Renowned for its posh ski resorts, charming villages and mountain landscapes, Switzerland will delight nature lovers and hikers.
Across its 26 cantons, there are no less than 1,500 lakes.
From the unmissable Lake Geneva via Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Constance or even Lugano, find our selection of lakes not to be missed during your stay in Switzerland.
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Weather, festivals… The best period by region
Lake Geneva, the largest
The Swiss side of Lake Geneva offers breathtaking views of the Alps and Mont Blanc.
Switzerland Tourism - Marcus Gyger
The largest alpine lake, shared between France and Switzerland, Lake Geneva forms a long crescent of almost 73 km, for a maximum width of 14 km.
The Swiss side provides breathtaking views of the Alps and Mont Blanc while sheltering a string of towns and villages, from Geneva to Montreux via Lausanne.
On the navigation side, the CGN provides a dense network of connections between the two shores as well as a vast offer of cruises, in particular aboard its 5 steamboats.
Website: www.cgn.ch
The most beautiful view
Along the Route de la Corniche, a road suspended above the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, between Chexbres and Riex.
Read alsoFrom Lake Geneva to the Pyrenees, five experiences to cool off on the great lakes of France
Lake Neuchâtel, the most active
Lake Neuchâtel is the largest lake located entirely on Swiss territory.
Switzerland Tourism - Silvano Zeiter
38 km long and 8 km wide, Lake Neuchâtel stands out as the largest lake located entirely within Swiss territory.
A huge playground for swimmers and boaters.
A space shared with professional fishermen and gravel pits while the south bank is home to several nature reserves dedicated to water birds.
For a complete tour of the lake, board the steamer "Neuchâtel".
Website
The most beautiful view
From the Utopia footbridge, an architectural work installed in Neuchâtel in 1991, on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the Confederation.
Lake Murten, the most medieval
Between the medieval city of the same name and the Friborg Riviera, Lake Morat is the smallest of the three lakes bordering the Jura.
Switzerland Tourism - Corinne Stauffer
Morat and its lake offer a spectacular journey through time.
The city built by Duke Berchtold IV of Zaehringen in the 12th century rises above the lake, with ramparts, turrets and keep.
Go through the imposing gate that guards the entrance to the castle of Morat to relive the siege of Charles the Bold, in the 15th century, and enjoy the belvedere on the lake.
From the port, a very beautiful promenade borders the lake and leads to Mont Vully and its vineyards.
The most beautiful view
Follow the walkway that runs along the ramparts of the old town.
Lake Lucerne, the most quirky
In central Switzerland, Lake Lucerne looks like a fjord and offers the greatest diversity of landscapes.
Switzerland Tourism - Beat Mueller
In the heart of central Switzerland, the 114 km² of Lake Lucerne winds its way through the valleys of Lucerne, Schwyz, Nidwalden and Uri.
Enough to create so many different atmospheres.
In Lucerne and Weggis, the lake takes on a seaside air with pretty beaches overlooking Mount Pilatus.
In Brunnen, place in a decor of Norwegian fjords.
To discover during a cruise aboard the ships of the company SVG.
Website
The most beautiful view
Take the Stoos funicular and enjoy the aerial view from the ridge trail.
Price of the round trip by funicular: 22 €.
Lake Thun, the most seaside
Considered the “Riviera of the Bernese Oberland”, Lake Thun is a popular holiday destination.
Switzerland Tourism - Christof Sonderegger
30 km from Bern, Lake Thun presents itself as the "Riviera of the Bernese Oberland".
The mild climate and the enchanting landscape make it a popular vacation spot.
Visit in particular the castles of Spiez and Oberhofen, two medieval fortresses transformed into residences and then into museums.
We also fell in love with Château Hünegg, in Hilterfingen, inspired by the Châteaux of the Loire.
And to take a dip, the shores of the lake have 15 beaches and swimming areas.
Website
The most beautiful view
From the small island of Grunderinseli, with the mythical peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in the background.
Lake Oeschinen, the most turquoise
Lake Oeschinen culminates at nearly 1600 meters above sea level, above the village of Kandersteg.
ppohudka
Lake Oeschinen is the only Swiss lake inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as part of an extension of the classification of the Jungfrau-Aletsch massif.
This small lake nestled at 1578 meters above sea level is squeezed between dizzying peaks that flirt with 3000 meters.
Above all, the lake is fed by glacial torrents which give it a turquoise color worthy of a lagoon.
Website
The most beautiful view
Hike no. 8 in the direction of Heuberg traces a spectacular loop above the lake.
Allow about 3 hours of walking to complete the 7 km route.
Lake Riffel, the most photogenic
When the weather is clear, the very recognizable Matterhorn is reflected on the surface of this lake which is 2757 m above sea level.
Bergfee
This is one of Switzerland's most iconic photos: the Matterhorn reflected in a mountain lake like a mirror.
No need to be a seasoned mountaineer to take this grandiose shot: Lake Riffel, which serves as the setting for the image, is at an altitude of 2757 meters and about ten minutes on foot from the Rotenboden station, a stops of the Gornergrat Bahn, the train that connects Zermatt to the top of Gornergrat.
Website
The most beautiful view
To watch the sunrise over the Matterhorn, book the special ticket including train and breakfast.
The price: €103 per person.
Read alsoBeing familiar with the summits in Zermatt, the promise of the Swiss ski area
Lake Silvaplana, the sportiest
Notice to water sports enthusiasts, Lake Silvaplana is one of the best spots in Europe for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Switzerland Tourism - Christof Sonderegger
5 km from Saint-Moritz, in the Grisons region, Lake Silvaplana is one of the best European spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
The punctual wind force 4 to 5 which blows every day from 11 am allows the organization of competitions of international caliber every summer, including the famous Engadinwind.
Silvaplana also offers a beautiful setting for hiking and mountain biking, with many routes overlooking the lake.
Website
The most beautiful view
In front of the Chastè Crap da Sass, a neo-romantic style castle built on the shores of the lake in 1906 by the German general Graf von der Lippe.
Lake Lugano, the most Mediterranean
Between the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland and Lombardy in Italy, Lake Lugano offers a Mediterranean change of scenery in the heart of the Alps.
Switzerland Tourism - Roland Gerth
With its generous sun, its palm trees and its Italian accent, Lake Lugano offers a warm Mediterranean change of scenery in the heart of the Alps.
Make sure to explore the picturesque village of Morcote, ranked among the most beautiful villages in Switzerland.
Also follow the olive tree path, a magnificent hike of just over 3 km which runs along the lake between the villages of Gandria and Castagnola.
Website
The most beautiful view
From the 925 meters of Monte Bré, one of the two mountains surrounding Lugano.
Price of the round trip by funicular: 25 €.
Read alsoIn France or Switzerland, two well-being getaways to recharge your batteries in the mountains
Lake Constance, the most maritime
On the border of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Lake Constance is an ideal summer destination for swimming or windsurfing.
Switzerland Tourism - Ivo Scholz
If Lake Constance is slightly smaller than Lake Geneva, 536 km² against 580 km², its rectangular shape makes it a real inland sea straddling Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
This impression of the open sea is perfectly felt on the quays of the charming village of Romanshorn, during the departures of the fast ferries bound for Friedrichshafen, the large German city on the other side of the lake.
Website
The most beautiful view
By walking along the border line in Konstanz, with one foot in Switzerland and one foot in Germany.