Lake Mondsee is one of the loveliest lakes in the Salzkammergut region. Hang out for a few days to enjoy beach life, lake cruises, and the beautiful countryside.
Lake Mondsee is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Austria. No wonder! Mountains surround the turquoise lake, and the countryside along its shoreline is dotted with pretty villages. We recommend you start exploring the region with a visit to the historic town of Mondsee.
The historic town of Mondsee
As much as the lake is the leading destination, the small town of Mondsee at the lake’s northern end is delightful. The town is home to the St. Michael Basilica and the medieval Mondsee Abbey. Adjacent to the town square and in the sidestreets are some more nice historic buildings. In addition to restaurants, you also find a few shopping opportunities. The lakeshore lies about 200 meters from the town but offers a lovely stroll down a tree-lined path.
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A day at the beach
Mondsee is the warmest lake in the Salzkammergut, with water temperatures up to 27 °C (81 °F) and offers nice bathing spots. At the western end of the seaside promenade, you find Alpenseebad Mondsee, which has a small sandy beach, a large grassy area, and a small water park. This is the best place for “a day on the beach” at Mondsee. Arrive early to get a good spot as this place is very popular. There are two more public beach areas along the Mondsee, Strandbad Loibichlon on the east side and the small Schwarzindien on the western shore. In addition, many hotels and B&Bs have private access to the lake. For thrill-seekers, you can join different water sports around the lake.
Cruises and boat rental
Mondsee is Austria’s 5th largest lake, and two shipping companies offer cruises on the sea, departing from the small town of Mondsee. Cruises and round trips take about 1-2 hours. Moreover, cruises are available all year round (as long as there is no ice on the lake). The 11-kilometre-long lake is 14.2 km² (5.5 mi²) large and among a mountain landscape. If you prefer to head out on the lake by yourself, rent an electric- or a sailboat at the waterfront.
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Hiking and walking
Austria is well known for its fantastic hiking and walking trails. The region around the Mondsee also offers numerous hiking opportunities for everyone, from leisurely walks to hiking for the fittest. 150 km of hiking trails, gentle hills, striking mountains, and a marvellous lake panorama. Families, pleasure hikers, mountaineers, and climbing enthusiasts get their money’s worth in the Mondsee-Irrsee region.
Easy accessible
You find most of the accommodation along the lake on the south bank. There are several villages around the entire lake. At the northeastern shore of the Mondsee, the motorway between Vienna and Salzburg runs close to the lake. The Mondsee is just a 20-minute drive from Salzburg on the A1 motorway and is a popular day-trip destination. Also, Mondsee is one of Austria’s last privately owned lakes and is for sale for around 16 million euros.
For more info: MondSeeLand Tourism
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