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Lakes & Mountains Reloaded
Austria is a country with abundant bodies of water where you can enjoy crystal-clear lakes surrounded by breath-taking mountain scenery.
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Need to Know
- There are 2,194 bodies of running and more than 25,000 masses of standing waters in Austria.
- The 62 bigger lakes cover a surface of more than 50 hectares.
- Austria’s rivers and lakes are of extraordinary quality (drinking-water quality unless otherwise stated).
- Austria’s lakes offer relaxing summer breaks, active adventures like kayaking, rafting, sailing and windsurfing, or the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing dip after hiking or biking.
Perfect for Sports Enthusiasts
The Austrian Lake District boasts breath-taking mountain views and gives you the difficult task of choosing between 185 deep-blue lakes.
Combine hikes and walks in the surrounding mountains with swimming, rafting or canoeing in Lake Hallstatt.
Crystal-clear Lake Wolfgang and Lake Attersee are particularly popular with sailors and surfers, thanks to their excellent conditions and fair-weather wind.
Perfect for Families
Carinthia, Austria’s sunny southern province known as the “Austria’s Riviera”, is famous for its wealth of lakes. With a surface of over 19 km2, Lake Wörthersee is Carinthia’s largest and most popular lake and offers an abundance of activities for families.
Lake Faaker See impresses with its turquoise water, while Carinthia’s highest-situated lake, Lake Weißensee, offers unspoilt nature for those looking for a peaceful break, and two thirds of its lakeshore are designated protected areas.
Best Times to Travel
Summer: May to October
Getting there & around
Airports: Fly to Austria in just two hours from most major British airports. Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck are the biggest Austrian airports, with neighbouring Munich a good option too.
Railway: ÖBB Austrian Railways offers well developed national and regional connections.
