Switzerland has dozens of gorgeous lakes and rivers that are perfect for summer swimming with a view. But some Swiss swimming spots are particularly special and worthy of day trip. So I’ve put together a list of our very favorite “destination” swimming spots in Switzerland, suitable for all ages.
Some are wild swimming and others have an official swimming area, aka “Badi”, where you pay a fee for access to a cafe, changing rooms and a lifeguard. Some of these can get really crowded on hot summer days, so best to go early to get a parking and secure a nice lounging spot along the water. Also, please be respect nature and don’t leave a mess.
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Near Zurich
1. Türlersee
The quiet Türlersee is close to Zürich, but feels so far away, completely surrounded by nature. There is a small official swimming area on the southside of the lake, with a big grassy area for lounging, a cafe, grills for picnicking, a playground, etc.
But once you dip in the water, it’s like you’ve entered a summer paradise. They rent SUP by the hour and I highly recommend it. This was one of the nicest places we’ve paddleboarded, so calm and beautiful. You can also camp in tents right next to the swimming area, which would make for a fun and easy overnight with the kids.
2. Pfäffikersee
The Pfäffikersee is a beautiful lake near Zurich with a protected nature preserve along much of the lakeshore. We usually come here to visit Jucker Farm or bike around the lake. But we always bring our swimsuits along so we can jump in the lake afterwards. We’ve also camped at this lake and love swimming at sunset before crawling into our tents.
3. Walensee
Walensee is one my favorite Swiss lakes and an easy day trip from Zurich. After a short ferry ride and hike to the Seerenbachfälle, the tallest freefall waterfall in Switzerland, you can cool off in the lake at one of several swimming areas, all with great views.
There is a grassy area near the Betlis parking and a shallow rocky entrance to the water. But it gets deep quickly, so be careful with non-swimmers.
4. Voralpsee
This is a new find and to be honest, we haven’t swum here yet because we went on chilly day. But it’s clearly a popular summer spot for locals, with lots of picnic areas and shallow areas to get into the lake.
The mountain views make this place feel quite special, like a little secret you worked hard for even though you can parking just a short walk from the water. There’s a cafe and WC next to the lake.
5. Caumasee
The Caumasee a bright blue alpine lake near Flims, with swimming, rock jumping, and paddle boats, just what you dream a mountain summer should be. Although it’s extremely popular and can be super crowded on weekends and hot summer days, we still enjoy it and try to visit once a summer.
This lake is slightly warmer than other icy alpine lakes because it’s fed by an underground spring. But it’s still chilly at about 16C, so you need to wait for a hot day in the height of summer. Even on busy days, there’s plenty of room around the lake for the crowds to spread out so you don’t feel the crush of humanity.
There’s a playground and shallow area for little kids. They have a restaurant and picnic areas with grills, changing rooms, and WC. If Caumasee is just too crowded for you, many recommend it’s neighboring sister lake, Crestasee, which is less busy.
Jungfrau Region
6. Lake Brienz – Kayaking
If you’re staying in the Interlaken/Jungfrau Region and it’s too hot to hike, try enjoying the scenery from the water. You can rent sit-on-top kayaks, SUP and small boats and paddle around Lake Brienz with amazing mountain views on all sides. We had great water fights and took frequent swimming breaks to cool off. One of our best summer memories of late.
Near Lucerne
7. Golzernsee
Golzernsee is a small, pretty alpine lake, in the mountains near the entrance to the Gotthard tunnel, where you can swim, hike, or just take in the view. After a short cable car, the path to the lake is smooth, wide and stroller-friendly.
There are a couple restaurants before you reach the lake, with excellent views of the valley, lake, and surrounding mountains. There are several grill pits next to the lake if you prefer to picnic. The lake has several shallow areas where children can wade in and splash around. It’s a lovely, easy day out with the kids.
8. Ägerisee
The Ägerisee is a small lake southeast of Zug, nestled between beautiful rolling green hills. There are two nice official swimming areas, Strandbad Lido at the west side and Strandbad Oberägeri on the north side.
However, we rode our bikes along the south side of the lake and found a nice picnic area, where we built a fire and spontaneously swam to cool off. What a special spot.
9. Lauerzersee
Lauerzersee is a lovely little lake just south of Lake Zug, overlooking Mt. Rigi. Many lakes have swimming areas, but this lake is often much warmer than other lakes, which makes it ideal for little kids that can get cold quickly.
There’s a sandy shallow area for wading, bouncy floats and diving platforms, boats to rent, a big playground, blasio, and a big grassy area for sports separate from the sunbathing area. Plus it has a lovely setting, with Mt Rigi in view and green rolling hills and mountain peaks all around.
Ticino
10. Valle Verzasca
Valle Verzasca has become quite famous since we first visited many years ago. But this beautiful river near Locarno in Ticino is still a special place and you should definitely visit it. You can easily spend several lazy hours soaking in the sun, splashing in the icy pools, wandering around the rocks, and watching crazy show-offs doing flips off the much photographed iconic bridge.
It can be a dangerous place as there are some big rapids and swift currents. But there are also many small natural pools secluded within the rocks, which are safe for small children.
This place can be insanely popular on hot days during summer school holidays so go early and maybe take a bus to get there. One way to avoid the crowds is to walk along the river to other swimming holes away from the center at Lavertezzo.
Extra credit
Rivering floating – Limmat, Reuss, or Aare
Floating on the Swiss rivers is a great way to cool off, both on and in the water. We have floated the Limmat river in Zürich and the Reuss river from Bremgarten and we love both. The Aare river is also very popular for floating but a bit more dangerous I hear.
Although this can be a fun family activity, please float safely. Every year there are accidents and deaths that usually can be prevented by basic safety precautions like wearing a lift vest, using boats and rings suitable for rivers (not pool floats) and not tying boats together.
See my posts: How to float a Swiss river and Float down the Limmat River.
3 responses
Hey, thanks for 6 years of family fun. Just wanted to tip you off about a fantastic lakeside badi not mentioned on your site. Lake Halwilersee has a public badi next to the Seerose Spa Hotel. Has a small playground, restaurant. Sunsets and paddle boarding are amazing!
Thanks for the tip! I’ve walked by that badi before but only swam at different parts of that lake, not at the badi. I’ll have to try it!
Tanya, I wanted to post a comment directly on the Walensee post but couldn't find where to post. Anyway I wanted to thank you for the amazing, amazing work you do in documenting fabulous excursions. Your blog should be subsidized (maybe it is?) by the Swiss tourism bureau…
We went to Walensee as per your directions and loved the ferry ride, the walk to the waterfall, and lunch in the little restaurant you mentioned. All the tips you gave were useful. And though I read your many warnings about the ferry schedule, I still screwed up because I didn't see there was another schedule for Sundays and holidays. Which means we arrived an hour early in Weesen, but then we rented a pedalo and that was wonderful too.
Thanks Tanya!!!