Austria is famous for its crystal clear lakes, the beautiful scenery that surrounds them and the many small resorts situated around them. As well as the beautifully views that they offer, they also provide numerous water sports facilities for people of all ages and abilities. Swimming in water so good you can drink it is just one of the benefits of a water sports holiday in Austria, which boast some of the most beautiful lakes to enjoy. No wonder Austria is known to water sports enthusiasts as the land of lakes.
From Lake Neusiedl to Lake Constance – all over Austria there are enough opportunities for surfing, sailing and water skiing to satisfy any water sports athlete’s desires. And those who prefer a more relaxed approach, can enjoy countless hours of sunbathing and just hanging loose.
Upper Austria
Lake Attersee The turquoise-coloured Attersee lake, measuring almost 47 km² in size, is internationally famed for its excellent sailing conditions. Particularly the constant “Rosenwind” (Rose wind) guarantees exceptional sailing and surfing fun, but diving along the lake shore and water skiing are also popular sports at this warm lake.
Available infrastructure: bathing areas, cruise lines, boat rental, sailing and surfing courses, boat docks, camping grounds, hotels. More Information: www.wasser.info and www.attersee.at
Lake Hallstättersee Because of its ideal position at the centre of the 76 Salzkammergut lakes, and because of its cleanness, Lake Hallstättersee is particularly suited for the following water sports: swimming, fishing, canoeing, rafting, and diving. At 508m above sea level, this 125m deep lake has one of the largest fish populations and supports all kinds of diving sports.
Irrsee / Zellersee Irrsee or Zellersee, as it is also known, is delightfully located in the scenic Salzkammergut region. In the summer this 5km long and 27°C warm lake offers recreation for swimmers, sunbathers and fishers.
Lake Mondsee The 12km long Lake Mondsee is known as Upper Austria’s warmest lake, with water temperatures reaching up to 26°C in July and August … so it’s no wonder that this lake at the foot of the impressive Drachenwand mountain should attract a lot of sun bathers and water nymphs. Water sports are also a big attraction: water athletes can choose among sailing, water skiing, wind surfing, and diving. Infrastructure: Bathing areas, boat docks, cruise lines, boat rental, sailing and surfing courses, water skiing, camping grounds, hotels.
The Oberinnviertler Lakes (Holzöstersee, Höllerersee, Heratingersee) The Oberinnviertler lakes lie in the midst of a lovely pre-alpine landscape, between the incomparable Ibmer moor, green meadows, shadowy woods, and cultivated fields – three lakes, that invite you to bathe starting in May, 350 million square meters of woodland, Europe’s biggest upland moor, and unique natural reserves and bird sanctuaries.
Lake Traunsee Framed by the gently rolling pre-alpine hills, and the first outliers of the rugged Kalkalpen alps, Lake Traunsee, Austria’s third-biggest lake, has something to offer for every taste. Swimmers can find free-of-charge bathing areas, as well as fee-based bathing resorts with solar-heated open air swimming pools. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy sailing, surfing, water skiing, rowing, and diving.
Infrastructure: Bathing areas, cruise lines, boat rental, sailing and surfing classes, water skiing, boat docks, camping grounds, hotels.
Lake Wolfgangsee A multi-faceted array of water sports awaits visitors to Lake Wolfgangsee, one of the warmest lakes in the Salzkammergut, situated in the provinces of Upper Austria and Salzburg. Sailors and surfers especially appreciate the constant fair weather wind. St. Wolfgang is the main holiday destination at the Upper Austrian part of the lake.
Infrastructure: Bathing areas, cruise lines, boat docks, boat rental, water skiing, sailing and surfing classes.
Burgenland
Neusiedler See With 300 days of sunshine per year, the Neusiedler See is a paradise for sun worshippers. The Neusiedler See (320km²), Europe’s only steppe lake, is no more than 1.8 m deep and the shallow water warms up very quickly in the summer making the lake popular with families. Neusiedler See is also famous with the windsurfing community for its reliable winds.
Faaker See Austria’s southernmost lake is 26°C warm and its turquoise waters offer fun, sports and relaxation for the whole family. Special features: Austria’s only car-free island, the European Bike Week in the fall, and a diverse cultural program at Burgruine Finkenstein from where you enjoy magnificent views of the surroundings.
lopeiner See Thanks to its 28°C warm water, Klopeinersee offers almost tropical swimming fun. People gather at the shores of the family-friendly lake from the beginning of May. On the hottest of summer days only the Obir Stalactite Caves, Austria’s largest and most colourful, offer respite from the heat. At a temperature of around 8°C you even have to dress up!
