Achensee is one of those places in Austria where you’ll enjoy a holiday in every season—at least, that’s how we feel. It lies between the Karwendel and Rofan mountain ranges, boasts exceptionally clean water, a striking mountain backdrop, and very well-developed facilities for hiking, cycling, water sports, and winter holidays. On a map, it looks like a long, narrow lake, but in reality, it will surprise you with its diversity.
Achensee
It is the largest lake in Tyrol. It measures 9 kilometres in length, up to 1.3 kilometres in width, and reaches a depth of 133 metres at its deepest point. The water is of drinking quality and has a typical turquoise blue colour, highlighted by the light limestone bedrock. In summer, Achensee tends to be refreshing, so when planning a swim, keep in mind that the water temperature usually rises to a maximum of 22°C.
TOP 10 ACCOMMODATIONS AT ACHENSEE
Achensee Tyrol
If you’ve been discovering the beauty of Austrian lakes with us for a few seasons now, this certainly won’t surprise you, and I assume that just like us, you start cold-water swimming early in the spring to make the most of the swimming season at the Austrian lakes. And if you’d still prefer warmer lakes, then take a look at these proven tips of ours:
- A holiday at the warm Pressegger See in Carinthia
- Wörthersee in Carinthia: 11 tips for trips + lakeside accommodation
- Lago di Caldaro: 11 reasons to plan a holiday at this lake in South Tyrol
Accommodation at Achensee
Find accommodation at Achensee directly on the map:
When looking for accommodation at Achensee, it’s good to first clarify what type of holiday you’re planning:
- Pertisau is excellent for hiking, couples, and visitors who want a combination of the lake, excursions, and high-quality facilities.
- Maurach is practical for families with children, shorter stays, and a first introduction to the area.
- Achenkirch will be appreciated by active travellers and those who want more space and a quieter northern part of the lake.
If you’re planning a summer holiday with swimming, it’s worth checking the distance from the beach. If you’re heading out for hikes, the location relative to trailheads or cable cars plays a bigger role. In winter, it makes sense to consider proximity to cross-country skiing tracks or the ski bus.
Our recommended accommodations at Achensee:
Entners am See (Pertisau)
- Our number one choice for accommodation at Achensee – we recommend a room with a lake view
- Excellent breakfast buffet and great reviews
Mauracherhof (Maurach)
- A few minutes’ walk from Atoll Achensee and rooms with a nice view
- Breakfasts you’ll truly appreciate on a holiday in Austria
Fischerwirt am See (Achenkirch)
- Located directly by the lake and offers rooms with a water view
- Great reviews and pleasant breakfasts
Fischerwirt am See
Which place to choose at Achensee for your holiday?
The Achensee area consists of five municipalities: Pertisau, Maurach, Achenkirch, Steinberg am Rofan, and Wiesing. Each village is a bit different and offers its own specific advantages as well as a slightly different approach to the lake and the mountains.
For us, the greatest advantage of Achensee is its diversity. You can come here for hiking, a family holiday, an active week by the water, cross-country skiing, or even a short long weekend. The region doesn’t feel overcrowded even in the peak summer season, and at the same time, it can offer a very decent level of service without the impression of a mass-market tourist factory.
Let’s break down the individual places around the lake:
Pertisau
Pertisau lies on the western shore of Achensee and for many tourists represents the most beautiful entrance to the area. It has a direct link to the Karwendel Nature Park, an excursion atmosphere, a boat pier, and a long tourist tradition. It’s a great starting point for mountain hikes.
So if you love mountain treks and are looking for a mountain lake with real facilities for an active stay, you’ll be thrilled by the local atmosphere in Pertisau. I would recommend Pertisau to those who want to be close to hiking trails, boats, the promenade, and services, while staying in a place that maintains its traditional Alpine character.
Maurach
Maurach is the most practical base for a first visit. It lies on the southern side of the lake, is easy to reach, and the range of services is also wide. You’ll find the cable car to Rofan here, the popular Atoll Achensee, swimming facilities, and a connection to the historic Achenseebahn. For families with children and for visitors who want to alternate between trips and swimming over a few days while wanting easier travel, it’s a very sensible choice at Achensee.
Cycling routes even for families with children, Maurach – Achensee
Achenkirch
Achenkirch occupies the northern part of Lake Achensee and feels more relaxed to us. It has a sportier profile, offers more space, and good conditions for windsurfing, sailing, golf, and family activities. If you’re more sport-oriented and don’t require that typical spa-style holiday, then Achenkirch is the place for you.
Steinberg am Rofan
Steinberg am Rofan doesn’t lie directly on the lakeshore, but we’ll mention it as it’s a great place if you like peace and a mountain environment. Here you can enjoy a stay focused mainly on hiking, and in winter on cross-country skiing, and we believe you’ll return home perfectly relaxed. The area is also known as a mountaineering village (we aren’t climbers, so we won’t judge further). It’s not the first choice for a stay solely at the lake, but for a combination of Achensee and a quieter mountain base, it is.
Wiesing
Wiesing lies lower in the valley and often serves as a strategic spot for trips to the surrounding area. If you want to combine Achensee with other parts of Tyrol and don’t mind not staying directly by the water, it can still be a practical option.
What to do at Achensee in summer?
