They may be considered “fun-size” in comparison to the Great Lakes of Africa and America, but Europe's vast natural-made bodies of water are spectacular in their own right. Many were borne out of the last Ice Age, with the majority found in the Baltic region and a handful scattered across alpine areas in central and southern parts of the continent. Given current events, we at loveEXPLORING would not feel comfortable promoting travel to Russia right now. Therefore, please note that some lakes have been omitted from this list, as a mark of respect to our Ukrainian readers. Read on to discover more about Europe’s largest lakes (in ascending order), and remember to check COVID-19 protocols before you travel.
Spanning 112 square miles (290sq km), Siljan is the Swedish county of Dalarna’s largest lake. Around 377 million years ago, the area was hit by an enormous meteor which crashed into Earth with the force of 500 million atomic bombs. The lake came to fill the impact crater and has since evolved into a sought-after summer holiday destination, thanks to its green scenery, plentiful outdoor recreational options and an enduring culture of folk art. Along the shores, Mora, Rättvik and Tällberg are some of the best places to explore.
Extending across 128 square miles (331sq km), Lake Puula – or Puulavesi – is marked by clear waters and wooded, rugged shores that feel prehistoric in some areas due to their rocky appearance. Among the trees are a number of sandy beaches, with anglers also drawn to the lake by impressive trout and salmon stocks. Other water-based sports popular on Puula include canoeing and rowing, but bear in mind that some routes are challenging, so best to avoid unless you’re an elite canoeist.
Located on the frontier between North Macedonia and Albania, Ohrid extends across 134 square miles (347sq km) and is one of the oldest lakes in the world. Known for the clarity of its waters, Ohrid also has spiritual significance, with important religious buildings like the Church of St. John at Kaneo and the Monastery of St. Naum set along its banks. The craft of making Ohrid pearl, a valuable material made from fish scales, has been passed down by local artisans here for generations.
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The biggest natural lake in Norway, Mjøsa, covers 142 square miles (368sq km) and forms part of the country’s inland fjords. It attracts visitors with opportunities for trout-fishing, boating and winter sports with the main lakeside towns being Lillehammer and Hamar. Elsewhere on the shore, the Peder Balke Centre for contemporary art is a great place to visit, hosting free concerts every Saturday in summer, and the Mjøsmuseet’s programme covers the history of the lake and its local people.
Covering 143 square miles (370sq km), Garda is the largest of the Italian Lakes. Enclosed by mountains and hills, the climate is somewhat Mediterranean, where hanging citrus fruits, olive trees and cypresses decorate the shores. Whether it’s an active holiday, epicurean retreat, a history lesson or relaxing break you seek, the area can cater to all tastes. Stop off at colourful lakeside communes such as Sirmione and Malcesine, or even rent a car to drive the Gardesana Occidentale scenic road.
Lough Neagh (pronounced 'lock nay') spans 153 square miles (396sq km) across County Armagh in Northern Ireland, making it the largest lake in the British Isles. According to Irish folklore, it was created during an altercation between the giant Finn McCool and his Scottish adversary, Benandonar. Popular with water sports and wildlife enthusiasts, Lough Neagh is an Area of Special Scientific Interest, with boats for hire by the hour which you can use to get to Ram’s Island and Coney Island.
Reaching over an area of 176 square miles (456sq km), Lake Storsjön can be navigated by everything from kayaks and canoes to ferries and steamboats in the summer, before becoming a winter ice road. Skiing – both on the water and on-land – are also popular pastimes. There are a number of islands on the lake; Frösön is largest, sitting between the city of Östersund on the far-east shore and the open water. Local folklore suggests that Storsjön may even have its very own answer to the Loch Ness Monster, the Storsjöodjuret.
In the Northern Savonia region of Finland is Kallavesi, extending across 183 square miles (473sq km) and forming part of the wider Iso-Kalla lake system. Kallansillat Bridge allows cars to cross from one side of the lake to the other, with the waters beneath frequented in summer by those who prefer to cruise around on boats, as well as keen fishermen. The city of Kuopio covers some of the lake’s shore and islands, and hosts the Finnish Ice Marathon every year; a long-distance skating championship.
Hjälmaren sits adjacent to its big sister, Lake Mälaren, and covers 186 square miles (483sq km). It connects to Stockholm via the Hjälmare canal. The main town on its shores is Örebro, located on the far-western side. Whether you come to skate on the frozen lake in winter, or for swimming and lakeside barbecues at Åstabadet in summer, there’s always plenty to do around Hjälmaren. Where the lake begins to narrow in the east, you’ll also find Stora Sundby Slott, a 16th-century castle set within 3,700 hectares of land.
The subject of a celebrated landscape painting by artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Lake Keitele spans 192 square miles (498sq km), with densely forested shores, bays, cliffs and large islands. The serene surroundings are naturally lush with flora and fauna, and anglers flock here for peaceful fishing expeditions in search of zander, pike and perch. Summer on the lake is particularly idyllic, encouraging picnics along the shore and boating adventures.
