I have been living in Salzburg since late 2021 and, when I'm not off exploring the rest of the world, I love exploring this country that I've made my home. We are so lucky in Austria to have access to countless stunning lakes and I've visited so many of them.
→ Follow along my Austrian adventures on Instagram @JanaInAustria!
Salzburg is on the border with Germany, in the centre of Austria. This lovely city is surrounded by mountains, making it stunning when it comes to nature, access to adventure and pretty lakes to discover. Whether you're visiting Salzburg or are a local in search of new spots to explore, enjoy this list of every lake I've been to since moving here!
I've organized them in two parts: Germany and Austria, and then alphabetically for easy searching.
This list gets updated as I visit more lakes; this post was first published 12 June 2024 and last updated 12 April 2025.
Achensee
We visited Kufstein Fortress on our way to Innsbruck and stopped along the way at the Achensee. The Achensee is the largest lake in Tyrol and one I'd love to come back and spend more time at during the warmer months. We caught the final light of a winter sunset over the snowy lake and it was so magical.
Get here from Salzburg: It's a two-hour drive from Salzburg to Achensee. Public transport is also available but there are quite a few layovers; check Google Maps for the latest, quickest route.
Month I visited: December 2024
Almkanal
Okay, it's not a lake. But it deserves a mention on this list as perhaps my favourite local swimming spot in Salzburg. The Almkanal is an icy cold rushing canal. In the spring, it seems to be the spot for swimming lessons for all the baby goslings and it's a delight to watch them learn against the currents and I come here as often as I can in the summer to laze along the riverbank and swim in on hot days.
Get here from Salzburg: The Almkanal is just half-hour walk or a short bike ride from the Altstadt - here is the exact location on Google Maps.
Month I visited: often, usually between April and October
Almsee
While we were in Upper Austria visiting the Schiederweiher, we decided to drive past the Almsee on our way back towards Salzburg. This astounding lake is simply on the roadside and you can stop alongside it for some seriously gorgeous photos.
Get here from Salzburg: It takes about an hour and 45 minutes to reach the Almsee from Salzburg. You can also reach it by public transport with a train to Wels and a transfer on to Grünau im Almtal before a bus to Schwarzenbrunn, however that can be a long journey.
Month I visited: March 2025
Altausee
I made a roadtrip out to Altaussee and Grundlsee with my partner for the day as the two are quite close to each other and can quite honestly say they are two of the most beautiful lakes I have ever visited in Austria. There is a lakefront tennis court at Altaussee, where we played a few hours of tennis, as well as had lunch lakeside and spent the afternoon lazing about lakeside swimming in the crystal clear water.
Get here from Salzburg: Altaussee is an hour and a half drive away from Salzburg by car; another 15 minutes further brings you to Grundlsee.
Month I visited: August 2024
Attersee
I have been to Attersee a few times, often dining first at Das Attersee, a delicious restaurant situated right on the water's edge. There are a number of gorgeous spots to swim around Atterse, the largest lake in the Salzkammergut, and the water here is some of the bluest I've seen in Europe. Favourites of mine include the Freibadeplatz, Steinbach and Badewiese Attersee.
I've also hiked above Attersee - the Schoberstein is a gorgeous hike overlooking the bright blue waters of the lake.
Get here from Salzburg: Attersee is about 45 minutes away from Salzburg by car, depending on where around the lake you stop. You can also take the S-Bahn (S2) from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to Vöcklamarkt and then transfer to the train to Attersee, which goes directly to Attersee Bahnhof. This journey takes about one and a half hours.
Month I visited: August 2023 + 2024, March 2025
Das Attersee
Freibadeplatz
Rainbow-spotting!
Attersee seen from Schoberstein
Bluntauseen
This pair of lakes near Golling boasts absolutely exquisitely clear turquoise water - which you can't swim in - but you can bike or walk around and admire the postcard-like views. If you're lucky, you can spot the miniature horses that call this place home, too, as well as plenty of other wildlife. Quite the dreamscape.
Get here from Salzburg: I rode my bike here from Salzburg which was a seriously beautiful one and a half hour ride south along the Salzach. Alternatively, you can drive in about 35 minutes or, if you are up for a bit of a walk, hop on the S-Bahn direct from Salzburg and get off at Golling-Abtenau and hike the rest of the way (3.7km or about 50 minutes) to the lakes.
