Lake Vänern is the largest lake in Sweden and the European Union by surface area.
Located in southwestern Sweden, Lake Vänern covers about 5,650 square kilometres. It is a freshwater lake formed in a broad depression connected to the Kattegat through the Göta River. Its large size gives it a coastline with numerous bays, islands, and skerries.
The lake has long supported fishing, shipping, and lakeside settlements. Karlstad, Sweden’s largest city on the lake, stands at the northern end, while ports such as Vänern’s canal-connected harbours link inland water traffic with the North Sea.
Lake Vänern is often mixed up with Lake Vättern, Sweden’s second-largest lake. Vättern is long and narrow and is famous for exceptionally clear water, but Vänern is substantially larger in area.