Switzerland is a water-rich country with rivers and lakes covering about 4% of its surface.
Below you will find information about the main Swiss Lakes and suggestions for hotels on the shores of the lakes for a perfect serene escape.
Swiss Lakes and Best Hotels Around Lakeshores
1. Lake Zurich
Photo Credit: Andreas Fischinger
Lake Zurich is a clear water lake with areas that serve as “beaches” for bathers and is divided between the cantons of Zurich, St. Gallen, and Schwyz.
On the shores of the lake are located cities like Rüschlikon, Thalwil, Wädenswil, Richterswil, Horgen, Lachen, Küsnacht, Kilchberg, Zurich (the biggest one), and others.
Some excellent hotel options along the lake include La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich, AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac, Romantik Seehotel Sonne, and Hotel Alex Lake Zürich.
2. Lake Brienz
Photo Credit: Anthony Gomez
Located in the canton of Bern north of the Alps, Lake Brienz is a lake with turquoise blue water surrounded by villages and mountains.
Iseltwald and Bönigen are home to some of the best hotels along Lake Brienz such as the Boutique Hotel Bellevue Iseltwald and the Seehotel Bönigen.
3. Lake Thun
Photo Credit: Anthony Gomez
Lake Thun is another alpine lake in the canton of Bern neighboring Lake Brienz. It is the largest Swiss lake located entirely within a single canton.
The Belvédère Strandhotel and the Congress Hotel Seepark are two elegant hotel options on the shores of the lake.
4. Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
Photo Credit: Devam Jhabak
Lake Geneva is a deep lake shared between Switzerland and France and one of the largest lakes in Western Europe.
The lake is part of the cantons of Vaud, Geneva, and Valais. The Valais region is the largest wine region in Switzerland.
Beau-Rivage Genève and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva are two spectacular lakeside hotel options along the lake.
5. Lake Constance (Bodensee)
Photo Credit: Michael Kucharski
Lake Constance is part of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, through which the Rhine flows. On the Swiss side, the lake is part of the cantons of St. Gallen, Thurgau, and Schaffhausen.
The Hotel Bad Horn and the Schloss Wartegg are two great options for hotels near the shores of the lake.
6. Untersee
Photo Credit: Samuel Svec
Untersee is one of the lakes along with Lake Constance that forms the border between Switzerland and Germany. The lake is located in the cantons of Thurgau and Schaffhausen on the Swiss side.
The See & Park Hotel Feldbach is a hotel option next to an 18th-century monastery on the banks of the Untersee.
7. Lake Neuchatel
Photo Credit: Alin Andersen
Lake Neuchâtel is the largest lake entirely in Switzerland in the 3 Lakes Region “Drei-Seen-Land” mainly in the canton of Neuchâtel but in the cantons of Vaud, Freiburg, and Bern.
The 3 Lakes region includes Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Bienna, and Lake Murten.
The Hôtel Restaurant Port-Conty and the Best Western Premier Hotel Beaulac are excellent choices of hotels along the lake with modern facilities.
8. Lake of Bienna
Photo Credit: Jo L’Helvète
Lake Bienna is the second largest lake in the 3 Lakes Region and is in the canton of Bern.
Around the lake, you will find a beautiful landscape of vineyards. The area has several charming hotel options and the Hotel Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a lakeside option.
9. Lake Murten
Photo Credit: Hotel Murtenhof & Krone
Lake Murten is the smallest lake in the 3 Lakes Region– Switzerland, located in the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud.
Hotel Murtenhof & Krone is the best hotel in the region and offers beautiful lake views.
10. Lake Lucerne
Photo Credit: Aswathy N
Lake Lucerne is a central lake in the cantons of Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, and Uri.
The area offers excellent hotel options with highlights to the HERMITAGE Luzern, the Grand Hotel National Luzern, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, and the Park Hotel Vitznau.
11. Lake Lugano
Photo Credit: Maksym Harbar
Lake Lugano is located on the Swiss–Italian border in the Swiss canton of Ticino, between Maggiore and Como lakes.
The Hotel Splendide Royal is a spectacular hotel option in Lugano on the shores of the lake.
12. Lake Maggiore
Photo Credit: Nadine Marfurt
Lake Maggiore is another lake located in the Swiss canton of Ticino on the border with Italy. It is the largest lake in southern Switzerland and the second largest in Italy.
The region has numerous hotel options, especially the Hotel Eden Roc.
13. Lake St. Moritz
Photo Credit: Renato Muolo
Lake St. Moritz is a small Swiss lake in the canton of Graubünden, surrounded by mountains, hotels, and restaurants. St. Moritz is one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland.
The Hotel Waldhaus am See is an excellent value-for-money hotel option in the region.
14. Blausee
Photo Credit: Ryan Klaus
The Blausee is a small mountain lake in the canton of Bern.
The Hotel & Spa Blausee is a charming hotel on the shores of the lake that offers comfort at an excellent value for money.
15. Walensee
Photo Credit: Arvydas Venckus
The Walensee is a large alpine lake in the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus.
The Marina Walensee Hotel is a hotel with modern facilities on the shores of the lake.
16. Bachalpsee
Photo Credit: Seungji Ryu
The Bachalpsee is a beautiful small mountain lake in the canton of Bern above Grindelwald, a famous tourist village in Switzerland and the Alps.
17. Türlersee
Photo Credit: Julian
The Türlersee is a small lake in the canton of Zurich just 20 km from the city center.
The lake area has a hiking trail and a camping site.
18. Lake Sempach
Photo Credit: Marvin Meyer
Located in the canton of Lucerne just 20 km from the city center, Lake Sempach offers excellent hotels for relaxation, such as the modern Sonne Seehotel.
19. Klöntalersee
Photo Credit: Julian
The Klöntalersee is a lake located in the canton of Glarus and has hiking areas, most notably the Wasserfall am Klöntalersee waterfall.
20. Lake Sarnen
Photo Credit: Hotel Kurhaus am Sarnersee
Lake Sarnen is located in the canton of Obwalden between lakes Lungerersee and Lake Lucerne.
The Hotel Kurhaus am Sarnersee and the Seehotel Wilerbad Spa & Seminar are great hotel options along the lake.
List of the 10 Largest Swiss Lakes by Area
- Lake Geneva – area 580.03 km²
- Lake Constance – area 473 km²
- Lake Neuchâtel – area 215.20 km²
- Lake Maggiore – area 210.12 km²
- Lake Lucerne – area 113.72 km²
- Lake Zurich – area 88.17 km²
- Untersee – area 63 km²
- Lake Lugano – area 48.67 km²
- Lake Thun – area 47.74 km²
- Lake of Bienna – area 39.51 km²
Map of the Main Swiss Lakes
On the map below you will find the 20 lakes mentioned throughout the text (including the 10 Largest Swiss Lakes).
Featured Photo by Timon Studler
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See also
Lake Zurich: Best Hotels and Destinations
Canton of Zurich: Largest Towns and Top Attractions
Winter in Switzerland: Things to do, Weather and Travel Info
Old Town Zurich: A Complete Travel Guide
Swiss Cheese: Main Types and Where to Buy in Zurich
Top 20 Destinations You Must Visit in Switzerland
8 Top Free Things to Do in Zurich
Where to Buy Chocolate in Zurich: 10 Suggestions for Stores and Supermarkets