6 incredible lakes and mountains holidays that Mumsnetters love
Looking for a family-friendly adventure in a stunning setting? Consider a lakes and mountains holiday for fresh air, dramatic scenery and plenty of outdoorsy fun. From Austrian peaks to Slovenian shores, here’s where Mumsnetters head for the hills.
By Rachel Erdos | Last updated Jun 7, 2024
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Bored of the beach? Got kids that love to explore? Seeking something a little more adventurous than a fly-and-flop week in the sun? A lakes and mountains holiday in Europe is well worth booking if you want to mix things up a bit for your next summer escape with the family.
Spend days gawping at incredible scenery, swimming in freshwater lakes and riding cable cars, and evenings strolling along lakeside promenades with gelatos in hand. A lakes and mountains holiday offers wholesome family fun in spades and is a fantastic way to bring fairytale settings to life.
And who better to signpost the dreamiest lakes and mountains destinations across Europe than Mumsnetters that have swum and hiked in the best of them? We’ve got top tips from well-travelled families on our holiday forum to bring you the lowdown on the resorts that are perfect for kids of all ages.
And if you book a TUI lakes and mountains holiday, your flights, accommodation and transfers are all sorted as part of the package price and as with all TUI holidays, you’ll get ABTA and ATOL protection and 24-hour holiday support for additional peace of mind.
Lake Garda, Italy
Why Mumsnetters love it
There's lots of stuff for kids to do, kayaking, sailing, nice beaches etc., there's plenty of bus stops but it's more fun going from place to place on boats.” StrangeCondition
“Lake Garda is a fantastic area - loads to do, close to Venice and Verona, and Gardaland theme park is excellent. There’s lots of spots around the lake, and a cable car up the mountains at Malcesine with great views of the Dolomites. Bus services are fab and it’s flat to cycle around.” Abouttimemum
“Sirmione is lovely, peschiera del garda and limone also. Just have a mooch round the lakes, go on a boat trip and cycle round the walking paths. Eat all the gelato.” butpint
Between Milan and Venice, Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake and arguably its prettiest. At the northern end, you'll find a fjord-like stretch of water surrounded by towering mountains and in the south it's more about rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves. It's stunning regardless of where you set up camp and there's plenty to do both in and out of the water. Join in with family-friendly watersports like sailing and kayaking, or hit one of the many beach resorts along the shoreline for a dip in the sparkling waters. Don't miss a trip to Gardaland theme park for an adrenaline-fuelled afternoon.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Why Mumsnetters love it
Lake Bled Slovenia - swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding on the lake. Summer toboggan run would be great for a teenager. Good bus service linking to Ljubljana and also Lake Bohinj where you can take the cable car up the mountain (and meet the goats).” MidtoLon
“It’s absolutely gorgeous, Lake Bled looks like something out of a Disney movie.” - FlamingoSocks
“Lake Bled is beautiful - possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” - SliceOfBread
Mumsnetters have a soft spot for Slovenia with many proclaiming it a fabulous family holiday destination thanks to its winning mix of outdoor activities, affordable transport and of course, incredible backdrops at every turn. And Lake Bled is truly stunning. Straight out of a storybook, the blue-green lake is surrounded by the Julian Alps and there’s a Gothic church slap back in the middle of it and a medieval castle up above. Take to the water on a traditional gondola (pletna) and head to Grajska Beach for a refreshing dip. The summer toboggan trail is fun for thrills and views, or turn the adrenaline up a notch with a ride on Europe’s longest zipline.
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Why Mumsnetters love it
Grindelwald is utterly beautiful. We went from there to Zermat which was spectacular but I think I left a part of my heart in Grindelwald. Can't wait to back to retrieve it!” ApolloandDaphne
“We went to Grindelwald, up the cable car and walked down. Lovely scenic walk. Dd threw a strop. There was a great playground half way down as I remember.” MissAmbrosia
“Grindelwald has some different activities, there are two aerial zip-wires and you can hire wheeled scooters (Trottibikes) and karts to use on the walking paths at First and at Bort.” FadedRed
Yes, Switzerland is expensive but you’ll be making priceless memories in a spectacular setting. The Alpine village of Grindelwald makes a great base for outdoor adventures. It’s dotted with Swiss chalets and you can soak up magical mountain views at every turn. Don’t miss a ride on the Eiger Express cable car from where you can connect to Europe’s highest train station on the Jungfrau Railway. Kids will love the Snow Fun Park where they can try their hand at winter snow sports in the middle of summer, and if the area’s high-altitude hikes and glacial lake swims aren’t dramatic enough, Grindelwald’s First Glider zipline (where you fly head-first down a mountain at speed) will get the adrenaline pumping.
