Lake Weissensee is a quieter and more natural alternative to the better-known Carinthian lakes. It lies at an altitude of around 930 meters, so even in the hot summer, it tends to be more pleasant here than at lower-lying lakes. Despite the altitude, the water warms up beautifully during the season, and swimming is truly one of the main reasons why tourists head here for their holidays.
ACCOMMODATION AT LAKE WEISSENSEE
In the summer months, the water reaches roughly 24–26°C, which is why Weissensee is often referred to as the highest swimming lake in the Alps. The shores are largely undeveloped, which helps the place maintain a very clean, almost Caribbean look. The color of the lake is determined by the light-colored seabed, and the water is exceptionally clear.
Lake Weissensee Carinthia / Austrian Lakes
Lake Weissensee
Find accommodation at Weissensee using the map:
There is no classic bypass road around Lake Weissensee, and regular motor traffic is strictly limited, which contributes to the peace and quiet you will experience here. The lake is mainly served by scheduled boats. So, if you are looking for a destination for a peaceful summer by an Austrian lake, Weissensee will be the right place for those of you who want swimming in a pleasantly warm lake, trips, and sports in nature, and do not expect urban promenades.
For many years, we couldn’t quite warm up to the Carinthian lakes until we discovered Lake Weissensee and fell in love with this place, which still maintains an almost pristine atmosphere in parts. Get inspired and head to Carinthia for a holiday with us this year.
Accommodation at Weissensee
Where to find accommodation at Weissensee and which places are the best for your summer holiday? We have summarized four main locations by the lake for you, and we’ll leave it up to you which one appeals to you more. Generally, at this lake, it really pays to look for accommodation based on the activities you plan. Some will appreciate a beach right at the guesthouse, others the proximity to boat transport, and others the closeness to mountain hiking trails.
1. Techendorf
For us, Techendorf is the most practical base for most visitors. You’ll find services, restaurants, rentals, a pier, and good access to other activities here. If you’re going to Weissensee for the first time, Techendorf is usually a safe bet.
- Right on the lakeshore with its own private beach
- You’ll also appreciate the good breakfast buffet
2. Naggl
Naggl is a good choice for those who want to combine swimming with hiking and trips. It’s a great starting point for hiking trails and is also suitable for combining trips with a boat cruise.
3. Neusach
Neusach represents a quieter part of the lake. We like to say that this place suits people looking for a more relaxing lakeside holiday. If you want to enjoy more silence, views of nature and the lake, and need a slower pace for this year’s summer holiday, this could be a very good choice.
- Highly rated hotel by a private part of the lake
- Excellent traditional breakfast
4. Gatschach
We chose Gatschach as the fourth location for you. This more intimate part of Weissensee has a nice atmosphere and is a good starting point for peaceful walks and staying by the water.
Summer holiday at Weissensee
If you imagine an ideal summer day at an Austrian lake, Weissensee comes very close to it. In the morning, you can go for a short walk or a boat trip, go for a swim around noon, rent a paddleboard or a bike in the afternoon, and have dinner in the evening with a view of the lake and the surrounding hills.
Unlike some other lakes in Carinthia, you won’t experience a hectic holiday here. Even in high season, Weissensee has a much calmer atmosphere, which we at Austrian Lakes really appreciate. And it will also be appreciated mainly by couples, families with children, and everyone who wants to take a break from overcrowded resorts.
The location between the mountains is also an advantage. Thanks to this, you can easily combine swimming with an active program even during hot days. When you get tired of lying by the water, just drive (or walk) a short distance and you’re on a mountain hiking trail, at a cable car, or at a viewpoint.
You might also be interested in:
- Wörthersee Carinthia: 11 tips for trips and accommodation
- Holiday at Pressegger See in Carinthia
- Slovenian lakes: 3 tips for your holiday right by the lake
Things to do at Weissensee
1. Swimming in the lake
Swimming is one of the main reasons people come here in the summer. As we wrote in the introduction, the water is beautifully clear and pleasantly warm in season. The beaches at Weissensee have a more intimate and natural character. Instead of large resort areas, you’ll often find grassy areas, small piers, and private access to the water.
Our tip:
- When choosing accommodation, it pays to check if the hotel or guesthouse has its own beach or at least private access to the lake. At Weissensee, this is a big plus that can make your holiday significantly more enjoyable.
Weissensee Carinthia / (c) Martin Steinthaler
2. Boat trip on the lake
Boat transport on Weissensee doesn’t just serve as a tourist attraction. It can also be used very practically, for example, when planning trips. You can walk in one direction and return by boat, or just enjoy the lake from a different perspective. For us, these combined trips are one of the nicest experiences at Austrian lakes.
