Which are the best lakes to visit for your travel style?
At a glance: My ranking of the most scenic lakes in the world
Ranking the most beautiful lakes in the world: What matters to me?
Top 10 lakes I would plan a trip around
Excellent lakes if they fit your route
Worthwhile lakes, but not my main reason to travel there
Final thoughts: Which of these scenic lakes should you actually visit?
The most scenic lakes in the world are worth a trip for very different reasons. Laguna de los Tres makes you work for the view. Tenaya Lake gives you granite peaks and clear water with almost no effort. And Lake Kivu surprised me so much that I ended my Rwanda trip with three days of doing very little beside it. An unusual achievement for me.
My trips go back to 2014, with the latest lake visits in 2026. Oeschinensee comes from my girlfriend’s visit. I care about the setting and whether getting there rewards your time. A famous name alone doesn’t do much for me.
The most beautiful lakes in the world can still come with terrible parking, expensive boats, or a final climb that makes you reconsider your itinerary. I’ll tell you which experiences deserve the hassle.
Hallstatt from the classic viewpoint above Hallstätter See
1. Laguna de los Tres, Argentina
2. Königssee and Obersee, Germany
3. Lago di Braies, Italy
4. Tenaya Lake, USA
5. Lago Grey and Lago Pehoé, Chile
6. Lovatnet, Norway
7. Gosausee, Austria
8. Lago Llanquihue, Chile
9. Oeschinensee, Switzerland
10. Lake Bled, Slovenia
11. Lake Tahoe, USA
12. Lago Argentino, Argentina
13. Lago Todos los Santos, Chile
14. Llyn Idwal, Wales, UK
15. Štrbské pleso and Popradské pleso, Slovakia
16. Lake Chūzenji, Japan
17. Lake Como, Italy
18. Lake Ashi, Japan
19. Crater Lake, USA
20. Lake Garda, Italy
21. Lagunas de Montebello, México
22. Loch Shiel, Scotland, UK
23. Lake Kivu, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo
24. Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
25. Hallstätter See, Austria
This is ranked from my trips, not every lake on earth, with one clearly credited addition from my girlfriend’s visit. I weigh setting, payoff, experience, and friction, not just fame. Some famous lakes sit lower because they worked better within a wider destination, were crowded, or felt less distinctive than my top picks. Lower here can still mean excellent: Kivu was my biggest surprise, but that doesn’t automatically make it my strongest scenery recommendation.
When comparing the most beautiful lakes, I look at five things:
These shape my verdicts, not a mathematical league table. A brilliant view can coexist with mediocre service; I’ll say which part deserves your money.
Fitz Roy over a frozen Laguna de los Tres. After 22 km and 550 m of steep climbing, it still looks unreal
The lake beneath Fitz Roy earns first place, but the approach is a huge part of the reason. Coming from El Pilar, I walked through a broad valley with a river and enormous glacier-covered mountains around it. You could hear falling ice rumbling in the distance. It was among the best scenery I’ve ever seen.
I preferred this approach to the one from El Chaltén. There were far fewer people, the views started early, and the return felt more gradual. My route was roughly 22 km, so this is one of the best lakes for hiking if you want a substantial day rather than a short viewpoint stop.
The final climb is the catch. After an already long walk, we had around 550 m of steep ascent on rough ground. Going down was harder than going up. The trail also became congested, with people struggling on terrain they clearly hadn’t expected.
The top is magnificent. Continue beyond the first viewpoint toward Laguna Sucia, or down to the lake if you have the energy. Seeing it closer changed my sense of its scale.
But both of us thought Fitz Roy looked better from lower down. Some of my favorite views were around Piedras Blancas on the approach. I wouldn’t reduce this trip to a single summit photograph: the whole route helps make this one of the most beautiful lakes in the world for me.
My advice: Start from El Pilar if it fits your logistics and leave enough energy for the return. We were lucky with calm, sunny weather for much of the hike.
