Lakes and mountains holidays

Our top destinations for Lakes and mountains holidays in Europe

Europe’s lakes and mountains were made for summer holidays. Clear water. Fresh alpine air. And views worth stopping for.

One minute you’re wandering through flower-filled meadows. The next you’re beside a sparkling lake or settling in for a long lunch in a mountain village.

If that sounds like your kind of holiday, you’re in the right place. We’ve picked some of our favourite lakes and mountains destinations across Europe.

Think the dramatic Dolomites in Italy, Austria’s rolling valleys, Slovenia’s fairy-tale lakes and the peaceful peaks of France, Switzerland and Andorra.

Read on for lakes, peaks and holidays made for sunset aperitivos.

Lakes and mountains holidays in Italy

There’s a reason the Italian lakes are so loved. Dramatic mountain scenery, sparkling water and towns made for slow afternoons. The kind of holiday where long lunches, lakeside strolls and mountain views are all part of the experience.

Spend the morning on a scenic trail. By afternoon, you’re by the water with a glass of wine, taking in the view. Big scenery, relaxed afternoons and plenty of time to enjoy it all.

That’s the beauty of our Italy walking holidays. Walk when you want. Relax when you don’t. Leaving you free to soak up lakeside life, mountain air and some very good Italian food. Pizza, pasta and the occasional “just one more” scoop of gelato.

Holidays in Lake Garda

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake and a favourite for holidays by the water. Vineyards roll down to the shore. Colourful towns line the water. Ferries make it easy to explore from town to town.

Wander sunny promenades. Linger over lunch in a lakeside piazza. Or head north, where mountains rise steeply above the lake and walking routes come with sweeping views. From gentle lakeside strolls to panoramic trails in the surrounding hills, there’s something for every type of walker.

Further south, the landscape softens. Rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves lead down to relaxed lakeside towns. Little harbours bob with boats. Cafés spill onto lively piazzas.

Beaches, boat rides and lakeside cycle paths make it a brilliant choice for families too. And the day often ends with a gelato by the water. Because no trip to Italy is complete without one.

Holidays in Lake Como

Lake Como is known for its grand villas and beautiful lakeside gardens. Pretty towns like Bellagio and Menaggio sit between steep green mountains and the water.

Small harbours. Quiet cafés. The sort of places where it’s easy to linger a while.

Boats glide between the lakeside villages, making it simple to explore. And the footpaths along the shore are perfect for gentle wandering.

The lake stretches north towards the Alps and south towards Milan. Elegant villas, vineyards and terraced gardens decorate the steep slopes. It’s the kind of scenery that has caught the eye of filmmakers for decades.

Walking is one of the best ways to experience it. The Greenway path runs for around 10km between Colonno and Tremezzo, weaving through historic villages, Roman roads and gardens shaded by cypress trees.

Of course, all that exploring works up an appetite. Local menus celebrate the lake and surrounding valleys. Risotto with perch fillets is a regional favourite. Add a glass of red and the day ends rather well.

It’s easy to see why Lake Como is such a favourite. Walks with big views. Charming lakeside towns. And very good food waiting at the end of the trail. For walkers who enjoy the reward as much as the walk.

Lake Maggiore blends elegant lakeside living with wild mountain scenery. Palace-topped islands. Flower-filled gardens. Forested peaks rising just beyond the shore.

It’s Italy’s second-largest lake, stretching from the Alps in the north to the softer plains in the south. In fact, it’s so big it slips over the border into Switzerland.

Pretty towns like Stresa and Baveno make easy bases for exploring. Ferries cross the lake. Trains and mountain paths open up the surrounding countryside.

Walking here ranges from relaxed lakeside strolls to adventurous mountain routes. Some trails weave through forests and quiet villages above the water. Others climb higher, revealing wide views across the lake and the Alps beyond.

A highlight of any visit is the Borromean Islands. Ferries carry visitors to Isola Bella and Isola Madre, where ornate palaces and colourful gardens sit above the lake. Nearby Isola dei Pescatori feels very different. Narrow lanes. Fishing boats. Restaurants serving the day’s catch.

And of course, the food plays its part. Fresh fish from the lake. Alpine cheeses from nearby valleys. Ossolano and Gorgonzola are local favourites.

If you like your holidays with elegant islands, mountain views and a very good lunch somewhere along the way, then Lake Maggiore deserves a spot on your trip list.

Mountain holidays in the Dolomites

Step into the Dolomites and you’ll quickly see why they’re one of Italy’s favourite mountain holiday spots. Jagged limestone peaks rise above wide green valleys. Walking trails and cycling routes head off in every direction.

You can keep things relaxed or turn up the adventure. Wander through flower-filled alpine meadows. Hop on a cable car for sweeping views. Or follow well-marked trails between mountain villages.

Families love it here too. There are plenty of easy walks that kids and teens can enjoy. Lakes to cool off in. Lifts that take you straight to the good views without the uphill effort.

And then there’s the food. Italian flair meets Austrian comfort in dishes like creamy polenta, truffle pasta and apple strudel. Mountain huts serve hearty plates with views that make it the kind of lunch you remember.

So if you like your holidays with big mountain views, fresh alpine air and long lunches with a view, the Dolomites are well worth discovering.

Lakes and mountains holidays in Austria

Austria combines charming alpine towns with an excellent choice of walking and cycling routes. Trails lead through rolling valleys, forests and high ridges, with plenty of panoramic stops along the way.

Switzerland: Lake Lucerne and Wengen

Sail across Lake Lucerne on a paddle-steamer, then take a cable car up to Wengen for high-altitude hikes. Switzerland is a great choice if you want lakeside calm one day and mountain adventure the next.

Slovenia: Lake Bled and Kranjska Gora

Lake Bled looks like a scene from a storybook, with a church set on a small island in the centre. Kranjska Gora is a peaceful alpine base with plenty of walking trails, cycling routes and local culture to discover.

French Alps: Morzine, Chamonix and Lake Annecy

The French Alps offer a mix of adventure and great food. Chamonix is the place for high mountain experiences, while Morzine is popular with walkers and cyclists. Lake Annecy combines lakeside relaxation with a lively French town.

The French Alps offer a mix of adventure and great food. Chamonix is the place for high mountain experiences, while Morzine is popular with walkers and cyclists. Lake Annecy combines lakeside relaxation with a lively French town.

Andorra: Arinsal

Set in the Pyrenees, Arinsal is a fantastic choice for active holidays. Explore mountain trails, treetop adventures and gondola rides in summer.

Family holidays in the lakes and mountains

Our family walking holidays are designed for all ages. Spend time together exploring trails and forests, visit mountain playgrounds, or try treetop adventure courses and bike parks. It’s a chance to switch off, enjoy the outdoors and create memories you’ll talk about long after the holiday ends.

Plan your lakes and mountains holiday

Whether you’re dreaming of a boat ride on Lake Garda, a hike through Austria’s alpine valleys or a lakeside stroll in Slovenia, you’ll find your ideal lakes and mountains holiday with Inghams.