Which lake when: top picks for every month of the summer

The great outdoors gets a full glow up during May in Slovenia. Spring flowers brighten the grassy meadows around Lake Bled, blossom is starting to bud in the woods, and rivers, topped up with melted snow, tumble spectacularly down the steep mountainsides. What’s more, cooler temps and fresh breezes mean you can take it all in on a walk without working up a sweat. And the cherry on top? There’ll be fewer people than during peak summer, so you can have the pick of the selfie spots in places like Bled castle and Bled Island. Cameras at the ready everyone.

Average daytime temperature: 20c

Lake Balaton is a popular staycation pick for locals, so visiting outside the Hungarian holiday months of July and August is a good tip if you're looking for a quieter atmosphere. June also has Goldilocks temperatures for getting active around Lake Balaton – and there’s a long list of things to do, too. Biking, boat trips and stand-up paddle-boarding are all on the cards for active types. Or you could make the most of the early summer sun with a tour of a local vineyard. And a trip to the lavender fields in Tihany is a must during June. They’re in full bloom and primed to turn your Insta feed purple.

Average daytime temperature: 25c

The lake is on your doorstep in Zell am See, so make the most of the summer sun shoreside at the Strandbad lido. From paddle-boards to pedalos, it’s all going on – there’s even a giant slide that’ll whizz you into the lake. Or how about casting off on one of Austria’s best boat trips aboard MS Schmittenhöhe? Away from the shore, you can enjoy lake views as you roll along a lakeside cycle path. Or if walking is more your speed, the height of summer is the perfect time for a summit stroll. Just imagine yourself ambling beneath blue skies, with a balmy breeze and a belting view of Lake Zell sparkling in the valley below.

Average daytime temperature: 25c

Tucked just above Greece, Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia pairs a Mediterranean feel with a long list of things to see and do – plus plenty of spots to lie back and chill. Some of the hotels here, like Hotel Metropol, even have private beaches if you’re after doorstep dips. And on the activity front, scuba diving, kayaking and boat trips to shoreside must-sees, like the age-old Monastery of St Naum, keep each day feeling fresh. Then after a day of exploring (or relaxing) you can round things off making the most of the warm August evenings by eating al fresco. Trust us, tucking in lakeside to fresh lake fish is a must-have experience in North Macedonia.

Average daytime temperature: 27c

Despite the mercury-topping temps in July and August, September is actually a great month to visit northern Italy if lake swimming is on your holiday agenda. A summer’s worth of sun has heated the water to yearly highs of around 23c, and it still feels pleasantly warm once you get out. In between dips, you can explore colourful lakeside towns around Lake Garda at your own pace without the hustle and bustle of high season. Though if you think the locals are winding down, think again. There are still plenty of highlights in the calendar, like wine festivals. Look out for end-of-summer celebrations in Sirmione and Bardolino where you can swirl and sip Lake Garda’s best wines.

Average daytime temperature: 25c