The most beautiful lakes in Austria / Planning a holiday at the Austrian lakes and wondering which places are the most beautiful and worth a visit? We’ve prepared an original list of tips for the most beautiful lakes in Austria, based on how we know them and how we personally fell in love with them. I believe you’ll love them too! Get inspired:
21 tips for the most beautiful lakes in Austria
Upper Austria
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1. Lake Traunsee
Traunsee is the deepest lake in Austria (max. depth approx. 191 m) and is located in the Salzkammergut at an altitude of 423 m. It has an area of approximately 24.4 km² and is known for its exceptionally clean water and the dramatic mountain scenery of the Traunstein massif (1,691 m), which rises directly above the eastern shore. Thanks to stable winds, it is one of the best Austrian locations for sailing and windsurfing.
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Personally, Lake Traunsee is very close to our hearts and we love to go on trips there any time of the year. For us, the lake is definitely one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria (not only) for a summer holiday.
2. Langbathseen
Langbathseen consist of two glacial lakes, Vorderer and Hinterer Langbathsee, located in the Höllengebirge massif in Upper Austria at an altitude of approx. 664 m. Vorderer Langbathsee in particular is a popular excursion destination for tourists and locals alike. The lakes are known for their very clear, sometimes even turquoise water and their protected location in a nature reserve.
The location is popular for swimming, hiking, and ice skating in winter (under good conditions). This place definitely belongs on our list of tips for the most beautiful lakes in Austria.
3. Offensee
Offensee is a mountain lake in the Totes Gebirge massif in Upper Austria, lying at an altitude of approx. 649 m. According to locals, it is one of the warmest Alpine lakes in the Upper Austria region, so it is also popular for swimming. Thanks to its location away from the main tourist centers, it maintains a peaceful character. The area is a starting point for hikes to Rinnerkogel and other peaks of the Totes Gebirge.
Personally, we love returning to Offensee for a pleasant circular walk whenever there’s an opportunity. The trail is easy and you can manage it without much trouble even with an outdoor stroller. Once you head here, you’ll surely agree that it’s one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria.
4. Gosauseen
Which lakes in Austria are your favorites? These natural treasures, the Gosauseen, hidden in the mountain landscape just a few kilometers from the village of Gosau, are definitely among them.
Since this place is one of the most popular in Upper Austria (we take a bit of the blame for that), we recommend planning your accommodation well in advance and going on a trip ideally outside of weekends or early in the morning so you can park without any problems.
- Gosauseen: 3 breathtaking lakes with a view of the Dachstein
- 7 Tips for Accommodation in Gosau and the Surrounding Area
5. Ödseen
Other beautiful mountain lakes in Austria that you might not have even known existed are hidden in the mountain landscape near Grünau im Almtal. Hundreds of tourists pass them by every year, heading for the more popular Lake Almsee. If you plan a holiday or just a weekend in this location, definitely head to the Ödseen lakes during the summer season.
6. Almsee
Almsee lies at the end of the Almtal valley near the village of Grünau im Almtal at an altitude of about 589 m below the Totes Gebirge mountain massif and is one of those lakes in Austria that we love to return to any time of the year. The lake is about 2.3 km long and is known for its breathtaking scenery and frequent occurrence of water birds.
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The area around the lake is a nature reserve. An easy circular trail about 4 km long leads around Almsee, which is one of the most beautiful short walks in the Almtal region. Swimming is allowed, but paddleboards are prohibited.
Salzburg region
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7. Wolfgangsee
Lake Wolfgangsee has a special place in our hearts. It was one of the first lakes in Austria we ever visited, and we even spent our first summer holiday in Austria here 20 years ago. So don’t be surprised that we love recommending this place so much. Out of all the lakes, it’s one of our absolute favorites.
Wolfgangsee lies in the Salzkammergut on the border of the federal states of Salzburg and Upper Austria and has an area of about 13 km². Tourist boats and historic steamboats of the Wolfgangsee Schifffahrt company operate on the lake, and the famous Schafbergbahn cog railway from 1893 leads from the village of St. Wolfgang to the summit of Schafberg. The lake is popular for swimming, sailing, paddleboarding, as well as cycling trips and treks along the shores.
