Clear, inviting waters for swimming and bathing

All Lakes at a Glance

The lakes of the Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See region offer plenty of ways to enjoy time by the water. Swim and relax at the lakeside, or explore the surrounding landscape on cycling and hiking routes around Lake Faak and Lake Ossiach.

All lakes

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Lake Ossiacher See

The Gerlitzen Alpe and the lake Ossiacher See combined nature, sport and culture like no other adventure region in Carinthia. The nearness to the Drau town of Villach, the cultural highlights around the lake Ossiacher See and the Gerlitzen Alpe - a mountain for everyone- guarantee a fantastic and eventful holiday in this region.

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Lake Afritzer See

Relax and unwind - with a view of the rolling hills of the Nockberge mountains. Lake Afritzer See is a crystal-clear mountain lake in Carinthia that offers swimming fun with drinking water quality for the whole family. Due to the adriatic summer climate here in the south of Austria, the 340 m wide and 22.5 m deep lake warms up to a pleasant 26 °C . Perfect for a dip in the refreshing water!

Lake Aichwaldsee

South of Villach, in the municipality of Finkenstein, you can find the idyllic Aichwaldsee - one of the last untouched natural swimming lakes in Carinthia. With its compact size of 4.5 hectares, it offers a particularly natural bathing experience. The Aichwaldsee lido, built from local larch tree and awarded the Carinthian Timber Construction Prize, has been inviting visitors to enjoy a relaxing swim since 2014.

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Lake Silbersee

The lake Silbersee in Villach is the perfect place for relaxation, sport and socializing. Whether relaxed sunbathing, a round of beach volleyball with friends or a workout in the fitness area - everyone gets their money's worth at the popular "Action Beach". Large green areas, table tennis tables and boccia alleys provide variety and exercise.

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Lake Vassacher See

Lake Vassacher See is located in a 30-hectare nature reserve in the middle of Villach. Romantically surrounded by forests, the natural swimming lake offers a special swimming experience in crystal-clear water and pure relaxation.

Slow Trails

Carinthia’s slow trails - beautiful footpaths that encourage walkers to relax and slow down - are, in the main, short but spectacular. The 14 slow trails scattered around Austria’s southernmost province are all sources of inspiration and regeneration. And four of these slow trails can be found in the holiday region of Villach - Faaker See – Ossiacher See.

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Nature experience fishing

The crystal-clear lakes and rivers in the Villach region are a paradise for anglers. Whether it's quiet fishing by the lake, exciting drills in impressive rivers or relaxed fly fishing - whether you are a hobby or sport angler, we have the right thing for you. With a little patience and skill, you can land some truly impressiv catches, from huge pike and magnificent carp to mighty huchen from the Drau.

Surfing and sailing

Due to our mild climate and pleasant water temperatures, lake Faaker See and lake Ossiacher See are ideal waters for surfing and sailing. The two Carinthian swimming lakes not only offer fantastic scenery, but also perfect conditions for anyone who wants to glide across the water with wind power. Whether sailing or windsurfing - both beginners and experts will find ideal conditions here for their next adventure on the water.

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Stand-up-Paddling & kayaking

Explore the lakes and rivers of our vacation region on your own and discover them up close - the best way to do this is with a stand-up paddle (SUP) or a kayak. Enjoy the peace and quiet and explore hidden bays and beautiful shorelines from a different perspective. Whether you have your own equipment or hire it from one of the numerous rental stations on spot, you can easily try out paddling or kayaking and discover the region's special places.

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Waterskiing and wakeboarding

Water sports fun at its best awaits at lake Ossiacher See: where motor boating is permitted, there are numerous options, whether classic water skiing, action-packed wakeboarding or an exuberant ride on bananas, tires & co - here you can feel the summer on your skin.

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Diving

Dive down and glide weightlessly through the water in complete silence. Immerse yourself in the fascinating underwater world of Carinthia. Away from the well-known diving spots in Austria, beginners and professionals alike will find hidden gems in Carinthia's crystal-clear bathing lakes.

SURFDAYS Event Tour in Bodensdorf

From 14 to 30 August 2026, the SURFDAYS Event Tour will be stopping off at the seaside resort of Bodensdorf on Lake Ossiach. The largest free lakeside access point on Lake Ossiach, just a five-minute walk from Bodensdorf railway station, provides the perfect backdrop for this sporting highlight of the summer.

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Mountainbiking

Carinthia, the region of lakes and beautiful mountains, lies close to the Italian and Slovenian borders. The mountain bike or road bike tours, the unique combination of mountains and lakes, the tasty Carinthian cuisine and the influences of the neighbouring countries Italy and Slovenia all make an active holiday in Carinthia an unforgettable experience.

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