Clear water, the Fischunkelalm meadow, and no engine noise at Obersee. Not much left to explain
Königssee is my favorite lake in Germany. The water is remarkably clear, the mountains rise steeply around it, and even the wooden boat sheds belong in the picture. The electric boats make the journey unusually peaceful. You hear the place instead of an engine.
I recommend taking the boat all the way to Salet so you can walk to Obersee. On my visit, reaching the far end of Königssee took about 55 minutes. Beautiful, yes, although the return journey started to feel long after an already full day.
Obersee is the part I would absolutely include. It took me about 10 minutes to reach it from the landing. Clear blue water, dramatic mountains, and another excellent view across the lake: this pair belongs near the top of my best lakes in the world ranking.
Allow time to walk along Obersee toward Fischunkelalm. I spent about two hours at this stop with photographs and the walk back to the boat. The food and drinks at the hut were good, but it was extremely crowded.
You can continue toward Röthbach Waterfall, although in 2026 it was almost dry. Don’t assume the waterfall will be the highlight.
Cost from my trip: My 2026 boat ticket to Salet and back was EUR 29.50 per person. Check the boat operator’s tickets and prices when planning. The Salet connection is seasonal.
Staying in Munich without a car? This Königssee tour from Munich handles the drive and the boat ride, so all you have to do is enjoy the quiet.
The boathouse at Lago di Braies outside winter. I walked across this water in February; now picture it from a rowboat
Braies was one of my best winter experiences anywhere. I combined it with skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the lake was almost empty when I visited. That alone felt like a bonus at such a famous place.
The lake was frozen, so my experience was completely different from the usual walk around the shore. I crossed the ice instead. It was an extraordinary setting to walk through, with the mountains right around me.
That describes my February 2024 visit, not a recommendation to step onto a frozen lake. Access to the ice depends on conditions and local restrictions.
Braies would be a winter priority on my travel list. I haven’t tested the summer experience.
Tenaya Lake. Four Yosemite trips before I gave it proper attention, which says more about me than about the lake
Tenaya is absolutely world-class: clear water and granite peaks, with very little effort required to enjoy them. I used to focus so much on Yosemite’s bigger hikes that I didn’t give this stop the attention it deserved. That was a mistake.
I enjoyed the walk around the lake, although I wouldn’t insist that everyone complete a full circuit. Some sections are in the forest. The southwest shore gave me the best views, while the eastern shore was noticeably quieter.
Among the most beautiful lakes in the world, Tenaya is unusually easy to fit into a road trip. Walk the shore and eat something. You don’t need to turn it into an endurance event.
Parking tip: Coming from Yosemite Valley, don’t automatically join the traffic at the first parking area you see. There are other parking areas along the lake. My scenery verdict here was 10/10.
Paddling past icebergs on Lago Grey. Patagonia weather included at no extra charge
These two lakes give you different reasons to spend time in Torres del Paine. Pehoé is the easier scenic choice; Grey is the bigger activity commitment.
Around Pehoé, I particularly liked the Condor Lookout. It’s a short hike that gets you above the lake and into the mountain views. You can then continue your day toward other viewpoints in the park rather than devoting everything to one excursion.
At Grey, kayaking toward the glacier was unforgettable. The excursion in my itinerary involved around 2.5 hours of kayaking activity, plus the boat journey and the drive. With transfers, I treated it as a full-day trip.
Which would I choose? Pehoé for a shorter day of lake scenery and viewpoints. Grey for kayaking near the glacier.
Further reading: My three-week Chile itinerary.
Lovatnet with a glacier parked at the end of the valley
The landscape in this part of Norway was almost absurd: rock walls, glaciers, and waterfalls everywhere. It felt like the land of ice giants. I could practically see Thor wandering around somewhere.
That setting keeps Lovatnet high on my list of the most scenic lakes: enormous valleys, ice wedged between mountains, and waterfalls along the roads and trails.
I explored around Jostedalsbreen on this trip, including the walk toward Briksdal Glacier. That gave me a relatively easy way to get close to the glacier scenery. It was busy, though, and the spray from the waterfalls was enough to justify a jacket.
Planning note: My glacier walks were separate outings, not a route around Lovatnet.
