Europe’s hidden lakes and Hungary’s Hortobágy draw nature tourists

Origo highlights a selection of Europe’s lesser‑known lakes that offer quiet alternatives to crowded seaside resorts. The guide features Italy’s Orta Lake in Piedmont, noted for its medieval San Giulio island and tranquil streets, Scotland’s Loch Awe with its dramatic Kilchurn castle ruins, Slovenia’s Zelenci Lake near Kranjska Gora, as well as scenic spots in France and Finland. Each destination is described as providing crystal‑clear waters, dramatic mountain backdrops and an absence of mass tourism, making them ideal for leisurely hikes and solitary nature experiences.

The publication also promotes Hungary’s Hortobágy, the largest continuous grassland in Central Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can explore the national park’s visitor centre, the Pásztor Museum, the historic Nine‑Hole Bridge, and enjoy wildlife such as reintroduced Eurasian beavers. Additional attractions include canoe trips on the protected river stretch, traditional festivals at the bridge, and a dark‑sky stargazing park, all showcasing the region’s cultural heritage and natural landscape.