Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit for your next trip to picture-perfect Salzburg.
On the edge of the Eastern Alps, this gorgeous city offers numerous choices when it comes to beaches and places to enjoy a swim. The 76 lakes of the staggeringly beautiful Salzkammergut region lie right on Salzburg’s doorstep, among plenty of other lakes and rivers in close proximity. Additionally, there are even places to swim within the city limits.
Almost all of the lakes in the region are ideal for swimming with kids, with most of them easily accessible by public transport as well. From paddling among sandy shoals to wild swimming in breathtakingly beautiful mountain lakes, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to the best places for a swim in Salzburg.
Join Salzburgers for a dip at the popular Salzachsee (Lieferinger Badesee)
On the north side of the city, out past the A1 motorway but still only a short trolleybus ride away, you’ll find Salzburg’s largest and most popular swimming area. Lieferinger Badesee is the smallest of the three Salzachsee lakes here (though at 22,000 sq m it’s still quite large) and is surrounded by spacious lawns perfect for sunbathing. There are showers, toilets, changing areas, a beach volleyball area, and a couple of food kiosks. Better still, bringing a picnic is encouraged.
Jump in to the narrow but delightful Almkanal
For something a little more quirky, try a swim at this unique city beach: Salzburg’s 13th-century canal, which runs mostly south from the foot of the Festungsberg. The green banks of the Almkanal offer some excellent swimming spots, especially in the suburb of Gneis. Although the canal is quite narrow, that doesn’t prevent locals from taking a summer dip or practicing their surfing moves at the Almwelle, a permanent wave created by a sluice gate near the Weidenstrasse bridge.
The Almkanal also includes extensive underground sections (not suitable for swimming, obviously), which are drained once a year for cleaning; at that time, they’re open to the public for tours.
Stop to swim during your hike around Fuschlsee
Fuschlsee is the first of the Salzkammergut region’s lakes you’ll encounter on bus 150 from Salzburg toward Bad Ischl. This beautiful little lake is easily hiked around (allot approximately three hours), providing plenty of opportunities for a swim against a backdrop of forested mountains. The southeast shore is a good place to start if you’re in search of a beach—it’s just a 10-minute walk from Fuschl am See, near the Brunnwirt restaurant and bus stop. There’s also a beach at the western end of the lake (adults €4.50/$4.80; kids €2.50/$2.70), complete with toilets, changing cabins, and a small café.
Enjoy all the waterside amenities at Mondsee
The Alpine Beach in Mondsee is the largest developed beach area in the Salzkammergut region, featuring a sandy beach, water slides, toilets, a buffet, water skiing, and more; full-day entry costs €6 ($6.40) for adults and €3 ($3.20) for under 15s. Furthermore, for those seeking a quieter experience, the southern part of the lake, St Lorenz, offers lovely swimming areas amid the spectacular backdrop of Schafberg. The charming town of Mondsee is renowned for its prominent St Michael’s Church, which featured in the wedding scene of The Sound of Music. You can reach it by taking bus 140 from Salzburg, or bus 156 from St Gilgen.
Savor the fresh air along with the fresh water at Offensee
Offensee lies just outside Salzburgerland, in Upper Austria, southeast of Traunsee, below the vast sprawl of the Totes Gebirge. It’s an exceptionally gorgeous spot, with its beaches and coves surrounded by forest, reed beds, and breathtaking mountain scenery. You won’t find water slides or water skiing here—just plenty of peace and quiet, along with deliciously fresh air. On the southern shore of the lake, there’s a lovely little snack bar/café (vegetarian options available), equipped with toilets, open in the summer every day except Wednesdays. You can comfortably walk around the lake in about 90 minutes.
Fixed fare taxis run from Ebensee to the car park at Offensee—pre-booking is essential, and it’s advisable to agree upon a pickup time beforehand since there’s no cell service at the lake. From Salzburg, take the 150 bus to Bad Ischl, then the train to Ebensee Landungsplatz.
Altausseer see might be the most beautiful lake in a region full of them
Like Offensee, this lake is technically just outside Salzburgerland; however, it’s only slightly further on the train than the standard day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt. Altausseer see is among the most beautiful lakes in the entire Salzkammergut region—less than three hours to walk around, and dotted with exquisite little stony beaches and coves surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain scenery.
Numerous restaurants and cafés can be found in the small town of Altaussee, along with a mountain inn at the far end of the lake, which may look familiar, as it was used as a filming location in the Bond film Spectre. To reach it from Salzburg, take the 150 bus to Bad Ischl, then the train to Bad Aussee.
Go back to basics with a swim at low-key Hintersee
This small lake in the mountains east of Salzburg is a local favorite on weekends. While there’s not much here—just a small beach and a café with toilets—the setting is lovely, surrounded by the rolling green foothills of the Salzkammergut mountains. For transportation, take bus 155 from Salzburg to Faistenau, then bus 157 just a few more stops to Hintersee (get off at the Vordersee stop, just before the lake).
Take your pick of water sports at Zell am See
Just 90 minutes southwest of Salzburg by train, Zell am See sits below the green slopes of the Schmittenhöhe and the soaring Kitzsteinhorn, along the shore of Lake Zell. This location offers plenty of beaches and lidos. Additionally, you might rent a rowing boat, try stand-up paddleboarding, or embark on a kayaking adventure.
Channel your wild side along the Salzburger Saalachtal
The Salzburger Saalachtal is a mesmerizingly beautiful area nestled in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, close to the border with Germany. It is recognized as one of the best regions in Austria for wild swimming, with numerous spots along the River Saalach. Consider trying a refreshing dip near the Grubhof bridge in Lofer, swimming in the rock pool at Innersbachklamm, or hiking up to the Seehornsee, a small mountain lake. For something tamer and more suitable for young children, there’s the bathing area at Vorderkaserklamm. You can reach the river via bus 260 from Salzburg.
