Switzerland is famous for its mountains. But it’s lakes? Criminally underrated. Hidden between peaks, nestled in forests, or glowing with unreal colors – these lakes look straight out of a fantasy movie. Get ready to add them to your bucket list!
Oeschinen Lake – That Blue, Though
Imagine a lake so blue it looks photoshopped. That’s Oeschinen. Located near Kandersteg, this glacial lake is surrounded by towering cliffs and alpine meadows.
Photo by Daniil Korbut on Unsplash
Things to Do: Swimming (cold but refreshing), kayaking, hiking, ice skating in winter.
Depth? 56m. Drop your phone, and it’s gone forever.
Getting There: Take a gondola from Kandersteg, then hike 30 minutes. Worth it.
Nearby: Cute mountain restaurants, epic hiking trails.
What to Watch Out For: Freezing water, steep trails, and the occasional rockfall.
Best time to visit: June to September for hiking, winter for skating.
Beware: Sudden weather changes, bring layers!
Fun fact: The lake freezes in winter, and people walk across it like it’s no big deal.
Blausee – The Fairytale One
Blausee literally means “Blue Lake,” and trust me, it lives up to the name. The water is crystal clear, with shades of blue so intense it looks fake.
Photo by R. Fera, Pexels.com
Things to Do: Short hikes, boat rides (no swimming!), and picnics.
Depth? 12m.
Getting There: Drive or take a bus from Kandersteg, short walk from parking.
Nearby: Blausee Nature Park, Trout farm.
What to Watch Out For: Small lake, gets crowded fast.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning for peak fairytale vibes.
Heads Up: No swimming! The fish called dibs.
Fun fact: There’s a legend that the lake turned blue from a girl’s tears. A little dramatic, but we love it.
Crestasee – Hidden Forest Paradise
Tucked away in the woods near Flims, Crestasee feels like a magical secret. The water is a deep emerald green, surrounded by thick pine trees and total peace. It’s small, but that’s part of the charm.
Things to Do: Swim, paddleboard, sunbathe, or just enjoy the silence.
Depth Check: 14m.
Getting There: Short hike from Trin or a 10-minute walk from a parking area.
Nearby Highlights: Caumasee, Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon).
What to Watch Out For: Entry fee, limited sunbathing spots.
Best Time to Visit: Summer, early morning for the calmest water.
Fun Fact: There’s a floating wooden platform for mid-lake chilling. 10/10 vibe.
Caumasee – Caribbean Vibes in the Alps
Switzerland and the Caribbean have nothing in common, except Caumasee. This lake in Flims has water so turquoise you’d think you teleported to the Bahamas.
Photo by Peter Steiner 
1973 on Unsplash
Things to Do: Swimming, paddleboarding, sunbathing, beach volleyball.
Depth? 30m.
Getting there: Funicular from Flims, then short walk.
Nearby: Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon!), mountain biking trails.
What to Watch Out For: Entry fee, summer crowds.
Best Time to Visit: July to September for the warmest water.
Heads Up: Looks tropical, but the water is still ice-cold. Don’t be fooled!
Fun Fact: There’s a tiny island in the middle, perfect for escaping reality.
4. Seealpsee – Cows, Mountains & Mirror Reflections
A stunning lake surrounded by rolling green hills, cows chilling nearby, and a perfect reflection of the mountains in the water. That’s Seealpsee in Appenzell.
Photo by Fabio Romano on Unsplash
Things to Do: Hiking, photography, boat rentals.
Depth? 15m. Safe from the Loch Ness monster.
Getting there: Hike 1.5 hours from Wasserauen station.
Nearby: Aescher Cliff Restaurant (famous Instagram spot!).
What to Watch Out For: Steep hike, no easy transport.
Best time to visit: Spring and summer for lush green views.
Heads Up: Cow poop everywhere. Watch your step.
Fun fact: The cows have the right of way. Always.
Fälensee – A Hidden Alpine Dream
Tucked deep in the Alpstein mountains, Fälensee is pure Swiss dreamland. The long, narrow lake is framed by steep cliffs, making it feel like a secret from another world.
Things to Do: Hike, wild swim, enjoy total solitude.
Depth: 14m. Cold, but refreshing.
Getting There: Hike from Brülisau (around 2 hours). No roads, no shortcuts.
Nearby: Berggasthaus Bollenwees (a cozy mountain inn right by the lake).
What to Watch Out For: Unpredictable weather, remote location.
Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early autumn.
Heads Up: No shops, no WiFi, just you and nature.
Fun Fact: Locals say the lake is so quiet, you can hear your own thoughts. Deep.
Gelmersee – The Epic One
Getting to this lake is an adventure itself. You ride the steepest open-air funicular in Europe (106% incline!). Once you arrive? Jaw-dropping, deep blue water surrounded by rugged peaks.
Photo by Kateryna Prykhodko on Unsplash
Things to Do: Hiking, take insane photos, Picnic.
Depth? 48m. Basically bottomless.
Getting There: Gelmerbahn funicular, then a 20-minute hike.
Nearby: Grimsel Pass, Handeck waterfall.
What to Watch Out For: Scary funicular ride, high altitude.
Best time to visit: July to September.
Fun fact: The funicular is steeper than most rollercoasters.
Lac de Taney – Hidden Gem Alert
Tucked away in the Valais region, this lake is pure tranquility. No cars, no crowds, just breathtaking scenery and absolute peace.
Things to Do: Swimming, hiking, fishing.
Depth? 20m. Deep enough for a solid cannonball.
How to get there: Hike 1-2 hours from Le Flon.
Nearby: Small mountain huts serving food.
What to Watch Out For: Tough uphill hike, no public transport.
Best time to visit: Late summer and autumn.
Heads Up: No shops – bring snacks or suffer.
Fun fact: Locals say the water is healing. No guarantees, but worth a try.
Bachalpsee – Postcard Perfect
If you’ve ever Googled “Switzerland lakes,” you’ve probably seen Bachalpsee. It’s the one with crazy mirror-like reflections of the Bernese Alps.
Image by Singha Bohrer (-Bender) from Pixabay
Things to Do: Hiking, photography.
Depth? 20m.
Getting there: Gondola to Grindelwald First, then 1-hour hike.
Nearby: First Cliff Walk, adventure activities.
What to Watch Out For: High altitude, unpredictable weather.
Best time to visit: June to September.
Fun fact: The reflections make it look like two skies stacked on top of each other.
Riffelsee – The Matterhorn Mirror
Want the most Instagrammable lake in Switzerland? Riffelsee is your spot. On a clear day, it reflects the Matterhorn like a dream.
Photo by Ilia Bronskiy on Unsplash
Things to Do: Photography, hiking.
Depth? 4m.
Getting there: Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt, then a short walk.
Nearby: Matterhorn viewpoints, Gorner Glacier.
What to Watch Out For: High altitude (2,770m), can be freezing even in summer.
Best time to visit: September-October for the best reflections.
Fun fact: It’s only deep enough to soak your ankles. No diving here!
Switzerland’s lakes are a hidden gem, offering stunning beauty and unique experiences. Whether it’s the vibrant blue waters of Oeschinen Lake or the peaceful serenity of Lac de Taney, each lake promises adventure and tranquility. These magical spots are perfect for nature lovers, making Switzerland a must-visit destination for unforgettable landscapes.
