10 Most Beautiful Lakes in Switzerland Worth Checking Out

Switzerland is a breathtakingly beautiful country with a landscape dotted with majestic mountains and a variety of simply breathtaking lakes. Every traveler should try to visit the most stunning lakes we have selected.

Table of Contents

The Most Beautiful Lakes in Switzerland — Thunersee | © descubriendoelmundo/Flick

Zurich Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

The fact that Switzerland has relatively short distances is one benefit of taking the train there! Take the train from Biel to Zurich to visit the city’s namesake lake after you’ve finished exploring the Three Lakes region; the trip takes about one and a half hours.

If you want to swim in Zurich, you don’t even need to leave the city. Similar to Geneva, bathhouses are well-liked by locals and tourists alike and are open every day of the week during the summer. One of the five largest lakes in Switzerland, Lake Zurich, is home to four islands that are accessible only by boat.

Oeschinensee Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

This tranquil, remote alpine lake is located in the Oeschinen valley not far from Kandersteg and is well worth the journey. One can easily spend many hours soaking up the beauty of the lake and its surroundings thanks to the numerous trails that wind through the mountains that surround it. About half the year, it is completely frozen over. Due to the abundance of trout in the area, ice fishing is a particularly well-liked activity during this time.

Seebergsee Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

In contrast to the size of other lakes in the nation, Seebergsee in the canton of Berne appears to be almost a pond, but it is no less lovely. There are many hiking and biking trails that surround this tranquil oasis. Beautiful panoramic views of this magnificent landscape are provided by these gentle paths that wind through the lush Alps’ foothills.

Lake Geneva – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

We were unable to mention Lake Geneva, which is the biggest lake in Western Europe. This magnificent lake, which shares a shore with both France and Switzerland, offers breathtaking Alps views and a wide range of activities. Les Bains des Pâquis, a man-made peninsula and beach that juts out into the lake, is the place to go if you want a drip. It’s simply breathtaking to see the harbor on one side and Lake Geneva on the other.

How to get there: Lake Geneva is conveniently located close to Geneva Cornavin station, making it simple to take the train there from many major Swiss cities. With the high-speed TGV Lyria train, international passengers can travel from Paris to Geneva in just over 3 hours and arrive right in the middle of the city.

Maggiore Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

In order to cap off your tour of the Swiss lakes in style, travel to the canton of Ticino in Locarno. Enjoy the good life while exploring the beaches and swimming areas that line the Lake Maggiore shore. If you’re planning a trip in August, make sure to reserve your lodging far in advance because the Locarno Film Festival brings the city to life and causes hotel rooms to go fast.

How to get there: The last leg of your journey will require you to take the train from Lucerne to Locarno, which takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes on the quickest SBB services.

Lucerne Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

Beautiful Lake Lucerne, the fourth-largest lake in Switzerland, stretches from the city of the same name up to the breathtaking Swiss Alps. It was created 12,000 years ago during the River Reuss glacier’s retreat, and the intriguing Jardin des Glaciers de Lucerne still contains remnants of this event. To fully experience this breathtaking lake, take advantage of the boat rentals and boat tours available here.

How to get there: The train ride from Romanshorn to Lucerne takes about two hours.

Constance Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

Beautiful Lake Constance, the third largest lake in central Europe, is situated on the Rhine and is a part of both Switzerland and Germany as well as Austria. It has a number of lovely islands, including the charming Lindau in Bavaria. It is also intriguing from a political standpoint because there is still disagreement over the actual location of the borders between the three nations it connects, and there are ongoing arguments over which nation has the right to fish in specific lake areas.

Romanshorn, also referred to as “the city on the water,” is located at the terminus of the rail line. Train travel from Zurich to Romanshorn should take an hour. Take a boat that docks in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and travels across the lake in about 40 meters from there—a it’s very romantic way to cross the international border!

Lugano Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

The glacial Lake Lugano, which shares a border with Italy, bears the name of the charming city of Lugano in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Visitors can take boat tours that offer gorgeous journeys around the lake, stopping at places like the wonderful historic village of Gandria. It is noteworthy for its wide variety of fish, which includes crayfish, carp, and catfish, as well as the fact that it is the location of Triassic-era fossils.

Thunersee Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

The magnificent mountains that surround Thunersee, an Alpine lake located in the Bernese Oberland, and the charming villages that line its banks add to its allure. The majestic castle and storied medieval Old Town in the town of Thun, from which the lake gets its name, are worth seeing. The 12 stunning churches that line the coastline, all from the Middle Ages, are also noteworthy.

Zug Lake – Beautiful Switzerland Lakes

Lake Zug spans the cantons of Schwyz, Lucerne, and Zug (home of the famous Swiss knife). Even though it is much smaller than Lake Lucerne, it is still charming. Additionally, Zug itself is a must-see location! To get to the beach beyond the port, stroll along the quays.

Getting there: The train ride from Lucerne to Zug is quick. You can begin taking in views of the lovely Lake Zug in just 24 minutes.

Topic: The 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in Switzerland Worth Checking Out

Join the “I Left My Heart in Switzerland” in Our Community on Facebook. A place where members can be honest with each other, share their stories and travel photos, and try out a new way to see Switzerland together.