Millstätter See 141-meter-deep Millstätter See is Carinthia’s second largest lake. It is attractively situated, bordered by tree-lined hills on its southern shores and a sprinkling of small resorts on its northern shores. The wide and flat shores of the 26°C warm lake are perfect for families with kids. Water sports: water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, crazy banana, tubing, scuba diving, para sailing.
Ossiacher See This emerald green, long and narrow lake between Gerlitzen mountain and the Oassiach Tauern range is Carinthia’s third largest. The venue of the Carinthian Culture Summer offers fun activities for young and old. How about some climbing action on the 1st Swimming Iceberg or water sliding fun with Carinthia’s longest water slide? A popular outing destination south west of the lake is Burgruine Landskron. The castle, partially in ruins, is famous for its bird of prey show and the monkey mountain. Special features: cycle path encircling the lake; bi-annual water skiing championships. Sports facilities: sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, scuba diving, crazy banana, tubing, para sailing.
Presseggersee Beautifully located amid mountains, forests and meadows, crystal-clear Pressegger See is also known as the Bathtub of Gailtal. Pressegger See boasts super clean water fit for drinking; thanks to the many sunshine hours here it is one of Austria’s warmest swimming lakes. Sports: wind surfing, sailing, fishing;
Facilities: bathing beach with large play lawn, boat rental, wind surfing school, sports and leisure centre, fun park, camping sites, hotels, etc.
Weissensee At 1000m above sea level, this is Carinthia’s highest lake. With a temperature of around 24°C the clear and clean water is refreshing even on the hottest of days, has a fantastic visibility and abounds with fish. As two thirds of the lake shores are protected under conservation laws, the area offers great scenic beauty. Ideal for those in search of peaceful relaxation as well as families with young children. Sports facilities: windsurfing, crazy banana u. tubing, water-skiing, para sailing, fishing.
Wörthersee This is not only Carinthia’s largest lake, but also its most popular and famous thanks to plenty of film shootings. Wörthersee is 17km long, 1.6km wide and 27°C warm and offers a wealth of activities for the family. Sports facilities: sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, scuba diving, para sailing, crazy banana and tubing. Europe’s largest bathing beach is located on the lake’s eastern shores and boasts a giant water slide, the venue of the annual international beach volleyball competition, and is the scene of the yearly Ironman Austria.
Facilities: bathing beaches, boat rental, nudist area, sailing and windsurfing schools, Casino (in Velden), bars, Kneipp facilities, hotels, campsites (nudist)
Salzburg
Wolfgangsee 11km long Wolfgangsee is the SalzburgerLand’s largest. In addition to the two main resorts, St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen, it has Strobl on its eastern shores, a pleasant town offering numerous hotels and campsites. To find out more visit:
Fuschlsee Fuschlsee and small Hintersee are both set amid scenic landscapes in the Salzkammergut region. The pretty Fuschlsee region is locate within easy reach of Salzburg and offers plenty of sports and leisure facilities as well as an old castle overlooking the lake.
Wallersee, Obertrumer See, Mattsee The Salzburg Lake District comprises warm Wallersee and the three Trumer Lakes which all offer good swimming, walking and cycling. Water sports are also a big draw.
Zeller See Zeller See enjoys a picturesque location near the Hohe Tauern national park and amid mountains. It offers a wide variety of water sports including sailing, water skiing and windsurfing. The resort of Zell am See is located on the lake’s western bank.
SalzburgerLand for Campers Almost all lakes in the SalzburgerLand region boast comfortable campsites. For all complete list visit:
One thing all lakes in the SalzburgerLand region have in common, is their grade A water quality.
Styria
Natural Bathing Lake Kumberg 16 km northeast of Graz; 1.5 ha, water temperature 24° C; tennis courts, volleyball, minigolf, table tennis, pedal boats, sauna, squash, bowling, adventure playground for kids, slide, tennis camp, restaurant, swimming classes
Altausseer See The lake, 53m deep and located at 712m above sea level, is in a beautiful and quiet location and very popular with scuba divers. Other facilities include a beach volleyball field, a pleasure boat to Seewiese-Altaussee, and boat rental.
Schwarzlseen Unterpremstätten, 7km south of Graz, 65ha surface; Sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, badminton, beach volleyball, baseball, ice skating, cross-country skiing, fitness course, 107m long water slide, water play garden, trampoline, pedal boats, climbing tower, indoor go-karts, nudist area, fishing, restaurant, camping.
