List of largest lakes of Europe Facts for Kids

Europe is home to many amazing lakes, from huge freshwater giants to smaller, unique ones. This article lists some of the biggest lakes in Europe. These are natural lakes that have an average area larger than 100 square kilometers (about 38.6 square miles).

Europe's Largest Lakes
- Top 5 Biggest Lakes
- Other Notable Lakes
See also

Europe's Largest Lakes

Europe has many beautiful lakes, and some are truly massive! Here's a look at the biggest ones, starting with the very largest.

Top 5 Biggest Lakes

Ladoga
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 17,700 square kilometers (6,834 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake in all of Europe! It's so big, it's the 14th largest lake in the entire world.

Onega
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 9,894 square kilometers (3,820 square miles)
- Fun Fact: Onega is the second largest lake in Europe and the 18th largest in the world. It's known for its many islands.

Vänern
- Location: Sweden
- Size: About 5,655 square kilometers (2,183 square miles)
- Fun Fact: Vänern is the biggest lake in Sweden and also the largest lake within the European Union.

Saimaa
- Location: Finland
- Size: About 4,377 square kilometers (1,690 square miles)
- Fun Fact: Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland. It's actually a huge network of many smaller lake basins connected together.

Peipus
- Location: Estonia, Russia
- Size: About 3,555 square kilometers (1,373 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This lake is the largest in Estonia and sits right on the border between Estonia and Russia.

Other Notable Lakes

Many other large lakes dot the European landscape, each with its own special features.

Vättern
- Location: Sweden
- Size: About 1,893 square kilometers (731 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This Swedish lake is home to Visingsö, a permanently settled island.

Beloye
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 1,290 square kilometers (498 square miles)
- Fun Fact: Its name means "White Lake" in Russian.

Vygozero
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 1,250 square kilometers (483 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This lake's size grew from 766 square kilometers after a dam was built.

Mälaren
- Location: Sweden
- Size: About 1,140 square kilometers (440 square miles)

IJsselmeer
- Location: Netherlands
- Size: About 1,100 square kilometers (425 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake in the Netherlands. It used to be a sea inlet that was closed off by a dam.

Päijänne
- Location: Finland
- Size: About 1,081 square kilometers (417 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the deepest lake in Finland.

Inari
- Location: Finland
- Size: About 1,040 square kilometers (402 square miles)
- Fun Fact: Located in Lapland, it's Finland's northernmost large lake.

Topozero
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 986 square kilometers (381 square miles)

Ilmen
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 982 square kilometers (379 square miles)
- Fun Fact: Its size can change quite a bit depending on the season, from 733 to 2,090 square kilometers.

Segozero
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 906 square kilometers (350 square miles)

Pielinen
- Location: Finland
- Size: About 894 square kilometers (345 square miles)

Oulujärvi
- Location: Finland
- Size: About 887 square kilometers (342 square miles)

Imandra
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 876 square kilometers (338 square miles)

Markermeer
- Location: Netherlands
- Size: About 700 square kilometers (270 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This lake used to be part of the IJsselmeer before 1975.

Balaton
- Location: Hungary
- Size: About 592 square kilometers (229 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake in Central Europe.

Geneva
- Location: Switzerland, France
- Size: About 581 square kilometers (224 square miles)
- Fun Fact: It's the largest lake in both Switzerland and France, and the biggest in the Alps mountain range.

Constance
- Location: Germany, Switzerland, Austria
- Size: About 541 square kilometers (209 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This lake is the largest in Germany and Austria.

Lough Neagh
- Location: Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)
- Size: About 388 square kilometers (150 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake in the United Kingdom and on the island of Ireland.

Shkodra
- Location: Albania, Montenegro
- Size: About 370-530 square kilometers (143-205 square miles)
- Fun Fact: It's the largest lake in Southern Europe.

Garda
- Location: Italy
- Size: About 370 square kilometers (143 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake in Italy.

Mjøsa
- Location: Norway
- Size: About 365 square kilometers (141 square miles)
- Fun Fact: It's the largest lake in Norway.

Ohrid
- Location: North Macedonia, Albania
- Size: About 358 square kilometers (138 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake in North Macedonia.

Neusiedl
- Location: Austria, Hungary
- Size: About 315 square kilometers (122 square miles)

Great Prespa
- Location: Albania, Greece, North Macedonia
- Size: About 273 square kilometers (105 square miles)

Lough Corrib
- Location: Ireland
- Size: About 200 square kilometers (77 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland.

Mar Menor
- Location: Spain
- Size: About 170 square kilometers (66 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest saltwater lake in Europe and the largest lake in Spain.

Elton
- Location: Russia
- Size: About 150 square kilometers (58 square miles)

Como
- Location: Italy
- Size: About 146 square kilometers (56 square miles)

Bolsena
- Location: Italy
- Size: About 114 square kilometers (44 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest volcanic lake in Europe.

Śniardwy
- Location: Poland
- Size: About 114 square kilometers (44 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake in Poland.

Lucerne
- Location: Switzerland
- Size: About 114 square kilometers (44 square miles)

Müritz
- Location: Germany
- Size: About 117 square kilometers (45 square miles)
- Fun Fact: This is the largest lake entirely within Germany.

List of largest lakes of Europe facts for kids

Contents

Europe's Largest Lakes

Top 5 Biggest Lakes

Other Notable Lakes

See also