Switzerland is a paradise for landscape photographers. With its crystal-clear lakes, towering mountain backdrops, and ever-changing light, the country offers countless opportunities to capture breathtaking shots. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a traveller looking to document your Swiss adventure, these lakes should be added to your bucket list.
1. Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
📍 Best Viewpoints: Château de Chillon, Montreux Promenade, Lavaux Vineyards
Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Switzerland, stretching across the French-speaking region and extending into France. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from the vineyard-covered hills of Lavaux to the historic Château de Chillon, one of the most photographed castles in the world. The lake’s vast, mirror-like waters create mesmerizing reflections of the surrounding Alps, particularly during sunrise and sunset. In Montreux, the lakeside promenade provides endless photography opportunities, often framed with palm trees and snow-capped peaks in the distance. And a small bonus tip: you can take here a photo with Freddie Mercury.
The Lavaux wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another fantastic viewpoint. Here, you can capture the rows of vineyards cascading towards the lake, with the Alps towering in the background. In winter, the lake transforms, often shrouded in mist, while autumn brings vibrant golden colours to the surroundings. Two tiny towns particularly picturesque: Saint-Saphorin and Rivaz.
2. Lake Lugano
📍 Best Viewpoints: Monte Brè, Gandria Village, Morcote
Lake Lugano, straddling the Swiss-Italian border, has a unique Mediterranean charm. With its deep blue waters, elegant lakeside promenades, and Italian-style villages, this lake feels more like the Amalfi Coast than the Swiss Alps. One of the most scenic spots is Monte Brè, accessible by funicular, where you get a panoramic view over the lake and the city of Lugano. It is a wonderful spot for both sunrises and sunsets.
For those seeking a more intimate and secluded location, the village of Gandria is a must-visit. Nestled at the foot of Monte Brè, Gandria’s narrow alleys and pastel-coloured houses provide a charming foreground for the lake and mountains beyond. Another gem is Morcote, a historic lakeside town known for its architecture, including Santa Maria del Sasso Church, which overlooks the lake from a scenic hilltop.
3. Lake Zurich
📍 Best Viewpoints: Uetliberg, Bürkliplatz, Rapperswil
Unlike the alpine lakes of central Switzerland, Lake Zurich offers an urban-meets-nature experience, making it ideal for photographers looking to contrast a vibrant cityscape with tranquil waters. The best panoramic views come from Uetliberg, a small mountain rising over Zurich, offering a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the lake stretching towards the Glarus Alps.
The city’s lakeside promenade, particularly at Aussichtspunkt Riesbach, is perfect for capturing reflections of Zurich’s old town skyline. For a more serene and picturesque setting, head to Rapperswil, a medieval town at the lake’s southern edge, where a wooden pedestrian bridge stretches over the water, providing a unique perspective.
I highly recommend a sunset cruise between Zurich and Raperswill.
4. Walensee
📍 Best Viewpoints: Seerenbach Falls
Walensee is often compared to the fjords of Norway, thanks to its steep cliffs of the Churfirsten rising directly from the water on the northern shore. Despite its beauty, this lake remains relatively undiscovered, offering peace and tranquillity away from tourist crowds (except summer weekends). One of the most striking features is Seerenbach Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Switzerland, which cascades down the cliffs (part of WALSA-weg No. 68).
The village of Quinten (also trail No. 68), accessible only by boat, feels frozen in time, with no cars and a stunning setting where vineyards meet alpine peaks. The best photographs here are taken in spring when the meadows bloom, and in autumn, when the forested slopes are ablaze with colour.
5. Lac de Moiry
📍 Best Viewpoints: Moiry Dam, Glacier Trail
A true hidden gem in the Valais region, Lac de Moiry is famous for its vivid turquoise waters, which seem almost unreal. The lake owes its unique color to the glacier-fed waters that flow down from Moiry Glacier. The viewpoint from the Moiry Dam is the best spot for capturing the lake in its entirety, with its vibrant hues contrasting against the rugged, snow-dusted peaks.
For those willing to hike, the Glacier Trail leads to stunning viewpoints where you can capture both the lake and the icy expanse of the glacier. The remote location and high-altitude setting mean that Lac de Moiry is one of the few places in Switzerland where you can capture an alpine lake with a glacier.
The road leading to the lake is very narrow and closed in winter.
6. Lake Sils (Lej da Segl), the Engadin
📍 Best Viewpoints: Sils Maria, Plaun da Lej
Situated at 1,800 meters in the Engadin Valley, Lake Sils is one of Switzerland’s highest-located lakes. It is particularly famous for its reflections of golden larch forests in autumn and the thick morning fog that rolls in during late summer.
