The best wild swimming spots in Europe to visit this summer

A swim is all the more liberating when it takes place in wild waters — whether in the cool, calm expanse of a lake or under the spray of a rushing waterfall. These European splash spots deliver cooling depths, epic surroundings and on-land thrills to enjoy. Leave the pool to Léon Marchand; it’s time to get wet and wild…

Achensee, Austria

Achensee entices with a tropical shade of blue (Eren Goldman / Unsplash)

Austria apparently has the cleanest bathing water in Europe — 98 percent of areas where people regularly swim are rated ‘excellent’ quality by the European Environment Agency. And the scenery isn’t half bad either. Ringed by the forested slopes of the Rofan and Karwendel mountains and reaching depths of 400m, Lake Achensee’s 18C waters sprawl invitingly in a shade of Maldivian turquoise — begging you to dive right in.

After the swim: Mountain biking is epic here in the Tirol; tackle the 17km 496 Schmalzklausen trail.

Stay: Kid-friendly Familienresort Buchau (buchau.com, from £403) has a private beach right on Achensee’s shores.

Lago d’Orta, Italy

After a day’s dipping, wine and dine at La Darbia (Tobias Kaser Photography)

Less well-known than swish neighbours Como and Maggiore, Lake Orta provides a down-to-earth Piedmont vibe with cute villages, sloping vineyards and rugged hiking trails. Wade into its waters — said to be the cleanest in Europe — from little beaches like Lido di Gozzano or Pettenasco, or jump in off a hired canoe or kayak.

After the swim: Explore UNESCO-listed Sacri Monti, a clutch of atmospheric chapels dating to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Stay: Chic minimalist hideaway La Darbia (ladarbia.com, from £257) overlooks the lake from its eastern shores.

El Caletón, Spain

Go for a plunge in the natural rock pools at El Caletón (Visit Tenerife)

Set beneath a 16th-century castle, these volcanic rock pools on the north of Tenerife — accessed through a series of steps installed over hardened lava — let you swim in the salty coolness of the Atlantic without having to endure the full force of its waves. Lifeguards are on duty during summer, and there’s plenty of showers so you can refresh post-dip.

After the swim: Contrast the coast with the baked otherworldly ‘moonscape’ inland at Paisaje Lunar, all rock, cacti and big blue sky.

Stay: Adults-only Royal River (royalriver.es, from £511) continues the aquatic theme. The 50 villas each have a private pool and are connected by waterways.

Lim Fjord, Croatia

Croatia has more than just beautiful islands (Istria Tourist Board)

Everyone talks up Croatia’s islands, but when it comes to crystalline dips it pays to look inland, to the lush northern region of Istria. Winding 12km through hills of greenery kissing 200m, Istria’s dramatic Lim Fjord is a prime wild swim spot with caves for exploring and beaches for snoozing.

After the swim: Hop in a kayak for a guided tour of Pula’s sea caves, sparkling with ultra-blue waters.

Stay: Meneghetti (meneghetti.hr, from £210) shows off the gourmet side of Istria with its on-site winery and laid-back Mediterranean cuisine.

Lake Zurich, Switzerland

La Reserve overlooks Lake Zurich (La Réserve)

There’s something very extra about wild swimming in the heart of a capital city. Lake Zurich’s 40km expanse is dotted with multiple open air ‘badi’ (bathing pools); take a tour of the highlights, hopping from historic wooden Seebad Utoquai to art nouveau Frauenbad am Stadthausquai.

After the swim Glam up and go shopping along upmarket Bahnhofstrasse, epicentre of the Swiss banking industry and home to designer watch boutiques including Vacheron Constantin.

Stay Overlooking the lake, La Réserve Zurich (lareserve-zurich.com, from £635) lets you refuel via a Michelin-starred restaurant and elegant Philippe Starck interiors.

Norangsfjorden, Norway

Sweat it out in a sauna before diving into Norangsfjorden (Marøy & Klouda)

Variegated greens, against the steel grey of rock and the white of snow-capped peaks. Nineteenth-century wooden farmhouses with moss-lined roofs. Rushing waterfalls. Norangsdalen Valley in Sunnmøre has exactly the kind of dramatic mountain scenery you come to Norway for. Glistening in the valley centre, Norangsfjorden is a sparkling jewel ripe for a bracing plunge.

After the swim: Pull on the hiking boots, as Norangsfjorden is known for its epic climbs. On a guided hike you can scale Slogen (1,564m) or Saksa (1,073m).

Stay: Hotel Union Øye (unionoye.no, from £402) owns its own sauna in the centre of the lake, so you can enjoy a sultry steam before plunging into the liquid cool water.

Lagoa do Vento, Madeira

Bathe in waterfalls in Madeira (Francisco Correia)

If you didn’t know better, you’d think you were in Costa Rica. Wander along a 1.8km trail from Casa de Abrigo do Rabaçal through heath and subtropical laurel rainforest, and you’ll hit this enchanting basin, fed by waterfalls that trip down the rocks of Ribeira do Lajeado canyon.