Month I visited: June 2024
Bürgerausee
Bürgerausee is the perfect lake for a day out. You can swim in the clear turquoise waters and jump off of the many floating docks. A lakeside food stand serves up tons of drinks and meals to keep you going. There are clean, free toilets on site and also a free cold water refill station. A playground for kids and beach volleyball courts seal the deal.
Get here from Salzburg: I rode my bike here from Salzburg which was a seriously beautiful one hour ride south along the Salzach. Alternatively, you can drive in about 25 minutes or, easiest of all, hop on the S-Bahn direct from Salzburg and get off at Kuchl; the lake is just a short walk away.
Month I visited: June 2024
Fuschlsee
This is a stunning blue lake that is very popular in the summer to swim and sunbathe by along its rocky shores. It's one of the closest lakes to Salzburg. There are plenty of swimming spots around the lake; my favourite with the best view is the Badeplatz Stöllinger.
Get here from Salzburg: Depending on where around the lake you stop, it is about half an hour from Salzburg by car. You can also take bus 150 from Salzburg to Fuschl am See.
Month I visited: July + September 2023
Grundlsee
I made a roadtrip out to Altaussee and Grundlsee for the day as they're quite close to each other and can quite honestly say they are two of the most beautiful lakes I have ever visited in Austria. At Grundlsee, there are beautiful little walks around the lake and darling little spots to swim in. The whole thing really feels like a fairytale. We finished the evening with dinner at the lakefront Gasthaus Rostiger Anker, right on the water at sundown.
Get here from Salzburg: Altaussee is an hour and a half drive away from Salzburg by car, and then another 15 minutes further brings you to Grundlsee.
Month I visited: August 2024
Grüner See
I had really high hopes for Grüner See which, as its name suggests, is a bright green lake in the heart of Styria. It's quite a trek from Salzburg, but we visited on our way down towards Graz for a winter weekend getaway. We were a bit disappointed; perhaps the snowy conditions of winter made it a bit less magical but we didn't love this spot. I've seen very good things on Instagram and perhaps we need to come again in the summer!
Get here from Salzburg: We visited Grüner See by car, which is about 3.5 hours from Salzburg. In theory, you could also take public transport here, with trains to Leoben and Bruck/Mur and then a bus to Tragöß-Oberort Grüner See, but that will take you about five hours.
Month I visited: December 2024
Hallstatter See
Hallstatt is Austria's truly quintessential fairytale town. The moment you arrive, you feel as though you've stepped into a picture-perfect postcard, where idyllic streets, quaint houses and absolutely breathtaking landscapes make you feel as though there's a touch of magic around every corner. I visited Hallstatt on a very wintery day and it snowed heavily as the train chugged in from Salzburg so the visibility on the ferry crossing the lake was very limited. When the skies parted in the early afternoon showing off the magnificent mountain surrounds blanketed in fresh white snow, it was surreal.
I was lucky enough to come back to Hallstatt on a hot summer's day with my mum and enjoy the stunning contrast under the blue sky. The flowers were out, the sun was warm, the luscious greens of the surrounding mountains were in full colour and the slow gentle day unfolded before us.
Get here from Salzburg: Trains run from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim and then transfer to another train the rest of the way to Hallstatt. The train station is across the lake from the town, but a convenient little ferry (€7 per person round-trip, cash only) aligns with the train schedule and ferries passengers back and forth on the 15-minute crossing between the train station and the main harbour in Hallstatt.
Month I visited: January + July 2022
Kaiserau
We visited the incredible library at Stift Admont as part of a winter roadtrip across Austria. I can highly recommend stopping at this beautiful roadside lake nearby - regardless of the season - for some seriously surreal landscape views.
Get here from Salzburg: We stopped at Kaiserau by car, which is about 2.25 hours from Salzburg.
Month I visited: December 2024
→ Check out more photos of the lake at Kaiserau in my guide to visiting Stift Admont!
Klammsee
Intending to drive further but unable to due to snow, we ended up stopping for a winter walk around the beautiful Klamsee situated right near the base of the Kitzsteinhorn ski resort. There are incredible mountains around here for summer hiking, too.
Get here from Salzburg: It takes 1.5 hours to drive to Klammsee from Salzburg or take the S-bahn to Zell am See, transfer to the 660 bus and get off at Kaprun Aubrücke, a journey which takes about 2.5 hours.
