Hidden Gems: The Best Small Lakes in Europe for Relaxing Walks Around

There’s something incredibly peaceful about small lakes, especially the way when water reflects the mountains or trees. It’s in the quiet trails that follow its edges, and the cozy feeling to walking slowly with no rush. Just walking in the calm and relax is the decision to take your family in the best small lakes in Europe.

While big and famous lakes in Europe often steal the spotlight, it’s the smaller ones that truly capture the heart. Creating the intimate and serene moments, you’ll enjoy the quiet moments to recharge.

If you’re dreaming of lakeside walks that feel like stepping into the postcard, I collaborated with dozen of amazing bloggers. Here you’ll find new travel ideas and a gentle reminder to slow down and be present in your travels.

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Lago di Braies, Italy- contributed by myself

Tucked away in the Dolomites, Lago di Braies is small enough to walk around in about an hour. Every step feels magical and calls for a photo break. The emerald waters mirror the sharp mountain peaks, created to admire its scenery. Watching the wooden boats lined along the dock will transfer you into something out of a fairy-tale.

Even though it became popular in recent years, coming off-season gives you a chance to experience its stillness. Visiting Lago di Braies is not just a lake walk, it’s a gentle reminder to slow down.

Besides circling the Braies lake, you can take a hike to Val di Foresta or stop in the nearby restaurant.

For a fabulous stay, choose a hotel at lago di Braies or in the closest town Dobbiaco. In Hotel Rosengarten in Dobbiaco you can try the local favours with the stunning Dolomites views.

Ledro Lake, Italy- contributed by myself

Less famous but deeply charming, Ledro Lake lies in the Trentino region, very close to Lake Garda. Surrounded by forested hills and small villages, it’s easy to reach Ledro Lake from Riva del Garda. There’s a public bus from the main station in Riva or you can come by car.

Enjoying the stunning view at the beautiful viewpoint about 15 minutes from the center of Molina di Ledro is unbeatable. You’ll find a gigantic bench here for unforgettable photos.

In Molina di Ledro you can visit a prehistoric museum Museo delle Palafitte as it shows the life with the cute huts. At the beautiful beach in Molina you can enjoy picnic and stay at the campsite.

About 30 minutes walking from the center you can visit a charming Land Art trail.

Panoramic Hotel San Carlo Ledro with the stunning beach views will offer you a relaxing stay.

Zeller Lake, Austria- contributed by myself

Surrounded by alpine peaks and the charming town of Zell am See, Zeller Lake feels like the perfect mix. The path around lake is so charming with the educational boards. Relaxing at the bench will let you admire the scenic summits while strolling around the lake through its 4 km.

It’s a lake that invites you to slow down and watch the mountain reflections.

Whether you visit in summer when locals swim and cycle along the shore or in winter, take all the advantages. Despite being so famous, Zeller Lake always has a timeless beauty that makes you want to stay a little longer.

Whether you’re hiking or taking a cable car, on the mountain Schmittenhöhe catch the fabulous views. After the 4h hike stop the day in one of the 15 restaurants on the top.

Amazing place to stay in Zell am See is the family hotel Amiamo.

Lake Aleghe, Italy- contributed by Ulysse from SlowSightSoul

Nestled in the mountains above Belluno in Italy, I decided to head to Lake Alleghe after a local, who gave me a ride, told me about it. How smart was I to make this decision? The scenic picture awaiting me left me speechless.

The crystal-clear water reflected Monte Civetta, with the small villages of Alleghe and Masaré surrounding the lake, creating a fairytale view. Walking around the lake was pure pleasure, and the memory I kept from this moment is one of the best from my slow travel journey in Italy.

The best thing to do once there is to enjoy this magical place. Then, after hours of sun-bathing mixed with a few dips into water, you can undertake the lake trails on foot, lasting for 2 hours (4–4.5 km) via the mixed paved and forest trail.

Another great activity is to rent a rowboat or kayak from the lakefront and drift around the lake.

