Today we are going to talk about some of the most beautiful lakes in Austria. Austria has a lot of natural wonders which many are not aware of. These beautiful lakes in Austria can be a good idea to add to your itinerary. You will not regret visiting these lakes if you are a nature lover or someone who enjoys photography or even if you enjoy adventure sports for that matter.
Some of those listed below are more popular than the others. That doesn’t mean that the others are less scenic in any way!
Here are top 7 lakes in Austria
Hallstatter See, Salzkammergut
One of our favorite lakes in Austria is the Halstatter See or the lake in the fairy tale town of Hallstatt. It is one of the most popular places of Austria. It is pretty crowded on any day in the tourist season. The beauty of this lake is that it looks pretty in any and every season! Dotted around the lake are pretty houses which you wouldn’t want to miss clicking.
Seegrotte, Hinterbrühl
Seegrotte is the largest underground lake in Europe. Seegrotte Hinterbrühl is a former gypsum mine which was formed in 1912, when an underground blasting operation in the gypsum mine “Hinterbrühl” went awry. The result was that 20 million litres of water gushed forth from behind the rock. The mine remained closed until it was rediscovered in the 1930’s by cave explorers.
Traunsee, Salzkammergut
Having a maximum depth of 191 meters, the Traunsee is the deepest lake in Austria. You can get a glimpse of this lake if you are travelling by train from Salzburg to Hallstatt. Schloss Ort is a popular attraction in the Traunsee lake in Gmunden.
Grüner See, Styria
This beautiful lake surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains got its name from the Emerald green water it has. The Green Lake is one of the most popular tourist destinations.
The highlight of this lake is that during winter, when the temperature is around 6–7 °C or 43–45 °F, the depth of this lake is only about 1–2 m or 3–7 ft. During this time, the surrounding area is used as a park. In summer, when the snow melts, it turns as deep as around 12 m or 39 ft. It is during this time that the lake is popular among divers.
Lake Gosausee
Gosau is one of the popular travel destinations in the Salzkammergut region of Austria. Many travel here to catch a glimpse of the Dachstein Glacier rising behind this mountain lake. It is also popular for outdoor activities like hiking, walking routes and fixed-rope climbing activities. Because of the clear waters of the lake, it is popular among divers too.
Lake Achensee, Tyrol
Lake Achen is the largest lake in the Tyrol region of Austria. Achensee is popular for its sport and leisure activities. Also known as the “Sea of Tirol”, Achensee is popular among surfers, windsurfers and sailors. It is located between the Karwendel Mountains and the Brandenberg Alps.
Plansee, Tyrol
Lake Plansee is popular among joggers, hikers, cyclists and nature lovers. Located between the Lechtal Alps, the Wetterstein Mountains and the Mieming Range, this lake is also a great starting point for mountain tours. Along with these activities, the lake is also popular between divers, sailors and surfers. The lake has a maximum depth of 78 m.
If you love including adventure sports or natural wonders in your trips, check out these stunning lakes in Austria and include them in your plans to add an interesting element to your trip!
Also check out our post on “20 Beautiful Castles in Austria” if you are planning a trip to Austria.