In a valley on the border between Albania and Montenegro lies Skadar, or Scutari. Coming in at 150 square miles (390sq km), it is the largest lake in the Balkan peninsula and the centre of a national park. The area cultivates a diverse ecosystem, supporting many species of migratory bird and fish, as well as wild tortoises, boar and water lilies. The rich cultural heritage here results in melting-pot local towns and villages with shared Albanian, Serbian, Montenegrin and Ottoman influences.
Referred to as Bodensee in German, Lake Constance is a confluence of three countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It covers 209 square miles (541sq km) and enjoys a surprisingly mild climate for an alpine lake. Sloped shores lend themselves to hiking and mountain-biking, and the Pfänderbahn cable car in Bregenz offers wonderful panoramic views. The lake's other main cities include Konstanz, Lindau, Meersburg and Friedrichshafen, with the islands of Reichenau and Mainau also worth a visit.
Lake Geneva, or Lac Léman in French, extends across 224 square miles (581sq km) and sits along part of the Swiss border with France. The areas to the west and north of the lake are particularly scenic, dominated by the Jura Mountains which captivate adventurers and nature-lovers alike. The south and east shores meet with the Alps as they rise up behind resorts such as Montreux and Évian-les-Bains, from where you can take ferries over the lake to the city of Lausanne.
Balaton is the biggest natural lake in Hungary and central Europe, reaching across 231 square miles (598sq km). The surrounding land is peppered with mountains, thermal spas, castles, vineyards and characterful towns and villages such as Balatonfüred and Tihany. The lake and its beaches see day-trippers, sunbathers, sailors and windsurfers descend in their droves at the height of summer, which is also when the Balaton Sound Festival takes place.
Coming in next at 335 square miles (868sq km) is Pielinen, located only 15 miles (24km) from the Finnish border with Russia. The shoreline and islands of the lake are largely hilly and green with pine, and the peaks of Koli National Park stand proud to the west. Begin your visit at the Ukko visitor centre for an introduction to Koli’s importance in safeguarding traditional Finnish agricultural methods. In the summer, enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the lake, or brave the ice road in winter-sports season.
Nicknamed ‘The Kainuu Sea’ locally, Oulujärvi occupies an area of 342 square miles (887sq km). It possesses the longest sandy beaches in Finland, and the towering dunes of Ärjänsaari Island are a further draw for visitors. Among the region’s outdoor activities to indulge in are wind or kite-surfing, cycling, horse-riding on Icelandic steeds, hiking and cross-country skiing. The natural wonders of Rokua Geopark are also well worth exploring.
Päijänne covers 407 square miles (1,054sq km), punctuated by thousands of islands. The southern tip of the lake blends into an eponymous national park, containing even more islets, coves, secluded lagoons and walking trails with sweeping vistas over the lake. Visitors can also enjoy canoeing, sailing, swimming, fishing and bird-watching, as well as berry-picking and mushroom-foraging (for those in-the-know). A local ship service connects the towns of Jyväskylä and Heinola with the city of Lahti.
Deep in the icy wilds of Finnish Lapland, Lake Inari spans an area of 427 square miles (1,102sq km). Its shores bristle with pine forests, concealing the likes of bears, wolves and moose. Depending on the time of year you travel, you can expect to experience either the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun, sled with huskies, visit reindeer farms, cruise in a catamaran, ski, fish, or hop on a snowmobile. In the town of Inari, stop to learn more about the indigenous Sámi people and their culture.
Lying just west of Stockholm is Mälaren, a 440 square-mile (1,140sq km) lake containing over 1,200 islands. Many of these islands have their own stories to tell, such as Björkö, where the Viking City of Birka is memorialised, and Drottningholm, where the Swedish royal family spend their summers in a 17th-century palace. The nearby industrial cities of Västerås and Eskilstuna see fewer tourists than the likes of Gothenburg and Malmö, but this only makes them more intriguing to explore.
With a surface area of 738 square miles (1,912sq km), Vättern is the second largest lake in Sweden. It holds the country’s record for salmon and pike fishing, which is permitted all-year and is free on the proviso that no nets are used. On the lake’s eastern shore, the Vadstena locality is home to some significant churches, a convent and a 16th-century castle, with the historic spa town of Hjo occupying a spot on the west coast. Jönköping, also on the lake, offers a city buzz shrouded in nature.
Lake Saimaa plays the leading role in the largest natural lake network in Finland, the Great Saimaa system. Reaching across 1,690 square miles (4,377sq miles), Saimaa is popular with walking and sailing enthusiasts in the summer, and skiers and ice-skaters in the winter. The main city on the lake is Savonlinna, which is built on a series of islands. This is where you’ll find Olavinlinna Castle, a major tourist attraction managed by the National Museum of Finland.
Vänern is Sweden and the European Union’s largest lake, spanning 2,181 square miles (5,650sq km). Visitors are never short of options for outdoor adventure, whether that involves taking a ‘paddle tour’ safari of shipwrecks around Kållandsö, kayaking on the waters around Läckö Castle, hiking the plateau mountains of Vänern’s Biosphere Reserve, or dabbling in a spot of wild winter bathing. Shoreline cities such as Karlstad and Mariestad are the area’s main hubs for food and accommodation.