Often called the "ocean of Tyrol" for its enormous size and the "fjord of the Alps" for its high water quality, the Achensee is one of the best lakes to visit in Austria for swimming. However, get ready - like many other Alpine lakes, the water temperature stays low, even on hotter days, reaching only around 20 degrees Celsius. The water quality is excellent, with views as far as the depths 10 meters, attracting not only swimming lovers but also scuba diving lovers. In addition, the hot winds on the lake make it an ideal environment for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

During summer in the Achensee, visitors can also rent a boat or go on a sailing excursion. Several modern steamboats circle the lake, stopping at six major points along the way. There are even murder mystery dinner tours and Christkindl (Christmas market) boat trips during the holiday season. The lake is surrounded by the Karwendel and Rofan mountains and offers many opportunities for hiking and cycling. Nearby Mount Bärenkopf offers excellent trails all the way to the top, from where travelers will enjoy panoramic views of the lake. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and lush green meadows, lake Achensee offers countless water sports activities including swimming, surfing, sailing, paddling, and diving.

• Location: Tyrol, Austria
• Altitude: 929m
• Max water depth: 133m

Mondsee is a lake near Salzburg that offers a variety of water-related activities - including diving boards, giant slides, plenty of windsurfing, and the chance to canoe or rent your own electric boat to go on the water. With 11 km long, Mondsee is a relatively large lake with calm blue water. Luckily for swimmers, it's also one of the warmest lakes in the region, with summer water temperatures reaching very mild (by Austrian standards) - 27 degrees Celsius. Therefore, Mondsee is known as one of the best lakes to visit in Austria.

Lake Mondsee is located in Upper Austria Salzkammergut, southwest of Lake Attersee. The border between Salzburg and Upper Austria runs on its southern bank. It is very popular with all types of surfers and sailors due to sudden wind changes, but of course also with swimmers due to the warm temperatures. The lake rests against the Drachenwand (Dragon's Wall), a majestic limestone mountain partially covered in jungle. Drachenwand attracts hikers and climbers, as well as BASE jumpers. The seaside town of Mondsee is home to the small church where Captain Von Trapp and Maria of The Sound of Music married - a very popular attraction in a colorful town that seems straight out of a fairy tale.

• Location: Upper Austria Salzkammergut, Austria
• Altitude: 493m
• Max water depth: 68m

Hallstatt is one of the most visited lakes in Austria, partly because of the UNESCO World Heritage town by the sea, one of Austria's oldest villages. The picturesque cobblestone streets, 16th-century bungalows, and other attractions in Hallstatt add to the lake's charm, no matter what time of year travelers visit. The shimmering and calm waters of Lake Hallstatt, with a maximum depth of 125 meters, are ideal for swimming, scuba diving, and boating. Kayaking and canoeing are popular here, but visitors can also take a ferry ride in antique wooden boats or go on an exploration.

Hallstatt, one of the best lakes to visit in Austria, is becoming more and more famous for its fairy-tale village, impressive landscape, and numerous attractions. For those looking to take a dip in the cool waters, the 21 - kilometer - long Hallstatt lake offers plenty of shoreline options. There's a family-friendly beach in Obertraun, a lakeside resort in Bad Goisern, and a bathing island and children's playground just a few hundred meters from the town center. Hallstatt is a fairy-tale-like town sprinkled with pastel-colored houses and winding cobblestone streets and surrounded by the striking Northern Limestone Alps. The natural beauty and picturesque and enchanting views attract visitors to the tiny town year after year.

• Location: Gmunden, Upper Austria
• Altitude: 511m
• Max water depth: 125m

The second largest natural lake in Tyrol, close to the border with Germany, Plansee covers an area of 2.87 square kilometers with a depth of nearly 80 meters. It is often called the "fjord of Austria" because of its majestic beauty in blue, with water and mountains merging as far as the eye can see. The water here is so blue travelers can see almost 15 meters deep, making it the perfect destination for swimmers and divers. Plansee deserves to become an indispensable name in the list of the best lakes to visit in Austria.

In Plansee, boating and surfing are also popular here in the summer, and many visitors spend their time hiking or cycling the shore on trails ranging from the easily stretched Ruine Ehrenberg detour one hour from Reutte to the five-hour Thaneller mountain trail departing from Berwang. During the winter months, many trails (including the Thaneller trail) are also accessible to skiers. The lake freezes frequently, becoming a famous skating rink. In particular, there are many trails to explore in this area, but here are some of the most popular hiking trails. Depending on your fitness and previous experience, there are different paths to choose from. Easy trails can be done by most people in good health and in good shoes. Intermediate requires better fitness and some hiking experience is a plus, and a good pair of shoes is a must. For the expert level, you need very good fitness, sturdy shoes, and previous hiking experience.