As with most of our other favourite Austrian lakes, you can look forward to the fact that summer at Achensee combines mountains and the lake. Every day can be planned uniquely, e.g., a boat trip in the morning, a hike in the afternoon, swimming the next day, cycling, a visit to Atoll Achensee, and another time a cable car ride and dinner with a view of the water.
Swimming in Achensee
Achensee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria when it comes to the colour of the water and the local panoramas. As we wrote in the introduction, when swimming, it’s good to keep in mind that the water tends to be cooler than at lower-altitude lakes. In summer, it usually warms up to about 22°C. On hot days, it’s a pleasant refreshment, but don’t expect a long soak.
Popular swimming spots can be found in Maurach, where there is the family-oriented SEE-Bad area at Atoll Achensee, as well as in Pertisau and in the northern part of the region near Achenkirch. If you’re planning a holiday with children, it’s worth choosing a hotel or apartment within walking distance of one of these beaches.
Hiking around Achensee
Achensee is an excellent destination for hiking. The range of trails is wide and well-marked. From short walks around the lake to treks into higher elevations and full-day mountain hikes. The advantage is that there’s something for physically fit hikers as well as recreational ones who prefer a relaxed day in the mountains without extreme elevation gain.
For the active ones, we recommend visiting the western shore with access to the Karwendel. Silence, rocks, forest, water, and views back across the long lake surface. Those who want panoramas without a long climb from the shore can use the cable cars in the Rofan and Zwölferkopf areas.
Cycling and e-bikes
Achensee is also a great choice for cyclists. The surroundings offer routes for recreational riding as well as sportier performances. For e-bikes, the area makes even more sense, as it opens up longer and more demanding climbs without recreational cyclists getting exhausted right at the start of the route. If you like alternating between the bike, traditional cafes and restaurants, views with a short walk, and swimming, you’ll be happy here.
Maurach at Achensee
Boat transport and water sports
We enjoy a cruise on Achensee just as much as on Wolfgangsee. It’s one of the best ways to get to know the lake. From the deck, its length, the diversity of the coastline, and the contrast between the two mountain massifs really stand out. You can also use the boats as part of an excursion day, as they help connect the individual villages and trailheads.
Achensee is also known for very good conditions for sailing, windsurfing, and other wind sports. The wind here is quite regular and is considered part of the local conditions, much like at Italy’s Lake Garda. For active visitors, this is one of the main reasons to prefer this lake over, for example, the calmer Carinthian lakes.
Achenseeschifffahrt – Seespitz pier, Achensee
What not to miss at Achensee?
Achenseebahn
- The historic cog railway from Jenbach is one of the most prominent symbols of the area. The ride itself has an atmosphere and gives the trip an interesting vibe. If you like places with tradition, the Achenseebahn is worth including in your programme. We believe children especially will be thrilled.
Boat transport on Lake Achensee and the Achenseebahn railway at Seespitz in summer.
Karwendel Nature Park
- Thanks to the Karwendel Nature Park, Achensee and its surroundings are a full-fledged mountain area with geological and landscape significance. It’s the proximity to the Karwendel that makes Pertisau a great base for a stay.
Atoll Achensee
- Atoll Achensee in Maurach will be appreciated mainly by families and visitors who want to combine swimming, a wellness experience, and great holiday facilities in one place. It’s also suitable for bad weather when you can’t rely on swimming just in nature, in the lake.
Christmas at Achensee
Last year, we were very pleasantly surprised by the Christmas markets at Achensee. If you’d like to experience an unusually traditional Christmas in Austria, then I recommend visiting Achensee during Advent. An illuminated boat sails on the lake, and if you’re lucky enough to get snow during the Advent weekends, you’ll enjoy a literal romantic winter fairytale. You can read about how to plan Advent at Achensee in our article:
Pertisau am Achensee
How to get to Achensee?
Achensee is easily accessible by car and public transport. The most common arrival by car is via the A12 motorway and the Wiesing/Achensee exit, from where you continue on the B181 road. The route is clear and uncomplicated.
Without a car, people usually arrive via Jenbach. From there, you continue by bus or the historic railway. A big advantage of the whole area is that once you arrive, you often don’t need a car anymore. Regional transport, boats, and cable cars operate between the villages. For tourists, this means fewer transfers and a more convenient programme. Bikes can be rented directly at the lake in one of the villages.
You might also be interested in:
- Olpererhütte: A tip for a trip to the iconic suspension bridge
- Lake Constance: 8 tips on what to do in Bregenz, Austria
- Lindau at Lake Constance: A tip for a trip or holiday
Frequently asked questions about Achensee:
Where is Achensee located?
Achensee is located in Austrian Tyrol between the Karwendel and Rofan mountain ranges.
Can you swim in Achensee?
Yes, Achensee is a popular swimming lake. However, the water is cooler (around 22°C in summer) than at many other Austrian lakes.
Which village is best for accommodation?
For a first stay, Maurach or Pertisau are most often recommended. It depends on whether you prefer practicality or better facilities for hiking – see the comparison of places in the article.
Is Achensee suitable for children?
Yes, especially Maurach and selected swimming spots around the lake serve as excellent facilities for families with children.
Is Achensee suitable in winter too?
Yes, especially for cross-country skiers, families, and visitors looking for a quieter winter holiday.
