Lakes have long fascinated travelers with their serene beauty and vast landscapes. From freshwater giants to saltwater expanses, the world’s largest lakes offer visitors everything from breathtaking views to unique ecological experiences. Here’s a detailed look at the 25 largest lakes in the world, along with travel tips to help you reach each one.
1. Caspian Sea
- Location: Bordered by Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan
- Area: 371,000 sq km (143,000 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: The Caspian Sea, while technically a lake, is best accessed via major cities like Baku (Azerbaijan) or Astrakhan (Russia). Fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport (Baku) or Narimanovo Airport (Astrakhan). From there, local tours can take you to various coastal areas for scenic views.
2. Lake Superior
- Location: Canada and the United States
- Area: 82,100 sq km (31,700 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: To reach Lake Superior, you can fly into Duluth International Airport (Minnesota) or Thunder Bay International Airport (Ontario). Both cities offer scenic drives along the lake, with access to several hiking trails, campsites, and shorelines.
3. Lake Victoria
- Location: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya
- Area: 68,870 sq km (26,590 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: You can visit Lake Victoria by flying into Entebbe International Airport (Uganda), Kisumu International Airport (Kenya), or Mwanza Airport (Tanzania). From any of these locations, guided tours offer boating, fishing, and village visits along the lake’s shores.
4. Lake Huron
- Location: Canada and the United States
- Area: 59,600 sq km (23,000 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Access Lake Huron via Sarnia (Canada) or Alpena (Michigan). Fly into Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Michigan) or Toronto Pearson International Airport (Canada), then take a scenic drive to reach the lake’s beautiful shores.
5. Lake Michigan
- Location: United States
- Area: 58,000 sq km (22,400 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Lake Michigan is bordered by four states. The easiest way to reach it is by flying into Chicago O’Hare International Airport. From Chicago, you can explore beaches, parks, and boat tours along the lakefront.
6. Lake Tanganyika
- Location: Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Zambia
- Area: 32,900 sq km (12,700 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Fly into Bujumbura International Airport (Burundi) or Julius Nyerere International Airport (Tanzania). There are eco-lodges and guided tours along the lake for scenic boat rides and visits to nearby villages.
7. Lake Baikal
- Location: Russia
- Area: 31,500 sq km (12,200 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Fly into Irkutsk International Airport, which is the nearest airport to Lake Baikal. From Irkutsk, travelers can take guided tours for hiking, ice skating (in winter), or visiting remote villages along the lake.
8. Great Bear Lake
- Location: Canada
- Area: 31,000 sq km (12,000 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Great Bear Lake is remote, so access is limited. The best way to reach it is by flying into Yellowknife Airport (Northwest Territories) and then taking a charter flight. Fishing lodges along the lake provide accommodation and guided activities.
9. Lake Malawi
- Location: Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania
- Area: 29,600 sq km (11,400 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Fly into Lilongwe International Airport (Malawi) or Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and take a bus or private transfer to the lake. There are resorts along the lake’s beaches, offering activities like snorkeling and boating.
10. Great Slave Lake
- Location: Canada
- Area: 28,930 sq km (11,170 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Fly into Yellowknife Airport, then explore the lake’s northern shores. Local companies offer fishing trips, boating, and winter activities like ice fishing.
11. Lake Erie
- Location: Canada and the United States
- Area: 25,700 sq km (9,910 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: The easiest way to reach Lake Erie is to fly into Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (Ohio) or Buffalo Niagara International Airport (New York). There are beaches, hiking trails, and boat tours along the lake.
12. Lake Winnipeg
- Location: Canada
- Area: 24,500 sq km (9,450 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Lake Winnipeg is accessible by driving from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Fly into Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, then drive north to explore the lake’s beaches and fishing areas.
13. Lake Ontario
- Location: Canada and the United States
- Area: 18,960 sq km (7,340 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Fly into Toronto Pearson International Airport (Canada) or Syracuse Hancock International Airport (New York) and explore the lake’s surrounding parks, islands, and waterfronts.
14. Lake Balkhash
- Location: Kazakhstan
- Area: 16,400 sq km (6,300 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Access Lake Balkhash from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Fly into Almaty International Airport and travel by bus or train to reach the lake for scenic views and fishing spots.
15. Lake Ladoga
- Location: Russia
- Area: 17,700 sq km (6,834 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Lake Ladoga is near Saint Petersburg. Fly into Pulkovo Airport and drive out to the lake, where you can explore its islands, bird-watching spots, and historical sites.
16. Lake Vostok
- Location: Antarctica
- Area: 12,500 sq km (4,800 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Lake Vostok is a subglacial lake deep beneath Antarctica’s ice, making it inaccessible to the public. Scientists and researchers, however, continue to study it for clues about ancient ecosystems.
17. Lake Onega
- Location: Russia
- Area: 9,700 sq km (3,745 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Fly into Petrozavodsk, Russia, and explore the lake’s beautiful islands, historical churches, and charming lakeside towns.
18. Lake Titicaca
- Location: Bolivia and Peru
- Area: 8,372 sq km (3,232 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: The easiest way to access Lake Titicaca is to fly into Juliaca (Peru) or La Paz (Bolivia). Guided tours offer boat trips to the lake’s floating islands and indigenous villages.
19. Lake Nicaragua
- Location: Nicaragua
- Area: 8,264 sq km (3,191 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Fly into Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua and drive to the lake, where boat tours offer opportunities to explore volcanoes and wildlife.
20. Lake Athabasca
- Location: Canada
- Area: 7,850 sq km (3,030 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: The lake is remote, so visitors can fly into Fort McMurray Airport in Alberta and take a charter flight to explore its fishing lodges and scenic shorelines.
21. Lake Reindeer
- Location: Canada
- Area: 6,650 sq km (2,567 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Access the lake via Prince Albert Airport (Saskatchewan), then take a private flight or drive to reach its shores. Local lodges offer fishing and camping experiences.
22. Lake Albert
- Location: Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Area: 5,270 sq km (2,030 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Fly into Entebbe International Airport (Uganda) and travel by car to the lake. Guided tours offer fishing, boat rides, and wildlife viewing.
23. Lake Turkana
- Location: Kenya and Ethiopia
- Area: 6,405 sq km (2,470 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: To visit Lake Turkana, fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, then take a domestic flight to Lodwar or Marsabit. From there, local guides can arrange excursions to the lake, where you can experience unique volcanic landscapes, desert scenery, and indigenous cultures.
24. Lake Urmia
- Location: Iran
- Area: 5,200 sq km (2,007 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: To reach Lake Urmia, fly into Tabriz International Airport in northwestern Iran. From Tabriz, it’s a short drive to the lake, which is known for its salt deposits and changing water colors. Visitors can explore nearby historical sites and take scenic photos of the lake’s contrasting hues.
25. Lake Issyk-Kul
- Location: Kyrgyzstan
- Area: 6,236 sq km (2,408 sq miles)
- Travel Tips: Lake Issyk-Kul is accessible from Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. From there, it’s a 4-5 hour drive to the lake, where visitors can find resorts and accommodations along the shore. Issyk-Kul, surrounded by the towering Tian Shan mountains, is popular for swimming, hiking, and cultural festivals.
Final Thoughts
These 25 largest lakes in the world offer a variety of experiences, from serene natural landscapes to vibrant cultural encounters. Each lake has its unique charm, and traveling to them offers an opportunity to appreciate the diversity and beauty of our planet’s natural wonders. Whether you’re exploring remote, unspoiled environments or bustling tourist spots, the world’s largest lakes promise unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.