An alfresco dip is an ideal way to make the most of Luxembourg’s unspoilt natural beauty during summer, which may just have arrived.
The country is criss-crossed by rivers and has a few lakes, many with small beaches – ideal for a spot of sunbathing or swimming.
We give you the lowdown on which lakes you can swim in for a day by the waterside.
Remerschen lakes “Baggerweier”
Two lakes for the price of one at Remerschen, where entry to the pebble and sandy beaches costs €6 for adults, €3 for children aged 3 to 11 years, and is free for children under 3 years. The number of visitors is restricted to a maximum of 3,000.
One lake has a depth of less than one metre making it perfect for smaller children, whilst the other, has a depth of six metres, and houses giant water inflatables complete with slides and assault course.
Families can however take advantage of the playground, whilst teens can try their hand at beach volleyball (on three courts), stand-up paddle boards and rowing boats (these are at an extra cost).
The lakes are open from 10.00 until 18.00 from Monday to Thursday and until 20.00 on Fridays and weekends. Tickets can be purchased on site with cash or credit card or you can reserve them online.
In a change to policy, four-legged friends are now welcome on a dedicated dog beach, and BBQs are allowed – in designated areas and of a certain size. You can find more details here.
If you fancy lunch, Le Chalet is open for food and drinks, including cocktails, and some rather tasty-looking fried fish.
Just across the road, the Biodiversum has a series of underwater world exhibitions, and you can also spot frogs and birdlife on the 80-hectare Haff Réimech nature reserve.
Also read:Staycation in Remich – ancient alleyways, vineyards and boat trips
Upper Sûre Lake
The Upper Sûre Lake has beaches at Rommwiss, Burfelt, Insenborn, Lultzhausen and Liefrange, all great places to set down a blanket for a picnic. You can find a map of them here.
Grass, sand and gravel beaches at several locations in the Upper Sure region © Photo credit: Pierre Matgé
For something more secluded you can stroll through the woody path to the Burfelt viewing platform then head to the shingle beach near the Maison de la Fôret. Check out the unusual wooden sculptures.
The Upper Sûre Nature Park has a 42km shoreline. The solar boat, has a 2-hour tour detailing the flora and fauna at the reservoir and surrounds, plus a trip ashore to the the Burfelt forest discovery centre.
You can also book the amphibian tour which incorporates a boat trip with an 8km hike along the left bank of the reservoir. This tour disembarks at Barel for the walking tour back, going past the Hellekessel and the floating bridge at Lultzhausen, and takes approximately 4 hours. You’ll find all details here.
Those who prefer to stay on land, can visit the cloth museum, home to an ancient cloth factory with original tools still in tact.
If you want to take a hike before you have a dip, the park is surrounded by unspoilt forests and meadows, and there are plenty of themed walks, some as short as 2.5km. The region also produces tea, herbs, flour and clothing on sale at the shop in the visitors centre.
If you want to make an aquatic weekend of it, stay overnight at the Lultzhausen Youth Hostel where guests can hire canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, or just relax on the sunny restaurant terrace. There’s a small grassy beach area beside the youth hostel.
Also read:Esch-sur-Sûre – an iconic castle ruin, lake beaches and themed walking trails
Echternach Lake (6 July to 30 September)
You can take a dip in a specified area of Echternach Lake, which according to this website, is open for swimming between 6 July to 30 September). The swimming area is located between the two small islands in the lake (close to Adventure Island). A sandy beach has been created and there are plenty of spots for sunbathing (including three pontoon platforms on the lake). Free parking (800 spaces) can be found nearby and the lake is open for swimming from 7.00 to 22.00.
The artificial lake at Echternach is perfect for a swim and picnic © Photo credit: Shutterstock
The lake is surrounded by a path for walking and hiking, inline skating and bike tours. You can also hire pedal boats or head out into the surrounding forest which has numerous hiking paths. Nearby, the youth hostel has trampolines in summer, and sport activities year round, plus a restaurant with a lovely sunny terrace.
Also read:Echternach – home to rich Romans, a famous abbey, the wolf gorge and a lake
Weiswampach lakes
Head north past Troisvierges to this 65-hectare leisure space, incorporating two artificial six-hectare lakes. The upper lake is reserved for fishing but you can swim and practise water sports in the lower lake, which is surrounded by a well-manicured lawn.
One of the lakes at Weiswampach is available for swimming and you can rent pedalos © Photo credit: Nico Muller
There’s a campsite nearby, and you can grab a beer or a bite to eat at the Buvette du Lac.
There are parking spaces for more than 250 cars and the lake has toilet and tap facilities. The area is also the starting point for a 25km mountain bike tour and a 4km hike around the lake.
Also read:What to discover in the four corners of Luxembourg
Canoeing and SUP
If you’ve always wanted to travel downriver, you can canoe from Dillingen to Echternach, or you can hire Stand-up paddle boards from Camping du Rivage at Wallendorf. If you have your own equipment, check out the canoe and kayak courses available in Luxembourg.
Be aware that some downriver routes require you to use public transport to return to the point you started your water journey.