- Strobl: trail around Bürglestein and back from St Wolfgang by boat
- Wolfgangsee: Austrian lake with spa atmosphere
8. Fuschlsee / Lakes in Austria
Fuschlsee can be found in Salzburg, about 20 km from the city of Salzburg, and is definitely one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria’s Salzkammergut region. A popular circular trail about 11 km long leads around the lake, suitable for hikers, and a route can also be devised for cyclists.
The lake is ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, or boat trips. We go for fresh fish from the lake to the Fischerwirt am Fuschlsee restaurant, which serves local trout and char – I recommend giving it a try.
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Fuschlsee is a relaxed holiday destination any time of the year. If you’re heading here in the summer season, we recommend booking accommodation with its own beach. If you’re just coming for a trip, you can swim under the cliffs on the forest path, or at the public beach in Fuschl am See, or pay for entry to one of the local swimming pools.
9. Zeller See (Zell am See)
Zeller See lies right by the town of Zell am See and has an area of about 4.7 km². Although this place is known mainly for its ski resorts and the nearby Kitzsteinhorn glacier, it also has plenty of fans for summer activities. The lake is popular for swimming, sightseeing boat cruises, paddleboarding, or cycling along the route around the lake and into the surroundings.
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From Zell am See, there are also many nice summer treks into the hills above the lake. Conversely, if you want to relax, I recommend heading to the nearby wellness center with a lake view, the modern Tauern Spa Zell am See-Kaprun.
Wellness centers in Austria – Tauern Spa
Styria
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10. Spiegelsee
Spiegelsee is also among the most beautiful mountain lakes in Austria; it lies at an altitude of about 1,860 m on the Reiteralm plateau and is known for the mirror reflection of the Dachstein massif on its surface. A short panoramic trail leads to the lake from the top station of the Preunegg Jet cable car, about 1.5 km long (approx. 30–45 minutes walk).
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In summer, it’s worth walking the circular route on the Reiteralm Reiteralm Rundweg, during which you’ll see other mountain lakes Untersee and Obersee or head on a panoramic hike towards the Schober ridge. Swimming is strictly prohibited in the lake, and watch out for the local mountain goats that often graze around the lake. Don’t pet them and don’t take out your snacks in front of them. We climbed onto the rocks at the back, where we had a beautiful view and could eat our snacks in peace.
11. Steirischer Bodensee / Lakes in Austria
Steirischer Bodensee is a small mountain lake in the Seewigtal valley in Styria, at an altitude of about 1,143 m. The lake is surrounded by the peaks of the Schladming Tauern mountains. We love heading here in summer from Schladming, but the lake can also be visited in winter under good conditions.
A short circular trail about 2 km long leads around the lake, offering views of the Seewigtal waterfall and the surrounding rock faces. The place is also a starting point for a hike to the upper two lakes. We also have this trek described and photographed on our site.
12. Altaussee
We must also include Altausseer See among the other beautiful lakes in Austria; it lies in Styria near the picturesque village of Altaussee at an altitude of 712 m and has an area of about 2.1 km². This place is also known for the filming of one of the Bond movies and will captivate you with the dramatic backdrop of the Loser massif.
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A very popular circular trail about 7 km long leads around the lake, which is one of the most beautiful walks in the Salzkammergut area. The historic Altaussee salt mine and the Loser Panoramastrasse panoramic road are also nearby.
13. Grundlsee / Lakes in Austria
- Holiday at Grundlsee: circular trail + accommodation
- Grundlsee: boat trip to 3 lakes
- 3 tips for verified accommodation at Grundlsee
14. Tauplitzalm – 6 lakes
Many of you surely know Tauplitzalm as a popular winter resort. However, we’ve been heading here in the summer season for years, as you’ll discover a trail to breathtaking mountain lakes in Austria. This 6-lake trail is, for us, one of the most beautiful trips in Styria.
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At the very least, we recommend walking above Lake Steirersee, where you can have something good for lunch in a mountain hut. We recommend planning at least 2 days here and staying directly on Tauplitzalm (or down in Tauplitz).
Vorarlberg
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15. Zürsersee / Mountain lakes in Austria
We still feel that Vorarlberg is a bit of an undiscovered paradise here. Personally, we’ve grown very fond of it and are happy that you’re gradually getting inspired too.
