Ranked: Europe's biggest natural lakes you can visit

Big, blue and beautiful

They may be considered 'fun-size' in comparison to the Great Lakes of Africa and America, but Europe's ​vast natural lakes 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 promote travel to Russia right now, which means some lakes have been omitted from this list.

Read on to discover more about Europe’s largest lakes...

22nd: Lake Siljan, Sweden

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 enduring culture of folk art. Along the shores, Mora, Rattvik and Tallberg are some of the best places to explore.

21st: Lake Puula, Finland

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, and anglers are drawn to the lake by impressive trout and salmon stocks. Other water-based sports popular on Puula include canoeing and rowing. Bear in mind, though, that some routes are challenging. Unless you're an elite canoeist, you're best of avoiding these.

20th: Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia and Albania

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.

19th: Lake Mjosa, Norway

The biggest natural lake in Norway, Mjosa 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 hosts free concerts every Saturday in summer and is a great place to visit. The Mjosmuseet’s programme covers the history of the lake and its local people.

18th: Lake Garda, Italy

Covering 143 square miles (370sq km), Garda is the largest of the Italian Lakes. Enclosed by mountains and hills, the climate is somewhat Mediterranean, and hanging citrus fruits, olive trees and cypresses decorate the shores. Whether it’s an active holiday, an epicurean retreat, a history lesson or a relaxing break you seek, the area can cater to all tastes. Stop off at colourful lakeside communes such as Sirmione and Malcesine. Alternatively, rent a car and drive the Gardesana Occidentale scenic road.

17th: Lake Skadar, Montenegro and Albania

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.

16th: Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland, UK

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, Benandonner. 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.

15th: Lake Storsjon, Sweden

Reaching over an area of 179.2 square miles (464sq km), Lake Storsjon 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; Froson is the largest, sitting between the city of Ostersund on the far-east shore and the open water. Local folklore suggests that Storsjon may even have its very own answer to the Loch Ness Monster, the Storsjoodjuret.

14th: Lake Kallavesi, Finland

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 boats and keen fishermen. The city of Kuopio covers some of the lake’s shore and islands. It hosts the Finnish Ice Marathon every year (a long-distance skating championship).

13th: Lake Hjalmaren, Sweden

Hjalmaren sits adjacent to its big sister, Lake Malaren, and covers 186 square miles (483sq km). It connects to Stockholm via the Hjalmare canal. The main town on its shores is Orebro, located on the far-western side. Whether you come to skate on the frozen lake in winter or enjoy swimming and lakeside barbecues at Astabadet in summer, there’s always plenty to do around Hjalmaren. Where the lake begins to narrow in the east, you’ll also find Stora Sundby Slott – a 16th-century castle set within 14 square miles (37sq km) of land.

12th: Lake Keitele, Finland

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 boating adventures and picnics along the shore.

11th: Lake Constance, Germany, Austria and Switzerland

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 Pfanderbahn 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.

10th: Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Lake Geneva, or Lac Leman 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 Evian-les-Bains, from where you can take ferries over the lake to the city of Lausanne.

9th: Lake Balaton, Hungary

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 Balatonfured and Tihany. The lake and its beaches see day-trippers, sunbathers, sailors and windsurfers descend in their droves at the height of summer. This is also when the Balaton Sound Festival takes place.

8th: Lake Pielinen, Finland

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, while 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.

7th: Lake Oulujarvi, Finland

Nicknamed 'the Kainuu Sea' locally, Oulujarvi occupies an area of 342 square miles (887sq km). It possesses the longest sandy beaches in Finland, with the towering dunes of Arjansaari Island a further draw for visitors. Among the region’s outdoor activities to indulge in are windsurfing, kitesurfing, cycling, horse-riding on Icelandic steeds, hiking and cross-country skiing. The natural wonders of Rokua Geopark are also well worth exploring.

6th: Lake Paijanne, Finland

Paijanne 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 birdwatching, as well as berry-picking and mushroom-foraging (for those in the know). A local ship service connects the towns of Jyvaskyla and Heinola with the city of Lahti.

5th: Lake Inari, Finland

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 Sami people and their culture.

4th: Lake Malaren, Sweden

Lying just west of Stockholm is Malaren, 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 Bjorko, 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 Vasteras and Eskilstuna see fewer tourists than the likes of Gothenburg and Malmo, but this only makes them more intriguing to explore.

3rd: Lake Vattern, Sweden

With a surface area of 738 square miles (1,912sq km), Vattern 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. Jonkoping, also on the lake, offers a city buzz shrouded in nature.

2nd: Lake Saimaa, Finland

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 town 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.

1st: Lake Vanern, Sweden

Vanern 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 Kallandso, kayaking on the waters around Lacko Castle, hiking the plateau mountains of Vanern’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.

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