Attersee

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