Best lakes near Sils Maria for swimming and relaxing in summer

Sils Maria sits on a green plain between two of the most beautiful stretches of water in the Alps, Lake Sils on one side and Lake Silvaplana on the other. Few alpine villages put you this close to so much water, and summer here is made for slow lake days: a morning swim from a quiet bay, an afternoon drifting on a stand up paddle board, an evening walk along the shore. A word of honesty first, though. The two big lakes sit at almost 1,800 metres and stay cold even in August, while a handful of smaller moor lakes nearby warm to a genuinely pleasant 20 degrees.

Make the most of your lake-filled holiday with a stay at Hotel Schweizerhof Sils Maria, ideally located for exploring the waters and walking trails around Sils Maria.

This guide sorts the lakes near Sils Maria by what each does best, so you know where to swim, where to paddle and where to simply sit and watch the light change.

Lake Sils: the lake on your doorstep

Lake Sils, Lej da Segl in the local Romansh, begins a few minutes' walk from the village. At 1,797 metres it is the largest natural lake in the Alps above 1,000 metres: five kilometres long, ringed by larch forest and overlooked by Piz Corvatsch and Piz da la Margna.

The classic swimming spot is the Chastè peninsula, a wooded finger of land reaching into the lake with small, sheltered bays of remarkably clear water. Be realistic about temperature. This is a deep lake at high altitude, so even in August a swim is a short, bracing affair rather than a lazy float. Most people dip, gasp, and dry off happily in the sun. At the tip of the peninsula you will find the famous Nietzsche memorial plaque, a fitting excuse to combine your swim with a shoreline walk.

The water is just as rewarding above the surface. Rowing boats, kayaks and paddle boards can be rented at the boathouse in Sils and at Plaun da Lej, and the hotel can set you up with SUP rental across the lake. For the laziest lake day of all, board the MS Segl Maria, Europe's highest scheduled boat service, which crosses to Maloja in 40 minutes with stops at Chastè, Plaun da Lej and Isola, four times a day in season.

Lake Silvaplana: watch the kitesurfers, then brave a quick dip

Walk the other way out of Sils and you reach Lake Silvaplana, at 1,790 metres and rarely warmer than 16 degrees. Swimming is possible from the grassy shores, best in the still of the morning, but this lake's real summer show starts around midday, when the Maloja wind arrives. The reliable thermal wind turns the lake into one of Europe's great kitesurfing and windsurfing arenas from May to October, and on a good afternoon the water fills with dozens of bright kites against the mountains. Find a spot on the shoreline path, order a drink at a lakeside terrace and watch. It is one of the Engadin's best free spectacles.

Lej Marsch and Lej Nair: the warm moor lakes

For an actual, comfortable swim, head for the small moor lakes hidden in the woods between Surlej and St. Moritz Bad. Their shallow, dark water warms to around 20 degrees in summer, which makes them the warmest swims in the valley by some margin.

Lej Marsch is the best known, with a small sandy beach on its northern bank, a jetty for jumping in, fire pits, picnic areas and toilets, all five minutes' walk from the car park at the old Olympic ski jump. Lej Nair, the "black lake", lies a quarter of an hour further on and stays noticeably quieter, with benches and fire pits with firewood provided. Both lakes sit in a protected high moor of national importance, so keep to the marked paths and the designated swimming areas. Neither lake is supervised, so you swim at your own risk.

Lej da Staz: the classic Engadin bathing lake

If you want the full bathing-lake experience, Lej da Staz in the Staz forest near St. Moritz is the Engadin's most famous. The water reaches a pleasant 20 degrees, wooden boardwalks lead into the lake, and a floating platform sits offshore for swimmers who want a target. Add a sunbathing meadow, fire pits and a playground, and you have an easy half day. From St. Moritz it is a 45 minute forest walk or 20 minutes by bike; from Sils Maria, take the bus to St. Moritz and continue on foot or by rental e-bike.

Lägh da Cavloc: a swim at the end of a walk

The most satisfying swim near Sils Maria is the one you walk for. Take the boat or bus to Maloja, then follow the easy trail into Val Forno for about an hour, climbing roughly 120 metres to Lägh da Cavloc. The lake's shallow southern shore has a small beach where the water warms faster than in the big valley lakes, and a mountain restaurant sits right at the shore for lunch afterwards. A footpath loops around the lake, so take your time before heading back down to the boat.

Planning your lake days from Sils Maria

A quick reality check on water temperatures: Lake Sils and Lake Silvaplana rarely pass 16 degrees even in high summer, while Lej Marsch, Lej Nair and Lej da Staz reach around 20 degrees from roughly mid-July to late August, the warmest window of the year. Pack a towel, a warm layer for after the swim and water shoes for the stonier shores. None of the lakes has a lifeguard, so enter cold water slowly and stay close to shore.

You do not need a car for any of this. The Engadin bus runs the length of the valley, the boat covers Lake Sils in season, and e-bikes shrink the distances quickly. Base yourself in Sils Maria and every lake in this guide is a relaxed day out. You will find more ideas on our Sils Maria summer page.

Where to stay between the lakes

Schweizerhof, Sils Maria, a Faern collection resort, sits in the village centre, minutes on foot from Lake Sils and a short ride from every lake in this guide. Open for summer from 3 July to 25 October 2026, it is the natural base for slow days built around water, walks and long lunches.

Book your stay at Schweizerhof, Sils Maria or explore more Sils Maria experiences.

FAQs about the best lakes near Sils Maria

Can you swim in Lake Sils?

Yes, most popularly in the sheltered bays of the Chastè peninsula. The water stays cold all summer, so expect a short, refreshing dip rather than a long swim.

Which lake near Sils Maria is warmest?

The small moor lakes: Lej Marsch, Lej Nair and Lej da Staz all reach around 20 degrees in summer, far warmer than the big valley lakes.

Do I need a car to visit these lakes?

No. The Engadin bus, the Lake Sils boat in season and rental e-bikes cover every lake in this guide from Sils Maria.

When is the water warmest?

From mid-July to late August. Mornings are calmest on the big lakes, before the Maloja wind picks up around midday.