Gosausee
I’d visited Dachstein several times before finally making it to Gosausee. Seeing the mountain from the water, I wondered why I’d taken so long. Dachstein looks massive from here, and the lake was remarkably clear.
The walk around the lake took about an hour and was very easy. For families wanting mountain scenery without a demanding trail, this is one of the best lakes to visit in Austria. If you have another 3–4 hours, consider continuing toward Hinterer Gosausee; I’d allow that as a separate extension.
After walking, I rented an electric boat. In 2026, it cost EUR 23 per hour, which felt like good value at such a touristy place. It was slow, but that suited the afternoon. My responsibilities as captain mostly involved sailing straight.
The downside is parking. This was one of the most crowded places I’d visited in Austria, and finding a space was a pain. I preferred the afternoon light for the mountain views, so timing involves a trade-off.
Osorno from the Puerto Varas waterfront. Chile’s Mount Fuji, minus the queue for the photo
Llanquihue belongs to the part of Chile where lakes and volcanoes keep interrupting your plans. I stayed in Puerto Varas for three nights and left thinking I needed longer in the region.
Osorno is the big visual draw. Its conical shape and glacier-covered top reminded me of Mount Fuji, and it gives the lake setting a completely different character from the alpine lakes in Europe.
I’d base this part of the trip in Puerto Varas, with time for the national park and waterfalls. See my Chile itinerary for the route.
Oeschinensee
This entry comes from my girlfriend’s firsthand visit; I haven’t been. I include it because it fits this ranking, but the direct experience is hers. The route details below are researched planning information. Oeschinensee sits above Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland, with the Blümlisalp massif forming part of its mountain backdrop. This is the Swiss addition to my list of the most scenic lakes.
The cable car saves the climb from the valley. From the upper station, the direct walk to the lake takes roughly 20–25 minutes on a broad route suitable for strollers. For bigger views from above, the Heuberg route is a mountain hike for experienced, sure-footed walkers.
Choose the route before you go. The easy approach and the exposed mountain trails are different propositions. A beautiful photograph is a poor fitness assessment. Check the official hiking information for trail conditions.
The view from Belvedere above Lake Bled—I really recommend this one
Bled lives up to the hype. The church on the island, the castle above the shore, blue water, and mountain backdrop come together unusually well. I see it as one of the prettiest lakes in the world, even though visiting it can become an expensive exercise.
My priority would be Ojstrica and the western shore. The climb to Ojstrica was short, and the view was excellent, but the viewpoint was crowded. Be careful around the exposed ground at the top. On my visit, helicopters were called after two people fell into the woods.
The wooden lakeside walkway on the western side was another favorite. From there, you get the island and castle together, and the swimming areas were appealing. The water felt surprisingly warm when I visited.
I also enjoyed being rowed to the island on a pletna. We skipped the church interior, which cost EUR 12 per person in 2026; the island and its views were enough for us. The boat trip itself cost EUR 20 per person.
For food with a view, I liked the cream cake at Belvedere. The terrace overlooking the island was excellent. The service? Much less impressive. I rated the overall experience 10/10 and the restaurant 6/10, which tells you where the value was.
My advice: Stay into the evening, after the day-trippers leave, and choose your paid attractions rather than buying every ticket. Bled’s beauty doesn’t require doing everything around it.
Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe from above
The mountains, surroundings, and clear water were wonderful. My strongest memories also include hot springs, a bear with cubs near garbage bins, and fish moving through the water. The bears clearly hadn’t come for the lake views.
I also remember a walk toward a castle, although I won’t pretend I remember the route precisely. A concrete option for planning is Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay, a Scandinavian-style house reached by a steep trail from Highway 89. California State Parks gives the descent as one mile, dropping about 500 feet. Remember those feet have to be climbed again afterward.
If those 500 feet back up don’t sound like a holiday, an Emerald Bay sightseeing cruise gets you into the bay from the water instead.
