Where to swim in Europe: The cleanest lakes to dive right into
Australia might have some of the best beaches in the world, but over in Europe, it's all about the lakes. Across the continent, there are thousands of stunning lake just waiting to be explored, perfect for swimming, diving, and more. But where to start? A study by Iglu Cruise compiled a list of the European countries with the highest percentage of swimming lakes with "excellent" water quality, according to European Environment Agency data. Read through to see the top ten.
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10. Poland. Particularly in the north of the country, there are many warm swimming spots where locals can cool off in summer. Lake Śniardwy is the largest lake in Poland, so huge it feels like a sea. It's a hub for sailing, kayaking and other water activities.
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9. Netherlands. Most of the swimming spots here are manmade, converted from gravel pits or quarries into beautiful lakes. Lake IJssel, a large freshwater lake, is a popular spot for water sports, including windsurfing and sailing, thanks to its expansive sandy beaches.
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8. Hungary. As Hungary has no coastline, its lakes are very popular for swimming. Lake Hévíz is the world’s largest swimmable thermal lake, with temperatures ranging from 24°C in winter to 38°C in summer.
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7. Sweden. With over 100,000 lakes in Sweden, there's a wide variety of wild swimming spots, from urban dips to remote lakes surrounded by nature. Lake Vänern, the largest lake in Sweden and third-largest in Europe, resembles a sea with its many islands, coves and sandy beaches.
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6. France. The outdoor culture in France means that the lakes are packed with locals each summer - but there's plenty of space to go around. Lake Annecy is celebrated for its deep turquoise waters and impressive mountain scenery, featuring many public beaches as well as its charming old town, Annecy.
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5. Switzerland. Cities such as Zurich and Geneva are known for their lakes, creating a culture of wild swimming, especially in the Spring and Summer, thanks to the high water quality.
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Lake Lugano is ideal for open water swimming. It's Switzerland's warmest lake in summer, often reaching up to 32°C in July.
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4. Italy. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, Italian lakes tend to be warmer than those further north.
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Lake Como, arguably Italy’s most famous lake, is recognised for its exceptional open water swimming status. Beyond swimming, many of Italy's lakes, are hotspots for windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and hiking in the surrounding mountains.
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