Lakes: nature’s way of showing off its artistic side.
Some look like mirrors so polished you could check your teeth in them, while others go full Picasso with wild colors and unique quirks.
Here are nine lakes that are so extraordinary, you might wonder if someone slipped them into the planet as a prank.
1. Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal isn’t just big—it’s colossal. It holds more water than all the Great Lakes combined, which makes it feel like the overachiever in the lake family.
In winter, it freezes so solid you can drive on it, though that’s a game of nerves for another day. The ice looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, with cracks that stretch for miles.
And the water? Crystal-clear to the point you’ll want to dip a toe in, even though it’s cold enough to make a penguin shiver.
2. Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como is basically the Beyoncé of lakes—glamorous, iconic, and surrounded by an entourage of millionaires.
Nestled in the Alps, it’s got a sort of timeless charm that screams, “I’ve been fabulous for centuries.”
The towns around the lake, like Bellagio and Varenna, are dripping in Italian charm, and there’s no shortage of boats gliding around as if they’re all auditioning for a postcard.
It’s the kind of place where you expect to find wine flowing like water and sunsets that could make a poet weep.
3. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes aren’t just lakes—they’re a full-blown symphony of water.
There are 16 of them, all connected by cascading waterfalls that seem to spill from one perfect pool to the next.
The wooden paths that wind through the area make you feel like you’re part of some secret fairy tale, minus the trolls.
And the colors? They change with the minerals and the light, as if the lakes are showing off their mood rings. Bring good shoes—you’ll want to explore every corner of this watery wonderland.
4. Lake Louise, Canada
Lake Louise looks like it’s been photoshopped by Mother Nature.
The water is an almost unreal turquoise, thanks to glacial silt, and the surrounding mountains frame it so perfectly it feels like a set from a fantasy film.
In summer, you can canoe across its surface—though you might get distracted taking a hundred photos—and in winter, it turns into a natural ice-skating rink.
It’s the sort of place that makes you wonder why you don’t spend more time in the mountains, even if you’re a city person at heart.
5. Dead Sea, Jordan and Israel
The Dead Sea is the most laid-back body of water on the planet. With salt levels so high you can float effortlessly, it’s like nature saying, “Relax, I’ve got you.”
The surrounding landscape is stark but stunning, and the mud? It’s basically a spa in the wild, perfect for slathering on while you marvel at the fact that you’re bobbing like a cork.
Just don’t try to swim; you’ll look ridiculous. And whatever you do, keep the water out of your mouth—it’s saltier than the average Twitter argument.
6. Lake Hillier, Australia
Lake Hillier looks like a giant chewed a piece of pink gum and spat it out onto Middle Island.
Its bubblegum hue is caused by microorganisms, but it looks more like a Barbie dreamland come to life.
The surrounding green forests and the deep blue ocean make the pink pop even more, as if nature decided to go full neon.
Swimming isn’t on the menu here, but a scenic flight over the lake will have you questioning how something so vibrant even exists outside of a crayon box.
7. Lake Titicaca, Peru and Bolivia
At nearly 12,500 feet above sea level, Lake Titicaca is so high it practically gives clouds a nosebleed.
But don’t let the altitude scare you—it’s worth it. The lake Titicaca is dotted with floating islands made entirely of reeds, home to the Uros people, who’ve turned them into a way of life.
The water sparkles under the Andean sun, and the surrounding mountains create a backdrop so picturesque you might forget to breathe.
Just don’t run up any hills—you’ll feel the altitude faster than you can say “Titicaca.”
8. Crater Lake, USA
Crater Lake is what happens when a volcano blows its top and Mother Nature decides to make it beautiful instead of terrifying.
The water, fed only by rain and snow, is so blue it looks like someone spilled ink into it.
And then there’s Wizard Island, a little volcanic cone in the middle of the lake that looks like it’s straight out of a fantasy novel.
Hiking around the rim or taking a boat tour will leave you with enough photos to fill an entire year’s worth of calendars.
9. Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Lake Tekapo is a showstopper with its electric blue waters, thanks to glacial sediments doing their magic.
Come spring, the lupine flowers around the lake burst into shades of pink and purple that make the landscape look like a Monet painting.
When the sun sets, the area transforms into one of the world’s top stargazing spots.
Honestly, you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a scene from a romantic movie, even if you’re just there for the view.
Final Words
Lakes like these make you realize that nature doesn’t do “ordinary.” These are the real-life showpieces of our planet—jaw-dropping, camera-breaking, and utterly unforgettable.
They’ll leave you wondering why anyone bothers with TV when the world’s screensavers are right out there, waiting to be explored. Pack your bags and get moving, because these watery wonders aren’t going to admire themselves.