Lake Ossiacher See is the third largest lake in Carinthia suitable for swimming. It covers an area of just under 11 km² and, what will surely please you, reaches an impressive 27°C in summer, with the water reportedly being of drinking quality. The lake lies directly below the Gerlitzen Alpe massif. As a point of interest, we must mention Bleistätter Moor, a very valuable natural wetland zone on the eastern side of the lake.
ACCOMMODATION AT OSSIACHER SEE
For us, Ossiacher See is one of the most pleasant and versatile Austrian lakes, where you can plan your summer holiday. So if you’re looking for a lake in Austria where you can combine summer swimming, pleasant hiking, boat trips, and mountain treks, then this lake is worth your attention.
What we like most about Ossiacher See is that it doesn’t feel like a boring destination. You definitely won’t be bored here, and you have plenty of activities to choose from. Head out on a boat in the morning, go for a swim during the day, take a bike ride around the lake in the afternoon, and plan some cultural program in Ossiach or Villach for the evening.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a quieter place, we recommend heading to Weissensee:
Accommodation at Ossiacher See
When choosing accommodation at Ossiacher See, we recommend thinking carefully about what type of holiday you’re planning. Annenheim is suitable for those who want to be close to excursion destinations like the Gerlitzen cable car, the boat, and good train connections.
Bodensdorf is great for a more relaxed stay by the water and cycling, while Ossiach is practical for families with children. At the same time, it has a more cultural atmosphere thanks to the local monastery and summer events in the area.
>> Seehotel Urban with its own garden, pool, and lake access
We consider the layout of the smaller villages around the lake to be a big advantage. It’s not just one overcrowded center, but multiple places where you can choose according to your holiday style.
Search for accommodation at Ossiacher See by map:
Our recommended accommodations:
Seehotel Urban, Bodensdorf
- Highly rated hotel, we recommend rooms with a lake view / Seeblick
- Has its own beach area and very good breakfast (gluten-free diet is no problem)
Villa Stiegel, Steindorf am Ossiacher See
- If you love accommodation with a nice lake view
- Has a garden and private beach; during our stay, they provided free bike and boat rentals
- No breakfast – these are equipped apartments with a kitchenette
Things to do at Ossiacher See
1. Active holiday at Lake Ossiacher See
Ossiacher See is ideal for those of you who don’t want to spend your whole holiday just lying on the beach. Besides classic swimming, look forward to paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, and other water sports. In addition to these classic water sports, you can also try waterskiing and wakeboarding, which isn’t a given at all Carinthian lakes.
2 . In summer, the water will be the main draw
One of the main reasons you should head here in the summer is, of course, swimming. The water is usually pleasantly warm, and thanks to its quality, the lake is one of the most popular swimming spots in Carinthia. You’ll find several lidos and access points around the lake, so you’re not limited to just one main spot.
For families with children, Ossiach might be interesting, where there’s an Erlebnisbad with a 93-meter slide. In Bodensdorf, you’ll find the local Seebad, which has free entry.
3. Boat trips at Ossiacher See
A big advantage of Ossiacher See is the excursion boat service. It’s also a practical way to get to various excursion spots around the lake without constantly driving. We recommend it as a starting point for visiting Familywald, Slow Trail Bleistätter Moor, or Domenig Steinhaus – we’re intentionally leaving the names in the original language so you can easily find them on the map.
It’s also nice that you can easily incorporate a boat trip into your daily program. Swimming in the morning, then the boat, a short walk or ice cream with the kids in one of the villages around the lake in the afternoon, and you’ve easily got a relaxed holiday day without complex planning. We like to say here at Austrian Lakes that even the drivers get to rest on this holiday.
Other tips for Austrian lakes with boat transport where drivers can relax:
- Ebensee: 9 tips for things to do at Traunsee
- Achensee: A guide to the largest lake in Tyrol
- Wolfgangsee: Austrian lake with spa atmosphere
4. Natural paradise – Gerlitzen Alpen
A huge advantage of Ossiacher See is its location below the Gerlitzen Alpe. Because of this, you don’t have to choose between a holiday by the lake or in the mountains. You can take the cable car from Annenheim and enjoy easy hiking, panoramic views, and a mountain atmosphere at the top without a demanding climb, which is ideal for families with children. Enjoy mountain panoramas in the morning and swim in the lake in the afternoon.
