One of the most beautiful lakes in Austria is Achensee. Due to its enormous size and excellent water quality, it is frequently referred to as "Tyrol's ocean" and the "Fjord of the Alps". However, be prepared because, like many other Alpine lakes, the water temperature remains low even on the hottest days, only rising to about 20 degrees Celsius.

Excellent water quality and visibility down to a depth of 10 meters draw scuba divers in addition to swimmers. Additionally, thermal winds over the lake create the perfect conditions for kite- and windsurfing.

You can also hire a boat or go on a sailboat excursion throughout the summer. Six significant stops are made as a variety of contemporary steamer boats travel across the lake. During the holiday season, there are even murder mystery dinner cruises and Christkindl (Christmas market) boats available.

There are numerous chances for biking and trekking around the lake, which is flanked by the mountains Karwendel and Rofan. Great routes lead to the summit of the nearby Bärenkopf mountain, from where you can see for miles around the lake.

Location: Tyrol, Austria

A lake called Mondsee can be found in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria, close to the bigger Attersee. The Northern Limestone Alps in the south and the Sandstone region of the northern Alps are separated by its southwesterly shore, as are the states of Upper Austria and Salzburg. An amazing sight is the Drachenwand, which is located on the lake's southern shore. One of the last lakes to be privately owned in Austria is Mondsee. Owner Nicolette Wächter declared it was for sale in August 2008.

Mondsee is a reasonably big lake with calm blue waters, measuring 11 kilometers long. For swimmers, it's a good thing that this lake is also one of the hottest in the area, with summertime water temperatures of a very comfortable (by Austrian standards) 27 degrees Celsius.

The lake is situated next to the Drachenwand, a massive limestone mountain that is partly covered in a dense forest. In addition to BASE jumpers, Drachenwand draws hikers and climbers. The small chapel where Captain Von Trapp and Maria were married in The Sound of Music is located in the coastal village of Mondsee. The town is vibrant and reminiscent of something out of a fairy tale.

Location: Salzkammergut, Austria

The Austrian state of Upper Austria has the little town of Hallstatt in the Gmunden district. The village is located in the Salzkammergut area, on the national route that connects Salzburg and Graz, between the southwest shore of Hallstätter See and the steep slopes of the Dachstein massif.

Due in part to the UNESCO World Heritage Site town on its banks, one of Austria's oldest communities, Hallstatt is one of the most popular lakes in the country. No matter what time of year you visit, the lake's appeal is only enhanced by the town's picturesque cobblestone alleys, 16th-century wooden buildings, and other attractions.

With a maximum depth of 125 meters, the waters of Hallstatt Lake are glistening and peaceful, making them ideal for swimming, scuba diving, and boating. Visitors can go kayaking and canoeing here, but they can also take ferry trips in historic wooden boats or sign up for a discovery cruise.

The 21-kilometer-long Lake Hallstatt offers a variety of shorelines for visitors looking to cool off in the lake. Obertraun offers a family-friendly beach, Bad Goisern offers a lakeside resort, and just a few hundred meters from the town's center are a bathing island and a playground for kids.

Location: Gmunden, Upper Austria, Austria

It is likely that Plansee and Heiterwanger See are all that is left of an Ice Age meltwater reservoir that formerly encompassed the entire Zwischentoren region up to the Ehrwald Basin. Plansee, is the second-largest natural lake in Tyrol and a short distance from the German border, with a surface area of 2.87 square kilometers and a depth of about 80 meters. Due to its breathtaking blue and greenish splendor, where water, mountains, and forests merge into one another as far as the eye can reach, it is frequently referred to as "the fjord of Austria".

The location is ideal for swimmers and divers since the waters are so clean that you can see almost 15 meters below the surface. Summertime visitors enjoy sailing and surfing in addition to hiking and biking along the coastline on paths that range from the short Ruine Ehrenberg loop from Reutte to the five-hour hilly Thaneller trail from Berwang.

