By Joshua Chiedu
Besides their incredible scenery, the world's most beautiful lakes also offer opportunities for exciting adventures and activities.
Lake Bled, Bled, Slovenia, one of the prettiest lakes in the world
The earth is filled with millions of lakes, from extremely large ones to tiny ones that do not even go ankle-deep. Some of these lakes, such as those on this list, are so stunning that they have become attractions that people come from all over the planet to check out. Besides their incredible scenery, these lakes also offer opportunities for adventures like hiking, kayaking, and swimming, among others. Here are the most beautiful lakes around the world to visit.
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10 Lake Como, Italy
Varenna, small town on lake Como, Italy
Lake Como may come third in its country in terms of size, but when it comes to scenery, this waterbody is the most beautiful lake in Italy. Located in the region of Lombardy, this lake is characterized by crystal clear turquoise waters and is surrounded by beautiful towns and villages as well as towering mountains covered with greenery.
While the scenery alone makes it such a delight to visit, the lake also has plenty of attractions and tourist facilities, as well as lots of opportunities for adventures like cruising and hiking.
9 Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Lake Lucerne surrounded by tree-covered mountains under a blue sky
Located in central Switzerland, Lake Lucerne is among the most beautiful lakes in the world and appeals with its emerald waters and the pointed peaks that surround it. Although not a fjord, the lake’s scenery has many similarities with the Milford Sound in New Zealand, but unlike the fjord, this lake also has a beautiful town filled with several facilities like hotels, restaurants, and shops.
All these endowments have made the lake incredibly popular not just in the country but around the world. At the lake, visitors can enjoy activities like cruising, fishing, and swimming, and the scenery is what makes every one of these activities unforgettable.
8 Lake Geneva, France And Switzerland
A small town beside Lake Geneva
Covering a part of Switzerland and France, Lake Geneva is one of the most picturesque water bodies in the world and also one of the largest lakes in Europe. The lake is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and beautiful trees, as well as charming towns and villages filled with castles and other stunning structures.
One of the best things to do at Lake Geneva is cruising, but there are also opportunities for hiking, cycling, and fishing around the lake. All in all, when it comes to the most beautiful lakes in Europe, this one takes home a coveted top spot.
7 Garibaldi Lake, British Columbia
Garibaldi lake surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky
Garibaldi Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada that’s worth mentioning. This lake is located in Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia, and it is characterized by turquoise waters surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains and trees.
While its natural scenery is appealing enough, this lake is also a haven for several adventures like hiking, camping, and fishing. Swimming is also allowed at Garibaldi Lake, although the waters are usually very cold, and there are no lifeguards around.
6 Dead Sea, Jordan And Israel
An aerial view of the Dead Sea under a blue sky
While its name suggests it is a sea, this water body located in Israel and Jordan is actually a saline lake with a depth of 304 m. The lake is characterized by emerald waters and surrounding red rocks that make it look otherworldly. Besides its unique scenery, the Dead Sea also comes with so many unique attributes worth mentioning. At an elevation of 430.5 m below sea level, the Dead Sea''s surface is the lowest point on Earth. Its depth of 304 m also makes it the deepest hypersaline lake in the world.
In addition to the scenery, low elevation, and depth, one other thing that makes the Dead Sea so unique is its salinity levels, which are almost ten times as much as the salinity of the ocean. The lake also has a high density that makes it impossible for anything to sink. While there may not be opportunities for water sports on this lake, the lake’s unique attributes and its otherworldly vistas are enough to make a vacation memorable.
Related: Places Where It Is Impossible To Sink (The Dead Sea Isn't The Only One)
5 Lake Tahoe, California
Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Lake Tahoe is without doubt the most popular lake destination in America, and this fame can be attributed to the lake’s natural scenery and the exciting adventures it offers. Located on the California-Nevada border, this lake has many titles, from the largest alpine lake in North America to the second deepest lake in America. Although, all those titles matter little compared to the lake’s sheer beauty.
