out my post here on fall time in Plitvice National Park here for more inspiration and images to visiting the park.

Lake Skadar by Emily Lush from Wander-Lush

Lake Skadar, the largest lake in Southern Europe, is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes on the Balkan Peninsula. The lake is shared between Montenegro and Albania and can be visited from either country.

The Montenegrin part of Skadar (accounting for roughly 2/3 of its total area) is quite distinct from the Albanian end. It’s shallow, marshy and turgid – a perfect habitat for 70 species of nesting birds, including rare native pelicans, carp, wild tortoises and otters. Birdwatchers should visit in the spring months, when the fauna is most abundant. Short and full-day boat trips can be organised on the spot from the towns of Virpazar or Rijeka Crnojevica.

There are a number of hiking paths around Virpazar, including the popular Walnut Valley trail (5-6 hours). Because the lake swells and retracts by up to 100 square-kilometres in the wet season, it’s recommended to go with a local guide who has knowledge of the tracks. Another must-do on the western side of Skadar is view the lake from above. The Pavolva Strana Viewpoint offers an incredibly gorgeous aspect over a horseshoe bend at the lake’s very easternmost tip.

Over the border in Albania, you can use the small city of Shkoder as a jumping-off point for more water activities. If your Albania itinerary includes hiking in the Accursed Mountains, there’s a good chance you’ll pass through Shkoder on your way to the mountainous north. Pause for a few days to enjoy the laid-back lakeside lifestyle, hiring a bicycle to get around.