Best Picnic Spots in the Alps with Breathtaking Views

Few things are better than eating a meal in the picturesque mountain air. The Alps boast some of the best picnic spots in the world, and since they span eight countries, you are bound to find your ideal setting in their rolling pastures and protected parks. From meadows with views of serene lakes to ridgelines offering panoramic views, all picnic spots in the Alps offer the opportunity to sit, relax, and embrace nature, whether you're on a family reunion getaway, a romantic escape, or simply exploring with friends. Here are the best picnic spots in the Alps with jaw-dropping views.

Lac Annecy, France - Alpine Bliss at The Water's Edge

Lac Annecy is among the most picturesque places located in the French Alps. Transfers from Geneva to Megève ski resort often pass near this breathtaking region, giving travelers a chance to admire its turquoise waters and serene mountain backdrop on their journey. It's a stunning lake surrounded by turquoise waters, rolling green hills, and peaks that rise dramatically into the sky. There are countless spots to picnic along its banks, from the grassy park of Jardins de l'Europe in town to a secluded cove nestled against the small village of Talloires.

The water is so crystal clear, and the reflections from the mountains are so authentic it feels as if you're eating inside of a painting. Bring some regional fare, a baguette, Reblochon cheese, maybe some fruits picked up at the local farmers market and set up your spot while a nearby sailboat drifts peacefully by. For those adventurous enough to hike a few kilometers, you can travel to the Col de la Forclaz viewpoint which overlooks the entirety of Lac Annecy, complete with one of the most iconic views of France.

Grindelwald, Switzerland - Picnic Under The Eiger

Nestled inside Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, there's nowhere more picturesque than Grindelwald for an outdoor meal than under the Eiger's north face. Similar to Annecy, there's an entire trail system marking out the many important aspects of the area offering grassy clearings where you can secure your perfect picnic away from other tourists and instead, surrounded by alpine wild flowers with a distant sound of waterfalls.

One of the easiest yet most unforgettable spots requires a cable car to First and a subsequent hike on the Bachalpsee trail where a perfect mirrored lake awaits, capturing the snow capped peaks in every bite. Be sure to pack some Swiss chocolate, some bread and cheese and you have all you need for a pic-a-nic in paradise!

Alpe di Siusi, Italy – Meadows Above the Clouds

The Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), located in the Dolomites, is Europe's largest alpine meadow, and during summer, it boasts wildflower-filled landscapes and limestone peaks jutting into the air. The gentle slope and panoramic views make it a magical place to set up a picnic, accessible by cable car through Ortisei or Siusi. Within minutes, you'll find a multitude of locations where you can be away from the crowds with views stretching for miles.

Lay your blanket down in the meadows where the scent of grass and wild herbs brings heaven to your nose. Sip on local prosciutto with fresh ciabatta and cheese while listening to the soft jingling of cowbells from cattle nearby. When the clouds slip over the peaks above, it's as if you're dining in the clouds and there's nothing more romantic than capturing the moment on camera and securing it as a memory for all-time in one of Italy's stunning dolomitic regions.

Lake Oeschinen, Switzerland – A Hidden Alpine Gem

Lake Oeschinen is one of Switzerland's prettiest places to host a picnic, located above the quaint village of Kandersteg. Kandersteg is best accessed by train; you take a stunning journey through mountain valleys before reaching this stunning hamlet. Lake Oeschinen boasts deep blue waters with cliffs far beyond, waterfalls hidden throughout which give off an adventurous feel far from civilization. The lake is accessible by cable car followed by a twenty-minute uphill walk. Once there, wooden benches offer built-in accommodation while grassy banks make for a comfortable sit-down meal.

Lake Oeschinen even invites swimming and rowing after your meal to burn off those Swiss goodies you've brought along from town. Smoked meats, alpine cheese and homemade pastries from the village serve as an appropriate spread. It's hard to believe the real world exists beyond these mountains while perched in one of Switzerland's best hidden lakes.

Megève, France – Pastures with a Touch of Elegance

Megève is known as one of the most sophisticated parts of the French Alps, blending rustic appeal with a touch of elegance. Thus, picnicking in the pastures is perfectly suited for this atmosphere on a cool summer's day. The meadows surrounding town filled with wildflowers and chalets are a respite from the designer boutiques while Mont d'Arbois boasts panoramic views toward Mont Blanc without much of a hike.

Bring a nice spread from the Megève markets. A fresh baguette, some mountain honey and a bottle of Savoie wine would do nicely to assure an upscale experience. Underneath the summer sun with snow-capped mountains on one side and an extensive view on another cements Megève as one of the most sophisticated corners of the French Alps.

Achen Lake (Achensee), Austria - The Tyrolean Sea

As the largest lake in Austria, Achensee is surrounded by dramatic peaks and lush forests, earning it the moniker of “the Tyrolean Sea.” The walking trail surrounding the water is filled with hidden spots to picnic from quiet beaches to grass clearings a stone's throw from the rippling edge. The turquoise reflections and cool mountain breeze provide a summer lunch destination like no other.

Everyone from cyclists to hikers to families will enjoy shaded clearings to enjoy local treats of Tyrolean speck, mountain cheese and hearty bread. If you're still feeling adventurous afterward, take a dip in the lake or embark on a boat cruise across the water. Picture postcard views await in every direction, making Achensee one of the loveliest summer spots in all of Austria.

Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland - A Fairytale Picnic

If you've ever thought of picnicking in a fairytale, Lauterbrunnen Valley is where that picnic comes to life. Nicknamed “the valley of 72 waterfalls,” this glacial gorge is filled with towering cliffs, emerald meadows and cascading streams. The sound of nature's power fills your ears as you lay down your blanket next to one of the valley's many winding pathways.

One of the most famous picnic spots here is near Staubbach Falls the highest waterfall in Europe where it's not uncommon to spend the afternoon with friends or family under soaking mist. Stop in Lauterbrunnen village beforehand to grab fresh bread, fruits and local alpine cheese to munch on as you listen to nature's soundtrack and eye the mist surrounding one of the most powerful sites on the continent.

Lake Bled, Slovenia - Of Castles and Islands

Although it lies just east of the central Alpine chain, Lake Bled deserves a spot on any picnic lovers' list throughout the region. Surrounded by emerald waters, a medieval castle on a cliff and an island crowned with a church, Lake Bled offers one of Europe's most romantic landscapes.

There are multiple grassy spots along the lakeshore that are easily accessible without many crowds for picnicking convenience. After your meal, rent a rowboat or take a gentle swim out to the island for a closer look at the Church of the Assumption it's not only romantic but often boasted as one of Slovenia's most photographed spots especially on calm days when the castle and Julian Alps reflect seamlessly on the surface of the lake, frozen in time without a ripple in sight.

Seefeld, Austria – Alpine Meadows and Golden Light

The champions of open landscapes and family-friendly hiking trails, Seefeld in Tyrol is the ultimate day trip venue for picnics. Just outside the village lies Möserer See, a small lake that offers one of the most intimate picnic spots of the Alps. It's warm and shallow enough for swimming as the golden meadows surrounding the lake glisten in late afternoon sunshine.

Pack a basket filled with pretzels, cheese and fruit and head to the trees for a nice quiet picnic setting. It doesn't get more idyllic than the sound of lapping waves on the shore of a mountain lake as you enjoy your meal, looking out at the snow-capped Karwendel Peaks in the distance. An especially nice day trip venue for families or couples, Seefeld is ultimate charm with great accessibility.

The Dolomites' Val di Funes – Views Right Out of a Storybook

Val di Funes is one of the most photographed valleys in all of the Alps and with good reason. The green rolling fields in northern Italy are set against the jagged spires of the Odle Group which seem to reach right out of a storybook. It's heaven on earth when it comes to spectacular views, making it the ideal setting for a midday picnic.

Bring along some simple delicacies from Italian baking fresh bread and local cured meats and cheeses and sit in the shadows of giants while Santa Maddalena church lies behind you. As the alpenglow casts a light rosy hue across the peaks, it's hard to ever leave such a delightful midday spot, but this will be one picnic like no other as you realize you'd never want to be any other place at that moment.

Tips to Plan the Best Picnic in the Alps

Planning an epic picnic location in the Alps is not complicated, but it does take a good amount of pre-planning. Start off by making sure you secure your favorite location early, and pack light for an effortless morning in the mountains with food. All you need is some cheese and bread with fresh fruit and perhaps a thermos of coffee or local wine to enjoy your time; make sure to pack water, sunscreen and a blanket.

Try to find a market or bakery nearby to support local goods while ensuring that there is an easy place to make your meal. It brings extra charm to the day and helps out mountain villages. Most importantly, no picnic spot should ever leave behind any waste; it's essential to keep all areas as beautiful as they once were before someone disturbed them by having a picnic there in the first place.

Final Thoughts: Dining in the Heart of Nature

The magic of picnicking in the Alps isn't just the food, it's the experience. It's a return to simplicity and an age-old practice. Whether you're picnicking by the glacial lake with the mountains mirrored on the calm blue surface, in a sun-speckled wildflower valley, or atop a mountain with a view of the valley below where the air is purely pine and earth, the quiet magic penetrates your soul. Time stretches. Time softens. The pure air fills your lungs, and there's no urgency in having to get up and go as you feel warmth from the sun kiss your skin, the sounds of nature animals and running water provide great background noise.

Picnicking is an act of calm and appreciation where you can enjoy that sweet fruit, fresh bread, perfectly crafted cheese, or daily sandwich even more so than if you were indoors somewhere far from such tranquility. Even the food takes on a grander sense of purpose, a regional celebration for nearby valleys and meadows that many have picnicked in before on such days as yours. Picnicking is personal; it's mood driven and variable by companions. It appreciates silence as much as laughter and welcomes a sense of camaraderie and flow that everyday life dismisses as mundane and interrupted.

In a world that moves much too fast, the ability to escape outdoors and share in food consumption while surrounded by majestic mountains is a quiet protest against the hurried pace of life we're all too accustomed to ignoring. It celebrates honest living with fresh air and companionship. There is no hurry to pack away everything you've brought with you, but instead to sit, enjoy, hear and breathe. You're not only part of the scene but a piece of magic in itself derived from laughter and the realization that there is no better place you'd rather be; at least for now. Even the simplest of picnics feels like an eternity.

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