Many of the paths, notably the Thaneller trail, are open to snowshoers during the winter. The lake frequently freezes over, turning into a well-liked ice skating rink. Plansee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria.

Location: Tyrol, Austria

In the Austrian Alps, there is a tiny freshwater lake named Zellersee. It gets its name from Zell am See, a settlement on a tiny delta sticking out into the lake. The lake has a length of 4 kilometers and a width of 1.5 kilometers. It is 750 meters above sea level and has a maximum depth of 73 meters.

In the summer, a large number of small mountain streams feed the lake, although only one of them empties into the Salzach. The lake is utilized for recreational boating in the summer. Although the water can be frigid, it is exceedingly clear and perfect for swimming or diving.

Visitors can rent small electric boats to explore and unwind on the lake despite the fact that combustion engines are not permitted there. Sailing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing are also popular sports. A portion of the lake's 19th-century promenade provides plenty of shelter in the heat and offers sweeping views of the water.

Wintertime lake freezing allows for ice skating and curling against the stunning snow-capped Alps as a backdrop. Don a pair of snowshoes and follow the routes around the lake as they lead deep into the snow-covered mountains and forests.

Location: Vöcklabruck District, Upper Austria, Austria

The largest lake in the Salzkammergut region, located in the Austrian state of Upper Austria, is Attersee, often referred to as Kammersee and occasionally as Lake Atter. It is the third-largest lake in Austria by area, after Lake Constance and Lake Neusiedl, both of which are located outside of Austria.

Attersee is well known for drawing both sailors and swimmers because of its consistent winds and pristine water condition. There are many sailing tournaments held throughout the season. The so-called "Rosenwind," or "breeze of roses," is one of Attersee's most beloved breezes. The rose scent wafts across the lake on an easterly wind that passes through a rose garden in a castle. The local communities are heavily reliant on tourism, particularly in the spring, summer, and fall.

The lake hardly ever freezes because of its immensity despite the bitterly severe winters. In the late 1940s, when the lake's surface was completely covered in thick ice, individuals were spotted skating and riding motorcycles across it. Attersee's coastline is dotted with Mediterranean-style homes, challenging hikes, beachfront resorts, and swimming spots with their own beach volleyball courts, restrooms, and dog-friendly places.

Location: Salzkammergut, Upper Austria, Austria

In the southwesterly Alpine region of Upper Austria are three lakes known as Gosauseen. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria. They are located close to Salzburg and the town of Gosau. The Dachstein Mountains, which surround the lakes and were largely sculpted by glaciers, nevertheless have an impact on the region's hydrology. The Dachstein Glacier towering behind the mountain lake in Gosau provides one of the Salzkammergut's most breathtaking views, drawing tourists there in the same way that it does to Hallstatt, another lakeside town.

The lake's waters are so clean that even from underwater, you can see the glacier in the distance. Though the water rarely exceeds 19 degrees Celsius and can dip as low as 17, even in the summer, be prepared for extremely cold swimming.

The lakes provide boat rentals, stand-up paddleboarding, and diving, while the densely forested area nearby is well-liked by hikers and climbers. Even better views of the Dachstein and the Gosau glacier can be had from a fixed-rope climbing route that has been constructed up right above the lake. Rustic cottages selling regional delicacies and home-style cooking can be found along the shorelines.

Location: Gosauseen, Austria

Grüner See is a lake located in the Austrian province of Styria in the community of Tragöß-Sankt Katharein. Pribitz (1,579 m), Meßnerin (1,835 m), and Trenchtling (Hochturm) (2,081 m), three mountains that are all a part of the Hochschwab Mountains, surround the lake. Its emerald-green water gave rise to the moniker "Green Lake." The 6-7 °C water is clear and clean and produced by the karst mountains' snowfall. The lake is just 1-2 m deep in the winter, and the region around it serves as a county park.