After the swim: Who needs a drone when you’ve got the dramatic views over Madeira’s coast from Cabo Girão Skywalk, a glass-floored observation deck 580m above the sea.

Stay: Spa hotel Saccharum (savoysignature.com, from £153) soothes sore muscles with Turkish baths, massages, halotherapy and saunas.

Kamencové Lake, Czechia

The waters of Kamencové have medicinal properties (Shutterstock / Jiri Igaz)

Locals flock to this lake outside the city of Chomutov not only to cool off but for the waters’ high content of sulphate, chloride and iron — all said to be effective in soothing respiratory and skin conditions. Join them bathing off the sandy beach, or plunge in from the floating jetty complete with kiddie pools and a slide.

After the swim: Hire a pedal boat and skim across the lake’s surface, appreciating the waters from a different angle.

Stay: In capital city Prague, take another dip in the pool at the plush Four Seasons (fourseasons.com, from £405).

Green Lakes, Lithuania

Lithuania’s ‘green lakes’ are named for their verdant hue (Giedrius Akelis)

In summer Lithuanians frequent this collection of six glacial lakes, wrapped in pine forest just north of capital Vilnius. As you’ll see, the name comes from the hue: luminous and grassy. The largest, Balsis, is popular for its sandy beach, though for more tranquillity try island-dotted Gulbinas or ladle-shaped Ežeras.

After the swim: Soak up Vilnius’s cultural riches, exploring the pretty Glass Quarter or visiting the Gediminas’ Tower.

Stay: Check into a 17th-century mansion turned modern minimalist marvel, Hotel PACAI (hotelpacai.com, from £168).

Lake Montriond, France

The valley setting of Montriond is spectacular (@samingle)

Set in a UNESCO Global Geopark in the Aulps Valley, the mirror-like expanse of Montriond is framed by sloping peaks and pin-straight evergreens. Lifeguards look over a swimming area in August, when families descend en masse to take advantage of the local playground, canoeing and pony rides.

After the swim: Take to the sky! As well as wild swimming, the Aulps is known for its paragliding.

Stay In the village of Morzine, Hôtel les Côtes (hotel-lescotes.com, from £395 per person) combines wood-panelled trad loveliness with contemporary design.

Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve, Italy

Theses Sicilian waterfalls and natural pools are worth the hike (Wish Sicily)

Ready to work for that wild swim? The cascading pools of Cavagrande del Cassibile — tiered across a limestone riverbed in a wooded Sicilian canyon — can only be reached via an hour-plus walk through sun-warmed foliage of willows, planes and ferns. Choose the circular Sentiero Carrubella trail and you’ll pass caves and archaeological sites en route.

After the swim: Explore Ionian Sea city Syracuse, and its Roman amphitheatre and Teatro Greco.

Stay: Nearby two-bedroom villa Casa del Carrubo (wishsicily.com, from £1,480 per week) oozes classic Italian charm with pale comiso stone walls and wooden beams.

Zürsersee, Austria

Zürsersee suits swimmers, walkers and art lovers alike (Daniel Zangerl / Lech Zürs Tourismus)

Ski area Lech isn’t just for frosty wintertime: its dotting of lovely lakes give a reason to visit when temperatures soar. Zürsersee is one of the most picturesque, with blue-green waters, rugged framing peaks and zig-zagging hiking trails off a small beach.

After the swim: Walk the 8.2km Green Ring, flecked with contemporary installations by artist Daniel Nikolaus Kocher.

Stay: Gather a crowd for luxe stay The Arula Chalet 2 (thearulachalets.com, from £6,650 for eight), complete with private chef and butler service.

Tampere, Finland

Tampere has 100 lakes within its boundaries (Visit Tampere)

Southern Finnish city Tampere is wild swim central — there are a whopping 100 lakes within the city boundaries, most of them accessible to bathers. Visit forest-wrapped Pyynikki to pair your breaststroke with SUP rental or sleepy Kaupinoja for a laid-back wade. Or get a different kind of watery thrill on a ‘riverfloating’ session, where you’ll bob down rapids wearing a special drysuit.

After the swim: Hit the sauna. Many lake swim spots, including Kaupinoja and Rauhaniemi, have them on site for a typical Finnish-style warm up.

Stay: Expansive views over city and greenery abound from modern Tampere Torni Solo by Sokos (sokoshotels.fi, from £132).

Lac des Chavonnes, Switzerland

High above sea level, Chavonnes glitters like a gemstone (Visualps.ch)

Hike 30 minutes from mountain railway station Bretaye to reach this perfect lake, coddled in woodland 1,690m above sea level. Glide through the 24C waters and spot shiny pyrite glittering in the depths like precious jewels.

After the swim: Go from skyscraping heights into deep caverns on a tour of the labyrinthine Bex Salt Mines, in use since the 15th century.

Stay: Hôtel Lac des Chavonnes (chavonnes.ch, from £59 per person) has a cosy wood-lined alpine vibe and rib-sticking mountain cuisine.