Where to go sailing in Austria

The steppe lake Neusiedler See in Burgenland, Austria's easternmost province, is a household name among sailors. The waves are short and steep due to the constant wind and shallow water – ideal conditions for water sports. You’ll find plenty of sailing schools around the lake offering courses for beginners and advanced sailors alike. If you already have a sailing permit you can just rent a boat for a few hours and off you go. Be careful with the weather though, as it can change very quickly!

· Altitude: 115 m / 377 ft
· Surface area: 320 km2 / 123,553 sqm
· Avg water depth: 1 m / 3.3 ft
· Max water depth: 2 m / 6.6 ft

Lake Faaker See with its turquoise waters and an idyllic island in the middle looks like paradise. Active holidaymakers can look forward to all sorts of activities in and on the water. With its light to moderate wind and pleasant water temperature it’s the perfect spot for sailors of all skill levels.

· Altitude: 565 m / 1.853,67 ft
· Surface area: 2,2 km2 / 0,84 sqm
· Avg water depth: 16,1 m / 52,82 ft
· Max water depth: 29,5 m / 96,78 ft

Lake Ossiacher See also benefits from a mild climate and enjoyable water temperatures, perfect conditions for a sailing trip. Learning by doing is the motto in the sailing schools around both lakes, which offer regular courses, and the matching equipment for beginners and pros alike.

· Altitude: 501 m / 1.643,7 ft
· Surface area: 10,38 km2 / 4 sqm
· Avg water depth: 19,6 m / 64 ft
· Max water depth: 52,6 m / 173 ft

Lake Millstätter See is known as the jewel of Carinthia. It’s the province's second largest lake, and with 27°C in summer the perfect holiday destination for all activities in and on the water. The local sailing school offers courses for beginners and advanced sailors as well as equipment rental.

· Altitude: 588 m / 1.929,13 ft
· Surface area: 13,3 km2 / 5,1 sqm
· Avg water depth: 89 m / 292 ft
· Max water depth: 142 m / 466 ft

Lake Wörthersee is one of Europe’s largest and warmest Alpine lakes with water temperatures reaching up to 27°C. The constant breeze makes it a great sailing and water sports region. Plenty of sailing schools (for all skill levels) and boat rentals await along the lake shores - no need to bring any equipment.

· Altitude: 450 m / 1.476 ft
· Surface area: 19,4 km2 / 7,49 sqm
· Avg water depth: 42,1 m / 138 ft
· Max water depth: 85,2 m / 280 ft

Lake Weissensee is largely unobstructed, offers hidden bays, and charms holiday-seekers with its fjord-like layout, surrounded by lush meadows and forestry mountains. During the summer months, it heats up to about 25°C, making it a perfect spot for water sports. And if you ever fall in and take an involuntary sip of its waters – don’t you worry – it has drinking water quality!

· Altitude: 930 m / 3.051 ft
· Surface area: 6,5 km2 / 2,5 sqm
· Max water depth: 99 m / 325 ft

The Ottenstein Reservoir is the largest of three lakes, which form the fjord-like Kamp reservoirs in the Waldviertel region in the north of Lower Austria. Originally created by flooding, this area of the Kamptal valley was used for energy generation, but is today a huge recreation area for locals and visitors alike. 

Sailing is allowed at the lake, but only possible if you bring your own boat.

 Facts & Figures

· Surface area: 4,5 km2 / 1,7 sqm
· Max water depth: 69 m / 226,38 ft

Yes, you read that right: You can sail in Vienna!

Sailing is allowed on the Upper Old Danube, the Lower Old Danube, and the New Danube.

Vienna has 7 sailing clubs and 3 sailing schools, offering courses for beginners and pros, as well as equipment rental. Combine your Vienna city break with a day on the river, or book a 3-day sailing course for beginners.

Learn more here:

Sailing school Hofbauer
Vienna International Sailing Club

The Attersee Lake right in the heart of Austria’s lake region is famous for its turquoise-colored water, surrounded by a charming hilly countryside with amazing views.

Book a course at one of the sailing schools, or rent a boat for a few hours, if you already have your certificate. Learn more about the sailing rules on the lake.

· Altitude: 469 m / 1.539 ft
· Surface area: 46,2 km2 / 17,83 sqm
· Max water depth: 169 m / 544 ft

Lake Traunsee is famously known for its challenging winds, making it a sailing paradise. Sailing schools and moorings along its shores offer courses for beginners and experienced sailors, as well as equipment rental. This is Austria’s deepest lake, with an average water temperature of 16°C.

· Altitude: 423 m / 1.387,8 ft
· Surface area: 24,5 km2 / 9,4 sqm
· Max water depth: 191 m / 627 ft

The Lake Mondsee-Irrsee region is especially popular with surfers and sailors thanks to its shifting winds caused by its topography. Occasionally, thermals develop from west to north with wind shifts of 30-50 degrees in some cases. Sailing becomes really challenging when the wind comes from the east (the so-called mountain wind), resulting in wind shifts of 120 to 150 degrees. According to some old sailors’ stories, it's sometimes even possible to make a 180° turn without touching the sails.