Tahoe is my #11 for a broader mountain-and-lake break: wonderful water and surroundings, but no single experience that displaced the top ten for me. Go for a stay with shore walks and time outdoors; Emerald Bay is the stop I’d build into it. Check the state park’s visitor information for access; those route details are separate from my older memories.
Lago Argentino, where even the leftovers of a glacier are bigger than most houses
Include Lago Argentino for Perito Moreno, rather than an ordinary lakeside day. Its blue ice, enormous wall, and cracked surface were fascinating. Then a piece broke off, and the noise made everyone pay attention.
The boats below it looked tiny, which helped me grasp the scale. The walkways were extremely well built, and we walked toward the glacier rather than taking the shuttle from the car parking area.
I preferred the walkway views to the idea of an ordinary sightseeing boat. I wouldn’t pay for the boat simply on the assumption that it must offer the better angle. Kayaking or a glacier trek is a different proposition and would need extra planning.
Once we’d seen ice fall, we started waiting for the next piece. You become an ice-collapse hunter surprisingly quickly. Bring warm layers: the cold coming off the glacier was serious.
Lago Todos los Santos across Osorno’s volcanic sand. Great landscape, zero shade, and the horseflies know it
Todos los Santos gives you emerald water below Osorno and a good reason to spend a whole day in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. On my trip, I combined this area with Petrohué Waterfalls and hiking.
The volcanic landscape was excellent. The horseflies were not. They were a real nuisance during my visit, and that’s the detail I’d want somebody to tell me before sending me off on a lovely lakeside hike.
Best as a park day from Puerto Varas: combine the lake, waterfalls, and hiking rather than choosing it instead of Llanquihue as a base. The full logistics belong in my Chile Lake District guide.
Cwm Idwal above Llyn Idwal. Rain jacket on, smile on, which is the correct setup for hiking in Wales
This was how I’d imagined hiking in Wales: rain, cold, and magnificent mountains. The dark cliffs and long waterfalls reminded me of Norwegian fjords. Even with bad weather, these were some of the most open and impressive views of our four days in Snowdonia.
The lake sits below Glyder Fawr, and the circular walk kept giving us reasons to stop. We took almost an hour and a half because we were looking around and taking photographs so often.
Go for an easy walk with a dramatic mountain payoff: this is one of the best lakes for an easy walk on my Snowdonia route. I’d walk clockwise; I thought the views worked slightly better that way.
Parking tip: We started from the parking area by Llyn Ogwen. It cost GBP 5 for at least four hours on my 2026 visit, and it filled quickly even in poor weather.
Popradské pleso from the opposite shore—the quieter side of the lake
Choose this pair for a family day in the Tatras: Štrbské pleso offers excellent views with little effort, while Popradské pleso gives the outing more of a mountain feel. Štrbské also works as a starting point for demanding hikes.
But it can also feel like a small amusement park: hotels, shops, restaurants, and too many people looking for parking. I paid EUR 12 to park on my 2025 visit. Arrive early if you’re driving.
Popradské pleso was the quieter-feeling mountain experience I particularly loved. We used the paved access route with a stroller. Our outing was roughly 9 km there and back, with around 320 m of ascent, and took about 1.5 hours each way.
At the lake, the best views were by the mountain huts and on the opposite shore. The circuit around the water itself wasn’t suitable for the stroller, so don’t assume that paved access means a paved lakeside loop.
For mountain lakes you can visit with a young child, this pair worked extremely well for us. We also brought a small polar bear: my son in his bear outfit. The Tatras’ wildlife population was briefly enhanced.
I particularly liked Koliba Štrbské Pleso for dinner: excellent service and some of the best bryndzové halušky I’ve eaten.
Lake Chūzenji and Mount Nantai from Hangetsuyama
When I think about Nikko, the natural sights come to mind before the historic ones. And the historic sights are excellent, so that’s a fairly strong endorsement.
My priority at Chūzenji would be the Hangetsuyama viewpoint. We drove most of the way up and then walked for about 30 minutes to the observation deck. The lake and Mount Nantai looked wonderful together. Clear weather matters: there isn’t much point climbing to a view you can’t see.
