September 3, 2024, 6:39 am | Read time: 5 minutes

Many travelers are now opting out of touristy vacations on crowded beaches and instead treating themselves to a relaxing break in places with blue waters, surrounded by mountains or forests, and away from the fast pace of everyday life. And there are quite a few of these places. TRAVELBOOK shows the seven most beautiful lakes in the world that remain a hidden gem.

The Grüner See in Austria is only a lake for six months of the year

The Grüner See in Austria is filled with water every spring as the snow melts. What was a park in the months before is then a water paradise with crystal-clear water. But if you’re considering a swim in the lake, be prepared for a bracing experience: the meltwater keeps the Grüner See’s temperature hovering around a brisk eight degrees Celsius (forty-six degrees Fahrenheit) – quite chilly indeed. Moreover, diving in the lake has been prohibited since 2016 to preserve its natural beauty. But it’s worth going because the shimmering emerald-green mountain lake is a real eye-catcher and also a hidden gem. The Grüner See carries an air of the mythical Atlantis, with the exception that this submerged ‘city’ reemerges each fall.

Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is still a real hidden gem

As one of the oldest lakes in Europe, Lake Ohrid stretches across two countries: Macedonia and Albania. Its age, estimated between 1.2 million and ten million years, remains a mystery, yet the nearly 300-meter (328-yard)-deep lake captivates visitors with its picturesque landscape, earning it the nickname ‘Macedonian Sea’. If you want to go on vacation here, you can do so in the town of Ohrid, for example. It has around 45,000 inhabitants.

Laguna de Torrevieja in Spain – the pink lake on the Costa Blanca

Spain is home to one of the most extraordinary lakes in the world: the Laguna de Torrevieja. The lake in the nature park is – unlike most lakes – pink. The discoloration is thought to be caused by halobacteria, which thrive at high levels of salt in the water.

As the lake has a salt content of 350 grams per liter (46 ounces per gallon), this criterion is definitely met. However, due to the high salt content and the uniqueness of the lake, visitors are not allowed to swim in it. However, just one look at the Laguna Rosa de Torrevieja is definitely worth the trip.

The Kitch-iti-kipi is one of America’s most beautiful lakes and hidden gems

A hundred years ago, it was a garbage dump, today it is one of the most beautiful lakes and hidden gems in America – the Kitch-iti-kipi. This beautiful lake is located in Palms Book State Park, near the town of Manistique, Michigan. To this day, it still remains a hidden gem. Surrounded by coniferous forest and with particularly clear water, the Kitch-iti-kipi is a real eye-catcher. Thanks to the efforts of John I. Bellaire, the lake remains accessible to the public free of charge throughout the year. Adventurous visitors can even traverse the Kitch-iti-kipi aboard a raft.

Crystal-clear water and a stunning mountain backdrop – Lake Cresta in Switzerland

Thanks to its underground springs, Lake Cresta is characterized by very good water quality. Like Lake Cauma, it is located above the Rhine Gorge, in the area of the Flims rockslide. Spanning 46,000 square meters (55, 015 square yards) and reaching depths of up to 14 meters (15.3 yards), the natural bathing lake serves as an idyllic rest stop for hikers and cyclists alike. Should you inadvertently gulp down some water during your aquatic frolics, fret not, for Lake Cresta’s waters boast a purity akin to drinking water.

The perfect alternative to Lake Garda is Lake Molveno in Italy

Italy has already produced many beautiful lakes. Whether Lake Como, Lake Garda, or Lake Maggiore, these lakes attract many visitors every year. Lake Molveno, on the other hand, is not yet known to so many tourists. Even so, it can definitely keep up with the other popular lakes.

Despite being named Italy’s most beautiful lake on nine occasions, Lake Molveno remains a hidden gem compared to the well-trodden shores of Lake Garda. In the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige, Lake Molveno stretches over 4.4 kilometers (2.7 miles) and is up to 124 meters (135 yards) deep. It impresses above all with its good water and beach quality, as well as the range of mountain activities on offer – perfect for holidaymakers.

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The lake of seven colors – Mexico’s Lake Bacalar

Life forms that are older than dinosaurs exist there: Lake Bacalar is known in Mexico as the “Lago de siete colores” – the lake of seven colors. It was given this name due to its extraordinary blue and turquoise hues. This tranquil oasis is nestled in the southern reaches of Yucatán, within the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Lake Bacalar is located in a relatively quiet area and is therefore perfect for relaxing and unwinding.