As far as European lake getaways go, one could argue Lake Como is the blueprint to rule them all… or is it?
One of the largest, glitziest, most iconic lakes in Northern Italy, fringed by luxurious villas and timeless small towns dominated by medieval belfries, it is the number one inland destination for water babies keen on beating the beach crowds this summer.
The one downside, though? Well, apart from the crowds—which we bet you’ve been warned about by now—you better be prepared to shell out some serious cash.
We’re talking upwards of $400 per night on waterfront stays.
What travel agents won’t tell you, though, is how these 4 alternative European lakes offer similar Como vibes, with all the Old World charm and romance that goes with it, for about a quarter of the price.
Wondering which underrated waterside, crowd-free spots those might be? Let's dive in.
PLUS: We've created an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article to find your perfect match, scroll down to check it out!
Lake Pamvotida, Greece
The “Como of Greece”, Lake Pamvotida is a moody lake gem that often gets glossed over by Mykonos- or Santorini-bound hen do attendees. Still, it’s far from being another ultra-luxury, Hollywood-celeb-frequented villa getaway.
The lake is backed by the up-and-coming Ioannina, a historic, fortified Byzantine settlement doubling as a vibrant university city.
Ioannina has a walled-in Old Town, Ottoman mansions with the finely carved wooden elaborate front porches, and stone alleyways leading up to a hilltop castle. Waterside promenades, little boats bobbing by the harbour, and misty mountain scenery add to the overall atmosphere.
Ioannina is the main attraction here, but right in the middle of the lake, “Nisi” is a quaint island a short 10-minute ferry crossing from the city. Think a tiny monastic community dotted with stone fishermen houses, old monasteries covered in frescoes, and lakeside tavernas dishing out eel and local delicacies.
Sitting right across from Ioannina, Perama is not to be overlooked.
Think more caves, natural formations, and cobblestone streets leading down to the lake. As for Ligkiades, it’s not directly on the water, but rather perched on a hilltop above the lake, and the panoramic views over Lake Pamvotida are hard to beat.
How Affordable Is Lake Pamvotida (Ioannina)?
- Inexpensive meal in a local taverna: $12–$18
- 3-course dinner in an upscale/mid-range restaurant (for two): $35–$70
- Budget hostel bed (per night): $18–$35
- 3-star guesthouse/small hotel (per night): $55–$110
- Luxury Como-style boutique stay (per night): $220+
- Public transport (one-way ticket): $0.80–$1.00
Averages drawn from a number of sources, including, but not limited to GetGreece, Travel Greece, World Travel Index
Lake Balaton, Hungary
Hungary is probably not at the top of your head when you think idyllic, summery European lakeside getaways. Maybe Budapest is well known, alright, but very few tourists are actually taking the train out of the city to explore the wider country.
If there’s one thing you should know about Hungarians, though, it’s that if they’re not braving the 800-mile drive down to the Adriatic Coast, or flying to some Greek island for their vacays, they’re likely camper-vanning around Lake Balaton for the weekend.
With some of the largest lakeside holiday resorts a short hour-and-a-half train ride from Budapest, Lake Balaton is Hungary’s summer capital, with resort towns defined by their spas and thermal baths, flowery lakefront walks, and peaceful harbors.
On the southern shore, Siófok even has something akin to a long, sandy beach, and shallow warm waters that feel almost Mediterranean in peak summer.
On top of that, lots of bars, clubs, and summer festivals to keep things lively well into the night. Balatonfüred, on the other hand, is the more laid-back, elegant north shore alternative, with an underrated wine scene, a picturesque marina, and a classic Belle Époque feel.
Keen on finding that typically European, fairytale-esque small town that looks like it’s been cropped out of a storybook scene? You’ll want to head out to Tihany, home to an 11th-century abbey, cobbled lanes that have barely seen any change since maybe the Middle Ages, and lavender fields extending as far as the eye can see.
How Affordable Is Lake Balaton (Siófok)?
- Inexpensive meal in a local restaurant: $9–$15
- 3-course dinner in an upscale diner (for two): $45–$65
- Budget hostel/low-end guesthouse (per night): $25+
- 4-star guesthouse/mid hotel (per night): $60–$90
- Luxury Como-style lakeside stay (per night): $150–$300+
- Public transport (one-way ticket): $1–$2
Averages drawn from a number of sources, including, but not limited to Hikers Bay and TravelDojo
Bohinj, Slovenia
Slovenia is a pretty offbeat country for first-time visitors to Europe already, and should they ever veer off the beaten track and add a little Slovene detour to their itinerary, chances are it’s riverside capital Ljubljana or photographed-to-death Lake Bled they’ll be checking out first.