5. Bleistätter Moor is a trip we recommend not missing
If you want to take a break from swimming in the lake for a while and head into nature, the best tip in the area is Bleistätter Moor. It’s a valuable wetland area on the east of the lake, and the popular Slow Trail we already mentioned leads here. The official route is about 7 km long and takes roughly two hours, making it suitable for recreational walkers. It’s an important protected area with rich fauna and flora that also helps naturally clean the lake water.
6. Cycling around the lake makes a lot of sense
Another reason to choose Ossiacher See for your summer holiday is the cycling loop around the lake. The official R2/R2A route is just under 29 km long, with little elevation gain and a time of around 1 hour 45 minutes. In practice, this means a relaxed full-day trip for recreational cyclists that can be combined with swimming or a lunch stop.
In our opinion, this is one of the best activities for those who don’t just want to lie by the water but want to get to know Ossiacher See better. You’ll cycle through several villages, see the lake from different angles, and you’re not stuck on just one beach all day. If cycling isn’t the main goal of your holiday, you can also rent bikes on-site.
7. Families with children have really good facilities here
Some lakes claim to be family-friendly, but in practice, it just means a shallow entry into the water and a playground. At Ossiacher See, the offer is significantly wider. For example, Familywald Ossiacher See covers over 30,000 m² and offers tree houses, suspension bridges, a Fly-Line, and a rope center with more than 150 obstacles. If you need to wear your kids out, so to speak, you’ll manage it here.
When you add swimming, boat trips, shorter hikes, and the option to take the cable car up Gerlitzen, it strikes us as a great family destination for a summer holiday. You’ll also enjoy it for shorter long weekends or as a multi-day stop on the way to Slovenia or Croatia.
8. Culture and social events at Ossiacher See
As we’ve already mentioned, this lake isn’t just about nature and swimming. In summer, you can also head here for the Carinthischer Sommer festival and other events in the Ossiach and Villach area. Combine an active program with relaxation by the lake and evening culture.
You might also be interested in:
- Lake Bohinj, Slovenia: Where to go on trips and where to stay
- Kranjska Gora Slovenia: 9 tips for trips in the area
Is Ossiacher See suitable for a holiday with children?
Yes. The area is very well equipped for families with children. Besides swimming, you’ll find Familywald, rope attractions, an excursion boat, and easy trips nearby. Furthermore, the coastal promenades in the town are suitable for strollers in many places.
Can you cycle around Ossiacher See?
Yes. The official cycle path around the lake is about 28 km long and has only a small elevation gain, so it’s suitable for recreational cyclists.
What to do at Ossiacher See besides swimming?
A boat trip, a cable car trip to Gerlitzen Alpe, and a walk to Bleistätter Moor along the Slow Trail are very popular.
Which part of Ossiacher See is best for accommodation?
It depends on your holiday style. Annenheim is good for the cable car and easy public transport, Bodensdorf for a relaxed stay by the water, and Ossiach for families with children and a combination of swimming and culture.
Holiday at Ossiacher See with a dog
We only know of one official dog beach at Ossiacher See. If you have experience with another one, let us know; we’d love to add it to the list for other travelers.
1. ZIS Lauritsch (formerly Strandbad Messner)
It has a separate Hundebadestrand with access to the lake, but leashes are mandatory on the adjacent grassy area. You can find it on the map as Ossiachersee Süduferstraße 333 on the south shore of the lake.
Tip for accommodation with a dog at Ossiacher See:
1. Pension AdlerHorst / Steindorf am Ossiacher See
- Probably the best choice for us if you want a quieter stay with a dog.
- About a 5-minute walk from the lake, with a garden
- Pets are possible by prior arrangement and for a daily fee