The village of Sils Maria, a place once loved by Friedrich Nietzsche, offers charming lakeside walks, where you can capture wooden piers leading into the lake, with the imposing peak reflected in the still waters.
7. Lai da Palpuogna
📍 Best Viewpoints: a small dam on the west side
Lai da Palpuogna, near Albula Pass, is considered one of Switzerland’s most beautiful mountain lakes, particularly in autumn, when golden larches surround its emerald-green waters it lures landscape photographers from the entire world. Due to its small size and secluded location, it remains one of the most photogenic yet peaceful lakes. You need just an hour to walk around the lake and an entire day to capture its beauty.
Bear in mind - it is surrounded by steep mountains, so light can be difficult here.
8. Lake Brienz
📍 Best Viewpoints: Iseltwald, Giessbach Falls, Brienzer Rothorn
Nestled between dramatic mountain peaks, Lake Brienz is renowned for its striking turquoise waters, a result of glacial minerals suspended in its depths. This mesmerizing colour makes it one of Switzerland’s most photogenic lakes, offering stunning reflections and dreamlike scenery throughout the year.
The village of Iseltwald is a favourite among photographers, exuding a fairy-tale charm with its picturesque wooden chalets and the romantic Seeburg Castle, which stands gracefully along the lake’s edge. For those seeking a dramatic waterfall backdrop, Giessbach Falls cascades down the cliffs in multiple tiers, providing the perfect opportunity for long-exposure photography and capturing the motion of the rushing water against the lake’s tranquil surface.
For breathtaking panoramic views of the lake, venture to the summit of Brienzer Rothorn, a towering peak that offers awe-inspiring vistas over the turquoise expanse of Lake Brienz and the surrounding Bernese Alps. You can reach the top in two ways: by taking a nostalgic ride on the historic cogwheel steam train from Brienz, a journey that winds through clouds and alpine meadows, or by challenging yourself with a rewarding hike up the mountain’s steep trails (1800m above the lake). Whichever route you choose, the views from the top are nothing short of spectacular.
9. Oeschinensee
📍 Best Viewpoints: Cliffside Trail
One of Switzerland’s most photogenic lakes, Oeschinensee is a glacial paradise surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls. You can either hike up to a panoramic viewpoint or rent a rowboat for unique water-level compositions.
Since this lake is easily accessible it is also highly overcrowded during summertime, be here early in the morning or late in the evening.
10. Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee)
📍 Best Viewpoints: Rigi Dösen, Stoos, Weggis
Lake Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most historically rich and visually diverse lakes, offering an ever-changing landscape that blends urban charm, idyllic countryside, and dramatic alpine peaks. From the summits of Rigi and Pilatus, you can witness morning mist rolling over the water, creating an ethereal atmosphere, while the steep cliffs of Seelisberg provide striking compositions for dramatic landscape shots.
The sheer size of the lake means that its photographic potential is endless—a fact I can personally attest to, having explored its shores and peaks since 2018, yet still discovering new perspectives. Among my favourite spots are Stoos, Rigi Dösen, and Weggis, each offering its own unique take on the lake’s beauty. Whether you prefer hiking to panoramic summits for sweeping bird’s-eye views or sailing on a vintage paddle steamer, soaking in the scenery from a belle-époque cabin with a glass of Prosecco in hand, Lake Lucerne never ceases to inspire.
In fact, I love this lake so much that I’ve dedicated an entire guidebook to it! If you’re looking for more detailed insights and hidden gems, be sure to check it out.
Bonus: The Best Lake for Swimming in Summer – Lake Zug
Switzerland may not be the first place that comes to mind for a “beach holiday”, but locals know better. While many travellers head to Croatia or Italy for warm waters and seaside relaxation, the Swiss have their own summer paradise—Lake Zug.
In August, the lake’s crystal-clear waters can reach a balmy 25°C, making it one of the warmest lakes in the country. With plenty of lakeside spots to lay down a beach towel, play volleyball, or fire up a BBQ with friends, it’s the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. And when the heat becomes too much? Simply dive into the refreshing water and cool off instantly.
Curious about the latest water temperatures? Check the forecast here.
More lakes for landscape photography?
Check our map and guides with places like: Bachalpsee, Thun Lake, Seealpsee, Lunger Lake... and more.
Detailed locations for your landscape and Instagram photography on the map with 500 spots:
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