How to reach & where to stay

To reach Lake Alleghe, you can either take the train to Belluno from Venice, then the bus toward Agordo, and local buses to Alleghe (via SS203). Another option is to go by car following this path: A27 → Belluno → SS203 into Agordino → Alleghe.

When it comes to where to stay, you can opt for Chalet al lago. Located directly on one of the lake’s shores, you can almost dive directly from the balcony. These apartments have all the needed comforts and ensure you will wake up with an unforgettable view over the Italian mountains.

Lake Varese, Italy- contributed by Chris Cavanaugh from Spritzience.com

If you’re visiting Milan, Italy, and looking for a calm, off-the-beaten-pathlake to see, try Lake Varese.  You can reach it easily with a 50-minute train ride from Milan to the Varese station. From Varese Station, catch a 25-minute bus to Schiranna- Via Dei Prati stop. 

A couple minute walk from the Schiranna bus stop, you’ll find Parco Luigi Zanzi. It’s a great spot to take a short hike, along the Ciclopedonale (paved bike path) for views of the lake and forest. After a hike, head to lunch at the chic lakeside restaurant Giulietta Al Lago, which also has a beautiful lakeside pool with chairs if you feel like a swim.  Just next to the restaurant, there’s a sandy beach (Lido della Schiranna) where you can go for a dip in the lake.  

If you’re a fan of Belle Epoque hotels and affordable luxury, take the bus back into Varese and head to the Palace Grand Hotel Varese.   Built in 1913, this hotel has vast gardens, with a columned wrap-around Belle Epoque outdoor restaurant and an outdoor pool bar.  It’s the perfect spot for a classic Italian cocktail and dinner under the stars. 

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia- contributed by Juan from Planet of Adventures

Located about 80Km from Slovenia’s beautiful capital of Ljubljana, and just a short drive away from the famous Lake Bled, I found hiking in Lake Bohinj to be one of my favourite day trips in Slovenia.

The walk around the lake is gorgeous and accessible for many people as it’s mostly flat, and it offers incredible views of the mountains as the lake is part of Triglav National Park.

You can reach the lake by bus or driving. The locals I met in Ljubljana recommended me to go to Lake Bohinj instead of Lake Bled as it’s a lot less crowded. But you could easily visit both on the same day for sure.

If you’re staying overnight, you will find lots of cute chalets for rent, and the Hotel Bohinj would be an incredible place to stay at it combines the best location right by the lake with  an architecture that beautifully integrates with the natural landscape.

Tegernsee, Germany- contributed by Lisa from Nova on the Road

One of the most incredible small lakes in Europe has to be Tegernsee. Hidden in the south of Germany, in the province of Bavaria, you will find this beautiful turquoise-blue lake. lake. It is quite easy to reach from Munich by train, making it the perfect day trip! 

With wonderful activities both on and off the water, you will be able to fill your day easily. Make sure to: 

• Take a lake cruise, to see the lakeside villages of Rottach-Egern, Bad Wiessee, and Gmund
• Hike to the Tegernseer Hütte
• Cycly around the lake (20 km loop)
• Visit Tegernsee Abbey & Bräustüberl
• Relax at the Monte Mare Tegernsee Spa
• Take the Cable Car Up Wallberg Mountain

When visiting Tegernsee (on my birthday in May), the weather was perfect for exploring. The water was still a tad too cold to swim in, but hopping in straight from the sauna was so refreshing! 

We had a delicious Bavarian lunch at Seehaus Café, where we sat by the water. And if your choose to stay the night (and wake up with a delicious breakfast by the lakeside!!), I highly recommend staying at the Caro & Selig Hotel. 

Lake Eibsee, Germany- contributed by Jordan from The Homebody Tourist 

Tucked at the base of the Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, this turquoise lake is a must on any Germany bucket list. Lake Eibsee is just 1.5 hours from Munich and can be reached by cogwheel train from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen station. 

After arriving, you can walk around the lake via the Eibsee Loop. It’s an easy 4.4-mile trail that will likely take you longer than expected due to the endless number of photo ops. 

Then, after your hike, you can explore via pedal boats that are available to rent by the half hour. Some even have waterslides if you are brave enough for a dip! 

