With the hot summer days, everyone is running to the seaside to get the perfect tan, enjoy the feeling of salt on the skin, soak in the sun and recharge. However, with the summers getting increasingly hotter each year, summers by the sea, especially during the hottest months of July and August, are not the same as they used to be. To escape the heatwaves and still enjoy the tranquility and joy that being by the water brings, we bring you five gorgeous European lakes to cool at during the summer.
1. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
One of the most beautiful lakes you can find in Europe are most definitely Plitvice Lakes that actually consist of sixteen lakes connected by gorgeous waterfalls. No wonder that this incredible creation of nature became the first national park of Croatia. You can enjoy walks around the lakes all year long, with each season bringing out different colors of the water and the surrounding nature. Though it is not allowed to swim in the lakes, the heavily forested area with lakes is the perfect spot to take a break and enjoy nice summer temperatures.
2. Lake Como, Italy
One of the Europe’s deepest lakes is also one of the most beautiful ones – Lake Como continues to impress people around the world, attracting with its beauty everyone ever since the Roman times. With the beautiful nature and picturesque villages that look like from a fairytale, no wonder that also international stars such as George Clooney decided to buy a house there. You don’t need to be super-wealthy to enjoy its beauty though – it is ideal for hikers, bikers and anyone who enjoys water sports like waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing and even diving.
3. Lake Geneva, Switzerland
The beautiful Lake Geneva is the perfect place for cooling down during the summer months – situated in the Alps, on the border between France and Switzerland, the lake boasts 116 beaches most of which are accessible to the public. Here you can enjoy all the water sports as well as swimming and also go from one village to another by large historic paddle steamers – definitely an experience in itself!
4. Lake Bled, Slovenia
There is something magical about Lake Bled that simply makes you want to come back, whether it is the bluish-green waters of the lake or the most charming little island at the center of it with the medieval Bled Castle, it is simply irresistible. Located in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia, it is perfect for the summer cooling – you can go for a walk around the lake, hiking or biking in the surroundings and even enjoy a number of water sports. Since the lake is considered to be a great health resort destination, you can also enjoy health and wellness treatments in a nice historical hotel at the shore.
5. Lake Hallstatt, Austria
When thinking about beautiful lakes to visit during the summer, we can’t forget about Lake Hallstatt, one of the most amazing landscapes in Austria named after picturesque (and super-Instagrammable) Alpine village. With the rich ecosystem and clear waters, the destination is ideal for scuba divers, however, there are plenty of other things to do as well – you can enjoy the beautiful views along the lake, go swimming or rowing and even go hiking to discover Dachstein karst mountains. In any case, you will definitely enjoy and cool down during the summer heat!
