The 11 most beautiful lakes and bathing lakes in Austria

Fancy a holiday at the most beautiful lakes in Europe? We have found the 11 most magnificent lakes in Austria for you!

Land of mountains, land of cathedrals… The Alpine Republic can not only boast magnificent mountains and cathedrals, the country also has numerous fantastic lake landscapes to offer. We have taken a closer look at the eleven most beautiful lakes and bathing lakes in Austria for you.

1. Lake Constance (Vorarlberg)

The well-known Lake Constance actually consists of two lakes, the Obersee and the Untersee, and is located in the triangle between Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Water sports enthusiasts in particular will feel particularly at home on Lake Constance: everything is possible here, from leisurely swimming to extensive sailing and diving tours to surfing and kite surfing. Those who prefer to stay on the shore will not be disappointed either: several nature reserves along the lake and the Rhine invite you to go on relaxing hikes and in Unteruhldingen (Germany), which is also located on Lake Constance, you can even visit a pile dwelling museum.

2. Lake Hallstatt (Upper Austria)

Hallstatt is one of the most famous places in Austria and visitors from all over the world are drawn to the mystically beautiful place, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The small town is located in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut directly between the steep mountain range and Lake Hallstatt. The surroundings and the lake are a true natural paradise: from rare and endangered plants to numerous waterfowl, amphibians and fish species, lovers of fauna and flora will find everything an observer’s heart desires. Leisurely hikes with a wonderful view of the surrounding mountain landscape are another highlight of every holiday on this Austrian lake.

3. Mondsee (Upper Austria)

Anyone interested in early history and archeology is in the right place at Mondsee – it even gave its name to the Mondsee culture, an archaeological culture in the Salzkammergut from the late Neolithic period. The town of See am Mondsee is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Nature lovers will be amazed by the beautiful mountain scenery and the area around the Austrian lake is ideal for hiking.

4. Millstätter See (Carinthia)

Petri Heil – the fishermen are at home here! The Millstätter See is located north of the Drautal in Austrian Carinthia and is known and extremely popular with anglers thanks to its abundance of fish. But even those who don’t like to cast out the line themselves can indulge in fishing on this Austrian lake – for example in the fishing museum in Seeboden or as a gourmet while enjoying the many culinary delicacies that are offered around Lake Millstatt. Those who prefer to follow the fish and go swimming or relax in the water can also do so at the Millstätter lido.

5. Woerthersee (Carinthia)

Carinthia’s Wörthersee is best known for its use as a backdrop for numerous film and television productions; for example, Ein Schloß am Wörthersee, Die Supernasen or Zodiak were filmed on the shores of this Austrian lake. Every July, the Wörthersee also becomes the venue for one of the most iconic sporting events in the country, the Ironman Austria Triathlon.

6. Lake Neusiedl (Burgenland)

The Neusiedlersee is very special in several respects: Not only is it one of the few steppe lakes in Austria, it is the largest lake in the country in terms of area (since Lake Constance is largely in Germany and Switzerland) and, thanks to its rich flora and fauna, part of two National Parks, in 2001 the area around it was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Those who spend their holidays on Lake Neusiedl can look forward to long hikes through the most beautiful natural areas, numerous water sports opportunities and delicious wine and fish from the region. And those who come in summer and like theater can also look forward to cultural events such as the Mörbisch Lake Festival, operas and passion plays in the nearby St. Margareten quarry or Shakespeare plays in Parndorf.

7. Wolfgangsee (Salzburg & Upper Austria)

Anyone who is at Lake Wolfgang for the first time will hardly want to miss the opportunity to admire the wonderful Alpine landscape all around. The imposing Schafberg, the Zwölferhorn and the Falkensteinwand not only look impressive, holidaymakers who enjoy hiking can also spend one or two relaxing hiking days in the heart of nature on this lake in Austria. And divers will also be happy here: Near the Franzosenschanze there are fascinating underwater worlds with sunken trees.

Incidentally, the city of Salzburg is only a few kilometers away from many of the Austrian lakes mentioned here (Wolfgangsee, Hallstätter See, Mondsee, Attersee), but also from numerous other beautiful lakes in Austria. Since you can also reach many of them very easily by public transport, a city trip to Salzburg can be ideally combined with one or two visits to the lakes.

8. Ossiach Lake (Carinthia)

The Ossiacher See surrounded by green mountains is not only a real treat for the eyes, but also home to a whole range of rare animals and plants. If you want to study interesting aquatic plants, fish or waterfowl or just admire them, this Austrian lake is the right place for you. In addition to nature, you can of course also enjoy the local culture, for example in Ossiach Abbey on the lake or in the carnival town of Villach.

9. Attersee (Upper Austria)

During the Belle Epoque around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Lake Attersee was the scene of many summer stays by famous artists; celebrities such as the painter Gustav Klimt or the composer Gustav Mahler rested and worked there. Nowadays, the Austrian lake is particularly appreciated by diving and sailing enthusiasts and, thanks to its great abundance of fish, enthusiastic fishermen.

10. Green Lake (Styria)

The Green Lake near Tragöß in Styria, Austria, is not a lake in the true sense of the word, but thanks to its extraordinary fascination for divers, it still deserves a place in our article: Every year when the snow melts, the Tragößertal transforms from a mountain meadow into a mountain meadow of up to ten meters deep lake, filled with crystal-clear, emerald-green shimmering water – and if you dare a trip under the surface in the cold water, you will enter a fascinating underwater world with sunken meadows, bushes, paths and trees. A trip to this lake in Austria is an absolute must for every diving fan!

11. Weißensee (Carinthia)

Fancy a sustainable holiday in Austria? Then definitely visit the Weißensee in Carinthia! The beautiful lake at the foot of the Gaital Alps is not only one of the highest bathing lakes in Carinthia, but is also considered the cleanest lake in the canton. So it’s no wonder that the region was awarded the “European Prize for Tourism and the Environment” in 1995 and declared a nature park! Banks of white sea chalk surround this magnificent 12km long lake, giving you great underwater visibility and the opportunity to swim, splash and even scuba dive! The bathing lake also has many activities on the water for the most active of you: How about a splashy water ski ride or wake boarding?