National GeographicJun 21, 2026
Europe's secret lakes—6 destinations without the crowds
The appeal of a lakeside holiday is timeless: morning mist rising from the water, long swims, slow boat rides and mountain silhouettes mirrored on glassy surfaces. Yet many of Europe’s lakes don’t ...
21 things in this story
- Lake SaimaaSightMosaic of basins, bays, channels, and islands.
- Saimaa ringed sealPlaceCharismatic yet endangered wildlife; best seen on safari.
- Elsewhere
- VogarViewpointBohinj, SloveniaPeak offers spectacular viewpoint for paragliders.
- Lake OhridSightOhrid, North MacedoniaAstonishingly clear lake with settlements dating back thousands of years.
- Church of St. John at KaneoSightOhrid, North Macedonia13th-century church perched dramatically above the waterline.
- Lake BohinjSightBohinj, SloveniaPlacid, crystalline waters fed from encircling mountains.
- Savici WaterfallSightBohinj, SloveniaExuberant torrent on the way to Komna Plateau.
- Komna PlateauSightBohinj, SloveniaMountain hut offers sunrise views mirrored in the lake.
- Ennerdale WaterSightEnnerdale Bridge, United KingdomQuiet, isolated glacial lake surrounded by peaks.
- YHA Black SailHotelEnnerdale Bridge, United KingdomHostel set in glorious isolation at the valley's prow.
- Coast-to-CoastTrailEnnerdale Bridge, United KingdomUK's newest national trail threads through the valley.
- Ohrid cityNeighborhoodOhrid, North MacedoniaMaze of cobbled lanes, Ottoman houses, and church-topped viewpoints.
- monastery of St NaumSightOhrid, North MacedoniaPeacocks wander grounds; pilgrims queue to visit saint's tomb.
- Bay of Bones MuseumMuseumOhrid, North MacedoniaReconstructed prehistoric stilt village over turquoise shallows.
- Lake ThunSightThun, SwitzerlandCalm, deep-blue finger of water fed by meltwater.
- Eiger, Mönch and JungfrauSightThun, SwitzerlandImposing, snow-capped trident of iconic peaks.
- NiesenSightThun, SwitzerlandReached by funicular, summit offers lake views.
- Spiez CastleSightThun, Switzerland12th-century castle set on a vineyard-draped peninsula.
- Vassivière LakeSightPeyrat-le-Château, FranceMan-made lake with densely wooded shores and islands.
- Vassivière IslandSightPeyrat-le-Château, FranceIsland in the lake home to art center, chateau, and lighthouse.
- International Center of Art and LandscapeMuseumPeyrat-le-Château, France