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Austria's lakes captivate with their breathtaking diversity. Whether for sailing, diving, fishing or simply a relaxing swim: Have a look at our list of Austria's nicest lakes
Austria - a country that attracts millions of tourists every year with its Alpine location. Those who like to seek out nature are in the right place here. As soon as the first snow falls, covering the country and the mountains in white, ski and winter sports enthusiasts are on the move to explore the sheer endless number of ski resorts and cross-country skiing trails. But there's plenty to discover in summer as well: High mountains, green forests and cosy villages are definitely worth a visit. And did you know that there are over 25,000 lakes in Austria? Whether glittering mountain lakes or bathing lakes with lido and campsite, with this enormous variety, everyone really gets their money's worth. That's why it's our special concern to present you the crème de la crème, the most beautiful lakes in Austria.
Neusiedler See/Neusiedler Lake
At the top of our list is a real giant: the Neusiedler Lake lies between Austria and Hungary with a lenght of over 26 kilometres and a width of 7 - 16 kilometres. This makes it the largest lake in Austria. The lake is located in the Burgenland and it isn't particularly deep which makes it the ideal lake for non-swimmers or families with children. It's the shallowest of all Austria's lakes with an average depth of only one metre. The deepest point is 2 metres deep which means some people could just cross the lake without swimming. A wide range of sports and leisure activities invite both recreational and active tourists to visit. With its enormous reed belt the Neusiedler Lake also offers ideal breeding grounds for over 300 rare bird species. Whether you're a bird watcher or a kite surfer, here you'll definitely find what you're looking for.
Milstätter See/Lake Milstätter
Let's move on to a real feel-good lake: Lake Milstätter is one of the warmest lakes in Carinthia. Sun's out almost all the time as updrafts simply drive away any unwelcome rain clouds. Water temperatures of up to 28 °C are realistic in summer and with 12 lidos surrounding the lake it is perfect for swimming and relaxing. Quite different from Neusiedler Lake, however, Lake Milstätter is 141 metres deep at its deepest point making it one of the lakes with the highest volume of water in Austria. On the north side are the villages of Seeboden, Millstatt and Döbriach where you can find cosy cafés with lake views that stay open until autumn. And it even gets romantic: couples can enjoy a rowing boat trip across the lake including a picnic and also take a walk on the "Weg der Liebe" (path of love) which leads into a 6-hour hike to the Granattor from where you can enjoy an amazing view.
Achensee
At first glance, Achensee looks like a picturesque mountain lake. Nestled between the Karwendel and Rofan mountains, Tyrol's largest lake flows through the mountains and has a length of over 9.4 kilometres. Since it is a mountain lake the water is quite cold even in summer - between 18 - 20 °C even in summer. But if that doesn't put you off you're welcome to visit one of the many beaches and lidos. There's even a dog beach near Pertisau for your four-legged companions. Due to the wind conditions it's also possible to go surfing and sailing. Those who prefer to take it easy and own a fishing licence will be pleased to hear that fishing is permitted at Lake Achensee, provided that local regulations and closed seasons are adhered to. There are also a lot of hiking trails surrounding the Achensee that you can check out if you like to be active on your holidays.
The Grüner See (green lake) is a real eye-catcher: As the name suggests the lake is characterised by its emerald colour. This lake lies in beautiful Styria. But watch out! You should be careful when you're gonna visit as the lake only fills up in early summer and dries up again in autumn due to it being a melt water lake. In the warm season, the green lake even reaches a depth of up to 10 metres. Unfortunately, the water is too cold for swimming: the lake only reaches a temperature of 5°C - 6°C, even in summer. Of course, It's still worth a visit due to the spectacular scenery.
Attersee
The Attersee is the largest lake in Austria - at least if you don't count Lake Constance and Neusiedler Lake which are also largely part of other countries. The crystal-clear giant is 19 kilometres long and up to 3.3 kilometres wide. Whether you want to go for swimming, on a sailing trip or a dive the Attersee really does fulfil everyone's needs. The Attersee and the surrounding holiday regions attract thousands of visitors every year. There are numerous lidos and sunbathing areas and the temparature usually reaches a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius, so the Attersee invites you to go swimming and relax with the whole family. As already mentioned, the lake is considered one of the clearest lakes in Austria - you can also go diving in the 169-metre-deep lake. Due to its vastness, it's also easy to cross the lake by sailing boat or motor boat. It's also permitted to fish in the Attersee if you own a valid fishing licence and you can catch every kind of fish from eels to pikes here.
The idyllic Hallstätter See is the place to be with its beautiful surroundings! The fifth largest lake in the Salzkammergut is located near the Wolfgangsee and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its location at the foot of the Dachstein Mountains, which gives it a fjord-like character. A boat trip across the lake, past Grub Castle to the centre of Hallstatt is highly recommended. Fun fact: Chinese architects liked the design of the dainty village Hallstatt so much that they actually built a replica of the entire village. Lake Hallstatt also has a lot to offer historically. The traces of the past go back up to 4000 years and reveal Celtic graves, a salt mine and the "oldest pipeline in the world". But watch out as there's only limited parking space in the town centre which is only for residents. A barrier separates the centre from the rest of the area. So it's best to park outside of the centre and take the bus into town if you want to go for a stroll.
Klopeiner See
Let's move on to an absolute paradise: the Klopeiner See which is located in southern Carinthia and reaches up to 29 degrees in summer. Therefore, it the warmest lake in Austria and ideal for a summer vacation. There are 12 lidos so you can lie near the water, eat ice cream or go for a swim. The water quality is excellent as well, in fact it even is drinking water quality. Thanks to its wind-protected location the lake reaches a very comfortable temperature. If you don't want to dive into the water there's a lot of other thing you can do: you can go cycling on all the paths that lead around the Klopeiner See and its surroundings. Those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground can also explore the 180 km of hiking trails. Another highlight is the lakeside promenade that runs around the entire lake and is ideal for a relaxing walk.
Wörthersee
The Wörthersee is perfect for swimming as well but there are also a lot of other activities you can try out. Located in Carinthia, the lake is one of the nicest destinations in Austria. A lot of tourists have already discovered this gem: In summer, you can see quite a few celebrities swimming or sunbathing at Wörthersee. The water temperature is ususally 27°C. The turquoise lake offers a motorboat cab and even enough space for surfers, sailors and stand-up paddlers. It's also a family-friendly place with a zoo, wildlife park and an open-air museum. And of course there are also nice campsites by the lake for all our camper fans. We can recommend a visit to one of the numerous bars and restaurants in the evening and nightlife is pretty good as well.
Conclusion
Austria's lakes offer a breathtaking variety. Whether you want to go sailing, diving, fishing or for a relaxed swim: Everybody will find something fun to do here. And it doesn't matter whether you're travelling alone, as a couple or with the whole family. In any case, all the lakes are worth a visit. We hope we could give you some inspiration for your vacation or road trip in Austria.