Best as a nature day within a Nikko trip: viewpoints, villas, and Kegon Falls. The former British and Italian embassy villas offered a calmer lakeside stop; I liked the British villa’s terrace views. Combine them with Kegon Falls.
Further reading: My two-day Nikko itinerary.
Villa La Gaeta on Lake Como, the Casino Royale villa, seen from our rented boat
We spent four days around Como, and a sunny day on a rented boat was a highlight. The villas and their gardens make much more sense when you see how they sit against the rocky shoreline.
I wouldn’t build a visit around collecting every little town. Quite a few offered little beyond a good meal, which is useful, but hardly a reason to spend the whole trip moving between them.
Choose Como for boats, villas, and gardens rather than a hiking-led lake trip. My priorities: a boat and Villa del Balbianello. I arrived at the villa with low expectations and enjoyed it far more than expected.
Further reading: My Lake Como and Lombardy guide.
Lake Ashi—Hakone’s most theatrical commute
Ashi works best within a Hakone trip, with time for scenery and touristy fun. Our swan pedal boat was slow but fun. The pirate ships offer another lake perspective; I wouldn’t call them essential.
The famous torii gate by the shore was less rewarding for me. It looked good, but the queue for photographs made the experience disappointing. I preferred exploring farther into the shrine complex, away from the busiest bit.
I also enjoyed Onshi-Hakone Park’s gardens and viewpoints. If Fuji is the goal, visibility decides the payoff: clouds can hide it, and it isn’t visible throughout the boat crossing.
Further reading: My two-day Hakone itinerary.
Wizard Island on Crater Lake, sitting in 592 meters of very blue water
I remember two things particularly clearly: the lake was beautiful, and there was still a huge amount of snow. Early June clearly hadn’t convinced Oregon that summer had arrived.
At about 592 m (1,943 feet), it’s the deepest US lake, in the basin left by Mount Mazama’s collapse roughly 7,700 years ago. Include it for the blue water and crater panorama on an Oregon route; my visit was about the view, not activities.
Access in 2026–2028: NPS lists Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only legal shore access, as closed for rehabilitation. Plan for views from above and check the official park update.
Lake Garda’s clear water from the promenade. Sirmione gets the castle, but the whole shore looks like this
My experience centered on Sirmione: a castle rising from the water, with lake views behind it.
Scaligero Castle was better outside than inside, though the tower panorama was worthwhile. I also enjoyed the Roman ruins at Grotte di Catullo with the lake around them.
I’d choose Garda if you want a lake visit with history and a walkable town built into the day. My Sirmione guide covers the individual stops.
Lagunas de Montebello from above and from the raft
This is a group of lakes rather than one lake, and the clear water was the attraction. The setting felt different from the jungle-heavy parts of Chiapas, with pine forest and more open views.
Include Montebello on a Chiapas route for the wooden raft: paddling it was extremely fun, and that’s what I’d prioritize over collecting viewpoints.
Signage could be confusing, so a local guide can help. Make sure you can understand their English before agreeing, and take cash for local fees. I’d also pack insect repellent.
Further reading: My Chiapas guide.
The Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel
Loch Shiel earns its stop alongside Glenfinnan’s monument and viaduct. Karin grew up with Harry Potter, so the train was essential for her. I was happy with the landscape too.
The circular walk gave us excellent views, and the paths were well maintained, with wooden sections over wet ground. Later stretches felt like something from The Lord of the Rings. Apparently one franchise wasn’t enough.
Give the monument’s lake views time too. Check current steam-train dates and times if that determines your stop.
Lake Kivu from the resort terrace, my view for three days of doing almost nothing. I’m told that’s called a holiday
I expected very little from Kivu and almost didn’t include it. Then it turned out to be one of the most picturesque places I’d visited. Islands, mountain views, excellent sunsets, good food, and a resort where I was happy to spend three days doing almost nothing.
It felt like the Caribbean with fresh water. That describes the scenery and atmosphere, not swimming conditions.
Traveling the Rwandan shore south to north, I saw more rural daily life in the south. Kibuye in the middle had my favorite scenery: islands and mountainous shores.