Month I visited: December 2024
Langbathsee
This beautiful little lake is near Traunsee. There are actually two lakes, the Langbathseen, the first one located right next to the parking lot and the second one by hiking. You can do a complete hiking loop of both hikes which is about 8km or you can simply park here and enjoy the views.
Get here from Salzburg: You'll need to drive up the Langbathstraße from Ebensee, on the shores of Traunsee. From Salzburg, this takes about an hour and 15 minutes. There is no public transport up to the Langbathseen.
Month I visited: April 2025
Leopoldskroner Weiher
The Leopoldskroner Weiher freezes in winter and is a popular ice skating spot. In spring, once the ice has melted, the baby ducklings, cygnets and goslings suddenly seem to appear in abundance, filling the lake with their fluttering wings. The spring light reflects so beautifully at this time of year around the lake.
On one end of the lake, you can also see the Schloss Leopold, now a hotel but also famously used as the filming location for the scene in the Sound of Music where the Von Trapp children and Maria row in a wooden boat on the lake and fall in, as well as as the back of the Von Trapp family home.
Get here from Salzburg: The Leopoldskroner Weiher is only about a half-hour walk or a short bike ride from the Altstadt of Salzburg!
Month I visited: often, as it's beautiful all year long!
Mattsee
Mattsee is a small town of barely more than 3000 people, so you can easily wander around on foot and enjoy the village vibes. The best views of Mattsee are from Schloss Mattsee, and the best swimming spot is at Strandbad Mattsee. There is a big stretch of grass and floating wooden docks to lie down on, read and snooze in the sun, before diving in to the refreshing waters of the lake.
Get here from Salzburg: Mattsee is just a 20-minute drive from Salzburg, making reaching here so easy. There is no train station in Mattsee, but buses are well-connected; the 120 and 121 run from Salzburg to Mattsee in less than 40 minutes.
Month I visited: June 2024
Mondsee
Mondsee is one of the closest lakes to Salzburg and is a beautiful destination for summer swimmers and boaters seeking a cool lakeside escape. The town itself is also pretty. Mondsee is an 11km long lake, part of the Salzkammergut. The beauty of Mondsee - as with most lakes around here - is that there are so many perfect spots to pull over all around the lake as you drive along.
Get here from Salzburg: Mondsee is about 25-30 minutes away from Salzburg by car, depending on where you stop. You can also take bus 140 from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof directly to the village of Mondsee in under an hour.
Month I visited: many times, usually between May and August
Salzachsee
This manmade lake is north of Salzburg, surrounded by what feels like a massive field of grass which is perfect for kicking a ball around or having a picnic. There are also beach volleyball spots on site. It's very family friendly and the Untersberg can be seen in the distance. I wouldn't say this was one of my favourites, but it's very lowkey which might be just what you're after.
Get here from Salzburg: The Salzachsee is about 20 minutes bike ride north from the Altstadt of Salzburg, or you can take bus 7 straight here.
Month I visited: June 2024
Schiederweiher
The Schiederweiher is an artificial lake in the heart of Upper Austria. It was built by Johann Schieder, the Imperial and Royal Court Architect of Austria, between 1897 and 1902. In fact, the Schiederweiher is so pretty that it was awarded Austria's most beautiful lake in 2018!
Get here from Salzburg: The easiest way to visit the Schiederweiher is with your own wheels. There is a paid parking lot a short walk away from the lake. You can also travel to the Schiederweiher using public transport. From Linz, a train runs to the Hinterstoder Bahnhof from where you can take the Regionalbus 432 to Schiederwieher. Whether you arrive by bus or by car, you need to walk about fifteen minutes to the lake, a beautiful walk through the forest along a crystal clear river.
Month I visited: March 2025
Schödersee
The 12km roundtrip hike to the Schödersee starts at the end of the Großarl valley. The Schödersee is what's known as a periodic lake which means there isn't always water in this lake. Unfortunately, we didn't get lucky and there just hadn't been enough snowmelt or rainfall yet before we hiked up and the lake was completely dry... we will definitely come back!
Get here from Salzburg: The parking lot at Talschluss, where this hike starts, is just under 2-hours' drive from Salzburg. Alternatively, you can take the S-Bahn to St. Johann im Pongau and then the 540 bus straight to the trailhead, also a journey of about 2 hours!
Month I visited: April 2025
Tappenkarsee & Jägersee
With a group of friends from Salzburg,we trekked our way from Jägersee up to the Tappenkarsee, hung out with the cows, ate our weight in heidelbeerschmarrn, played countless rounds of cards, jumped in the cold lake, had a sleepover in our shared dorm room on the top floor of the little hut and took hundreds of photos of the epic views.