Lake Tahoe comes with crystal-clear turquoise waters and is surrounded by trees and mountains that are filled with hiking trails, plenty of cabins, and ski resorts. The lake is a haven for scenery and adventures all year round, from kayaking and hiking during summer to skiing and snowboarding during winter when the entire area gets covered in snow.
Hikers here will definitely enjoy exploring the numerous Lake Tahoe hikes with scenic views!
Related:
4 Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Flowers in front of Lake Tekapo in New Zealand with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains
Lake Tekapo is one of the natural wonders in New Zealand that makes the country so popular all over the world. This is one of the most stunning lakes in the world and is located on the country’s South Island. It comes with blue waters and surrounding mountains that make the views mesmerizing all year round.
During spring, the shores of the lake even become decorated with blossoming lupins, which makes it even more appealing for nature photography.
3 Lake Hillier, Australia
This unique lake is quite different from other lakes on the list. Lake Hillier, off the coast of southern Australia, is a saline lake with a bubble gum-like pink color that just makes it so appealing to the eyes and the tongue. It is, however, not advisable to taste or even swim in this water as it is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world.
As if the pink scenery is not enough, this lake is even located beside the deep blue waters of the Southern Ocean which just blends perfectly to the lake’s pink color. Since blue is more associated with masculinity and pink with femininity, the scenery here just somehow feels like masculine and feminine energy trying to mix but cannot due to the small island in between. Now that’s something interesting to think of.
2 Lake Saimaa, Finland
Lake Saimaa in Finland under a cloudy sky
Finland is blessed with a lot of natural attractions, and one of the most beautiful is Lake Saimaa. This lake is the largest in the country, and its 14,500 km long coastline is also the longest lake coastline in the world. Everything about Lake Saimaa is gorgeous, from the beautiful surrounding forests filled with thousands of cottages and hiking trails to its crystal-clear waters, which offer great opportunities for swimming and boating.
Summer is one of the best times to visit this lake destination in Finland, but it is stunning year-round, and there is always something to enjoy here.
Related:
1 Lake Bled, Slovenia
The scenery of Lake Bled has made it one of the most photographed places in the world. Located in the Julian Alps mountain range, this lake is one of the best lakes in the world in terms of beauty; it comes with crystal clear waters surrounded by lush trees, and it also has a breathtaking medieval castle that makes it feel like a fairytale location.
Besides the fantasy-like scenery, this lake also has a small town, several hiking trails, and lots of activities that will make tourists entertained at all times.
Discover how to explore Lake Bled the non-touristy way for a unique experience that's a little more off the beaten path.
FAQs
10 Most Beautiful Lakes In The World You Need To See At Least Once In Your Life? ›
Years ago, National Geographic chose Higgins Lake as the sixth most beautiful lake in the world. Today, the swimming is extraordinary with crystal clear water and beautiful sandy beaches. With over 10,000 acres, Higgins Lake affords great boating, fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
What is the 6th most beautiful lake in the world? ›Years ago, National Geographic chose Higgins Lake as the sixth most beautiful lake in the world. Today, the swimming is extraordinary with crystal clear water and beautiful sandy beaches. With over 10,000 acres, Higgins Lake affords great boating, fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
What is the second most beautiful lake in the world? ›Crater Lake (U.S)
Next on our list of the most beautiful lakes in the world is Crater Lake in the United States. You can find this stunning lake in Oregon. This volcanic crater lake has a surface area of 20.6 square miles.
Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world.
What is the clearest deep lake in the world? ›Lake Baikal, Russia
It is the deepest lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake by water volume. It even has its freshwater seal species that is endemic to the area. But apart from its incredible depth, Lake Baikal is also known to have one of the clearest and cleanest waters globally.
Located in the top half of New Zealand's South Island, Blue Lake is said to be the clearest lake in the world. Its waters are fed by another lake that sits above its height of 1,200 meters above sea level.