At Umurobyi Lodge, I enjoyed kayaking, jet skiing, good food, and the views: exactly the break I wanted after an active Rwanda itinerary. Mine included gorilla trekking in Rwanda, so lying still felt earned.
If you’d like the same lazy routine without organizing it yourself, this 2-day lakeside escape in Kibuye covers the kayak, the jet ski and the islands.
Gisenyi, farther north, had more hotels and nightlife and was closer to Volcanoes National Park.
Why #23? The overall scenery didn’t displace my top picks, but the experience exceeded my expectations by miles. Kivu is my biggest surprise and one of my best rest stops, not my reason to plan an entire Rwanda trip.
Lake Bohinj, below us at Vogar and right in front of the boats at Ribčev Laz
Bohinj was extremely clean, with a dramatic setting, but my expectations were probably too high. Everyone had hyped it up beforehand. I liked it a lot; I simply didn’t think it outperformed the most beautiful lakes elsewhere in the Alps.
Vogar was my favorite viewpoint: 10/10. In 2026, we paid EUR 20 for the mountain road, then walked about 20 minutes from parking. The drive was excellent; the viewpoint was crowded.
Vogel’s best lake views were from the cable car and just after getting off, with fewer farther onto the plateau. I wouldn’t pay in poor visibility.
Make this a viewpoint-and-kayaking day. I also enjoyed the boat trip at Ribčev Laz, but wouldn’t do both water activities in one day. Rental closed earlier than expected; check before leaving it until late afternoon.
Rain, low clouds, and mixed forest gave it another mood. Parking near Ribčev Laz was the predictable nuisance.
The one and only Hallstatt
My favorite way to enjoy the village and mountain backdrop was a rented electric boat: another perspective on Hallstatt, away from the crowded streets.
The boats were quiet and easy to handle. I liked having the freedom to move around rather than following a sightseeing group’s timetable.
Beautiful as part of a Hallstatt/Dachstein day; not a standalone lake trip I’d travel far for. The village, mountains, and time on the water make the combination worthwhile. My one-day Hallstatt itinerary explains how I’d organize the visit.
If you only pick one lake from this list, Obersee is the safe bet. Nobody has ever come back disappointed
Laguna de los Tres stays first for me because the lake and its approach add up to an extraordinary mountain day. Königssee and Obersee offer a more relaxed way to spend time among similarly dramatic scenery, with the boat ride doing much of the work.
For a short stop, I’d prioritize Tenaya. For winter, my Braies visit was outstanding. And if I were finishing another active Rwanda trip, I’d happily make room for Kivu again.
The most scenic lakes in the world reward different trips. Choose the hike, boat ride, family walk, or lakeside break you actually want, rather than collecting famous names.
If lakes are only half of your Europe list, here are my favorite things to do in Europe.
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Which are the best lakes to visit for your travel style?
At a glance: My ranking of the most scenic lakes in the world
Ranking the most beautiful lakes in the world: What matters to me?
Top 10 lakes I would plan a trip around
Excellent lakes if they fit your route
Worthwhile lakes, but not my main reason to travel there
Final thoughts: Which of these scenic lakes should you actually visit?
Hi, I’m Jan. I travel fast and intensely, whether I’m exploring the buzz of Tokyo in 3 days or road-tripping through mountains and beaches on a 3-week Thailand adventure. And no matter where I am, you’ll always find me in a comfortable hotel at night and eating the best food.
If that sounds like your kind of journey, hop on board, and let’s explore the world together!
I started this blog after realizing how tough it can be to find reliable, authentic travel info. You wouldn’t believe how many “travel bloggers” never even visit the places they write about! On Next Level of Travel, you can count on my full honesty and insights drawn from my firsthand experiences.
Here’s the deal: not every destination is all superlatives and unicorns. I’ll let you know if a tourist attraction isn’t worth your time, like skipping overrated stops in my 2-week Spain itinerary. And when I find something truly special—like the perfect mix of culture and nature in Cape Town—you can trust that it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
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