If you have been to Switzerland or seen pictures of Switzerland then you will be well aware of just how beautiful the lakes in Switzerland are, they truly are natural wonders.
The color of the lakes combined with their crystal clear water and surrounding scenery create some of the most breathtaking views you might ever see in the world.
There are more than 1500 lakes in Switzerland which hold in total around 6% of all the freshwater in Europe, and for such a small country, that is quite a thing to be able to claim!
So, which beautiful lakes in Switzerland should you focus your time on seeing while you are there? Find out below!
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Central Europe and one of the largest in Western Europe too, making it the largest lake in Switzerland. But, does it count when half of the lake’s shores are in France? Who knows, all we need to know is that Lake Geneva is massive!
Lake Geneva is fed by the Rhone River which flows into the lake at Montreux and out in Geneva and then flows into France.
Lake Geneva is also known for its stunning beauty. It is a very low altitude lake of 372 meters above sea level that is surrounded by mountains and is very blue too.
You can see the peaks of Mont Blanc and the Grand Combin from the lake on clear days, while its shores are home to ancient vineyards that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To the north, you’ll find old castles and churches along its shores.
Around June, Lake Geneva warms up enough for swimming and sunbathing. It is also great for fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, and sailing too!
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is the fourth largest lake in the country and one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. The lake was made some 12,000 years ago when the glacier of the river Reuss receded and began flooding the valley.
This is another low-altitude lake that is surrounded by mountain peaks but has a very mild climate despite being so close to the mountains and resorts. Lake Lucerne winds its way around many bends and four different Swiss cantons too.
Lake Lucerne is one of the most popular travel destinations in Switzerland. The city of Lucerne with its great lake views and the historical medieval old town is a major attraction and the shores of the lake are dotted with meadows, medieval castles, resorts, and hotels.
Spending time on and around the lake is magical. The spectacular views of the mountains combined with great sailing, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, and more make this a wonderful place to hang out.
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich is home to the largest city in Switzerland, Zurich making it an incredibly easy lake to visit. It is the fifth largest lake in Switzerland being 88.66 km long and with four islands one can visit in the middle too.
Lake Zurich is beautiful but perhaps not quite as dramatic in terms of views and scenery as Lake Lucerne or Lake Geneva. Surrounded by the Zimmerberg, Ibis, and Pfannenstiel hills, the lake is framed beautifully while its shores are dotted with picturesque villages and towns.
If you are visiting Zurich then a trip to the medieval town of Rapperswil with its stunning castle and the village of Au are a must as are the many beaches along the shores and taking an old paddle steamer across the lake.
Like all lakes in Switzerland, Lake Zurich is great for swimming, boating, water sports, and lots more. There are plenty of hiking and cycling trails too!
Lake Constance
Lake Constance is the second largest lake in Switzerland but again like Lake Geneva, it isn’t all in Switzerland. Austria, Germany, and Switzerland share Lake Constance together and it is used mainly for having a load of fun.
The Rhine River flows out of the alps and into the lake and proceeds to flow out the other end to make one of the longest rivers in Europe.
It is said that 70 million people visit Lake Constance every year to enjoy sunbathing on its shores, swimming, boating, mountain biking, and hiking around the lake. There is actually a bike path that goes around the entire lake.
Something you simply must do when on Lake Constance is to go on a boat cruise from Kreuzlingen on the Swiss side of the lake. There is no better way of seeing the lake and it stops off at some magical towns including Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein.
Lake Constance is also a beautiful lake with stunning views of the surrounding hills and the alps into the distance.
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano lies in southern Switzerland crossing the border into Italy. It has a curving shape a bit like a river and stretches for miles into the distance.
It is safe to say that Lake Lugano is absolutely stunning with some of the best views you might ever find from every angle you look across it from.
Sitting in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, the lake is home to the city of Lugano which is a delightful place to stay and explore the lake from.
You can hop on a boating tour to most places around the lake and one you can not miss is the historic village of Gandria along with the stunning Renaissance church in Morcote and the Hermann Hesse Museum in Montagnola.
Lake Lugano is also excellent for water sports, and especially fishing as it is home to a large range of fish species. There is great hiking in the mountains around the lake, you can also swim, sunbathe, go boating, and lots more while you’re there.
Lake Thun & Lake Brienz
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are both found in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland and while being two lakes are connected by the Aare River which flows through the town of Interlaken.
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Both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are alpine lakes that were created more than 12,000 years ago durn the last glacial ice age. The lakes are absolutely beautiful and are both famous for their views of the Bernese Alps that sit in the background looking down on the two lakes.