· Altitude: 493 m / 1.617 ft
· Surface area: 14,2 km2 / 5,48 sqm
· Max water depth: 68 m / 223 ft

Lake Mattsee is considered one of the warmest lakes of SalzburgerLand, with a crystal-clear water quality as a bonus. The surf- and sailing school Mattsee offers courses all year round. And if you are interested in building your own sailing boat, you are at the right place, too: The Steiner family has been building boats at the shores for more than 100 years.

· Altitude: 502,9 m / 1.649,93 ft
· Surface area: 3,6 km2 / 1,39 sqm
· Avg water depth: 17 m / 55,77 ft
· Max water depth: 42 m / 137,8 ft

Lake Wallersee is the largest lake in the Salzburg Lake District. There are no motorboats allowed here, but sailing, windsurfing, swimming and other water sports are very popular. The eastern bay at Seekirchen is especially frequented by fans of water sports requiring wind, with the perfect seasons being spring and autumn.

· Altitude: 505 m / 1.656,82 ft
· Surface area: 6,1 km2 / 2,35 sqm
· Avg water depth: 13,3 m / 43,6 ft
· Max water depth: 23,3 m / 76,4 ft

Sitting at the border of Upper Austria and SalzburgerLand, Lake Wolfgangsee is surrounded by forests, meadows and mountains, while its shores are dotted with chocolate-box villages. Beginners and advanced sailors will find perfect conditions here for their trips.

· Altitude: 538 m / 1.765 ft
· Surface area: 12,4 km2 / 4,78 sqm
· Avg water depth: 52 m / 171 ft
· Max water depth: 114 m / 374 ft

Surrounded by majestic peaks, crystal-clear Lake Zell is one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria. And with water temperatures of up to 23°C, it provides for a pleasant refreshment during your summer holiday. Master your skills - or head on your first sailing adventure - together with pros at one of the two sailing schools.

· Altitude: 750 m / 2.460 ft
· Surface area: 4,55 km2 / 1,76 sqm
· Max water depth: 73 m / 240 ft

Stubenberg Lake is one of the largest and warmest lakes in Styria in the south of Austria. It owes its great sailing conditions to its light thermic winds. Either book a course at the local sailing school, or rent a boat for a trip on your own, if you already have your certificate.

· Altitude: 380 m / 1.246,72 ft
· Surface area: 0,16 km2 / 0,06 sqm
· Avg water depth: 3 m / 9,8 ft
· Max water depth: 8 m / 26,25 ft

Nestled in a magnificent forest area, the Pack Reservoir is located 850m above sea level and offers crystal-clear waters and a sailing school for a perfect summer break.

· Altitude: 867 m / 2.844,49 ft
· Surface area: 0,6 km2 / 0,23 sqm
· Max water depth: 30 m / 98,4 ft

The Soboth reservoir was built in the early 90’s as a storage lake for the hydroelectric power plant “Koralpe”. It’s an artificial lake 1080m above sea level. Sailing is allowed at the lake, but only possible if you bring your own boat.

· Altitude: 1.080 m / 3.543 ft
· Surface area: 0,32 km2 / 0,12 sqm
· Max water depth: 80 m / 262 ft

Lake Achensee is the largest of Tirol's lakes, and best equipped for sailing. Expect light southerly wind in the morning, and a strong northerly one in the afternoon. The lake is suited for sailors of all skill levels – from beginners to pros. International regattas are held at Lake Achensee.

· Altitude: 929 m / 3.048 ft
· Surface area: 6,8 km2 / 2,62 sqm
· Avg water depth: 67 m / 219 ft
· Max water depth: 133 m / 436 ft

Plansee Lake is the second largest natural lake in Tirol, fed by the Heiterwanger Lake, which is connected by a narrow canal. The fjord-like lake is located between the forest-covered ridges of the Zwiesel and Spießberg mountains. Emperor Maximilian I of Austria raved about its density and great diversity of the fish population.

· Altitude: 976 m / 3.202,1 ft
· Surface area: 2,87 km2 / 1,11 sqm
· Max water depth: 76,5 m / 251 ft

Have you ever seen a lake with a church tower emerging from the waters? In the late 1940’s, a big Electric Company came to the area, intending to build a huge dam in the valley, where the town of Graun was located. 500 hectares of cultivated ground were flooded and created Lake Reschen as we can still see it today.

· Altitude: 1.500 m / 4.921,26 ft
· Surface area: 6,6 km2 / 2,5 sqm
· Max water depth: 28 m / 91,86 ft

Lake Constance is the third largest inland lake in Europe. It’s a sailing paradise for beginners and pros alike, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Light breezes cater to those who just start their sailing experience, while strong winds and good waves are perfect for those looking for a challenge. For the lucky ones already holding a sailing certificate, there are numerous rental stations.

 Facts & Figures

· Altitude: 395 m / 1.295 ft
· Surface area: 536 km2 / 207 sqm
· Max water depth: 251 m / 823 ft