The Most Beautiful Bathing Lakes in Austria
Sometimes, happiness is so simple
Family holidays by the lake: Perfect for little water lovers
Summer in Austria, with its stunning bathing lakes, is the perfect time to open your mind and breathe deeply. Swimming in clean, crystal-clear water is made possible by the dedication of the lake regions and Austria's strict environmental regulations. The bathing waters are regularly tested, resulting in 97.7% of lakes having "excellent water quality." (Source: Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety).
A day at the bathing lake: An experience for all the senses
The whole family has countless options: From swimming and paddling to surfing and kiteboarding, from lounging lazily on the shore to simply gazing at the sky. No matter how you spend your day at the lake – exuberantly and joyfully, both children and adults revel in the bathing lakes. For those longing for peace and relaxation, there’s always a secluded favourite spot to be found. This unique holiday experience, so characteristic of Austria, is inspired by the locals who cherish their lakes and natural retreats. Their enthusiasm for nature quickly resonates with visitors. Here, you can clear your mind, enjoy the vibrancy, marvel, and have fun – this is what summer at an Austrian lake feels like.
Austria's most beautiful bathing lakes at a glance
Nature's playground
This lake's location on the southern side of the Alps is unbeatable: It offers stunning mountain landscapes along with 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. The fjord-like Lake Weissensee welcomes visitors with clear, emerald waters, excellent hiking and biking trails, and activities like surfing, stand-up paddling, and fishing.
Altitude: 930 m / 3,051 ft
Surface area: 6.5 km2 / 1,606 ac
Water temperature: up to 24°C / 75.2°F
Water depth: 99 m / 325 ft
How to get there: The closest airport is Klagenfurt, about 1.5 hours by car. By train, you can travel to Greifenburg station and then take a free shuttle to Weissensee Nature Park. More details here.
Activities around Lake Weissensee
Freedom with sun, wind, and water
Right in the heart of Austria’s lake region, Lake Attersee has a special artsy, laid-back vibe. Enjoy a stroll through “Little Venice” – an area full of Mediterranean-style villas that used to belong to the likes of Gustav Klimt – then dip your toes into the cool water while admiring the rugged mountains that frame the lake.
Altitude: 469 m / 1,539 ft
Surface area: 46,2 km2 / 11,416 ac
Max water depth: 169 m / 554 ft
How to get there: The Attersee region is about halfway between Salzburg and Linz and can easily be reached by car via the A1 motorway, or by train via the Frankenmarkt, Vöcklamarkt, Vöcklabruck, or Attnang-Puchheim stations. More details here.
Activities in the Attersee-Attergau Region
Refreshment between the mountains
Dubbed “Tirol’s ocean” at times, this lake was carved out of the Alps by glaciers more than 20,000 years ago. Today, it welcomes visitors with its emerald green surface and crystal-clear water. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and lush green meadows, Lake Achensee offers countless water sports activities including swimming, surfing, sailing, paddling and diving.
Altitude: 929 m / 3,048 ft
Surface area: 6.8 km2 / 1,680 ac
Avg water temperature: 19°C / 66°F
Max water depth: 133 m / 436 ft
How to get there: Lake Achensee can be reached in just 45 minutes by car from Innsbruck. If you travel by train, get off at Jenbach station, then take a free bus, the local steam railway, or a taxi. Find directions here.
4 hotel tips for Lake Achensee
Natural treasure in conservation
Neusiedler See is pretty special: It is, on average, only 1 m (3.3 ft) deep whilst being one of Austria’s largest bodies of water in terms of surface area. It is a steppe lake, and the landscape is characterised by vast meadows and reeds. Birdwatchers will find more species here than at any other inland lake in Europe, while wine lovers are treated to a variety of local classics.
Altitude: 115 m / 377 ft
Surface area: 320 km2 / 79,074 ac
Avg water depth: 1 m / 3.3 ft
Max water depth: 2 m / 6.6 ft
How to get there: Vienna airport is only about 70 km / 43 mi from Lake Neusiedl. The lake can easily be reached via the A4 motorway by car, or by hourly trains from Vienna. Plan your journey here.
The 4 best restaurants on Lake Neusiedl
Where the soul finds relief
Surrounded by forests, meadows, and mountains, Lake Wolfgangsee is right at the border between Upper Austria and SalzburgerLand. On its shores, you’ll find chocolate-box villages such as St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, or Strobl. A vintage cable car takes you up Zwölferhorn mountain, one of the region’s most beautiful viewpoints.
Altitude: 538 m / 1,765 ft
Surface area: 12.4 km2 / 3,064 ac
Avg water depth: 52 m / 171 ft
Max water depth: 114 m / 374 ft
Avg temperature: 22°C / 71.6°F
How to get there: The closest airport is Salzburg. From there, take bus 150 to Strobl, then change to bus 546. Find detailed directions here.
4 swimming tips for refreshment at Lake Wolfgangsee
A southern scent
Carinthia's largest lake is one of the warmest in the Alps with temperatures of up to 28°C / 82.4°F. In the evening, visit one of the hip beach bars or first-rate restaurants on the shores, and watch the sunset over the lake with a cocktail in your hand.
Altitude: 450 m / 1,476 ft
Surface area: 19.4 km2 / 4,793 ac
Avg depth: 42 m / 138 ft
Max depth: 84.6 m / 278 ft
Max temperature: 28°C / 82.4°F
How to get there: Klagenfurt is located right at the lake, with the airport just 15 min away. The city can also easily be reached by train from all major Austrian cities. Learn more here.
Activities around Lake Wörthersee
Sail, have fun, and enjoy
Lake Mondsee is located in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut, southwest of Lake Attersee. The border between Salzburg and Upper Austria runs on its southern bank. It is very popular with surfers and sailors thanks to its shifting winds. Swimmers especially appreciate the temperatures reaching 27°C / 81°F.
Altitude: 493 m / 1.617 ft
Max length: 11 km / 6.8 mi
Max width: 2 km / 1.24 mi
Max water depth: 68 m / 223 ft
Avg temperature: 23°C / 73.4°F
How to get there: The closest airport is Salzburg. From Salzburg's main train station, you can take the bus 140 to Mondsee, which takes about one hour. Find more information here.
Activities around the Mondsee
Natural splendour meets high culture
The third-largest inland lake in Central Europe shares its shores with Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It offers endless possibilities for water lovers, from swimming to boat trips to cycling tours and barbecues in the sunset. Don't forget to visit the city of Bregenz!
Altitude: 395 m / 1.295 ft
Max length: 63 km / 39 mi
Max width: 14 km / 8.7 mi
Max water depth: 251 m / 823 ft
Avg temperature: 20°C / 68°F
How to get there: Bregenz is situated right by the lake, with the airports of Altenrhein (CH), Zurich (CH), Friedrichshafen (DE), and Memmingen (DE) all within an hour's drive from the city. Find more information here.
Activities around Lake Constance
Climate Protection Tips
Bathing lakes are important habitats for animals and plants. Please observe protection zones!
Only use the approved shore areas for swimming.
Do not leave any garbage behind.
Do not use the bathing lake as a toilet.
Do not feed fish and water birds - leftover food causes excess nutrients.
Leave sun cream on before swimming (oil film contaminates the water surface).