The return hike from Parkplatz Jägersee is 21km including the section on the road from Parkplatz Jägersee, which took us 5.5 hours roundtrip including an overnight stop at the Tappenkarseehütte.
Get here from Salzburg: You can take the train to Saint Johann im Pongau and then catch the 530 bus to Kleinarl Jägersee; we took this journey from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof which took about an hour and 40 minutes. You can book the full journey on OBB.
Month I visited: July 2023
Jägersee
Tappenkarsee
Traunsee
Traunsee lies east of Salzburg in Upper Austria. I have seen it from the train, in the cold winter and the warm spring. The first time walking around it in on a grey and cold December evening was quite endearing and peaceful. Traunkirchen is home to the Maria Krönung Church, and Gmunden on the northern end of the lake is a delightful little town well worth a wander. We lucked out with there being the annual Christkindlmarkt happening and it was seriously so lovely.
There is also a wonderful lakeside tennis court here which I can highly recommend for a game!
Get here from Salzburg: I visited Traunkirchen and Gmunden both by car, taking just over an hour. You can also reach both by train, with a transfer in Attnang-Puchheim, taking about 1.5 hours. A ferry runs across Traunsee connecting the various lakeside towns.
Month I visited: December 2024, April 2025
Traunkirchen
Waldbad Anif
Waldbad Anif is a manmade lake just south of Salzburg. It is a pretty little spot to hang out for the day, featuring a small cafe and, if the weather is good, summer dance parties on Sundays, the legendary Sonntagstanz - keep an eye on their Instagram to see when the next one is!
Get here from Salzburg: Waldbad Anif is a half-hour bike ride south of Salzburg's Aldstadt along the Salzach which is definitely the best way to get here. You can also take bus 160, 170 or 175, each of which involve about ten minutes of walking at the end, or you can park here as well with your own wheels.
Month I visited: September 2023, June 2024 + 2025
Wallersee
Wallersee (exact location on Google Maps) is a small local hangout spot with pretty views, walking paths and inviting calm water for swimming in. I spent a sunny Sunday one summer here for a friend's birthday.
Get here from Salzburg: You can get directly to Wallersee Bahnhof by train from Salzburg in about 15 minutes, making this one of the easiest and closest lakes to access.
Month I visited: June 2023
Wolfgangsee
This is one of the prettiest lakes near Salzburg thanks to the wonderful mountainous backdrop. The little town of St Gilgen on the lake provides an idyllic escape, and plenty of small grassy strips along the lakefront are the perfect spot for a sunny afternoon picnic. In the winter, there are idyllic Christmas Market stalls dotted around the town.
There is also excellent hiking along and above Wolfgangsee - I have hiked Falkenstein, Schafbergspitze and Plombergstein and can wholeheartedly recommend all three.
Get here from Salzburg: You can drive or take the 150 bus runs from Salzburg to St Gilgen; both journeys take about 45 minutes.
Month I visited: often; the best hiking is June to October and of course, the Christmas Market is in December
The walk towards Fürberg
Schafbergspitze
Falkenstein
Plombergstein
St Gilgen
Zeller See
Zell am See is a world-class ski resort in the winter and stunning hiking destination in the summer rising high above the Zeller See. Although the visibility was low for most of the day that I skiied here given the continued snowfall, in the afternoon the lake became just visible and I spent my last run of the day with my camera out capturing the stunning views.
I came back a few years later on a gorgeous blue-sky day for a walk around the esplanade.
Get here from Salzburg: Trains run from direct Salzburg to Zell am See in just under two hours. You can also drive in about an hour and a half, depending on where around the lake you want to visit.
Month I visited: January 2022 + 2025
Chiemsee
Chiemsee is one of southern Germany's prettiest and most popular lakes. In the heart of the lake lies the Herreninsel, home to the glamorous Neues Schloss Herrenchiemsee. The little town of Prien offers lakefront restaurants and one of the best ways to spend the afternoon is to rent a small motorboat and lazily make your way around the lake. Bring a bathing suit, jump off the boat and enjoy the sunshine.
Get here from Salzburg: The train runs direct from Salzburg to Prien am Chiemsee in just 50 minutes.