The Hochschwab Mountains and dense bluish trees encircle the deep emerald-green lake known as Grüner See. The lake deepens and becomes more colorful in the spring when the snow melts and washes off the mountain and into it. At this point, divers arrive to discover trees, bridges, and even a bench beneath the water.

As the waters rise, they swallow the surrounding region and rise above 12 meters, even over the resting benches in the park, giving the lake its characteristic color. The grass and vegetation beneath reveal their vibrant green through due to the waters' clarity.

The lake partially dries up in the winter when the waters freeze and retreat, with the deepest portions only one meter deep. The lake is beyond limits for sporting events due to its small size and delicate environment. Trails crisscross about in search of picturesque photo ops, but the action is on the coastlines.

Location: Tragöß, Styria, Austria

Austria's deepest lake, Traunsee, is 191 meters deep and is a popular diving location. Stunning mountains, especially the Traunstein with nearly vertical sides that are ideal for climbing, surround the lake. Large flowery meadows, charming market towns, and charming villages like Altmünster, Traunkirchen, and Ebensee may also be found along the shorelines. To connect the many villages along the beach, a number of ferries cross the lake.

The lake is a popular tourist destination and is known for its superb sailing and windsurfing wind conditions. Major boat races are held here in May and June, and sailing lessons are available for anyone who want to try it out for the first time. You can also take a cruise or rent a small electric boat here if you'd rather unwind.

Schloss Ort, a medieval stronghold constructed on its own tiny island, is located on the lake. The fortress is depicted in Traunsee's favorite postcard, and it is reached by a long bridge and surrounded by modest, perfectly kept gardens. When you go, be prepared with a camera and an open mind. According to legend, the Loch Ness monster of Austria, known as Lungy, lives in Traunsee. Traunsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria.

Location: Salzkammergut, Upper Austria, Austria

Weissensee is a municipality in the Carinthian region of Austria's Spittal a der Drau district. The lakeside resort is located in the Gailtal Alps mountain range beside the Weissensee. The Weissensee Road, which connects Gitschtal and Hermagor in the Gail Valley with Greifenburg in the Drava Valley, can be used to access it.

Weissensee is a well-liked lake for swimming, diving, and cliff jumping because of its more than 2,000 hours of annual sunshine and emerald-colored waters. Even in the early fall, the water temperature can reach 25 degrees Celsius here, which is significantly warmer than in other parts of Austria.

The lake's attractiveness is apparent with the magnificent Gailtal Alps and a beach area in the Stockenboi village. Renting gear for water sports like windsurfing, canoeing, and water riding is available from this location. You can drink the lake's emerald-blue waters since they are so pristine. They also draw a lot of wildlife, such as herons and geese.

Weissensee is equally well-liked in the winter and the summer. The lake, about 12 kilometers long and less than one kilometer wide, is quite huge, yet it freezes over frequently, turning into a magnificent ice rink. Around the lake, cross-country skiing and moderate Alpine skiing are both possible.

Location: Carinthia, Austria

One of the most well-known lakes in Austria's Salzkammergut vacation area is Wolfgangsee, which is located primarily in the state of Salzburg. Strobl, St. Gilgen with the towns of Abersee and Ried, as well as the Upper Austrian market town of St. Wolfgang, are the municipalities that border the lake. Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg, who is said to have constructed the first chapel here in the late 10th century, is the inspiration for the names of the town and the lake.

One of Austria's bluest lakes, Wolfgangsee is a 13-kilometer-long body of water split in half by the die Enge (the Narrow) peninsula. Visitors may see both shores of this lake, which is only 200 meters wide, as well as the stunning Salzkammergut mountain range from here.

Take a ride on the cogwheel Schafberg Railway, a gradual ride up the hillside with a total elevation gain of roughly 1,200 meters, to get to the top of the 1,783-meter-tall Schafberg mountain. The peak provides access to a hotel and a café as well as the best panoramic views of the lake and the mountains nearby.

Location: Salzburg, Upper Austria, Austria