Lakes in Switzerland 2026 – Best Lakes, Boat Trips & Scenic Spots

Many visitors think of mountains first when they imagine Switzerland, but lakes are where you slow down: evening walks, easy boat trips, cafés with views and family-friendly swimming areas in summer. In a typical 2026 trip, lakes help you balance:

• 1–2 big mountain days (Jungfraujoch, Pilatus, Titlis…)
• with lighter lake days for recovery, photos and gentle sightseeing.

You do not need to “collect” every lake. Instead, match 2–3 key lakes to your bases such as Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and Zurich.

Use these guides to go deeper into specific lakes and cities:

• Lucerne city guide »
• Lake Lucerne cruise »
• Interlaken guide »
• Lake Brienz boat trips »
• Lake Thun cruise »
• Geneva city guide »
• Zurich city guide »
• Montreux guide »

Lake Lucerne is often the first lake people experience in Switzerland. It combines historic paddle-steamers, easy access to Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi, and beautiful views directly from Lucerne’s promenade.

• Take a round-trip cruise from Lucerne as a relaxed half-day activity between mountain days.
• Many Pilatus and Rigi excursions include a boat segment plus cable cars or cogwheel trains.
• In summer 2026, look for evening cruises with dinner or live music.

If you only choose one lake base for your 2026 trip, Lucerne is often the most efficient: it links city, lake and mountains in one place.

Lake Brienz, near Interlaken, is famous for its intense turquoise colour. Boat trips feel quieter here than on some other lakes, and there are great photo stops at Iseltwald and Giessbach Falls.

• Combine a Brienz boat trip with a ride on the historic Giessbach funicular up to the waterfall viewpoint.
• The area is popular with kayaking and paddle-boarding in summer.
• Views back towards the mountains make it ideal for sunset photography.

On the other side of Interlaken lies Lake Thun, with deep-blue water, lakeside castles and wide panoramas. It’s ideal for a slower day between big excursions.

• Visit Spiez, Oberhofen or Thun by boat and stroll along the waterfront.
• Combine a cruise with a short castle visit or a simple lakeside lunch.
• Several piers are easy to reach from Interlaken West station.

Many families doing a Jungfraujoch day also add one easy lake day on Thun or Brienz so the trip does not feel rushed.

Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) has a different atmosphere: more Riviera style, with long promenades, vineyards and elegant hotels. It works especially well for Geneva or Montreux-based stays.

• Short cruises in Geneva give views of the Jet d’Eau and city skyline.
• Around Montreux, combine the lake with Chillon Castle and vineyard walks.
• In summer, the Montreux lakeside is lively with festivals and events.

Lake Zurich is not as dramatic as mountain lakes, but it is very convenient if you are staying in the city at the start or end of your trip.

• Take a short sightseeing cruise after a day of shopping on Bahnhofstrasse.
• Use lakeside parks and promenades as easy walking areas with kids.
• In warm months, locals swim from public lidos along the shore.

For a quick taste of Swiss lake life without changing hotel, Lake Zurich is a low-effort addition to a city stay.

• Season: main cruise schedules run from roughly spring to autumn, but some lakes (like Lucerne) keep limited services in winter.
• Passes: check whether your Swiss Travel Pass includes free lake boats or discounts on specific routes.
• Weather: cloudy days are still good for lakes – you do not need perfect clear skies like for mountain summits.
• Combos: consider combining a lake cruise + short walk instead of trying to add another big paid attraction on the same day.

Use these guides to connect your lake plans with cities and mountains:

• 🇨🇭 Switzerland travel hub – overview of regions and planning basics.
• 🗺️ 9-day Switzerland itinerary – how to fit lakes and mountains into one route.
• 🎫 Swiss Travel Pass guide – when a rail pass helps with lake boats.
• 🏔️ Swiss mountains guide – choose 2–3 summits to combine with lake days.
• 🏨 Lucerne hotels guide – best areas for Lake Lucerne.
• 🏨 Interlaken family hotels – good bases for Lakes Thun & Brienz.

This lakes in Switzerland guide 2026 gives you a straightforward structure: pick Lucerne for a classic lake-and-mountain combo, add Thun/Brienz if you stay in Interlaken, and use Geneva or Zurich for shorter, city-based lake moments.

With just a few well-chosen lakes, your Switzerland trip can feel calmer and more memorable, without trying to see everything at once.