Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

TRAVEL

The best lakes and swimming spots in Austria

From lakes framed by breathtaking mountains to ink blue waters, Austria has some of the cleanest and most beautiful swimming spots in Europe. 

Published: 2 June 2021 15:14 CEST
Updated: 8 June 2021 10:32 CEST
People make their way in pedal boats on the Old Danube (Alte Donnau), a subsidiary of the Danube river, in Vienna, Austria (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)
People make their way in pedal boats on the Old Danube (Alte Donnau), a subsidiary of the Danube river, in Vienna, Austria (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

There are hundreds of lakes in Austria where you can splash around.

Water quality in the alpine state is also the second highest quality in Europe according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) list published on Tuesday. 

READ MORE: Austria’s beaches ‘second cleanest in Europe’. 

Here are some of the best places to relax and take a dip in Austria. 

Achensee

The largest lake in Tyrol is the Achensee a mountain lake with cool, clean water. It is sometimes dubbed “Tyrol’s ocean”.

The lake is located in the Karwendel nature reserve.

You can paddleboard, windsurf, sail or dive as well as swim here – the average water temperature is around 19°C (66°F) in summer.

Achensee, also known as Tyrol's ocean. Photo by Alin Andersen on Unsplash
Achensee, also known as Tyrol’s ocean. Photo by Alin Andersen on Unsplash

Neusiedler See 

Neusiedler See, also known as Lake Neusiedl is a shallow lake in Burgenland, reaching only around one metre deep. The steppe lake is surrounded by reeds and meadows.

There are more species of birds here than at any other inland lake in Europe. Drinking local wine in lake taverns is also an option for visitors, as is cycling.

Be careful not to go too far as it is possible to cross the Hungarian border if you make your way around the lake in its entirety. 

Windsurfing is possible at Neusiedler See. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

Altausseer See

In the middle of the Styrian Salzkammergut lies the Altausseer See, which is particularly known for its crystal clear water with its dark blue colour, giving it the name the “dark blue inkwell”.

Bathing is usually possible from late spring to autumn.

An excursion boat moves along on Lake Attersee (Photo by DIETER NAGL / AFP)

Attersee

Beloved by Austria’s most famous artist Gustav Klimt, Attersee is a beautiful glacier lake located in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut.

The water is exceptionally pure and clear, with visibility under water for up to 25 meters. In addition, the water heats up to 25 °C in summer. The Attersee-Bädercard gives you access to seven bathing beaches.

Wörthersee

The largest and most famous lake in Carinthia is the Wörthersee , which lies between Villach and Klagenfurt. It is also one of the warmest alpine lakes due to the low water flow and the sheltered location.

The water is often over 25°C in summer and can even reach 28°C. There are numerous bathing beaches around the lake, including some nudist bathing areas. There are also hip beach bars and restaurants to visit. 

River Danube 

Even if you are stuck in Austria’s most urban city, Vienna, there are still many opportunities to swim in the River Danube. 

The EEA pointed out in its report that in recent years there has been a great deal of effort in Vienna to improve water quality here.

There are river beaches along the Danube Island (Donau Insel), just outside Vienna in Donaualtarm Greifenstein, and the Copa Kagrana sand beach near Uno City, which has cocktail bars and snack options.

The Old Danube (Alte Donau) is also great for a dip or a chance to try out paddle boarding or rowing.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

SHOW COMMENTS