Austria has hundreds of lakes, from warm, shallow ones in the east to deep alpine lakes in the west. Here is a guide to the best-known ones, grouped by region and by what each does well. Water quality, swimming conditions and transport links vary by year, so check local information.
Near Vienna: Neusiedler See
Neusiedler See on the Hungarian border is a shallow steppe lake and a UNESCO-listed landscape. It suits cycling, birdwatching, sailing and wine tasting in nearby villages. It is the easiest lake from Vienna by car or bus-and-train combination.
Salzkammergut
The lakes around Hallstatt, Wolfgangsee, Attersee and Mondsee form a classic scenic region. They suit swimming in summer, boat trips and mountain walks. Combine with Salzburg for a longer trip. See our Hallstatt guide.
Carinthia
Wörthersee and its neighbours in the south have some of the country’s warmest water in summer, with a resort atmosphere and good cycling around the shores.
Salzburg and Tyrol
Zell am See is a base for lake and mountain activities. Tyrol has cooler alpine lakes, often reached by short hikes, which suit active travellers.
Choosing a lake
- For a day trip from Vienna: Neusiedler See.
- For scenery and walks: Salzkammergut.
- For warm swimming: Carinthia.
- For mountains and lakes together: Salzburg and Tyrol.
Plan travel with our Austria by train guide and check the best time to visit Austria.
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I’m Andrea, a travel writer based between Vienna and the Croatian coast, and I’ve been exploring both countries in depth for the past 10 years.
I’ve taken 50+ solo trips across Austria, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy and the wider Balkans, and I speak German, Croatian and English fluently, which means I get to have conversations most tourists never do. I know which Viennese coffee house the locals actually go to (hint: not the famous ones), and I know the Dalmatian islands well enough to tell you which ferry to take and which to avoid.
My writing is grounded in lived experience: I’ve navigated Austrian bureaucracy as a resident, hiked the Julian Alps in September when the crowds have gone, and eaten my way through Dubrovnik’s back streets at midnight. I cover Central Europe and the Adriatic for solo travellers who want something more than a highlight reel.
I also write in depth about Vienna and Austria at allaboutvienna.com, where you’ll find everything from neighbourhood guides to seasonal event coverage and expat tips.
When I’m not writing I’m usually hiking, swimming in the Adriatic, or arguing about which city makes better coffee. (It’s Vienna. It’s always Vienna.)