Dips within the Alps: the perfect swimming spots close to Salzburg

Don’t overlook to pack your swimsuit on your subsequent journey to picture-perfect Salzburg.

On the sting of the Jap Alps, this beautiful metropolis provides quite a few decisions on the subject of seashores and locations to take pleasure in a swim. The 76 lakes of the staggeringly lovely Salzkammergut area lie proper on Salzburg’s doorstep, for a begin, with loads of different lakes and rivers close by. There are even locations to swim throughout the metropolis limits.

Virtually the entire lakes within the area are nice for swimming with youngsters, with most of them straightforward to achieve by public transport as nicely. From paddling amongst sandy shoals to wild swimming in breathtakingly lovely mountain lakes to secluded seashores backed by forest, we’ve bought you lined. Right here’s our information to the perfect locations for a swim in Salzburg.

Be part of Salzburgers for a dip on the in style Salzachsee (Lieferinger Badesee)       

On the north facet of the town, out previous the A1 motorway however nonetheless solely a brief trolleybus (take the quantity 7) or bike trip away, you’ll discover Salzburg’s largest and hottest swimming space. Lieferinger Badesee is the smallest of the three Salzachsee lakes right here (although at 22,000 sq m it’s nonetheless fairly large), and is surrounded by spacious lawns that good for sunbathing. There are showers, bogs and altering areas, a seaside volleyball space, and a few meals kiosks. Higher nonetheless, deliver a picnic.

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Soar in to the slim however pleasant Almkanal

For one thing a little bit extra quirky, attempt a swim at this metropolis seaside with a distinction: Salzburg’s Thirteenth-century canal, which runs largely south from the foot of the Festungsberg. The inexperienced banks of the Almkanal supply some good swimming spots, particularly within the suburb of Gneis. The canal is kind of slim, however that doesn’t cease locals from having a summer time dip – or working towards their browsing strikes on the Almwelle, a everlasting wave created by a sluice gate close to the Weidenstrasse bridge. 

The Almkanal additionally contains intensive underground sections (not for swimming in, clearly), that are drained annually for cleansing, at which era they’re open to the general public for excursions.

Irrespective of the way you paddle, you’ll need to cease for a dip throughout the three-hour hike round Fuschlsee © David_Pastyka / Shutterstock

Cease to swim throughout your hike round Fuschlsee

Fuschlsee is the primary of the Salzkammergut area’s lakes you’ll encounter on bus 150 from Salzburg towards Dangerous Ischl. This lovely little lake is well to hike round (allot three hours), with loads of scope for a swim towards a backdrop of forested mountains. The southeast shore is an effective place to start out should you’re in search of a seaside – it’s only a 10-minute stroll from Fuschl am See, close to the Brunnwirt restaurant and bus cease. There’s additionally a seaside on the western finish of the lake (adults €4.50/$4.80; youngsters €2.50/$2.70), with bogs, altering cabins and a small cafe.

Get pleasure from all of the waterside facilities at Mondsee

The Alpine Seashore in Mondsee is the biggest developed seaside space within the Salzkammergut area, full with a sandy seaside, water slides, bogs, a buffet, water snowboarding and extra; full-day entry prices €6 ($6.40) for adults and €3 ($3.20) for underneath 15s. For one thing a little bit quieter, head to the southern a part of the lake: St Lorenz has some pretty swimming areas, towards the spectacular backdrop of Schafberg. The gorgeous city of Mondsee is legendary for its massive St Michael’s Church, used within the wedding ceremony scene of The Sound of Music. Take bus 140 from Salzburg, or bus 156 from St Gilgen. 

Savor the recent air together with the recent water at Offensee

Offensee lies simply outdoors Salzburgerland, in Higher Austria – southeast of Traunsee, under the huge sprawl of the Totes Gebirge. It’s a fully beautiful spot, its seashores and coves surrounded by forest, reed beds and breathtaking mountain surroundings. You received’t discover any water slides or water snowboarding right here – simply loads of peace and quiet, and deliciously recent air. There’s a pleasant little snack-bar/cafe(vegetarian choices accessible) on the southern shore of the lake, which has bogs and is open in the summertime each day besides Wednesdays. You may stroll across the lake in 90 minutes.

Fastened fare taxis run from Ebensee to the automobile park at Offensee – guide prematurely, and agree a pickup time beforehand  since there’s no cell service on the lake. From Salzburg take the 150 bus to Dangerous Ischl, then the practice to Ebensee Landungsplatz. 

A bather sits on a long dock jutting out into the water with dramatic rocky mountains in the distance at Altausseer see, Upper Austria, Austra
Beautiful rocky crags encompass the rocky seashores of Altausseer see © Shibo.Wang / Shutterstock

Altausseer see could be probably the most lovely lake in a area filled with them

Like Offensee, that is technically simply outdoors Salzburgerland – however it’s solely barely additional on the practice than the usual day journey from Salzburg to Hallstatt. Altausseer see is among the most lovely lakes in the entire Salzkammergut area – lower than three hours to stroll round, and dotted with beautiful little stony seashores and coves surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain surroundings. 

There are many eating places and cafes within the small city of Altaussee, and a mountain inn on the far finish of the lake which could look acquainted, because it was used as a filming location within the Bond movie Spectre. From Salzburg take the 150 bus to Dangerous Ischl, then the practice to Dangerous Aussee. 

Return to fundamentals with a swim at low-key Hintersee

This little lake within the mountains east of Salzburg is one other native favourite on weekends. There’s not a lot right here – only a small seaside and a restaurant with bogs – however the setting is gorgeous, surrounded by the rolling inexperienced foothills of the Salzkammergut mountains. Take bus 155 from Salzburg to Faistenau, then bus 157 only a few extra stops to Hintersee (get off on the Vordersee cease, simply earlier than the lake). 

Mountains are seen in the background as a girl and a boy are semi-submerged as they jump into the water of Zell am See, Salzburgerland, Austria
The entire household will love a day of enjoyable within the water at Zell am See © a4ndreas / Shutterstock

Take your choose of water sports activities at Zell am See

Simply 90 minutes southwest of Salzburg by practice, Zell am See sits under the inexperienced slopes of the Schmittenhöhe and the hovering Kitzsteinhorn, on the shore of Lake Zell. The lake has seashores and lidos aplenty, or you possibly can lease a rowing boat, attempt stand-up paddleboarding or set off in a kayak.

Channel your wild facet alongside the Salzburger Saalachtal

The Salzburger Saalachtal is a dizzyingly lovely spot within the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, near the border with Germany. This is among the finest areas in Austria for wild swimming, at considered one of any variety of locations alongside the River Saalach. Attempt a refreshing dip close to the Grubhof bridge in Lofer, swim within the rock pool at Innersbachklamm or hike as much as the Seehornsee, a small mountain lake. For one thing tamer and extra appropriate for younger youngsters, there’s the washing space at Vorderkaserklamm. You may attain the river by way of bus 260 from Salzburg.