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One of the most beautiful treks you can go on here is certainly the mountain lake Zürsersee, which is a popular ski resort in winter. In the summer season, a cable car will also take you up comfortably. You can find the full tip for this trip in our separate report:
16. Körbersee
This place is one of our favorite tips for weekend treks to mountain lakes in Austria. Körbersee is a small lake near the village of Schröcken, at an altitude of about 1,675 m. In 2017, it won the title of “Austria’s Most Beautiful Place” in the ORF television competition 9 Plätze – 9 Schätze. A reward awaits you at the lake in the local mountain hotel restaurant.
From the Hochtannbergpass paid parking lot, a relatively easy trail about 2 km long leads to the lake, which is one of the most picturesque walks in the region. If you’re fit and have an outdoor stroller, you can make it here too. We met several families with children in strollers along the way.
17. Lünersee / Reservoir lakes in Austria
Lünersee is a high-altitude lake in the Rätikon mountains in Vorarlberg at an altitude of approximately 1,970 m and is one of the largest Alpine reservoir lakes in Austria. In 2019, it was also voted “Austria’s Most Beautiful Place” in the 9 Plätze – 9 Schätze competition.
From the top station of the Lünerseebahn cable car, a popular circular trail about 6 km long leads around the lake with panoramic views of the Rätikon peaks. If you’re physically fit, head on a mountain trek to the cross, from where there’s a beautiful view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Tyrol
18. Achensee / Largest lakes in Austria
Achensee is the largest lake in Tyrol (area about 6.8 km², depth up to 133 m) and we also rank it among the most beautiful lakes in Austria. Thanks to strong winds, it’s one of the best places in Austria for sailing and windsurfing. The panoramic route above the western shore to Gaisalm is also popular, which can be reached on foot or by boat.
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We fell in love with the scenic trek to Bärenkopf , which offers one of the best views of the lake, and the Dalfazer Wasserfall gorge, home to one of the highest waterfalls in the Achensee region, is also well worth a visit. Thanks to its crystal-clear water and the backdrop of the Karwendel and Rofan mountains, it’s one of the most popular lakes (not only) for a summer holiday.
19. Plansee
Plansee is the second largest natural lake in Tyrol (area about 2.9 km²) lying between the massifs of the Ammergau Alps and the Lechtal mountains. It is known for its turquoise-colored water and the possibility of boat trips between Plansee and the neighboring Heiterwanger See.
We recommend, for example, the ascent to the Tauern viewpoint peak, the panoramic route along the lake to Schloss Neuschwanstein castle via the Ammersattel pass, or a trip to the iconic Daniel peak with a view of the entire lake.
Carinthia
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20. Weissensee / Lakes in Austria
Weissensee is the highest large Alpine lake suitable for swimming in Carinthia (930 m above sea level) and also one of the cleanest lakes in the Alps. Its water reaches drinking water quality. In winter, it turns into the largest natural ice surface in Europe for skating.
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We recommend a cable car trip to the Naggler Alm viewpoint, a panoramic trek to the Golz summit, and a boat trip on the lake with the goal of visiting one of the remote beaches. There’s also a nice campsite with a beach by the lake, which we’re happy to recommend to you. Naggler Alm, the panoramic trek to the summit of Golz , and a boat trip across the lake to visit some of the remote beaches are all great options. There’s also a nice campsite with a beach by the lake, which we’re happy to recommend.
21. Pressegger See
I’ve saved one of the most popular places in Carinthia for a summer holiday for the end. Lake Pressegger See is one of the warmest lakes in Austria for swimming, so it’s no wonder it’s popular with families with children. Pressegger See is a shallow Alpine lake in the Gailtal valley in Carinthia (area about 0.55 km²), whose water warms up to approximately 28 °C in summer.
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The area is part of a protected wetland zone with a rich occurrence of birds and is popular for swimming and cycling. We recommend visiting the Garnitzenklamm gorge, the panoramic drive to Nassfeld Pass, or the panoramic trek to the Dobratsch summit in the nature park above the Gailtal valley. / Lakes in Austria
Pressegger See – Nassfeld.at