• Location: Tyrol, Austria
• Altitude: 976m
• Max water depth: 78m

Despite its small size (only 4 km long and 73 meters deep) and the water temperature always around 18 degrees Celsius in summer, Zell is one of the best lakes for swimming, making it one of the best lakes to visit in Austria. Formed about 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age, the lake is still fed by numerous mountain streams, which keep the water flowing throughout the summer. It is not possible to run combustion engines on the lake, but visitors can hire small electric boats to explore and relax on the water. Windsurfing, kitesurfing, and boating are also popular. A 19th-century promenade runs along parts of the lake providing plenty of shade in the heat along with panoramic views of the water.

Zell freezes over in winter, allowing visitors to skate and curl against the backdrop of the beautiful snow-capped Alps. Visitors can also bring a pair of snowshoes to follow the footpaths around the lake, deep into the mountains and forests covered with white snow. Lake Zell is one of a kind. First, its clear water will catch your eye. Visitors will then look up at the majestic mountains, surrounded by a glacier. On the lakeside, the town of Zell am See has relaxed cafes, promenades, and a touch of royal flair. Spend the day relaxing at one of the three lake areas, or try stand-up paddle boarding is the favorite activities in here.

• Location: Salzburger Land, Austria
• Altitude: 750m
• Max water depth:73m

Just a few minutes from Salzburg, Attersee is one of the best lakes to visit in Austria with a length of 20 km. Its enormous size means that the lake does not completely freeze during the cold months, preventing winter sports from being played on the surface. However, from spring to fall, the area attracts a lot of tourists who come here for a wonderful swim in the crystal blue waters. Because the lake is not completely surrounded by mountains (apart from the Schafberg Mountains and the Höllengebirge limestone mountains to the south) there are steady winds that beat on the lake. This makes the Attersee ideal for sailing and kitesurfing. Locals especially love the Rosenwind, which flows through the gardens of a nearby castle before slamming into the lake, bringing with it the scent of roses.

The Attersee is full of Mediterranean-style villas; steep slopes perfect for some intense hiking; seaside resorts; and bathing areas with private beach volleyball courts, sanitary facilities, and dog-friendly swimming. Right in the heart of the Austrian lake region, Lake Attersee has a distinctive artistic flair and relaxed sophistication. Take a stroll through “Little Venice” – an area full of Mediterranean-style villas that once belonged to Gustav Klimt – then take a dip in the cool waters while admiring the craggy mountains that surround the lake.

• Location: Salzburger Land, Upper Austria
• Altitude: 469m
• Max water depth: 169m

A trio of lakes leaning against jagged mountains and the Dachstein Glacier jutting out behind, the Gosausee makes for the perfect day trip from Salzburg. After all, there is nothing more magical than swimming in the heat of summer surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The water of the lake is so blue that visitors can even see the glacier in the distance underwater. However, be ready for a very cold swim - the temperature of the water here rarely exceeds 19 degrees Celsius and can drop as low as 17 degrees, even in the summer. Boat rentals, stand-up paddle boarding, and diving are all available in the surrounding lakes and jungle areas that are popular with hikers and climbers. There is even a permanent climbing route set up right on the lake for stunning views of Dachstein and the Gosausee glacier. Along the coast, visitors will find rustic huts serving local specialties and home-style cooking.

Lake Gosausee is not only a beloved nature motif, but it also offers a plethora of outdoor free-time activities: from favorite walking and hiking routes to stimulating fixed rope climbing courses. prefer. For those who enjoy the water, lake Gosausee offers a number of possibilities including electric boats and beautiful bathing spots. With a rich aquatic environment, crystal clear waters, and stunning underwater views of Dachstein, this natural gem is also a must for any diver. Rustic alpine huts and a beloved restaurant provide recreational opportunities on lake Gosausee. Therefore, Gosausee deserves to become one of the best lakes to visit in Austria.

• Location: Upper Austria
• Altitude: 920m
• Max water depth: 50m

The Grüner See (literally "Blue Lake") is a deep emerald green lake surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains and greenish dense forests. When the snow melts down the mountain and into the lake in spring, the lake deepens and becomes more vibrant. This is where divers come to see underwater bridges, trees, and even a bench. In fact, this is why the lake has a special color: when the water rises, they swallow the surrounding area, more than 12 meters high, even surpassing the rest of the park benches. Because the water is so clear, the grass and foliage below give off their bright green color. In winter, when the water freezes and recedes, the lake partially dries out, with the deepest areas just one meter deep. Because of its small size and fragile ecosystem, the lake has no limits for sporting activities. The action here is on the coast, as trails zigzag around for good photo spots.

Grüner See is located in Styria - Austria, about 80 km from the provincial capital Graz. This natural gem belongs to the municipality of Tragöß-Sankt Kathrein and is beautifully hidden among the majestic mountains of Pribitz, Trenchtling, and Meßnerin. Really impressive is the crystal clear, jade green water, coming from the melting snow in spring. With a temperature of only 4 to 6 degrees, the lake is as cold as ice, and not suitable for refreshment, because swimming or diving in Blue Lake has not been allowed for several years for the sake of nature protection. Along the way, you'll find plenty of benches and nice places to picnic and snack. Whether it's spring, summer, autumn, or winter, a trip to the Grüner See in any season is worth it, making it an indispensable name on the list of best lakes to visit in Austria.

