{"id":52233,"date":"2025-04-26T13:40:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T13:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/52233\/"},"modified":"2025-04-26T13:40:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T13:40:13","slug":"nine-of-europes-overlooked-lakes-for-an-affordable-summer-escape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/52233\/","title":{"rendered":"Nine of Europe\u2019s overlooked lakes for an affordable summer escape"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\t\t\t\tAvoid busy shores on these tranquil bodies of water, from northern Italy to Denmark
\n\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n

With their peacock-blue waters and cypress tree-spiked shores, Lake\u00a0Garda and Como<\/a> are sirens for tourists. Yet with Garda alone attracting 25\u00a0million visitors every year, holidays to these great lakes don\u2019t come with a\u00a0great deal\u00a0of elbow room. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are lookalikes across Europe <\/a>where you can escape both the crowds and the premium prices that come with a more famous lakeside stay. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Lake Biscarrosse \u00a0<\/p>\n

Les Landes, France<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"PortLake. Biscarrosse in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France (Photo: Gonzalo Azumendi\/Getty\/Photodisc)<\/p>\n

A 90-minute drive south-west from Bordeaux<\/a>, Lake Biscarrosse is wrapped up in pine forests that are laced with cycle trails and fringed by beaches.<\/p>\n

Some, such as Plage Maguide, are highly organised stretches of sand, with plenty of parasols, waterside restaurants (try Histoires De<\/a> for tapas and cocktails on a lakeside terrace), and a bumper list of water sports that includes electric surfboard rentals. Others are more subdued, with barely more than a kayak rental stand. <\/p>\n

Around the lake, villages such as Biscarrosse Ville and Sanguinet are speckled with restaurants, bakeries, and shops, and host farmers\u2019 markets. biscagrandslacs.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

La Reserve camping village, which has its own beach on the southern edge of the\u00a0lake, offers two-bedroom holiday homes that sleep families of up to six from\u00a0\u00a3873 for a week in August, camping-la-reserve.fr<\/a><\/p>\n

Lake Sainte-Croix \u00a0<\/p>\n

Var, France<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"LacLac de Sainte-Croix in Provence (Photo: Lukasz Janyst\/Getty\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

Found within the Verdon Regional Park, 90 miles north of the French Riviera, the lake of Sainte-Croix has a forget-me-not blue hue. Three main beach towns \u2013 Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Les Salles-sur-Verdon, and Bauduen \u2013 hug the water, offering a handful of lake-view restaurants, creperies and pedalo, canoe and paddleboard hire spots. <\/p>\n

At the north-eastern tip of Sainte-Croix, the water funnels into the Verdon Gorge<\/a>, a 700m-deep river ravine known as the Grand Canyon of Europe. Visitors can hire a car to drive along its rim or book rafting tours. <\/p>\n

Plan a trip between mid-June and mid-July and you will catch the lavender fields of nearby Moustiers-Sainte-Marie in bloom. provence-alpes-cotedazur.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Eurocamp\u2019s Les Gorges de Provence, a 15-minute drive from Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, offers a seven-night stay in a six-person two-bedroom holiday home from \u00a3610 in August, eurocamp.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Lake Ohrid \u00a0<\/p>\n

North Macedonia<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"OhridOhrid in Republic of North Macedonia (Photo: Plamen Mihaylov\/Getty\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

Spilling from North Macedonia to Albania, Lake Ohrid is thought to be one of the oldest lakes in the world. Today, the North Macedonian side is protected as a Unesco World Heritage Site. <\/p>\n

At more than 350sq km, it takes some exploring. While walking trails Spirograph their way through the forested banks of the lake, the best way to take it all in is on a boat trip, with a stop at the 10th-century Monastery of Saint Naum. <\/a><\/p>\n

The main town on the lake is also called Ohrid<\/a>. All red roofs and sandstone buildings, its highlights include a Hellenistic amphitheatre, an 11th-century hilltop fortress and 14th-century churches.<\/p>\n

