The Best Picnic Spots with Stunning Alpine Views
The best picnic spots in the world can be found in the Alps. Majestic mountains, lush meadows, bright lakes and crisp air create the atmosphere for the most spectacular picnics you could imagine. Do you want a picnic by a lake? The Alps have it. A picnic amidst meadows of wildflowers? The Alps have it. A picnic high above the valleys at a lookout point? The Alps have it. Picnicking in this area isn’t simply eating outdoor food – it’s taking the time to soak in the atmosphere, admire the scenery, take in the magic of mountainous life. Here are the most picturesque locations to have a picnic throughout the alpine regions. Each area possesses a specific beauty and appeal for picnicking.
Lake Oeschinen, Switzerland – a Turquoise Gem for a Relaxing Day
Lake Oeschinen near Kandersteg is among Switzerland’s most beloved natural wonders, making it a highly sought-after spot for a day of picnicking. The turquoise lake, a shade created by glacial melt and sediment from the mountains offers reflective views of the cliffs and snow-capped peaks surrounding it. It requires a gondola to get to and a gradual walk but families can make the trek, as well as those just starting their hiking journeys. Denver international to Aspen is often referenced by travelers comparing iconic mountain-day escapes, highlighting how easily accessible natural beauty can elevate even the simplest outdoor plans. Once at the grassy edge of the shore, there are plenty of peaceful spots to spread out a blanket and soak up the sun while eating lunch. Hearty Swiss cheese and fresh bread or seasonal fruits taste ten times better when surrounded by this dramatic alpine lake. Tranquility is in the air for an extended visit, making this an ideal picnic destination.
Seiser Alm, Dolomites – Meadow, Flowers, Views
As Europe’s largest high-altitude meadow, Seiser Alm is a picturesque place to picnic straight out of an Alpine painting. Located in the Italian Dolomites, the plateau is expansive with rolling green meadows dotted with wooden chalets and framed by towering limestone peaks. In June and July, the meadows burst with color due to wildflowers blooming all around, setting the ideal scene for a picnic. There are countless trails that are easy to traverse leading to natural terraces that host lunch-worthy views in all directions. The atmosphere is perfectly calm, and the fresh mountain air along with wide-open spaces beg visitors to breathe deeply and relish in the silence. Thus, Seiser Alm is incredibly special as a picnic destination that represents the dolomites’ beauty in its purest form.
Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland – Waterfalls & Meadows of Wonder
Lauterbrunnen Valley is known as one of the prettiest valleys in the Alps thanks to its steep cliffs, verdant pastures, and an astonishing 72 waterfalls. This dramatic backdrop creates an unforgettable atmosphere for an outdoor picnic experience. Visitors can picnic on the valley floor near Staubbachfall – one of Europe’s tallest free-falling waterfalls – or stroll to quieter regions of the valley near the river’s edge where meadows exist without many visitors. The contrast between crashing water nearby, serenity on the grass, and the Jungfrau region looming overhead creates a uniquely powerful ambiance for families and couples. Eating here feels like basking inside a natural cathedral designed by glaciers and waterfalls.
Achensee, Austria – A Fjord-Like Lake Picnic
The Tyrolean Lake Achensee is often said to resemble a Norwegian fjord due to its blue waters and steep mountain walls. There are picnic spots that line the shores – both sunny spaces and shaded areas under trees – so you can always find a spot. The calm atmosphere and breeze across the water make it an ideal location at lunch either after walking along the lakeshore or pausing your hike along the ridges. The water looks even bluer in the midday sun. There are various trails, playgrounds, and swimming spots for families and passersby, meaning Achensee is an excellent place for lots of activities, but just as much for relaxation.
Plan de l’Aiguille Above Chamonix – Lunch Under Mont Blanc
The Plan de l’Aiguille is situated at 2,400 meters above the Chamonix Valley. This amazing natural site is intimate as it brings you right into the heart of Mont Blanc and Glacier des Bossons. The Aiguille du Midi cable car runs straight up to the Panoramic Plan de l’Aiguille plateau where hikers can find plenty of natural seats to rest and enjoy a picnic amidst the various rock formations, glacial textures, and valleys below. The lofty positioning renders a feeling of humility but also inspiration as few places exist like this on earth. The mountain air will surely keep your food fresh. Picnicking here should be a quiet moment of reflection as it’s hard to distract yourself from the impressive view while taking a bite of your sandwich.
Arolla, Switzerland – The Ultimate High Alpine Picnic Setting
Arolla in deep Valais may be one of the most picturesque picnic settings in the Alps. With some of the tallest mountains of 4,000 meters over head and gentle pine forests surrounding the village and the pathway around it, a break here from other alpine touristy towns is welcomed. There are picnic spots by the Arolla Glacier with impressive views over expansive icy ridges and bold silhouettes. If you’re in search of tranquility instead of bustling mont per hour destinations, Arolla is for you. Whether you eat by a river, in a meadow, or at a viewpoint, the quiet of Arolla makes every bite even more enjoyable. At this picnic destination, it’s a truly natural experience with pause celebrated in a sacred manner in the heart of high Alps.
