The world's most Instagrammed lakes – and the UK takes the top spot

The world is your oyster, but with so many places to visit, making a decision on where to travel next can be difficult. Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are fantastic for inspiration – and, if you're a nature-lover, you'll be excited to learn about the world's most Instagrammed lakes taking the online community by storm.

The research, commissioned by Showerstoyou.co.uk, looks at the most ‘Instagrammable’ lakes around the world to help you decide on your next picturesque trip.

See more: The most Instagrammed forests from around the world

The study collected the number of hashtags per lake in order to identify which one would make the best Instagram-worthy place to visit next. We'll just book to a trip to all of them to make sure we don't miss out...

Discover the world's most Instagrammed lakes in the world

1. LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND

In first place is the UK’s very own - and very popular - Lake District, with 2,951,548 hashtags. And, while the area is composed of a multitude of lakes, the study decided to take it as a whole due to the fact it is well known for its glacial ribbon bodies of water. The UK’s Loch Ness also made the top 20 list with over 500,000 photos added to the ‘gram.

2. LAKE TAHOE, US

In second place is Lake Tahoe, with 2,459,104 hashtags. Situated between California and Nevada, it is also the largest alpine lake in North America, so it’s probably no surprise that it’s so high on the list. Indeed, the US is quite a popular destination for lake-lovers – 35% of the world’s most photographed lakes are in the Land of the Free.

3. LAKE MICHIGAN, US

One of the five Great Lakes of America, Lake Michigan is the second-largest - and one of the most visually stunning - with2,208,442 hashtags agreeing. Visitors flock to its beachy sand dune-backed shores, with some reaching as high as 450ft above the lake.

The only one of the Great Lakes that is entirely located with the US, Lake Michigan boasts 59 lighthouses and a host of pretty island archipelagos. Don't miss the sun setting over the lake for a truly Insta-perfect shot.

4. LAKE COMO, ITALY

Italy’s Lake Como, also known as Lario, is fourth with a whopping 1,412,597 hashtags. This beauty is the 5th deepest lake in Europe and an amazing destination to visit, with stars like George Clooney setting up holiday homes here.

5. DEAD SEA, ISRAEL/JORDAN/PALESTINE

Contrary to popular belief, the Dead Sea is actually a salt lake, bordering Jordan to the east, and Israel to the west. Its surface and shores are 427 metres below sea level, making it Earth's lowest elevation on land.

As well as being breathtakingly beautiful – garnering1,137,909 Instagram hashtags – it's also known for being a haven of healing, with thousands of people flocking there every year to bathe in its mineral-rich waters and mud.

See: The most Instagrammed hotel bathrooms from around the world