The World’s Most Beautiful Lakes

Lakes showcase some of water's most alluring qualities, from mesmerizing ripples and mirror-like reflections to crstyalline clarity. The world has millions of them, from tiny grass-lined ponds to massive freshwater expanses easily mistaken for oceans, but some lacs, lagos, and lochs simply stand out more than others. A few of these irresistible bodies of water owe their charisma to climate, others to geologic luck of the draw, and some are even made by the humans who admire them. These 20 beautiful lakes—some of which may surprise you—differ in the details, but all are uniquely beautiful and well worth a visit

A place where you can stroll amid palm trees and blooming rhododendrons while admiring snow-capped mountains has got to be magical, right? Blessed with a superb microclimate, Lake Como in Northern Italy is the kind of place that leaves you searching for fancy words to capture its exquisiteness—but a simple “bellisima” (beautiful) is a start. Get on the water by hiring a vintage Riva speedboat to take you on a tour of the lake’s villas and villages.

There’s some mighty stiff competition in the Canadian Rockies when it comes to glacier-fed beauty—Lake Louise, Morraine Lake, and Peyto Lake each could easily have taken the crown—but what makes Maligne Lake (located in Jasper National Park and pronounced Maleen) so stunning is the surrounding landscape: perfect foreground pines, majestically jagged background mountains, and cornflower blue Alberta skies. For postcard-perfect views, be sure to kayak to Spirit Island.