The water in Lake Thun and Lake Brienz is so blue and they reflect the mountains behind in a stunning manner. These are without doubt some of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland.
Lake Thun is known more for water sports like sailing, windsurfing, and canoeing. You can also go on stunning sunset cruises around the lake too.
Lake Brienz is the more beautiful and romantic of the two with a bluer color, waterfalls, and closer views of the mountain peaks. It has all the drama of romance a lake could capture.
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore spans the border between Italy and Switzerland in the southern Alps. It’s a pretty long lake being 212.5 soiree kilometers but the majority of the lake is in Italy and just the northern tip is in Switzerland.
Lake Maggiore is one stunning lake with mountain peaks running around the sides and the famous Brissago Islands on the Swiss side. The Brissago Islands are home to the magical Parco Botanico del Canton Ticino and an incredible botanical garden that you have to visit while you are there.
The shores around the lake are brimming with romance. The climate around this lake is excellent and the food is to die for, and along with amazing views, love is in the air!
The lake shore is dotted with plenty of lovely beaches where you can sunbathe, and swim, and of course, the water sports on the lake are excellent too. Also, the Locarno Film Festival is held on the lake in August, and the town of Locarno really does go wild!
Lake Biel
Lake Biel lies in western Switzerland close to Bern and is named after the city of Biel which you will find north of the lake. Sitting in the Jura Mountains, it is a small lake just 39.3 sq kilometers in size and is home to the Chasseral Regional Park.
The Chasseral Regional Park is home to stunning forests, meadows, and vineyards that all come down to the shoreline on the north side of the lake. Hiking through this park and along the shoreline is something you have to do while visiting this picturesque lake.
You will also find some lakeside resorts at this alpine lake as well as lots of hiking trails. You can also go boating around the lake, enjoy magical views of the mountains, hang out on the beaches, swim, and check out the quaint villages.
Lake Murten
Lake Murten is a part of the Three-Lakes Region and is just down from Lake Biel. Lake Murten is a quaint small lake of just 22 sq. km and is the 13th largest lake in the country.
A great way of seeing the lake is on the bike path that takes you around the whole lake. It is just 28 km long and takes 2 – 3 hours, and you will get to see every view the lake has at the same time.
Somewhere you have to visit Lake Murten is the village or town of Murten. This medieval town is stunning and well-preserved!
While exploring the walking trails around the alpine lake you will also stumble upon the longest freshwater beach in Europe, Salavaux, which is 500 meters long. It is a great place to hang out, sunbathe, swim with kids, and more.
Enjoy the smaller size of this lake to the maximum. The beauty that comes with it is fantastic, the town of Murten is so charming, and you can spend as much time on the water as you want to.
Lake Neuchatel
Lake Neuchatel is the third largest lake in Switzerland and the largest lake in the country that doesn’t share a border with another country.
Lake Neuchatel makes up the third lake in the Three Lakes Region along with Murten and Biel. One side of the lake features stunning views of mountain peaks while the other side features hills and vineyards plus the Jura mountains rise up above it.
If you love bird watching, head to the south of this lake as there is a marshland there that attracts a huge range of bird species.
You will also find some stunning villages around the lake along with wineries, walking trails, biking trails, and more. The lake is also excellent for water sports like fishing, sailing, and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Major Lakes in Switzerland?
The major lakes in Switzerland are Lake Geneva, Lake Neuchatel, Lake Constance, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Zurich.
Together, these lakes make up the largest lakes in Switzerland and they serve the most people to be so close to or with major cities on them.
Why is the Color of Swiss Lakes so Blue?
The beautiful lakes are made blue due to the glacial ice water that flows into them. The water runs from the glaciers and with it brings glacial particles known as “rock flour”.
This rock flour is tiny and therefore sinks to the bottom of rivers and lakes incredibly slowly. While doing so, the rock flour reflects the blue and green spectrums of light making the deep blue water or green/blue lake water you see in Switzerland.
Can you Swim in the Lakes of Switzerland?
Yes, you can go swimming in the lakes of Switzerland but at the right time and in the right ones.
You can technically swim in any of the lakes in Switzerland but the lower-altitude lakes are perfect for summer dips.
The higher altitude lakes can be very chilly and could be dangerous to swim in at the wrong time of year or in the wrong way.
Swimming in the lakes is one of my favorite things to do in Switzerland as they usually come with views of magnificent mountains and the Swiss countryside.