• Location: Styria, Austria
• Altitude: 776m
• Max water depth: 12m

At a depth of 191 meters, Traunsee is Austria's deepest lake and a favorite diving spot, as well as one of the best lakes to visit in Austria. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountains, including Traunstein, whose almost vertical walls are ideal for climbing. The coastlines are also home to vast flower meadows and picturesque market towns and quaint villages such as Altmünster and Traunkirchen and Ebensee. Several ferries cross the lake to connect the various towns around the shore. Traunsee is a very popular place to visit, famous for its ideal wind conditions perfect for sailing and windsurfing. In May and June, major regattas are held here and sailing courses are held for beginners who want to dip their toes in the water.

Traunsee is home to Schloss Ort, a medieval fortress built on its own little island. Accessible by a long bridge and surrounded by manicured gardens, the fortress is Traunsee's favorite postcard image. Legend says that Traunsee is home to the Lundy, the Austrian version of the Loch Ness monster. Crystal clear, turquoise color, premium quality, and pleasant temperature are features not only of lake Traunsee but also of lakes Langbathsee and Offensee, all powered by fresh spring water. Overlooking three stunning lakes, visitors won't be able to resist the allure of a refreshing dip.

• Location: Salzkammergut, Austria
• Altitude: 423m
• Max water depth: 191m

With over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year and crystal clear, emerald waters, Weissensee is a favorite lake for swimming, diving, and cliff jumping. Even better, the water temperature here can reach 25 degrees Celsius in summer, much warmer than in other parts of Austria even in early autumn. The beauty of the lake is undeniable, surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Gailtal Alps and a beach area in the town of Stockenboi. From here, guests can rent equipment for all sorts of water sports, including windsurfing, sailing, and water biking. Weissensee deserves to be one of the best lakes to visit in Austria.

The crystal blue water of lake Weissensee is very clean, visitors can rest assured to drink. The lake also attracts lots of wildlife, including geese and herons. The Weissensee Nature Park surrounding the lake offers more than 200 km of marked walking paths for hiking, cycling, and Nordic walking. There are even booster seats to help visitors hit the higher trails if you're up for a more intense day out, and the park offers 12 routes marked specifically for runners. Weissensee is also popular in winter as well as summer. Despite its relatively large size (the lake is almost 12 kilometers long and just under a kilometer wide), it freezes frequently, turning into a spectacular skating rink. Cross-country skiing and some Alpine skiing are available around the lake.

• Location: Carinthia, Austria
• Altitude: 945m
• Max water depth: 97m

Wolfgangsee is one of Austria's clearest lakes, a 13-kilometer stretch of water bisected by the Enge (Narrow Peninsula) peninsula. The lake is just 200 meters wide, offering visitors views of both the coast and the breathtaking Salzkammergut mountain range. Visitors can reach the summit of the 1,783-meter-high Schafberg by riding the Schafberg Gear Rail - a slow ride up the mountainside with a total elevation of about 1,200 meters. The summit offers the best panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains, as well as access to a hotel and cafe. Wolfgangsee deserves to be one of the best lakes to visit in Austria.

Surrounded by forests, grasslands, and mountains, lake Wolfgangsee lies between the border of Upper Austria and SalzburgerLand. On its shores, visitors will find chocolate box villages like St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, or Strobl. A vintage cable car takes you up the Zwölferhorn mountain, one of the region's best viewing points. Some secluded resorts, such as St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen, are located along the coast, and some have their own docks for those arriving by boat. In addition to great kayaking and swimming, the lake is also a prime destination for scuba diving. The clear waters have visibility to a depth of 10 meters, and there's plenty to explore underwater, from sunken trees to World War II artifacts.

• Location: Upper Austria & SalzburgerLand
• Altitude: 538m
• Max water depth: 114m

Faaker See's main claim to fame is having the cleanest water of any lake in Austria. In fact, the jade-green waters are so clean, they are completely drinkable and offer stunning views. This makes the 2.2 square kilometer lake the perfect destination for swimming, as the water can reach temperatures of up to 26 degrees Celsius from June to September. The area around the lake has trails. beautiful hiking and biking on nearby Mittagskogel Mountain, plenty of hotels and restaurants on the shore (perfect for trying local Carinthian cuisine), and several small beaches to soak in the sunshine. Visitors can also find plenty of opportunities to go sailing, canoeing, or playing sand volleyball.

Throughout the year, the Faaker See lake becomes the center of a number of events, including European Cycling Week in September (the largest motorsport meeting in Europe), live concerts at the Finkenstein castle ruins, and beautiful markets in December. In winter, the lake often freezes and becomes a natural skating rink. The beautiful shores of lake Faaker See are not only ideal for sunbathing and bathing, but also for surfing, yachting, and boating activities. The crystal clear lake has a temperature of up to 27°C in summer. The volleyball courts near the shore give it a classic summer feel. Fishing, especially whitefish (Reinanke) is also quite popular. Therefore, Faaker See is named one of the best lakes to visit in Austria.

• Location: Carinthia, Austria
• Altitude: 554m
• Max water depth: 16m