Be sure to make time to browse the jewellery shops that specialise in pink Macedonian rubies and Ohrid pearls \u2013 pieces are cheaper than you might expect \u2013 and give Macedonian wine a try at Vila and Winery Mal Sveti Kliment.\u00a0macedonia-timeless.com\/eng<\/a><\/p>\n

Tui offers a week\u2019s B&B at the Hotel Laki in Ohrid from \u00a3390pp, including flights from Manchester on 1 June, tui.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Lake Balaton \u00a0<\/p>\n

Hungary<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"ViewThe vast expanse of Lake Balaton (Photo: Tamas Perlaki\/Getty\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

Covering 600sq km of western Hungary, Lake Balaton is nicknamed the Hungarian Sea. Despite its size, it is accessible. Bike and walking trails ring their way all around the water, passing more than 50km of beaches and waterside towns such as Balatonf\u00fcred, with its 19th-century architecture and 1km-long lakeview promenade. <\/p>\n

Scores of vineyards halo the lakeshore and many wineries offer tours and tastings \u2013 the Laposa Estate in Badacsonytomaj has a tasting terrace and restaurant that peers over the lake (glasses start at just \u00a32.50). visithungary.com\/category\/balaton<\/a><\/p>\n

Veszpr\u00e9m, near the lake, is a 90-minute direct train ride from Budapest, to where flights start at \u00a3135 with Ryanair from Stansted in August. A\u00a0night at the waterside Hotel Anna Villa in\u00a0Balatonf\u00f6ldv\u00e1r from \u00a3112, annavillahotel.hu\/en\/home<\/a><\/p>\n

Lake Pyh\u00e4j\u00e4rvi \u00a0<\/p>\n

Finland<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"LakeLake Pyhajarvi in Tampere (Photo: ShevchenkoAndrey\/Getty\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

Nuzzling up to the Lakeland city of Tampere<\/a>, Lake Pyh\u00e4j\u00e4rvi pools out for more than 120sq km. Its banks are hemmed with walking trails, kayak launch sites, and nature reserves. Pyynikki Nature Reserve to the east of the lake has a swimming beach and 26m observation tower (try a munkki \u2013 Finnish doughnut \u2013 in the caf\u00e9 after a climb). <\/p>\n

Tampere is known as the sauna capital of the world, so the lakeshore has no shortage of heat and ice experiences. While some belong to hotels, the 40-person Pereensaaren sauna, in Pere, is\u00a0open to the public and there is a lounge, terrace, bar, and swimming pier\u00a0on site. visittampere.fi<\/a><\/p>\n

Tampere is around 90 minutes by train from Helsinki. A night at Nolla Cabins, which\u00a0are located on Viikinsaari Island in the centre of the lake, starts at \u00a3150 in\u00a0summer, nollacabins.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Lake Levico \u00a0<\/p>\n

Trentino, Italy<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"LakeDramatic Lake Levico in Italy (Photo: Provided)<\/p>\n

Overlooked by the Lagorai Mountains and skirted by pine and Trentino apple trees, Lake Levico is a couple of hours\u2019 drive north-east from Garda.<\/p>\n

At just under 3km long by 950m wide, it is petite in comparison to its neighbour, but there is plenty to fill a trip here. Next door is the slightly larger Lake Caldonazzo<\/a>, popular for watersports.<\/p>\n

Walking a loop around Levico takes around 90 minutes as you hop between the taverns, bars, and shops in the waterside spa town of Levico Terme.<\/p>\n

You can also take the hour-long hike up to the ruins of 13th-century Selvas Castle<\/a>, or make the 40-minute journey north to Monte di Mezzocorona with its cable car, skywalk, suspension bridge, and valley-side vineyards (Villa Corniole offers a tour and tasting for \u20ac20\/\u00a317). <\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, the lake was awarded a Bandiera Blu label last year for good water quality. trentino.com<\/a><\/p>\n