Lake Annecy, France
Why Mumsnetters love it
We loved Annecy, the lake is spectacular and so blue and crystal clear. There are a few beaches dotted around the lake so fantastic for a swim. Do try and stay in or near the old town though, it is so beautiful.” PinkPondQueen
“We loved Annecy for the beautiful views and all the active things we could do so easily. We cycled, canoed, hiked, swam. It was glorious. We drove in our car then went on to the coast. Perfect trip.” HeyDiddleDumplings
“The town is utterly charming and the water is turquoise and crystal clear and waist deep for quite a big stretch so you can hire a boat or pedalo and jump in. There is also a grassy ‘beach’ area for sunbathing with a jetty where you can jump into the lake.” CoolShoeshine
Officially one of the cleanest lakes in Europe, Annecy has a mirror-like surface and is the perfect destination for summer swims. Head to one of the many beaches that dot the shoreline where you can kick back under tree shade and claim a picnic spot. Watersports options include sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, canyoning and pedalos, and there's a fantastic bike path around the lake for awesome views and a flat easy route for families. Make time to explore Annecy's enchanting Old Town where you'll find a fairytale castle and medieval buildings home to patisseries and boutiques.
Seefeld, Austria
Why Mumsnetters love it
Seefeld. 2 outdoor pools. Funicular / cable cars. Easy to do a day trip to Innsbruck or Mittenwald in Germany. In the summer hotels will give you a free public transport pass for the local buses and there are activities laid on every day.” MissAmbrosia
“We loved Seefeld too and are returning this summer. Wonderful walks, swimming, scenery and food.” southchinasea
“We had a great holiday in Austria (Seefeld) last July - we loved the climate, scenery, lakes, mountains, walking, cycling and a bit of sightseeing.” SilkieChick
The hills are well and truly alive in Seefeld, a farming village turned popular summer hotspot in Austria’s Tyrol region. It’s super easy for UK families to get to via a 30-minute transfer from Innsbruck Airport and there are direct trains from Munich. The area is ideal for hiking, biking and swimming, with a backdrop of spectacular Alpine views. Lake Wildsee is great for refreshing dips or there’s a heated outdoor pool on the shoreline if you’d rather take the edge off. Summer activities in the region include kayaking and climbing, and kids will love riding the cable car and the funicular railway at Rosshütte.
Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Why Mumsnetters love it
Lake Ohrid - it's definitely one of the best places to visit, especially during the summer!” Taf19
“Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is lovely.” LuckyBitches
“If you want to discover something authentic and don't spend a fortune, I would recommend Ohrid lake in North Macedonia..low cost flight available from London, cheap accommodation, a mixture of active holiday and historical sights.” Mark91
For something a little different, consider heading to Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. Significantly prettier than its name might suggest (although it’s actually pronounced ‘Ock-rid’), it’s close to the borders of Albania and Greece and is Europe’s oldest natural lake. The water temperature rises to 27 degrees in the summer months so it’s perfect for family bathing and you’ll find family-run tavernas dotting the shoreline. Fun summer activities include paragliding, scuba diving, sailing and cycling, and there’s a lakeside waterpark in Struga with a huge infinity pool and slides offering awesome views. Lake Ohrid is a quieter (and cheaper) alternative to some of Europe’s more popular spots, and will earn your kids off-the-beaten-track bragging rights in the school playground.
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About the author
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel.
She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London and once spent a summer working as a chalet host in an Austrian mountain resort. She loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far, as well as trawling the Mumsnet holiday forum for inspiration for her next trip away with her husband and two kids.