What is the clearest lake in the USA? ›Lake Tahoe is the clearest lake in the United States and also North America's largest alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is over 1,600 feet deep and sits at an elevation above 6,000 feet. This makes it only the second deepest lake in the U.S. after Crater Lake in Oregon.
What's the cleanest lake in America? ›| Lake | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake George | Lake George, New York |
| 2 | Crater Lake | Klamath County, Oregon |
| 3 | Lake Michigan | Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin |
| 4 | Lake Coeur d'Alene | Kootenai County, Idaho |
Roopkund (locally known as Mystery Lake or Skeleton Lake) is a high altitude glacial lake in the Uttarakhand state of India. It lies in the lap of Trishul massif.
What is the 3rd most beautiful lake in the world? ›Torch Lake, Michigan Ranked by National Geographic as the 3rd most beautiful lake in the world.
What is the cleanest water lake in the world? ›
The Blue Lake, New Zealand
This lake on New Zealand's South Island is the clearest lake in the world, according to science.
Lake Tahoe
Stretching all the way down to 1,645 feet deep, Lake Tahoe has beautiful crystal-clear waters at an elevation of 6,225 feet above sea level. Known for its phenomenal clarity, this ancient lake has the purest waters in North America, making this The Clearest Lake in the United States.
Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within U.S. territory. The Great Lakes touch 8 states – but Michigan is the only state that touches four lakes, with borders on Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie.
What lake is the 7 Wonders of the world? ›- Lake Powell.
- Tahiti.
- Thailand.
- Banff National Park.
- Maui.
- Slovenia.
- Lake Tahoe.
1. The blue beauty of Crater Lake extends beyond its depth. At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in America.
What is the largest lake in the United States? ›Deep in Siberia, abutting a mountainous stretch of the Mongolian border, is the one of the most remarkable bodies of water on Earth: Lake Baikal. There are a number of qualities that make Lake Baikal stand out. Depth: Baikal, located in a massive continental rift, is the deepest lake in the world at 1,642m (5,387ft).
What lake is so clear it looks shallow? ›Flathead Lake, Montana. The water is so clear it looks shallow, but it's actually 370 feet.
What is the longest lake in the world? ›Lake Tanganyika (/ˌtæŋɡənˈjiːkə, -ɡæn-/) is an African Great Lake. It is the second-oldest freshwater lake in the world, the second-largest by volume, and the second-deepest, in all cases after Lake Baikal in Siberia. It is the world's longest freshwater lake.
What is the second deepest lake in the United States? ›2. Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California — 1,645 Feet. With a maximum depth of 1645 feet, Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States. Measuring a maximum depth of 1,645 feet, Lake Tahoe ranks as the second deepest lake in the country.
What lake looks shallow but is really deep? ›
Because of the crystal-clear water, Flathead Lake in Montana seems shallow, but in reality it's 370 feet in depth.
Where is the most polluted lake in the world? ›Lake Karachay (sometimes spelled Karachai or Karachaj), is a small lake in central Russia. It is often referred to as the most polluted site on earth.
What is the largest man made lake in the United States? ›1. Lake Mead, Nevada. Named after Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Elwood Mead, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States, stretching 112 miles long with a total capacity of 28,255,000 acre-feet, a shoreline of 759 miles, and a maximum depth of 532 feet.
What is the bluest lake in the USA? ›Crater Lake, Oregon
Despite its origin being tied to such a violent natural event, the blue water — which plunges to a depth of 1,943 feet — is impossibly calm and pure.
Lake Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois
Famous for its soft, off-white sandy beaches and nearby national parks, Lake Michigan is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States. It spans over a massive 307 miles and has many cities hugging its shores.
Lake Tahoe – California/Nevada
With a maximum depth of 1,645 feet, Lake Tahoe has beautiful crystal-clear waters at an elevation of 6,225 feet above sea level. With its phenomenal clarity, this ancient lake has the purest waters in North America, making it the clearest lake in the U.S.