Lake Annecy, France – The Most Picturesque (and Lively) Place for a Picnic
Lake Annecy is the perfect blend of alpine authenticity and lakeside charm, the ultimate picnic destination for travelers wanting to be in the mountains but have a bit of cultured sophistication as well. The turquoise shores of parks and grassy banks serve as the perfect resting ground for families, couples, and travelers passing through. The ancient town nearby has an authentic village market for fresh fruits and veggies, pastries, cheeses, and cold cuts – everything one could want out of a delicious picnic made from local finds. It’s soothing yet invigorating to eat by the water’s edge as one gazes upon the lapping waters and ethereal peaks boasting the region of the lake. It’s almost magical to know this village is so cozy next to such a naturally beautiful lake and terrain yet is also bustling with warm human activity; there’s nowhere better in the summer for a picnic than here.
Pragser Wildsee Forest Edge – A Picnic Away from the Tourists by the Famous Lake
Even next to one of the most famous lakes of all time in Italy, Lago di Braies, there is a forest area where someone can find their own picnic experience away from others. One doesn’t need to hang out by the dock of boats; if one ventures down the boardwalk of the lake long enough, there’s a wooded area that features shaded clearings where sunlight pokes through branches and stunning views of the emerald waters on one side and the bank on the other. It’s cool, collected and restorative away from the throngs of tourists who come to this famous destination. If one can score a little spot of their own here, it’s as if they’ve had access to their own resort here, where they have access to all the lake has to offer without any other distractions besides the sound of water moving over rocks and the scent of pine trees while they bask in the warmth of summer with Dolomite peaks hovering over them.
Why Picnicking in The Alps is The Most Life-Affirming Travel Experience Ever
Picnicking in the Alps is no ordinary meal; it’s like each one transforms into an everyday celebration that allows people to take stock of their situation and appreciate life. The quality of air, views and simplicity of meal combines everything into such memorable moments that will resonate from your time there for years. Whether a pitstop on a hike or an opportunity for self-reflection on a beautiful feature of nature, picnicking in the Alps turns mundane sustenance into something far more magical. That feeling stays with you beyond your travels. It’s so easy to recall surreal wildflowers, waterfalls, lakes and peaks years after your travel experience had such idealized opportunities that brought you beyond just just eating!
Riffelsee in Zermatt – The Mirror Lake With An Iconic Reflection
Riffelsee is one of the most picturesque places for a picnic in the Alps, a mirror lake at the right time where reflections of the Matterhorn come through pristine, clear waters. Located above Zermatt accessed via the Gornergrat Railway and a manageable walk to the lake, it is high up, so bring a jacket and an open mind to some of the most stunning views. The bowl-like ridge surrounding the Lake gives picnicking here a natural, sculpted amphitheater from glaciers. At the same time, the remote silence and presence of one of the most recognizable peaks in the world make it dramatic yet serene. With a constantly shifting presence of clouds floating across the lake, it’s like being in a fairytale as you enjoy your meal.
Fälensee in the Swiss Alpstein – A Valley Bottled Within Rocky Heights
Fälensee is an off-the-beaten-path picnic spot in a remote part of Switzerland that contains high-up ridges almost closing in on you as you’re surrounded by nature. Accessible by a trek through beautiful forested regions and rocky pastures, the effort is worth it when you reach your picnic destination, miles away from any town. Fälensee sits in a small valley far removed from day-to-day civilization and surrounded on each side by massively steep limestone cliffs rising as high as they can while staying erect. The seclusion can seem hauntingly close, but it’s merely a majestic feat of nature. Thus, if you’re looking for a grounded experience in rugged beauty and intimacy with one of Switzerland’s greatest landscapes, this is the perfect picnic spot.
Geroldsee in Bavaria – The Most Picture-Perfect Picnic Spot
Geroldsee, known as Wagenbrüchsee, is one of the most picture-perfect picnic spots in all of Bavaria. Surrounded by soft rolling meadows, rustic wooden huts plopped down for good measure, and in the shadow of the magnificent Wetterstein mountain range, this is the quintessential summer destination for anyone looking to enjoy some time outdoors. Easily accessible to families and casual hikers alike, stepping into this part of Bavaria is a scene out of a postcard. Take full advantage of early morning and golden evening light for the best photographic opportunities. Picnicking here feels calm and pastoral with down-to-earth simplicity thanks to an easy-to-navigate terrain and sights that steer toward Germany’s highest peak. It allows travelers to breathe deep and soak up an afternoon happily lost in their surroundings.
Lago di Coldai in the Dolomites – A High-Altitude Picnic With Dramatic Scenery
Lago di Coldai is a stunning high-altitude lake located at the foot of the Civetta massif that makes for an idyllic picnic location after a day of hiking at the Dolomites. The hike to get to Coldai involves a cable car and a decent but medium hike through rocky fields, flowery meadows, and across ridgelines. The lake itself is surrounded by turquoise waters, massive limestone cliffs, and an open view across the valley. The air is fresher and crisper here, almost as if it’s more oxygenated, and the silence surrounding the mountains makes it a lovely respite where you can refuel and enjoy lunch while taking in the views of the Dolomites as if they’re right on top of you. You feel almost elevated by the setting.
