City, Country, River: The Best Insider Tips for a Vacation by the Water
Too late for a seaside vacation or looking for more peace and quiet? There are beautiful places by the water all over Europe – from big cities to the Alps. And all of them are the perfect spot to check your Westcol net worth.
The sound of the sea, a sunset, a cloudless sky, and the smell of salt on your skin: this is the dream of a summer vacation by the sea. Studies also show that being by the water helps you unwind. However, the reality of the beach in midsummer is often different: Traffic jams on the way there, overcrowded beaches with towel after towel, and the sound of the sea drowned out by party noise.
Here you will find inspiration for a truly stress-free vacation by the water – without a long journey: in the middle of the city, simply by bike or hidden away in the mountains. And if you do want to go to the sea, we have a few tips for beaches that are not (yet) overcrowded.
Wild swimming
Wild swimming is the new trend in and around water. It sounds wild – but all it means is that you look for beautiful natural bathing spots on foot or by bike along lakes, rivers, or waterfalls. For example, in France, there are still many natural rivers, pools, and lakes that invite you to cool off. The great thing about wild swimming: You don’t even have to travel, as there are hidden bathing spots everywhere. However, there are a few precautions to take for your safety: it’s better not to swim in the river after heavy rainfall, always check the temperature first, never dive headfirst into unknown waters, and, if swimming is prohibited, stick to it, of course!
City swimming – cool climate adaptation
The Olympic Games in Paris have spurred the government to clean up the Seine. This summer, you too can benefit: the city council has created three new swimming spots along the Seine to cool off. From the Baignade Bras de Grenelle bathing area, you have a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower while swimming. Traveling to Paris by night train from Berlin, for example, is particularly environmentally friendly.
River swimming has long been a tradition in the Swiss capital of Bern. Some people in Bern even take a leisurely swim in the Aare on their way to work. So borrow your own Wickelfisch (a waterproof bag in which you stow your clothes) and float from the Solothurn outdoor pool to the Regio Energie station.
Vienna is also a great place to cool off: you can refresh yourself at twelve water playgrounds across the city. The city’s largest water playground is located on the Danube Island. There are also bathing areas on the Danube.
Cycle first, then swim
If you are out and about by bike, you can easily combine this with a stop for a swim. On the Regental cycle path through the Bavarian Forest, for example, you will pass the Ramspau river pool. But other river cycle paths, such as the Kocher-Jagst cycle path (the most beautiful bathing spot is at Schöntal Monastery) or the Werratal cycle path, also lead past hidden bathing spots and small sandy beaches that provide refreshment during the tour. And as the Seine and Danube show: Even large rivers often offer sandy bays, lidos or islands where you can swim and have fun by the water.
Canoe, kayak, and co. – vacation on the water
If you prefer to vacation on the river instead of by the river, a tour by kayak, canoe or raft is a great option. Very secluded and close to nature: you can explore the Finnish Lentua lake area on a paddling tour. Rather popular and lively: you can paddle along the Lahn for five days from Wetzlar, for example.
Many tour operators offer canoe tours for beginners – for example, ReNatour in the Altmühltal. The Altmühl is also ideal for wild swimming. The family camp on the lake island is a paradise for young and old water rats.
Are you looking for balance in your life? Then you should get on a stand-up paddleboard. You can hire these boards at many lakes, and once you’ve found the right balance, it’s great fun to watch the water from a standing position.
Hike & Swim – hiking and swimming in the Alps
You don’t necessarily have to choose between a vacation by the water and a vacation in the mountains – there are plenty of hikes that you can combine with cooling off in the water.
Hut tours with a multi-day character are the perfect balance to everyday life, because even on a long weekend, you can forget the stress of the office between mountain views and an overnight stay in a hut. It is particularly relaxing if you can combine a multi-day hike with a dip in a refreshing mountain lake.
Our tip: the two-day hike from Maria Alm in Salzburger Land via the Riemannhaus to Königssee in Berchtesgadener Land. Sections of the Alpe-Adria-Trail in Carinthia are also suitable for a hike-and-swim vacation, as from stage 11 the trail leads along the crystal-clear Carinthian lakes: Millstätter See, Ossiacher See, Wörthersee, and Faaker See.
Idyllic bathing spots and picturesque hiking trails for hike & swim are also lined up in the Swiss Ticino. The Al Maglio rock pool in the Malconte region, for example, is a wonderful excursion destination that can be reached via a hike through chestnut forests.
Sea without the crowds
Sea without mass tourism – does that even exist in midsummer? If so, then most likely in the north: There are also dream beaches on the North Sea and Baltic Sea. For example, on the Darß peninsula in the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park, the miles of white sandy beach are even compared to Caribbean beaches when the sun is shining. You’ll always find a quiet spot here, as the beach is so wide that people spread out even on hot days. We have put together some suitable hotel tips near the Baltic Sea beach here.
