Europe's lakes are a great choice for a calm getaway: mountains, clear water and small towns in a single frame. The best known are Bled in Slovenia, Como in Italy and Hallstatt in Austria.
🇸🇮 Lake Bled, Slovenia
Bled is about 55 km from Ljubljana and takes up to an hour by bus or car. A small island with a church sits in the middle of the lake, and a castle overlooks it from the shore.
- The walking path around the lake is about 6 km
- A traditional pletna boat ride to the island is paid
- Try the kremšnita, the local cream cake
🇮🇹 Lake Como, Italy
Como is about an hour from Milan by train. Take a ferry to see villas and small villages from the water. Bellagio and Varenna are the most popular, and summer prices are high.
🇦🇹 Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt is about 2-2.5 hours from Salzburg. It is a UNESCO site and very crowded in season, so arrive early in the morning.
📅 When to go
- May-June — greenery and more affordable prices
- September-October — warm afternoons and autumn colors
- July-August — peak season, crowds and high prices
- Winter — quiet, but many ferries and venues are closed for the season
Hotels right on the lakes are usually pricier than in the nearby city. Consider staying in a nearby town and visiting the lake as a day trip.
Read more about Slovenia in Tbilisi → Ljubljana: Complete Guide to Slovenia, and for more nature see National Parks in Europe: Where to Travel into Nature and Europe's Most Scenic Train Routes: 2026 Guide. Find tickets on Travel365.
Tags