A seven-night stay in a six-person holiday home at Due Laghi Levico on the lakeshore from \u00a3905 in August, clubdelsole.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Lake M\u00e1cha \u00a0<\/p>\n

Czechia<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"LakeLake Macha in Czechia (Photo: Provided)<\/p>\n

Named after 19th-century Czech poet Karel Hynek M\u00e1cha, Lake M\u00e1cha is a 90-minute drive from Prague in northern Bohemia. <\/a> <\/p>\n

Two main towns butt up to this relatively modest body of water. Star\u00e9 Splavy and Dosky have restaurant-sprinkled centres and sandy beaches, and are both animated with aqua parks, waterside bars, caf\u00e9s and pizzerias. <\/p>\n

Riding the pleasure cruisers that criss-cross the lake is popular (half-hour rides cost around \u00a39 per person), as is the hike to the ruins of Bezdez Castle, which crowns a hilltop 20 minutes south-east of the water. visitczechia.com <\/a><\/p>\n

A night at lakeside Port Doksy hotel, with private beach access, indoor and outdoor pools, and wellness centre, from \u00a3139, hotelport.cz\/en<\/a><\/p>\n

Silkeborg Lakes \u00a0<\/p>\n

Jutland, Denmark<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"?streSilkebord Lakes in the Jutland peninsula (Photo: Bo N\u00f8rgaard\/VisitAarhus)<\/p>\n

More than 50 lakes orbit the city of Silkeborg in the middle of the Jutland peninsula, earning the region the title of the Danish Lake District. <\/p>\n

On Lake Brass\u00f8, a 10-minute drive from the city centre, visitors can take boat rides on a 19th-century coal-fired steamer.<\/p>\n

At Alminds\u00f8, there are several natural swimming pools enclosed by circles of overwater decking. Sl\u00e5ens\u00f8<\/a>, meanwhile, is said to have the cleanest water in the country \u2013 some say it is good enough to drink \u2013 and a walking trail traces its way around the shoreline. visitaarhus.com\/areas-and-cities\/lake-district<\/a><\/p>\n

Flights from Stansted to Aarhus (45km from Silkeborg) from \u00a377 with Ryanair in August. A night\u2019s stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel Papirfabrikken, set inside an old paper mill in the centre of the city, from \u00a3165 in summer, radissonhotels.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Lake Zell \u00a0<\/p>\n

Salzburgerland, Austria<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"ZellThe clear waters of Zell am See (Photo: Provided)<\/p>\n

Holidays to Lake Zell, a 90-minute train ride south of Salzburg, start with lido swims, pleasure boat cruises, and round-lake walks, and continue in the mountains that wreathe the water. <\/p>\n

Cable cars sweep passengers to the top of 1,965m-tall Schmittenh\u00f6he mountain, with its glass-floored viewing platform, and up the 3,000m Kitzsteinhorn glacier<\/a>, where an Ice Arena offers the chance to go snow sledging even when temperatures by the lake are in the mid-20\u00b0Cs. <\/p>\n

Jutting into the water on the west edge of the lake, Zell am See is the main town. Its brightly painted Alpine buildings are home to everything from cocktail bars and coffee roasteries to Michelin-star restaurants such as Mayer\u2019s. zellamsee-kaprun.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Rooms at the four-star boutique Cella Central in Zell am See from \u20ac113 (\u00a397) in\u00a0August, cella-central.com.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Avoid busy shores on these tranquil bodies of water, from northern Italy to Denmark \u00a0 With their peacock-blue…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":52234,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5174],"tags":[28002,2000,299,5510,5187,17978,10785,183],"class_list":{"0":"post-52233","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-eu","8":"tag-budget-travel","9":"tag-eu","10":"tag-europe","11":"tag-europe-travel","12":"tag-european","13":"tag-iweekend","14":"tag-summer-holidays","15":"tag-travel"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114404551813004175","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52233"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52233\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}