At 2.5 million years old, Clear Lake is the United States and North America's oldest lake. It is 1,417 ft above Lower Lake. Clear Lake spans 68 square miles of the Golden State's lush countryside.
What state in the U.S. has the best lakes? ›With more lakes than any other state (over three million in total!), Alaska offers picturesque waters at every turn. For jaw-dropping views and ample wildlife (salmon in the water, bears and moose on the shore) drop anchor at Salmon Lake just outside the small town of Nome.
What is the coldest lake in the United States? ›Lake Superior is the world's largest freshwater lake by area (31,700 mi2 /82,100 km2). It is also the coldest and deepest of the Great Lakes, with a maximum depth of 406 meters (1,332 feet). By most measures, it is the healthiest of all the Great Lakes.
What is the most forgotten Great Lake? ›It's the 'forgotten' Great Lake
Lake Huron is often overlooked compared with the other four Great Lakes.
What is the smartest lake in the world? ›
Nestled along the eastern edge of New York's stout and beautiful Adirondack Mountains, south of sprawling Lake Champlain, Lake George is a long, glacially sculpted basin filled by clear waters. The lake is 51 kilometers long, doesn't get much more than three kilometers wide, and has long been a natural attraction.
What is the unusual lake in the US? ›Crater Lake was formed by a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. Approximately 7,700 years ago, Crater Lake was formed by a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. the mountain spirit. And the eruption indicated the end of the battle.
Which lake has the most bodies? ›1) Lake Michigan
With over 150 deaths since 2002, Lake Michigan is considered by many to be the most deadly lake in North America.
Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
It is a series of sixteen lakes which are connected by waterfalls and all ranging in variation in color like blue, grey, green and it is the most interesting and awe-inspiring lake. The deposition of moss, algae and bacteria give the lakes their different vibrant color.
Answer. Lake superior or baikal is the largest sweet water lake in the world.
What lake has the freshest water? ›Lake Baikal contains 20% of the world's fresh surface water. Lake Baikal hides its vast waters under a relatively small surface area (31500 km2).
Which ocean has the clearest water? ›The Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula
The Weddell Sea has been claimed by scientists to have the clearest waters of any ocean in the world.
In a study published by the World Bank in 2021, Norway was found to have the cleanest water in the world. The cleanliness of such water comes from a few factors: first, the amount of clean surface precipitation that reaches Norway each year keeps it clean.
What is the top 5 deepest lakes in the world? ›- Lake O'Higgins – San Martin: 2,743 Feet Deep.
- Lake Vostok: 2,953 Feet Deep.
- Caspian Sea: 3,363 Feet Deep.
- Lake Tanganyika: 4,823 Feet Deep.
- Lake Baikal: 5,387 Feet Deep.
The Blue Lake, New Zealand
This lake on New Zealand's South Island is the clearest lake in the world, according to science. In 2011, scientists from the country's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research conducted a study and found that the clarity of the lake is surpassed only by very clear seawater.
What is the clearest lake in America? ›
Lake Tahoe is the clearest lake in the United States. Lake Tahoe is the clearest lake in the United States and also North America's largest alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is over 1,600 feet deep and sits at an elevation above 6,000 feet.
What is the one lake that is completely in the United States it is the only one that does not touch Canada? ›While two Canadian provinces also touch the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that doesn't touch Canada.
What are the 5 famous lakes of USA? ›There are five lakes, which are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario and are in general on or near the Canada–United States border. Hydrologically, lakes Michigan and Huron are a single body joined at the Straits of Mackinac. The Great Lakes Waterway enables modern travel and shipping by water among the lakes.
What is the only Great Lake that is completely American? ›Lake Michigan is the third largest Great Lake and the fifth largest lake in the world. Bordered by Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, it is the only Great Lake that lies entirely within the boundaries of the U.S.