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

Head to western Austria and you’ll find the Tyrol and Salzburgerland regions. A landscape of wild mountain trails, flower-filled meadows, wooden chalets and rich green valleys.

Walking trails lead through meadows and forests to sunny mountain huts, where Tyrolean favourites like schnitzel and apple strudel appear on the menu.

And if your legs need a rest, Austria has plenty of exclusive spas, perfect for relaxation after a day outdoors.

Families are especially well looked after here. Kids can follow wildlife trails, tackle adventure playgrounds in the mountains or try rafting on the Ziller River in Mayrhofen. In resorts like Seefeld, child-friendly walking routes and themed trails to turn every day into a new adventure.

So if you like your holidays with charming villages, mountain adventures and a little relaxation thrown in, Austria is a very good choice.

Lakes and mountain holidays in Switzerland

Few places do mountain scenery quite like Switzerland. Think towering peaks, turquoise lakes and some of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.

Getting around is part of the adventure here. Cogwheel trains climb steep mountainsides, scenic railways wind through valleys and paddle steamers cross glassy lakes. It’s all wonderfully easy too, thanks to Switzerland’s famously efficient transport network that links villages, mountains and lakes.

The scenery is just as impressive as you’d expect. Legendary peaks like the Matterhorn, Eiger and Jungfrau rise above forests and alpine meadows, while trails lead to hidden waterfalls, high plateaus and bright turquoise lakes.

From Kandersteg, a gondola lifts you up to Oeschinensee, a beautiful mountain lake set high in the Alps. Back in the villages, things slow down a little. Flower-lined promenades, wooden chalets and lakeside cafés make it easy to relax after a day exploring.

In Lucerne, you can wander through the colourful old town, cross its famous medieval bridge and watch the lake shimmer beneath the mountains.

Why choose Switzerland as your next lakes and mountains holiday? Big scenery, brilliant trains and new views waiting around almost every corner.

Lakes and mountains holidays in Slovenia

Slovenia may be small, but the scenery is anything but. Forests cover much of the country, the Julian Alps rise in the north and bright blue lakes add to the alpine landscape.

For walkers, the Julian Alps are a fantastic place to explore. Trails wind through forests, past waterfalls and up to wide mountain views.

Around Lake Bled, easy paths circle the lake, with the famous island church and castle high above the water.

Stay in Kranjska Gora and there’s even more to discover. The nearby Zelenci Nature Reserve is known for its bright green pools and peaceful boardwalk paths. From here, walking routes lead through alpine meadows, quiet villages, orchards and lakes.

There’s plenty to see beyond the mountains too. Ljubljana is perfect for a relaxed wander, with riverside cafés, lively food markets and colourful old streets.

Lakes and mountains holidays in France

The French Alps have a lovely mix of adventure and easy-going mountain life. One moment you’re walking with views of Mont Blanc, the next you’re sitting beside a peaceful alpine lake with a coffee or something delicious for lunch.

Walking trails lead through forests, past waterfalls and up to wide mountain viewpoints. Resorts like Chamonix and Morzine are lively bases for exploring the mountains, with plenty of activities and scenic trails right on the doorstep.

If you’re after a quieter escape, smaller alpine villages offer a slower pace and beautiful surroundings. Getting into the mountains is easy too. Cable cars and gondolas whisk you up to high viewpoints, where the views stretch across the Alps.

And when you’re not out on the trails, there’s still plenty to keep you busy. At Lake Annecy and Lac de Montriond you can spend sunny afternoons paddleboarding, pedalling across the water or simply relaxing by the lakeside.

If you’re after a little more excitement, paragliding and via ferrata routes offer a different way to experience the mountains. Cyclists are especially well looked after here. You can tackle famous climbs from the Tour de France around Annecy or explore the huge trail network at Morzine Bike Park.

And of course, there’s the food. Hearty Alpine dishes, local cheeses and cosy mountain restaurants make the perfect ending to a day outdoors.

Mountain holidays in Andorra

Andorra is all about the mountains. Over 100 peaks rise across the Pyrenees, with natural parks, forests and wide valleys waiting to be explored.

For walkers, it’s a wonderful place to get outdoors. Trails lead through forests, valleys and alpine meadows, with routes that range from gentle family strolls to longer mountain hikes. Stone villages and quiet mountain lakes appear along the way, making every walk feel a little different.

Cyclists are well looked after here too. Smooth mountain roads twist through the valleys, while rugged backcountry trails attract mountain bikers from all over the world. It’s no surprise the area hosts major MTB events each summer.

The village of Arinsal is a peaceful base for exploring the Pyrenees. Walking trails start right from the village, and with a reliable local bus you can easily visit nearby places like La Massana to discover even more of the surrounding mountains.

All of which makes Andorra a lovely choice for anyone who enjoys fresh mountain air, quiet trails and scenery that feels wonderfully untouched.