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When you think of Austria’s excursion destinations, you cannot help but be struck by the images of lush green hiking trails, towering mountains, and endless ski slopes. But Austria has much more to offer: more than 25,000 lakes adorn the unique landscape of the Alpine country and thus ensure plenty of swimming fun, a wide range of leisure activities and recreation in and around the water. Have your swimwear ready. Here are the most beautiful lakes in your area.
Known as the Sea of Vienna, Lake Neusiedl offers an incomparable range of activities for water sports enthusiasts, sun lovers and nature lovers due to its unique location. The so-called Pannonian Plain allows for a particularly warm climate and thus attracts a great variety of animals and plants. No wonder that Lake Neusiedl with the national park of the same name is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The deepest point is just 1.80 meters, which is why the westernmost steppe lake in Europe is also one of the warmest lakes in the country. In addition, the area around Lake Neusiedl is known for viticulture. Our tip: after swimming, stop at the Heurigen and let your eyes wander over the vineyards.
Located in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut, Lake Traunsee offers plenty of recreational fun in every season. With its depth of up to 190 meters, it is one of the rather cold lakes in Austria and provides a particularly soothing cooling on hot summer days. The surrounding mountain panorama, the excellent water quality and the endless sports possibilities invite not only for swimming and bathing.
Even bigger and better known than the Traunsee, the Attersee cannot be missing on our list. Surrounded by mountains and forests, the clear, turquoise waters attract numerous vacationers, day trippers and locals who want to enjoy the cool water and the unique landscape. Due to the depth of up to 169 meters and the high fish population, the so-called sea of the Salzkammergut is a true diving and fishing El Dorado.
A little less known, but a very special tip for nature lovers is the Grundlsee, located in Styria. Here you can expect a kilometer-long natural swimming beach, wonderful hiking trails as well as the best air and water values – a true paradise in the middle of Austria.
A few kilometers further on, the next bathing opportunity with a particularly impressive backdrop is already on offer: Lake Altaussee. Located in the middle of the Ausseerland, the most beautiful lake of the Styrian Salzkammergut enchants with its unique mountain panorama and is therefore not only worth a visit in summer.
If you are looking for many hours of sunshine and warm bathing water, you do not have to go all the way to Italy or Croatia. The Klopeiner See brings the Mediterranean climate directly to Austria – with best water quality of course. And that is not all: around the well-visited lake you will find numerous alternatives for swimming, such as the Turnersee. If you prefer to be active, you will find plenty of opportunities to work out at and in the vicinity of Lake Klopeiner See.
Austria is not only the land of mountains, but also the land of lakes. Of course, for some of them you have to take a bit more driving time, or you should plan several days of stay. But the recreation factor is all the greater for it.
Still looking for more leisure tips for students in Austria? Then get inspired by our post Lost Places in Austria. Have fun exploring!