Putterersee Aigen im Ennstal; Styria’s warmest alpine moor lake; the moor mud and sulphur in the lake are said to have curative power. The lake is 6m deep and up to 23°C warm in the summer.
Lake Sulmsee Lake Sulmsee, measuring 19ha and divided into two basins by a dam, lies between the Silberberg mountain vineyards, the Seggau castle, and the Frauenberg mountain pilgrimage site, in a hilly region with a mild climate. Camping, block huts, lawn for sunbathing, fishing.
Lake Grundlsee Also known as the “Styrian Sea”, Lake Grundlsee is Styria’s largest lake, and has 14 km of mostly freely accessible natural beach, with three specially prepared bathing areas, and a section reserved for nudist bathers. Cruise lines, boat rental, sailing and surfing classes, yacht club.
Lake Erlaufsee Swim, surf, row, dive, or go fishing in water that’s pure enough to drink! Camping grounds, boat rental.
Lake Stubenbergsee Popular bathing lake with a water slide, passenger ship for cruises around the lake, tennis, minigolf, pit-pat, bowling, billiard, pedal boats, pony rides, children’s railroad and children’s highway, playgrounds, cable car, trampoline, air-hockey, antic jet, luna-loop, rodeo, beach volleyball, half-pipe.
Bathing Lake and Leisure Island Piberstein Sixteen hectares of drinking quality water. Water slide (330m long), children’s playground, kiosks, Greek stand, buffet, sailing, surfing, diving, camping, and 50,000 m² of lawn for sunbathing.
Tirol
Lake Achensee Lake Achensee is a natural lake created by glaciers, with a surface area of 719 ha. Activities: swimming, surfing, sailing, rowing, diving, fishing; cruises. There are two bathing areas: North and Schwarzenau; kiosk, camping grounds with restaurant, pedal boat rental, lodging available in all categories; average water temperature: 19°C.
Lake Blindsee Lovely mountain lake – ideal for bathing and for diving. Two camping grounds in Biberwier, Restaurant Zugspitzblick approximately 15 minutes from the lake. Water temperature: max. 23°C.
Water Reservoir Durlassboden Bathing area with deck chairs at the pier of the sailing and surfing school, romantic lawns for sunbathing (approximately 10 min. walk) along the lake shore, children’s playground, grill site; water temperatures reach up to 21°C in July and August; car access is possible until the crest of the dam, from there on a gravel road leads downhill to the pier – also accessible with a wheelchair. Row and pedal boat rental, sailing boat and surfboard rental; restaurants: Restaurant Seestüberl is located directly on the crest, Gasthof Finkau.
Badesee Going The 15,000 m² Going swimming lake offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. Fun and action are guaranteed with Tirol’s longest open-air water slide (100m) with tunnels and crossings, a water playscape, Kids’ Park with Pirate Ship, sand pits and plenty of more play facilities. The shores, which were revamped, and the new foot and cycle paths perfectly blend with the beauty of the surroundings. Facilities: 50,000m² sunbathing lawn, large playground, snack stand, hot showers and beach volleyball facilities. Badesee Going, which is fed by the crystal-clear springs from the Wilder Kaiser mountains, was chosen Tirol’s most beautiful natural swimming lake by an international jury. The 28°C warm lake’s flat bathing beach has a separate area for children and non-swimmers.
Haldensee Haldensee is known for its crystal-clear and clean waters. On the lake’s western shores is a Leisure Centre with a solar-heated outdoor swimming pool, a beginners’ pool, a giant water slide, and an extensive sunbathing lawn right at the shores. On the eastern shores, in Haller, is a natural bathing beach offering relaxation and privacy. Sports facilities: rowing and pedal boat rental at the beach-side café in Haldensee.
Lake Hechtsee Bathing area, café, table tennis, water volleyball, playground, diving board, buffet, restaurant, boat rental; average water temperature: 20°C.
Lake Krummsee, Lake Reinthaler See The Reintaler See and Krummsee bathing lakes are among Tirol’s warmest. The Krummsee bathing area offers aids for entering the lake, WC, nearby parking, well-trimmed sunbathing lawns with children’s playground, pedal boat rental, diving tower, deck chair and sunshade rental, buffet and inn with terrace on the lake. The average water temperature lies around 22-23°C, and reaches up to 25 °C in the summer.