Our tip:
You can also go on similar trips, where you walk one part of the trail and return by boat, at these lakes:
- Achensee: A guide to the largest Tyrolean lake
- The trail around Grundlsee and a trip to 3 lakes
- Strobl: Along the Bürglstein trail and back by boat from St. Wolfgang
3. Hiking
The surroundings of Weissensee are great for both shorter and longer hikes. You’ll find easy walks along the water as well as routes to higher elevations with views. The advantage is that trips can be well combined with the boat or cable car, so you don’t have to plan only demanding circuits every day.
4. Summer cable car trip
If you want to head into the mountains but don’t want to get unnecessarily tired, the cable car is a great choice. It saves energy, provides access to beautiful views, and is also suitable for families with children or visitors who prefer more relaxed hiking.
The Sommerbergbahn, often also referred to as the Naggler Alm Bahn, operates at Weissensee. It is a 4-seater chairlift that starts from Techendorf at Weissensee and leads to the top station on the Naggler Alm. You’ll cover the elevation from 956 m to 1,324 m above sea level in about 12 minutes.
Naggltrail Weissensee / (c) Heiko Mandl
In summer, it mainly serves as a convenient starting point for hikes and MTB trails, so it’s handy when you want to be up quickly without a long climb from the lake.
5. Paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water sports
Weissensee is perfect for water activities. You can bring or rent a paddleboard, kayak, or boat and enjoy the lake in a different way than just from the beach. Thanks to the calmer atmosphere, being on the water feels very pleasant.
6. Cycling around Carinthia
Cyclists will also find plenty to enjoy here. In the vicinity of the lake, you’ll find options for easy trips as well as more demanding routes. If you like combining a holiday by the water with cycling, Weissensee is a good choice. More demanding riders can head to the cycle paths around the Carinthian lakes.
Weissensee Carinthia / (c) Peter Maier
Weissensee Carinthia / (c) Peter Maier
Holiday at Weissensee with children
Families with children usually find Weissensee to be a very good fit. The reason is simple. The program here can be easily varied, and there’s no need to complicatedly plan something every day. Children will especially enjoy swimming in the pleasantly warm water, the boat, and shorter trips into nature. You’ll also find playgrounds here, and nature around the water usually keeps children entertained too.
A big advantage is also that the atmosphere here isn’t so hectic. Parents often appreciate that the holiday feels calmer without constant begging for daily entries to amusement parks. If you’re looking for a place where you can combine a relaxed family holiday with a beautiful environment, you’ll certainly enjoy Weissensee.
Holiday at Weissensee with a dog
Weissensee is also a pleasant choice for a holiday with a dog. There are designated swimming areas for dogs at the lake, and some accommodations offer their own facilities for guests with four-legged partners. If you travel with a dog regularly, then you can add Weissensee to your summer itinerary of Austrian lakes.
As elsewhere in Austria, it pays to check the specific rules at the accommodation and at individual beaches in advance. Vaccinations, a passport, and a chip are a matter of course for a holiday in Austria. If you plan a trip by boat or cable car with your dog, they must have a muzzle and a leash.
Dog beaches at Weissensee
You will find at least these three designated dog beaches / swimming areas for dogs at the lake:
- Brücke Gatschach,
- Mösel in Naggl
- Neusacherhof
Tips for dog-friendly accommodation at Weissensee
1. Ferienhof Obergasser & Bergblick (Naggl)
For us, this is the best choice if you want to be really close to the official dog beach in Mösel (Naggl). The accommodation is in Naggl and has great reviews. It allows dogs in almost all apartments and even offers its own dog swimming beach with access to the lake.
We recommend this option if you’re looking for more comfortable hotel facilities while also wanting to make swimming with your dog as easy as possible. The hotel has excellent reviews and offers a private beach where dogs are allowed, right in front of the house, dog showers, and facilities for staying with a dog.
Is there a Weissensee Summer Card?
Similar to other Austrian locations, there are two variants here:
- Basic Guest Card / Holiday bonus
- and the higher variant, Weissensee PremiumCARD.
1. Guest Card / Holiday bonus
The basic card, which you should receive at all accommodations upon arrival. It is not listed on the website as a separately sold card, but as a benefit tied to the stay.
In summer, the Guest Card mainly includes a weekly program with a Mountain & Lake Guide and several discounts, including on the Alpenperle boat service, summer mountain railway, bicycle shuttle, and also on selected local attractions and craft events.
2. Weissensee PremiumCARD
A higher and also more valuable variant, and it only applies if you stay with an accommodation provider who has a partnership with this program. It’s a card that will save you a lot of money at the lake in the summer. It includes the Nature Park Bus, boat transport on Weissensee, the summer cable car and MTB transport, plus other benefits.
As for the price, in 2025 it was set at €150 per week for persons aged 10 and over, while children under 10 staying with adults with a PremiumCARD received the card for free.
The standard Guest Card is part of the stay, while the PremiumCARD is only available at selected partners, or you can purchase it. It’s better to check its exact current price and conditions for this summer directly with your specific accommodation or on the official Weissensee website, as the public tariff page currently shows the last summer season (we will update before summer).
