While everyone battles for beach chairs on the Amalfi Coast, Europe’s wealthiest have quietly discovered something better. Ultra-high-net-worth travellers are avoiding crowded coastal destinations and escaping to the tranquillity of Europe’s pristine lake regions.
In these serene settings, you’ll find something truly unique: crystal clear water, fresh mountain air, and historic yet modern accommodation.
At Oliver’s Travels, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. Bookings for French lakes are surging this year, with Annecy showing standout growth. Italian lakes remain a firm favourite, albeit with softer gains, while Slovenia is emerging as a growing destination with bookings up by 30%.
Why Are The Wealthy Trading The Coast for The Lakes?
Climate change is causing extreme weather across Europe, with scorching heat, wildfires and storms making traditional summer playgrounds increasingly uncomfortable.
Luxury travellers are now moving towards destinations that offer what the industry calls ‘coolcations,’ with over a quarter of European travellers actively seeking cooler-climates during the summer months, according to the European Travel Commission.
Search interest in ‘coolcation’ terms has surged by 300% year-on-year, while SAS airline data reveals dramatic booking increases from southern Europe to Scandinavia for summer 2025.
Lake destinations average 4°C cooler than coastal equivalents during peak summer, offering a refreshing escape from the heat.
The Ultimate Luxury: Privacy Money Can Actually Buy
The shift isn’t just about temperature. Lake regions offer something coastal destinations simply can’t: privacy. During the peak summer months from June to September, popular spots like the Amalfi Coast and French Riviera can get crowded, with reports of coastal destinations struggling with overtourism. While these destinations groan under the weight of Instagram crowds, Europe’s lake regions provide genuine solitude where HNWIs can enjoy more a secluded escape.
Luxury villas with private beaches and lake access. Waterfront properties where you can step directly into crystal-clear water, without seeing another soul.
Best Luxury Lake Villas in Europe: Luxury Homes That Rival Any Riviera
Speaking of properties, Europe’s lakeside destinations boast no shortage of beautiful villas – rich in history while offering all of the luxury amenities you could wish for. Below are some of the most extraordinary
1. Lakehouse Annecy
With its shimmering terrace and private pontoon stretching out onto the pristine waters of Lake Annecy, Lakehouse Annecy offers the best of lakeside living. Designed with modern elegance and warmth, light-filled living spaces open onto breathtaking views, while nine beautifully appointed bedrooms welcome up to 14 guests across three levels. Highlights include a self-contained studio with kitchenette and lounge, a family wing for younger guests, and elegant doubles with en suite bathrooms and lake views. Outside, long summer days unfold with paddleboarding, al fresco dining and lazy afternoons by the water, while cooler months invite evenings in the wood-fired hot tub.
2. Villa Tremezzo
Perched on Lake Como’s shore, Villa Tremezzo is a neoclassical mansion built in the 1500s, representing the pinnacle of lakeside luxury. This masterpiece of Italian architecture, with Tiepolo-style frescoes and marbled floors, offers incredible views over the lake and Alpine peaks. With six bedrooms, this villa sleeps up to 12 guests and features an unparalleled private mooring on Lake Como for guest use, along with 10 acres of manicured gardens, gorgeous al fresco dining settings, and a picture-perfect swimming pool.
Complete with a housekeeper, chambermaid, butler (yes!), and private chef, guest can enjoy the ultimate relaxation. But what really sets Villa Tremezzo apart is its seamless integration of historic charm with modern luxury.
3. Palazzo San Daniele
Set on Lake Garda’s iconic waterfront, Palazzo San Daniele is a historic 19th-century estate that overlooks Italy’s largest lake. This home offers sweeping views across the water to the mountains beyond, creating an incredible natural backdrop.
Featuring nine bedrooms, this villa sleeps up to 16 guests and includes a private beach with its own jetty for direct lake access. Landscaped gardens stretch down to the water’s edge and several outdoor terraces provide space for dining and entertaining over Lake Garda.
Modern amenities include a private cinema room, gym, and Turkish sauna – bringing ultimate comfort to the villa’s preserved historic architecture. The property balances Italian heritage with contemporary luxury without losing its authentic character.
What makes it spectacular, though, is the villa’s waterfront position that gives guests their own section of the lake’s shoreline. You can walk straight from the palazzo onto the private beach and into the lake, away from the bustle of busier crowds.
Michelin Star Dining in Europe’s Lake Rivieras
Europe’s lake regions have quietly become culinary powerhouses, attracting Michelin-starred chefs and fine-dining experiences at an impressive rate. Lake regions offer something coastal restaurants can’t: access to both freshwater fish and foraged forest produce.
Luxury travellers get to taste the local gastronomy in its highest form, exploring the balance between traditional recipes and innovative flavours.
The Stars Are Aligning at Europe’s Lakes
As many as 17 Michelin stars are scattered around Lake Garda, with14 Michelin-starred restaurants on the shores of Lake Como.
Europe’s other lakeside rivieras are equally as impressive. Lake Annecy is now a 13-Michelin-star lake, thanks to seven high-end establishments, and Lausanne boasts 15 Michelin stars across 11 of its restaurants.