Bathing Lake Mieming Volleyball and Basketball courts, 2 ha of sunbathing lawns, football, table tennis, children’s playground, café-restaurant with terrace, sunshade rental, Kneipp therapy centre, water trampoline, deck chair rental, inflatable water hurdle slide, kiosk, restaurant “Leuchtturm“; average water temperature: 23-24°C.
Lake Natterer See Facilities offered: sunbathing lawn, non-swimmer area, children’s bathing cove, 66m long giant water slide “Happy Swing”, boat rental (Barracuda speedboats, mini sailing boats, electric bumper boats “Splish Splash”), water toys, 3 children’s playgrounds, tee-pee camp, satellite TV room, Pool-Billiard, video games, open-air chess, water polo, water volleyball, water trampoline “Aqua Jump”, mistral “Wind glider”, canoe rental, beach volleyball, street ball, mountain bike rental, table tennis, archery range, apartments and guest house, first rate camping grounds, restaurant with lake-side terrace, mini-market, buffet, kindergarden; average water temperature: 22-25°C.
Lake Plansee Lake Plansee is Tirol’s second largest lake, and also one of its cleanest, with grade A quality water. It offers a bathing area, camping grounds, Hotel Forelle, Hotel Seespitz, boat rental; the average water temperature lies around 21°C.
Lake Thiersee This is one of the cleanest lakes in all of Austria, and with water temperatures reaching up to 24°C, it’s also one of Tirol’s warmest. Bathing areas, beach café, kiosk, Hotel Charlotte, camping grounds, boat rental, beach volleyball, table tennis, diving tower, Aqua-Jump!
Lake Tristacher See Infrastructure: Children’s playground, sunbathing lawns, terrace café, volleyball, table tennis, buffet, Parkhotel Tristacher See, camping grounds; average water temperature: 22-24°C.
Lake Urisee Natural bathing lake with drinking quality water. Bathing area, café, kiosk, Hotel Restaurant Urisee; average water temperature: 18-23°C.
Vorarlberg
Bodensee (Lake Constance) Austria’s share of Lake Constance is a 27km long stretch of beautiful bathing beaches between the towns of Hörbranz und Gaißau, offering everything you need for restful and pleasant summer days.
Strandbad Bregenz The 45,000m2 Strandbad Bregenz, is the largest of all bathing beaches at Lake Constance, and offers an outdoor pool as well as an indoor pool. The nearby vast, open-air, floating stage at the edge of the lake serves as backdrop for the annual Bregenz Festival featuring operas, orchestra works and theatrical productions. In the summer the lake has an average temperature of up to 26°C, the swimming pools have refreshing 22°C. Special feature: extensive mother-child area.
Nudist Beach at Bodensee The town of Hard boasts the only nudist bathing beach on Bodensee. The 4 ha natural beach has showers, WCs, changing cubicles, a self-service restaurant, ping pong tables, tennis courts, beach volleyball facilities, BBQ facilities and boule lanes.
Kultbad “Mili” Militärbad, or “Mili”, is an architectural gem between Bregenz and Lochau. The former Military Swimming Baths were converted into Bregenz’ first recreational bathing beach in 1825. After a devastating fire in 1978, the legendary “Mili” were completely revamped and today are a trendy meeting place as well popular subject for photographers. Meanwhile the “Mili” with its wooden poles, wooden cubicles and the sun terrace called “Africa” have reached cult status. There were separate bathing beaches for men and women until the mid 20ies of the last century, as well as a strict dress code. Even bikinis were prohibited until the 50ies ...
Seewaldsee Emerald green, deep, quiet and warm: this is Seewaldsee in Fontanella in the Großes Walsertal biosphere park. The lake is about an hour’s walk from the parking lot in Fontanella or you can take the slow train. The lake nestles in a hollow and is surrounded by colourful meadows and luxuriant forests. Nearby is a charming inn offering tasty food and snacks. The romantic lake developed some 10,000 years ago from meltwater of the Ice age glaciers. Despite its high altitude at 1200m above sea level, the lake has a pleasant temperature.
"Mountain Beach" Gaschurn in the Montafon offers its visitors a special attraction: two giant, 7,000m² eco swimming ponds at 800m above sea level. Absolutely no chemicals are used at the “Mountain Beach” ponds to keep the water clean; this “task” is left to special plants and microorganisms instead. The “Mountain Beach” Leisure Centre offers lilo rafting, diving platforms, a climbing wall, a miniature gondola, a water slide, Kneipp facilities, outdoor toys, large sunbathing lawn, resting zone, beach volleyball facilities, and a merry-go round, as well as eateries
