The world’s 11 most beautiful lakes

The conical peak of Mount Fuji is one of the most iconic vistas on our planet, and of Japan’s majestic landscape. Few places can compete with the splendour of Lake Kawaguchi, which is the second-largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, but undoubtedly the most picturesque. It’s easily accessible from Tokyo, which half-explains its popularity, though people would hardly be able to stay away from its beauty even if it were more secluded. Visiting during cherry blossom season? That’s an absolute must. 

The clue is in the name. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the deepest on the planet, but it is the romantic deep blue of the surface that makes it such a magnet for visitors. The lake formed in a caldera formed by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazuma (about 7,700 years ago, don’t worry), and the surrounding area has developed into an adventure playground for the curious. The lake and its formation play a significant role in Klamath folklore, adding another layer of magic to this gorgeous spot. The best part? Its two islands are called Wizard Island and Phantom Ship – doesn’t get much cooler than that, does it?

More and more people are eschewing Bled in favour of its wilder neighbour, Lake Bohinj, but Slovenia’s most famous lake is totally picture-perfect and should not be overlooked. Yes, Lake Bled is busy with tourists throughout the year, but it would be a crime if it weren’t – these people just have good taste. Located just under an hour north of Ljubljana, Lake Bled has everything a fairytale lake needs, from its cerulean waters to the jagged snow-capped mountains all around. The island in the lake (complete with a cuter-than-cute church) is as romantic as it gets. Oh, and there is a castle above, towering over the action.

If you like your lakes accentuated by the vibrant pink hue of thousands of flamingos, Lake Nakuru is the place for you. Okay, that might be a bit of a niche requirement, but the Rift Valley’s most lauded lake is best known for the flamboyance (yes, that’s actually the name for a group of flamingos) attracted by all the algae in the water. Unfortunately, pollution means the future isn’t looking so secure for this phenomenon, so be as respectful and clean as possible if visiting. Lake Nakuru National Park surrounds the lake, where visitors will find rhinos, giraffes, and other incredible wildlife.

Sticking with all things pink, how about a pink-water lake? Sat on the edge of Middle Island off the coast of Western Australia, Lake Hillier is world-famous for its dusky pink waters, which shouldn’t come as a surprise – water isn’t usually pink, after all. The colour is the result of micro-algae (or possibly high salt content – it’s as salty as the Dead Sea). The lake is perfect for swimming (or floating), although swimming isn’t officially allowed. And it’s worth noting that Middle Island is only accessible by helicopter or boat. 

Lake Titicaca has an impressive list of accolades. Not only is it the largest freshwater lake in South America, this gargantuan body of water on the border between Peru and Bolivia is actually the world’s highest large lake and the supposed birthplace of the Incas. Pretty cool, eh? But that’s far from the only reason this lake is so popular. It’s also beautiful and has bags of biodiversity, plus myths and legends which were inspired by it. Lake Titicaca also has over 40 islands, a ruined temple at the bottom and is supposedly shaped like a puma. 

Surely it’s only a matter of time before the Faroe Islands get Iceland levels of attention? Just look at Sørvágsvatn, the island group’s largest lake. Perched on a rocky cliff above the North Atlantic Ocean, the lake looks like the setting of a moody, atmospheric piece of fiction, surrounded by brooding clouds and an otherworldly sense of wonder. What’s more, the drop from the lake to the sea is intense, creating a strange optical illusion, appearing as if the water hovers in the sky. This natural wonder is just a short hike from Sandavágur, a walk so jaw-dropping that will have you falling head over heels in love with the Faroes in no time.

Moraine Lake is located in the appropriately dramatic-named ‘Valley of the Ten Peaks’ in Banff National Park, and while pretty much the entire region is known for its beauty, you could argue that this lake is the most gorgeous spot of all. Surrounded by jagged mountains and hiking trails, Moraine was named by nineteenth-century Yale student Walter Wilcox, who described it as a place of ‘inspiring solitude and rugged grandeur.’ While the former has been lost in the face of tourism, the latter very much remains – just look at the colour of it. 

There’s something a bit magical about China’s West Lake. The basin is spread over just under 6.5km squared, and it’s divvied up into five sections by three different causeways. The Lake has inspired the likes of poets, painters, bascially any kind of creative, who come to marvel at the temples, islands (natural and person-made), pagodas and gardens. It’s a short drive from the centre of Hangzhou but feels worlds away from the city’s buzz, and is a snapshot of China, arguably at its most authentic.

Okay, it might seem a little harcore to shine a light on a place known as the ‘World’s Deadliest Lake’ but this is about aesthetics, not safety. Tanzania’s Lake Natron has a reputation for violence, albeit of the allegorical ‘turning animals into stone’ variety, but there is more to this crimson, mars-like lake than meets the eye. Natron is a shallow salt lake at the foot of an active volcano (just to add to the danger vibe), and despite its reputation, it is another spot where thousands of flamingos add to the atmosphere. Best not to swim, though, lest you be turned into stone. 

You know what? Sometimes the classics are the best, and Lake Como is a prime example. Surprisingly large and intimidatingly deep, Lake Como has been a magnet for the rich and famous since the Roman times, although that shouldn’t come as a surprise and it remains as popular today as it always has been. It is one of the great Italian experiences, a luxury lake surrounded by villas, sanctuaries and romance. If we’re talking about the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Como is integral to the discussion.