Notable European lakeside restaurants include:
Lido 84 in Gardone Riviera on Lake Garda was recently ranked in the top 20 of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants
Le Clos des Sens is one of only 151 restaurants in the world to achieve the coveted three Michelin stars
Hiša Linhart is Bled’s Michelin-star gem, celebrated for its use of local fish, meat, fruit and honey – and distinguished with a Michelin Green Star
Celebrity chef investments in lake destinations reflect this trend, too. Two bright new stars now light up Lake Annecy, both awarded to newcomer Maison Benoît Vidal, demonstrating how quickly the region is attracting and retaining world-class chefs. Similarly, two-Michelin-star chef Jean Sulpice‘s move from Val Thorens to Lake Annecy has allowed him to craft innovative local dishes using powerful flavours derived from the area’s alpine soil.
What Premium Experiences Can You Only Get at Lakes?
Vintage Yacht Dreams on Calm Waters
There are only eight vintage Riva Tritones in existence with the signature ‘giardinetto’ sun pad. Imagine having one all to yourself, gliding across Lake Como’s still waters as the sun sets behind Alpine peaks. Passing by villas owned by George Clooney and Richard Branson, before mooring for dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant accessible only by water.
Private yacht charters offer the ultimate relaxation on waters much cooler and calmer than coastal destinations. Our concierge service can help guests book a wide range of lake yachting experiences, including vintage Riva experiences, modern luxury vessels and multi-day lake-hopping itineraries.
Wine Tastings You Won’t Get Elsewhere
Private wine tastings at lakeside vineyards offer the opportunity to explore some of Europe’s most exclusive wines. Around Lake Annecy, the steep vineyard terraces produce wines you won’t find anywhere else. Indigenous grape varieties thrive in this unique microclimate, creating vintages that pair perfectly with the region’s Alpine-influenced cuisine.
Our concierge service can arrange private tastings with vintners whose families have been cultivating these slopes for generations.
Alpine spa treatments
Alpine spa treatments are another unique offering of lakeside regions, with lake regions benefitting from mineral-rich waters, locally sourced Alpine botanicals, and traditional wellness techniques. When combined with pristine mountain air, natural thermal springs, and stunning lake views, these spa experiences coastal destinations simply cannot replicate.
Why not combine your lakeside retreat with a luxury spa experience? Our concierge service can arrange this for you, including thermal springs visits and private yoga sessions overlooking the lakes.
The Top Lake Destinations for Ultra-Wealthy Travellers
Italian Lakes: Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como
Italy’s lake region has evolved into somewhere A-list celebrities, tech billionaires, and European royalty cross paths at waterfront restaurants and private marina events.
Lake Garda‘s appeal lies in its diversity. The lake’s size and varied geography create distinct microclimates and experiences – from the Mediterranean atmosphere of the southern shores to the dramatic Alpine backdrop of the north.
Lake Maggiore offers the most romantic setting. Its legendary Borromean Islands provide exclusive venues for private events. Imagine spending your time in historic palazzos, world-famous gardens, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Lake Como represents the pinnacle of Italian lake luxury. Historical villas once owned by European nobility now serve as ultra-exclusive retreats. Its varied landscapes offer a blend of Mediterranean warmth in the south and Alpine influence in the north, creating a diverse atmosphere for guests.
French Lakes: Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy, often hailed as the cleanest lake in Europe, has seen explosive growth in luxury travel interest, with our internal data showing page views to the region surging by 115% year on year.
This region’s appeal goes beyond beautiful scenery. Annecy offers something rare: a medieval town centre that remains authentic rather than staged for tourists. Shop for groceries in the same charming markets where locals have for centuries, then return to your lakeside villa for dinner prepared by a professional chef.
Investment in premium hospitality is accelerating quickly across this region, so it’s definitely one to watch.
Slovenia: Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj
Recent luxury hotel openings and the arrival of Michelin-starred restaurants signal Slovenia’s emergence as a premier alpine destination for discerning travellers.
Our page views for Slovenia’s alpine villas are up 49% year on year, reflecting growing awareness amongst luxury travellers looking for off-the-beaten-track destinations.
Slovenia’s Lake Bled has quietly transformed from a charming Central European destination into a genuine luxury hotspot. It looks like something out of a fairytale, with picture-perfect scenery that never feels contrived or touristy. It was actually named Europe’s most relaxing lake.
In Slovenia’s Triglav region, Lake Bohinj offers an even more secluded alternative 500 metres above sea level. Celebrated by Lonely Planet as one of the best wild swimming spots in Europe, this pristine alpine environment attracts luxury travellers seeking complete privacy and exclusive outdoor experiences.
The Quiet Transformation of Luxury Travel
Europe’s lake regions are reshaping luxury travel, offering an alternative to destinations that are becoming more crowded and less exclusive.
Unlike busy coastal hotspots, Europe’s lake regions still offer the exclusivity that true luxury demands. And with their wealth of Michelin-starred restaurants, beautiful accommodation, and unique experiences, it’s unlikely interest will slow down anytime soon.
As a result, lake destinations are experiencing unprecedented demand for luxury villa rentals. Booking lead times now stretch 8-12 months for peak season properties – a stark contrast to the 3-4 months that were typical just two years ago.
The lakeside revolution has already begun, and you don’t want to miss the boat.
Ready to discover Europe’s most exclusive lakeside villas? Check out our Lakes & Mountains collection and let our concierge team craft your perfect alpine escape.