After fully taking in the beauty of the lake, be sure to ride the gondola up the mountain to Zugspitze for some of the most epic views.

Crno Jezero, Montenegro- contributed by Sam Dawson from Relentless Roaming

Tucked up in the north of Montenegro in Durmitor National Park sits Crno Jezero (Black Lake in English). Black Lake actually is two small lakes connected by a short strait, and despite the name, the water is a beautiful blue! There is a short path around the lake that takes about an hour of walking. Wander beside the water’s edge, and through pine forest with rugged rocky mountains as the backdrop. From Crno Jezero, you can hike to other peaceful lakes around the area, which have trails marked on Maps.me – Barno, Zminje, and Jablan.

The closest town is Žabljak which is also your best bet for finding accommodation. This small town has several restaurants, and is only a 40-minute walk to the lake.

Šibalić Apartmani is a lovely cabin-style accommodation half-way between the lake and the town for a more remote feel.

Muratov Lake, Bulgaria- contributed by Eloise from Shortcuts and Sidequests

Muratovo Lake is often called the “heart” of Bulgaria’s Pirin Mountains. From above, it even looks vaguely heart-shaped. It also appears in countless photos of the range. With good reason. It is surrounded by high mountain peaks, that perfectly reflect in the mirrorlike surface of the glacial lake.

The lake lies in Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southwestern Bulgaria. The nearest town is Bansko, a well-known ski and mountain resort about 160 kilometers south of Sofia. Despite the dramatic scenery and its altitude of 8,645 feet (2,635 meters), Muratovo Lake is easy to reach. 

A one-hour stroll from Vihren Hut, a mountain lodge above Bansko, leads through a peaceful green valley to the lake. Walk another 20 to 30 minutes, and you can circle its shores. This is one of the most popular short hikes to do in the Pirin Mountains. Bansko has excellent hotels, including the Kempinski Hotel, which sits at the park’s edge and has a spa with mountain views.

Lagoa do Albufeira, Portugal- contributed by Jennifer from Family Trip Guides

I visited Lagoa de Albufeira in Portugal with my kids this summer and we loved it! The lagoon is calm, shallow, and perfect for swimming or paddle boarding with children. You can walk along the shore or even through some of the shallow water.

The best part of the lake is that the water is much warmer than the nearby Atlantic Ocean! There are cafés along the lake that serve fresh seafood and ice cream, making it the perfect family day by the water. You can also rent kayaks nearby.

Getting there from our family trip to Lisbon was easy. We drove south across the 25 de Abril Bridge and followed signs toward Sesimbra.  If you don’t have a car, buses from Lisbon to Alfarim run regularly, and from there it’s a short taxi ride to Lagoa de Albufeira.

A great hotel to stay nearby is Eco Lodge Sesimbra, just a short drive away, surrounded by nature.

Lagoa Furnas, Azores, Portugal- contributed by Ada from Beyond the Yellow Brick Road: A Travel Blog 

Lagoa Furnas sits on the east end of Sao Miguel, the largest island of Portugal’s Azores Islands. Located about a 50-minute drive from the Azores’ main city, Ponta Delgada, Lagoa Furnas is an Azorean must-see. The six-mile hike around the lake takes you past some of the most unique points of interest in the Azores.  

The Lagoa Furnas trail originates in the nearby town of Furnas. This well-established hike takes you through the area’s steep wooded hills for sweeping views of the Furnas Valley and the lake. When the trail dips down next to the lake shore, you’ll pass by 19^th century Gothic chapel and a small public garden. 

Most notably, the Lagoa Furnas trail goes right past the lake’s cooking grounds on the north shore. If you do the hike in the morning, you might catch folks burying pots of Cozido das Furnas, a stew that’s one of the most famous foods of the Azores, in the shore’s cooking holes. After several hours using the earth’s geothermal energy to cook, the pots are dug up and delivered to restaurants in town for lunch service. 

After your hike, check into Terra Nostra Hotel in the center of Furnas. Terra Nostra is best known for its beautiful gardens and thermal pools, perfect for a post-hike soak.

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