National GeographicJun 21
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 ...
Mountain hut offers sunrise views mirrored in the lake.
21 things in this story
- VogarViewpointPeak offers spectacular viewpoint for paragliders.
- Lake BohinjSightPlacid, crystalline waters fed from encircling mountains.
- Savici WaterfallSightExuberant torrent on the way to Komna Plateau.
- Komna PlateauSightMountain hut offers sunrise views mirrored in the lake.
- Elsewhere
- Lake OhridHostelOhrid, 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.
- 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.
- Lake SaimaaSightLappeenranta, FinlandMosaic of basins, bays, channels, and islands.
- Saimaa ringed sealPlaceLappeenranta, FinlandCharismatic yet endangered wildlife; best seen on safari.
- 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