Month I visited: July 2022
Hintersee
Hintersee, in Germany's Berchtesgaden National Park, is surrounded on all sides by the mountains of Berchtesgaden, nestled in the mountain village of Ramsau. As you walk around the Hintersee, you'll spot a themed trail highlighting the works of the Romantic painters of the 19th century including Carl Rottmann, Ferdinand Waldmüller, Friedrich Gauermann and Wilhelm Busch. It's seriously a fairytale lake.
Get here from Salzburg: We drove to Hintersee which took about 40 minutes; you can also take bus 846 from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to Hintersee.
Month I visited: May 2024
Königsee & Obersee
The Berchtesgaden National Park is perhaps most famously home to the Eagle's Nest, a Nazi building on the summit of the Kehlstein, used by members of the Nazi Party for government and social meetings. However, it is the exquisite natural landscapes that draw many visitors to this incredible region, home to alpine lakes, hikes, mountain ranges and wonderful views.
Two of the best places to visit in the national park are the lakes of Königssee and Obersee, the first of which is popular with ferry trips to the opposite end of the lake at Salet Anlegestelle, from where you disembark to hike up to Obersee and beyond up to Röthbachfall on the other end of Obersee both for the views back across the lake and for the impressive tumbling water that comes down.
Get here from Salzburg: From Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, take bus 840 to Berchtesgaden and from there bus 841 to Schönau am Königssee - or you can do it as I did and bike the 31km there alongside incredible landscapes in under two hours.
Month I visited: June 2022, May + October 2024
→ Check out my guide to hiking Königssee, Obersee and Röthbachfall!
Königssee
Obersee
Staffelsee
The Staffelsee is a beautiful lake that looks from above like a heart lying on one side. It's a large lake, with plenty of places around to stop, walk and swim. I can also recommend having dinner in the nearby Schloßmuseum Murnau where you sit in what feels like airy, pretty, old cellars with arched ceilings.
Get here from Salzburg: We visited Staffelsee by car, which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Salzburg. A regional train also runs from Munich direct to Murnau if you want to come via train.
Month I visited: April 2025
Starnberger See
Starnberger See is just south of Munich, Germany, and a popular lake for Bavarians to visit. Starnberger See is really quite huge, being Germany's second-largest freshwater lake! A number of lovely towns filled with lake homes are dotted all around, as well as plenty of walking trails. There are a loads of good restaurants here too; I can recommend dinner at The Starnbergsee Hideaway, which is also a delightful boutique hotel, on the southern tip of the lake.
Get here from Salzburg: I visited Starnberger See by car, which is a two hour drive from Salzburg. A regional train also runs from Munich direct to Starnberg if you want to come via train.
Month I visited: October 2024, April 2025
Sylvensteinsee
The Sylvensteinsee is a large lake on the border with Austria, just north of the Achensee. There are lots of different places to stop and snap photos around the lake - and I definitely want to come back and see the lake on a sunny day!
Get here from Salzburg: Sylvensteinsee is about a two-hour drive from Salzburg; we drove past it after we visited the Tegernsee. You can also come by public transport and take the train via Rosenheim and Holzkirchen to Lenggries where the 369 bus will take you to the lake.
Month I visited: March 2025
Tegernsee
Tegernsee is widely regarded as one of the most affluent areas in Bavaria in southern Germany. There is a delightful lakeside cafe, Aran, where you can stop before a little wander around the lake.
Get here from Salzburg: Tegernsee is about an hour and a half from Salzburg; you can also take the train to Tegernsee from Munich.
Month I visited: often, as it is beautiful all year-round
Thumsee
Thumsee is in Bad Reichenhall in southern Germany, a quiet and peaceful little lake, tinged a gorgeous shade of green and tucked just back from the road. A walking trail all around the perimeter is popular with runners, dogwalkers and bikers alike and the cool water bubbled with fish. We didn't swim, but apparently it's one of Bavaria's most popular bathing spots in the summer!
Get here from Salzburg: We drove to Thumsee which took about half an hour from Salzburg; you can also take the train to Bad Reichenhall and then bus 2 out to Thumsee, which takes about an hour and a half.
Month I visited: May 2024
Wöhrsee
Wöhrsee, in the heart of Burghausen, and based at the bottom of the Burg von Burghausen, is a beautifully clean and peaceful swimming lake. Burghausen is on the border between Austria and Germany, nestled against the quiet banks of the Salzach River.
Get here from Salzburg: Burghausen is about an hour drive from Salzburg.
Month I visited: May 2024
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
