
Best Lakes to Visit in the Balkans
Here is a list of the best lakes to visit in the Balkans that we prepared for you get fresh ideas about where to head on your next Balkan trip. Below is a great mixture of natural wonders, cultural delights, and sports that might be part of your perfect, dreamlike Balkan Tour. From the picturesque Alpine lake of Bled to the biggest Balkan lake of Skadar, and from Europe’s oldest lake of Ohrid to the less-known treasures like Lake Bovilla in Albania or Lake Mavrovo in North Macedonia.
LAKE BLED

Probably the most famous of all tourist sights in Slovenia, blue-green glacier Lake Bled has been drawing attention for many decades. It is the pearl of Slovene tourism and a must-see sight for everybody visiting this small European country.
It is only 145 hectares big, but one can simply never help it it’s love at first sight. The most distinctive characteristic of Lake Bled is the cute, tiny island. You can reach it by renting your own rowing boat or hitching a ride on a larger traditional vessel called pletna. Once on the island, you will first have to take a walk up the 99 steps that lead to the top of the island where you can enter the elegant baroque church and ring the wishing bell. Later, you will most likely be anxious to head to Bled Castle for unforgettable views of the lake with the Alps in the background.
During summer, the possibility of swimming is open in this lake, as well as renting a SUP. If you find Bled too crowded, you can always chill by the nearby Lake Bohinj, which is much bigger and also a bit cooler.
PLITVICE LAKES

In the inland of the Adriatic, halfway between Zadar and Zagreb, there is a series of 16 dazzling lakes that catch the attention of the whole world with their beauty. Their beauty is so striking that in 1949 the government declared them a national park, and UNESCO, thirty years later, included them on the list of natural heritage places.
Undoubtedly the most-visited natural phenomena in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes have been formed by running water, shaping the landscape of limestone and connecting all 16 lakes with numerous waterfalls. The best time to visit is definitely in the spring when the water levels are high and the experience is optimal.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is featured in more or less every tour of Croatia. If you are visiting the country as a city break for just a few days, you can do an excursion from Zagreb, Zadar, or Split. Most people will be happy enough with a guided 3- to 4-hour walking tour, although the park is big enough that you can easily spend a few days exploring it.
SKADAR LAKE

The dolphin-shaped Lake Skadar certainly shouldn’t be excluded from the list of top lakes to visit in the Balkans. It is the biggest lake in the region, covering the area between 370 and 540 square kilometers depending on the time of the year. Shared between Albania and Montenegro, Lake Skadar is one of the most important bird habitats in Europe and, as such, a favorite destination for ornithologists. No less than 280 bird species have been recorded here.
You could also take a drive along the panoramic (but narrow and winding!) road above the lake and enjoy spectacular views of the blue water and fields of floating water lilies beneath you; or, if you wanted to get even higher, you could climb one of the surrounding peaks. Another way to experience the beauties of Lake Skadar is by taking a boat tour from the town of Virpazar, also featured on our week-long tour across Montenegro. Whichever way, this is going to be one of the most breathtaking moments of your whole Balkan trip.
LAKE BIOGRAD

Smack in amongst some of the most appealing destinations in Montenegro, Biogradska Gora stands tall, handsome, and charming like the famous Bay of Kotor and Budva. Established in 1878 as one of Montenegro’s five national parks, its preservation followed when King Nikola was impressed with the serenity of Lake Biograd. The people of this country were so taken by his admiration that they offered him the lake thus he protected the land around it. Nowadays, it spans 54 square kilometers and contains five glacial lakes, lying at an altitude of 1,820 meters above sea level, where the most accessible is Lake Biograd.
For those looking to truly get off the beaten path from more traditional tourism, Durmitor National Park tempts visitors with the magnificent Black Lake (Crno jezero). The largest among 18 glacial lakes in the park, it is often referred to as “the eyes of the mountains” and provides a breathtaking setting for hikers and nature lovers alike.
MAVROVO LAKE

Mavrovo is a standard inclusion in any round trip through North Macedonia and often appears on such a “must-see” itinerary. Its attractive waterfalls, impressive gorges, and tall pine forests make it a picturesque and refreshing stop between the journey from Ohrid and Skopje.
What makes the visit to Mavrovo National Park excitingly different is the mysterious Lake Mavrovo. While this artificial lake does offer some pleasant spots for walking and camping, it probably would not have made that “top lakes” list in the Balkans if not for its eerie landmark—the submerged church of St. Nicholas. The church was built in 1857 and flooded back in 1957 during the creation of Mavrovo’s hydro system.
The church mostly lies submerged, except on those rare occasions when the lake’s water recedes and its haunting silhouette rises from the depths like a ghostly relic. During your tour of this area, be sure to visit the miraculous Byzantine Jovan Bigorski Monastery, considered to be the finest in the region. Additionally, the villages of Janče and Galičnik will give you a feel for the genuine local atmosphere.
Do you like what you see? Why not explore the best lakes to visit in the Balkans in real life? We cover a wide range of countries, from Slovenia and Croatia to Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Let us know your preferences, and we’ll plan the perfect Balkan trip just for you. Whether it’s lakes, rivers, mountains, or cultural sights, we know them all!
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