Now, Lake Bled is absolutely stunning, with its iconic church on an islet right at the center and beautiful mountainous scenery all around, but if it’s a taste of truly unspoiled, untouched Slovenia you’re after, Lake Bohinj is where you should be heading off to.
It has waters that are just as turquoise, pine forests that climb up to year-round snow-capped peaks, and an almost eerie sense of calm. It’s way simpler than Lake Bled in the sense that it doesn’t really have a single “resort town”:
It’s mostly small villages scattered along its shoreline, yet it’s the whole quiet, slow-paced, alpine retreat that actually ends up selling it.
The largest settlement on the lake is Ribčev Laz: it has a bus stop, making it convenient to reach by public transport, restaurants, and boat rentals, plus a famous church and those ridiculously photogenic lake views that are hard to beat.
If you’re keen on doing some hiking, you’ll want to hit up Stara Fužina instead: set right near the lake, it’s the starting point for many hikes, including the ones that lead to the dramatic Mostnica Gorge and Voje Valley, and it has that peaceful, “real village” vibe.
For absolute near-to-zero crowds and proper solitude, Ukanc at the far western end of the lake takes the cake for me. It’s the closest to the Vogel cable car leading up to some of the most impressive alpine views anywhere in Europe, and the cascading Savica Waterfall.
There are fewer services, granted, but it’s so scenic and unbothered you’ll barely register the limited infrastructure.
How Affordable Is Bohinj?
- Inexpensive meal in a local gostilna/tavern: $10–$16
- 3-course dinner in an upscale restaurant (for two): $40–$80
- Budget hostel/dorm bed (per night): $22–$45
- 3-star guesthouse/mid-range apartment (per night): $55–$120
- Luxury Como-style alpine or lakeside stay (per night): $250+
- Public transport (one-way ticket): $1–$2.50
Averages drawn from a number of sources, including, but not limited to Hrvatska.net and Tdbohinj.
Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
…and Albania
We might just have saved the best for last. Perhaps the ultimate Lake Como dupe, Lake Ohrid can only be described as Balkan, sun-drenched summertime bliss.
The southern heart of North Macedonia, a backwater Eastern European country most people can’t even point to on a map, it is spearheaded by the namesake Ohrid Town, the Jerusalem of the Balkans. As in, it has a church for every day of the year, basically, except unlike the Holy City, there’s currently no geopolitical tensions or major unrest to dampen your summer.
This is just how safe North Macedonia is to visit right now, according to reports by recent visitors: a stellar 85/100 score on the Traveler Safety Index.
Instead, you get pebbly shores straddling Mediterranean-like crystal-clear waters, Byzantine monasteries perched on small cliffs overlooking a body of water so vast it might well be an ocean, and cobbled lanes lined with timber-framed, whitewashed houses that date back centuries.
A 30-minute drive from Ohrid town, Gradishte Beach is a pebble beach known for its laid-back bars, sunbeds that cost about $10–$15 to rent for the entire day, and clear water. The perfect balance of lively beach club energy and natural tranquillity.
On the northern shore, where the Black Drin River flows into the lake, Struga feels like a mini, less developed Ohrid, with a long river promenade, casual cafés, and even partly-sandy strips.
Here’s the little twist:
Lake Ohrid may be more commonly associated with North Macedonia, perhaps due to the fact it is named after the UNESCO-protected Macedonian town, but it is a body of water shared with Albania. On the Albanian side of the lake, you can visit Pogradec, a chill waterfront town with a plethora of cafés, boardwalks, and an unrivaled local vibe.
Near Pogradec, a little Albanian gem, Lin just happens to be Europe's oldest lake town, and it was recently acknowledged by UNESCO. As you can see, plenty to keep the culture buff and lake lover in you busy.
Just make sure you plan your travel day around long border delays, as North Macedonia and Albania are not in the Schengen Area and passport checks do apply.
On that note, also make sure you verify the Entry Requirements that apply to American citizens traveling to different European countries here.
How Affordable Is Ohrid?
- Inexpensive meal in a local tavern/bakery meal: $6–$10
- 3-course dinner in a lakeside restaurant (for two): $22–$55
- Budget hostel bed (per night): $10–$18
- 3-star guesthouse (per night): $35–$70
- Luxury Como-style boutique stay (per night): $140+
- Public transport (one-way ticket): $0.50–$1.50
Averages drawn from a number of sources, including, but not limited to MapSorted, Go Tripzi, BudgetYourTrip.
Now take this quiz to find your perfect Lake Como alternative!
