If you think the lakes in Switzerland look too blue to be true in photos, don’t worry – your mind isn’t playing tricks on you, and it’s (probably) not Photoshop.
From bright turquoise to aquamarine to sapphire, with shades of emerald green, Swiss lakes come in a variety of blues that are as soothing to the eye as they are surprising. Why, you ask? What you’re seeing are glacier particles from sheets of ice that once covered part of Switzerland and melted tens of thousands of years ago, forming many of its lakes.
Fun fact: Switzerland, half the size of South Carolina, has 1,500 lakes, 125 times as many as the US state.
Here are some of the best lakes you can reach by train if you’re staying in Zürich.
Image Credit: Getty Images, VogelSP. Image Location: Walensee Lake, Switzerland
Lakes near Zürich, Switzerland
Lake Zürich
Zürich Hb to Zürich Stadelhofen: from 2m
Just step off the train at Stadelhofen train station, near Zürich’s Old Town, walk past the Zürich Opera House, and head to Seebad Utoquai, a 19th-century bathhouse offering access to the lake, sun terraces, diving boards, a restaurant, and front-row seats to the city’s iconic skyline.
Walensee
Zürich Hb to Unterterzen: from 58m
If freshwater diving is on your bucket list, head to Walensee (or Lake Walen). This lake’s unusually clear water makes it popular with amateur divers looking to explore underwater caves or the occasional sunken boat. Once you’re done plumbing the depths, look up to see the jagged skyline of the Churfirsten mountains rising steeply from the water.
Image Credit: Getty Images, davidhajnal. Image Location: Lake Constance, Germany
Lake Constance
Zürich Hb to Konstanz: from 1h 12m
Checking off countries? Take the train from Zürich to Konstanz, just over the border with Germany. After lunch on Lake Constance (or Bodensee), board another train and enjoy the stunning views unfolding outside your window during the hour-and-a-half ride to the Austrian port city of Bregenz, wrapping up a three-country marathon.
Lake Lucerne
Zürich Hb to Lucerne: from 41m
From the Rigi to Stanserhorn to Mount Pilatus, pick any one of the stunning peaks surrounding Lake Lucerne, and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas. But don’t take our word for it: instead, follow in the footsteps of the countless rich and famous (and quite a few wildly adventurous) visitors who have vacationed at this photogenic retreat over the last 100 years.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Westend61. Image Location: Lake Lugano, Switzerland
Best lakes around Zürich for day trips
Lake Neuchâtel
Zürich Hb to Neuchâtel: from 1h 28m
Attention, birdwatchers! The southern shoulder of Lake Neuchâtel is home to Switzerland’s largest lakeshore wetland (the Grande Cariçaie) and more than 100 species of birds, so bring your checklist. And for your beach-loving travel companion, the area boasts some of the best white sandy beaches north of the Mediterranean.
Lake Brienz and Lake Thun
Zürich Hb to Interlaken Ost (for Lake Brienz): from 1h 54m
Zürich Hb to Interlaken West (for Lake Thun): from 1h 49m
Outdoor enthusiasts will want to add Lake Brienz and Lake Thun to their to-do list. Extending on either side of the resort town of Interlaken, the twin lakes offer plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun, including windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and water skiing. While the trains from Zürich to Interlaken Ost/West will get you close to the lakes, a quick 17m train ride from Interlaken Ost to Brienz train station or a 25m trip from Interlaken West to Thun train station is the best way to access the shores of the lakes.
Image Credit: Getty Images, svjetlana. Image Location: Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Lake Geneva
Zürich Hb to Lausanne: from 2h 9m
With a milder climate than neighboring lakes, Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman) is the perfect all-season destination. Visit castles lifted from the pages of history books, treat yourself to a sunset cruise, and don’t forget to take a selfie with the famous Jet d'Eau fountain – one of the tallest in the world.
Lake Lugano
Zürich Hb to Lugano: from 2h 43m
Lake Lugano has been called the “Mediterranean soul” of Switzerland, and it won’t take you long to see why. From houses perched on rocky cliffs to palm trees and citrus trees to authentic Italian cuisine, this charming spot is popular for its friendly atmosphere, warm weather, and unique architecture, some dating back over 1,000 years.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Markus Thoenen. Image Location: Lake Lucerne, Switzerland