A beautiful lake, with its glassy, still surface and spectrum of colors, can showcase some of water’s most mesmerizing qualities. Some of these spectacular natural and at times man-made wonders might even make you forget about beaches altogether. If their crystalline or wildly coloured waters don’t do the trick, then the diversity of wildlife they often attract just might.
Buttermere Lake, England
Situated in the Lake District of northwest England, Buttermere Lake is about as pretty and charming as English lakes get. A footpath circles the perimeter of the lake (which can be circled in under two hours), and visitors can enjoy scenic walks to the summits of nearby Haystacks and Red Pike mountains.
Rakotzsee (Rakotz Lake), Germany
Nestled among the verdant foliage in Kromlauer Park Germany, is a delicately arched devil’s bridge known as the Rakotzbrücke, which was specifically built to create a circle when it is reflected in the waters beneath it. Just a two-hour drive southeast of Berlin, Rakotzsee (Rakotz Lake) is home to one of the most fairy tale like scenes you’ll ever see. The bridge is best visited during the fall when the foliage adds an element of wonder to the already surreal view.
Lake Como, Italy
If there’s one thing Lake Como offers, it’s absolutely breathtaking views. With its spectacular coast, picturesque villages and its glorious sunshine, it’s no surprise that Lake Como in Italy has been drawing in an A-list crowd for decades. Situated at the foothill of the Alps there’s everything from towering mountains to lusciously green scenery and colourful flowers, not to mention the lake itself boasts vividly blue waters.
Lake Baikal , Russia
Lake Baikal is one of the most jaw-dropping sights in the world. This is the world’s deepest lake—it even reaches a depth of one mile in some spots—and is also home to our planet’s only freshwater seals. Come winter, the lake transforms into a true wonderland, with jagged ice caves forming around the basin, and bubbles becoming frozen in time under the water’s surface.
Crater Lake, Oregon, USA
The water is so blue, so deep, it’s no surprise it’s the deepest lake in America, and one of the deepest on earth. Surrounded by cliffs almost 2,000 feet high and boasting a picturesque island a violent volcanic past, Crater Lake is also home to hikes in old-growth forest and cross-country ski trips in the winter months.
Lake Nakuru, Kenya
Located in Kenya’s Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is known for attracting a wide diversity of wildlife to its algae-packed waters, including lions, leopards, and swarms of feeding flamingos.
Hutt Lagoon Australia
This extremely salty body of water can transition from bubblegum pink to purple or red, depending on the season and time of day. If you drive along the salt flats between Port Gregory and Kalbarri just before sunset, you might even get to see the water change color right before your eyes.
Lago Pehoé, Chile
Practically every square inch of southern Chilean Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park is breathtaking, and that description includes Lago Pehoé. Surrounded by jagged mountains and lush vegetation (and probably a few llamas and alpacas, too), this turquoise jewel will take any visitor’s breath away.
Lake Pichola, Udaipur
Pichola lake is world famous for its picturesque beauty and scenic surrounding. this 1362 AD man-made freshwater lake is primarily known for one thing: Taj Lake Palace, a five-star hotel located on its own little island in the middle of the water. This beautiful lake has many moods and colours. It is best appreciated from a boat on the water so you can see the Palaces and unusual buildings all around the lake.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
There’s a reason Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular sites. With its emerald waters, vistas of the surrounding Julien Alps, and Disney-like castle high on a hill, you won’t be short of picture-perfect views if you venture here.
Lake Minnewanka, Canada
Lake Minnewanka is a large glacial lake five kilometres (three miles) from the town of Banff and is a hot spot in the summer months. During the winter, you might experience some seemingly magical phenomena, when the atmospheric conditions align Lake Minnewanka is one of the best places in Banff National Park to view the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
Melissani Lake, Greece
Melissani Lake is covered by the cave on the Kefalonia island. On the outside the cave is surrounded by the forest and on the inside a magnificent site opens: a rocky cave filled with crystal clear water. In Greek mythology the site is known as the Cave of the Nymphs. It has two big halls and an island in the middle. One of the halls opens on the surface and lets the light in, which makes the water so clear it seems that the boats are gliding through the air.
Lake Powell, Utah and Arizona, USA
The shore line of the lake is cut up by over a hundred of large and small canyons that join the main riverbed, some of which spread over many miles. In turn, they are joined by many small canyons, thus, a beautiful labyrinth is created: steep walls of reddish-orange color are rising from the water, crowned by towers and spires.
Lake Lucerne Switzerland
Encircled by popular excursion mountains, Lake Lucerne is the lake with the greatest scenic variety in the country. A steamer cruise across the convolute lake of Lucerne on a sun-filled summer’s day is without doubt a wonderful experience. But a trip on a late scheduled sailing through a mild summer’s evening or, shortly before Christmas, toward the sea of lights that is the town of Lucerne must at least be just as unforgettable.
Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
High up in the Bolivian mountains, about a three hours’ drive north of Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama, is where you’ll find the crimson-coloured Laguna Colorado, whose water gets its distinctive hue from red algae (although folklore attributes it to the spilled blood of the gods). Try to visit between December and April, when the shallow but beautiful lake is full of water and light pink flamingos are gathered for breeding season.
Lac de Sainte-Croix, France
The Lac de Sainte Croix is one of the most beautiful lake in France: amazing turquoise/lagoon color, very clear… With stunning views on the mountains around. There are all kinds of activity to do: hiking (very well marked), kayaking, boating, paddling, swimming or just enjoying the place laying down on a beach. There are a few towns around that are worth the stop too (Sainte-Croix du Verdon, Moustiers Sainte Marie).