Even though Austria is a landlocked country, it has a number of beautiful sources of water. Austria has a lot of lakes, which are popular with both tourists and people who live there. Austrian lakes are great if you want to relax by the water or go swimming in the shadow of the Alps.
If you get the chance to go to Austria soon, you should plan to see at least one of these Top 10 Lakes in Austria.
Top 10 Lakes in Austria
1. Millstatter See
The Millstatter See is in the Carinthia area of Austria. Its steep shores make it look like a fjord. The Nock Mountains and the Drava Valley help make up the amazing landscape. The wooded area of Hochgosch to the south adds even more lush growth and visual interest.
Because the mountains block the lake from the cold winter air, the water is warm enough to swim in during the summer. Don’t miss the town of Millstatt by the lake. It has an abbey from the 11th century that has been kept in great shape.
2. Traunsee
The Traunsee is another one of the lakes in the Salzkammergut area. This large lake is a famous place for outdoor activities, but it is best known for a mythical creature called the Lungy that lives in the water. These stories may be similar to those about the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland.
On the shores of the Traunsee, there are also many places to visit, such as the towns of Altmünster and Traunkirchen and the amazing medieval castle of Schloss Ort.
3. Gruner See
The Gruner See, which is also called the Green Lake, is right next to the village of Tragoß. The name of the lake isn’t a joke, and the water is a bright green color with great clarity.
Since the water is made up of melted snow from the Karst Mountains, it is very cold even in the summer. But the Gruner See is an amazing sight, and with a local guide and a wet suit, you can go scuba diving in the lake.
4. Faaker See
The water in the Faaker See is thought to be the cleanest and safest to drink in all of Austria. As you might expect, this means that the water quality is great and that you can see a long way into the lake.
On the Faaker See, there are a few beaches where you can relax, swim, and soak up the sun for a small fee. The lake is also where a lot of events take place, like the European Bike Week, which is the biggest motorcycle rally on the region and takes place every year. People also like to fish, and when the lake freezes over in the winter, ice skating is a lot of fun.
5. Mondsee
Mondsee is one of Austria’s biggest privately owned lakes. It is a beautiful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Mondsee is so beautiful that it was mentioned in a James Bond book.
The Northern Limestone Alps and the Northern Sandstone Alps can be seen from places along the shore. From the town of Mondsee, which is on the side of the same-named lake, you can see the whole mountain called Drachenwand, which means “Dragon Wall.”
6. Worthersee
Austria’s Carinthia is where you can find this beautiful lake. As early as the 19th century, wealthy Austrians spent their summers on the Worthersee, which made it a popular place for both Austrians and tourists to rest.
The water in the Worthersee is some of the hottest in the country. This makes it a great place to swim in the summer. You can rent a bike in the small city of Portschach and ride around the area. During the summer, there are also boats that take people across the lake to different places.
7. Achensee
Achensee is the largest lake in the Austrian province of Tyrol. It is also known as the “Fjord of the Alps.” The lake is beautiful, and part of that is because it is right at the base of a mountain. But what makes it such a unique and memorable place to visit is the color and brightness of the water.
The Achensee can look green or blue, and in some places you can see up to 10 meters (30 feet) down. One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty is to sail or windsurf on the lake, which is fun because it’s usually windy, or to hike nearby at Barenkopf Mountain and look out over the lake.
8. Zeller See
Zellersee, also called Lake Zell, is a small but beautiful freshwater lake in the Austrian Alps. Zellersee freezes over in the winter because it is so big. This makes it a great place to have fun all year long. In the clear water of the lake, you can swim, fish, or boat in the summer.
In the winter, there will be a lot of people skating on the frozen Zellersee. The lake is named after the nearby town of Zell am See, which has a beautiful castle from the 16th century and a beautiful Romanesque church.
9. Hallstatter See
Lake Hallstatt, also called the Hallstatter See, is one of many lakes in the Salzkammergut area. The mountains all around the lake make it look like a beautiful oasis. Hallstatt is a well-known town on the shores of the Hallstatter See. It is known for its traditional Austrian building and charming sights.
The best way to see the Hallstatter See is on a mountain walk, but people who want to see it from a different angle can take scuba diving lessons with a guide from Hallstatt.
10. Wolfgangsee
The Salzkammergut is a resort area near Salzburg where people come from all over the world to enjoy the beautiful lakes and lush green scenery. The Wolfgangsee is known as one of the best. Saint Wolfgang, who lived in the 10th century, is said to have built a church near the lake more than a thousand years ago.
For the best views of the lake, take the Schafbergbahn to the top of the Schafberg. From there, you’ll have an amazing view of the water of the Wolfgangsee.
