Written by: Christina Pichler, 30.07.2026
Summer, sun, and sunshine… The temperatures are rapidly rising and you are wondering which bathing lake in Tyrol is the best to cool off? Luckily, there are plenty of refreshing lakes in and around Innsbruck where you can take a dip. We’ve gathered the best bathing lakes for you – and the best part: You can even cycle to some of them directly from your STUWO student residence.
Opening Hours: Daily in good weather from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm from May to September
Admission: Adults: €5.90 (day ticket) | €79.70 (season pass)
East of Innsbruck you can find the city’s biggest and only lake: the Rossau Bathing Pond. Just a 30-minute bike ride from the STUWO student residence, you’ll find a 53,000 m² sunbathing area complete with a swimming island, a floating dock, two cafés, and a variety of sports facilities. Whether you’re into beach volleyball, badminton, streetball, bocce, chess, table tennis, or mini golf, there’s something for everyone here.
Sunbathers who would rather take it easy can relax on the grassy or pebble beaches while enjoying stunning views of the Nordkette mountain range. After a long day of lectures or an intense study session, there’s hardly a better place to unwind and recharge. In summer, the former gravel pit, now filled with crystal-clear water, reaches temperatures of up to 25°C, making it the perfect spot for a refreshing dive.
As Innsbruck’s local bathing lake, Rossau Lake has everything you need for the perfect day by the water – all within easy reach of the city and with free parking as well as plenty of bike racks. It’s no surprise that it’s such a popular destination. In 2019, the lake welcomed almost 800,000 visitors.
Opening Hours: Daily in good weather from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm from May to the end of September (from September onwards, only open Fri-Sun)
Admission: €7.50 (day ticket) | €150 (season pass)
Located in the low mountain range above Innsbruck and surrounded by mixed forest, Lanser Lake is just a 30-minute bike ride from the STUWO student residence. This privately operated swimming lake and event venue is the perfect place to cool off and unwind. It also features an international restaurant and a stylish loft, making it an idyllic location for concerts and exhibitions.
Tip for graduates: If you’re looking for a special place to celebrate your graduation, Lanser Lake is an excellent choice.
While swimming in this alpine moor lake, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Tux Alps and do something good for your health at the same time. The moor water, which reaches temperatures of up to 21°C, is known for its skin-friendly properties. If you’re interested in joining a Shiatsu, Qigong, or yoga class, this is the place to be. For even more inspiration on slowing down and embracing a more mindful lifestyle, check out our article on Slow Living. If you prefer to sunbathe without tan lines, there’s also a designated nudist area.
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm from May to September (weather permitting)
Admission: Adults: €10 (day ticket) | €200 (season pass)
If you’re looking for a fun-filled day, Natterer Lake is the place to be. This holiday paradise is just a 40-minute bike ride from the STUWO student residence.
With an average water temperature of 22°C, Natterer Lake is more than just a bathing lake – it’s also part of a camping resort with a wide range of sports and leisure facilities, making it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway when you need a break from university life. At the heart of the resort is Tyrol’s largest aquapark, guaranteed to bring out your inner child! You want to bounce on the water trampoline, swing over the lake, play water polo, or perhaps take the kayak course right on the lake? Whatever you choose, adventure and fun are guaranteed!
And if you get hungry after all that action, you can recharge with a meal or a snack at the bar, restaurant, or pizzeria. Music lovers and night owls are in for a treat: From June to August, you can enjoy live music by the lake from 8:00 pm onwards. It’s the perfect place to spend nice, long summer evenings.
Opening Hours: Open year-round; admission fees apply during the summer months (swimming area open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
Admission: Adults: €5.50 (day ticket), Students: €4.00 (day ticket) | Season Pass: Adults: €65.00, Students: €45.00
Known locally as “Die Weißlahn,” this bathing lake is located in the Inn Valley, right next to the Inn Cycle Path in the village of Terfens. From the STUWO student residence, it’s about a 1.5-hour bike ride away. It’s a bit of a longer trip, but well worth the effort for those who enjoy cycling. In fact, there is no other bathing lake of this size and quality anywhere between Innsbruck and Schwaz that could compare.
As you swim through the crystal-clear mountain water, you can enjoy the stunning views of the Karwendel Mountains and the slopes of Kellerjoch. In addition to several floating docks, there’s also a small island in the middle of the lake, where you can swing into the refreshing water on a rope. The area has two spacious sunbathing lawns on the eastern and western sides of the lake, as well as beach volleyball, tennis, and football courts. There are also plenty of bike parking spaces available throughout the area.
Please note: Car parking comes with a fee (€3–€5).
Opening Hours: Daily in good weather from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm from May onwards
Admission: Adults: €5.00 (day ticket) | €60.00 (season pass)
Schlitters Natural Swimming Lake can be reached via the Inn Cycle Path at the entrance to the Zillertal Valley. This destination is best suited to active visitors, as it’s about a 2.5-hour bike ride from the STUWO student residence in Innsbruck. But after such a long ride, there’s nothing better than diving into the cool, refreshing water and swimming among water lilies and reed beds.
The small bathing lake is located right along the Zillertal Cycle Path and has everything you could want from a natural swimming lake: spacious sunbathing lawns, bathing docks, a beach volleyball court, and a lakeside bistro with a cosy sun terrace serving ice cream and refreshing drinks. There are also plenty of parking spaces for your bike available.
Opening Hours: Daily in good weather from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm from May to the end of August
Admission: Adults: €7.00 (day ticket) | €70.00 (season pass)
Located a little further west of Innsbruck, Mieming Bathing Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes near the city. Situated on the Mieming Plateau at an elevation of 860 metres, it’s a true hidden gem for anyone looking to escape the crowds at the lakes closer to Innsbruck. The drive from Innsbruck takes around 40 minutes by car, and you’ll be rewarded with a well-maintained lakeside facility, free parking, and breathtaking mountain views.
The lake has an average water temperature of 22°C and a maximum depth of 3.5 metres, making it ideal for less experienced swimmers and children. Four bathing docks and two swimming islands provide easy access to the water, while a spacious sunbathing lawn invites you to relax. If you want to stay active, you’ll find a beach volleyball court, a football pitch, several tennis courts, a Kneipp facility, and a water trampoline right by the lake. And if you get hungry, the Leuchtturm Restaurant, with its lakeside sun terrace, has you covered with culinary dishes. It’s open daily until 10:00 pm, so you can enjoy a meal or drink long after the swimming area has closed.
Admission: Free
Located in a shady mountain forest between Telfs and Seefeld, Möserer Lake sits at an elevation of 1,292 metres. As one of the most beautiful lakes near Innsbruck, it’s not only a fantastic place for a swim thanks to its pleasantly warm water, but also an excellent starting point for mountain biking and hiking. You can walk around the lake and explore its scenic surroundings in about 30 minutes. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of the nearby Lottensee and Wildmoossee. These are periodic lakes, meaning they naturally appear and disappear and are not always filled with water.
As Möserer Lake is located a little outside Innsbruck, we recommend travelling by car. Although you can’t park directly at the lake itself (parking is only available in the village), driving is still the easiest option. We wouldn’t recommend cycling, as there is no safe cycle path from Innsbruck to the lake. And let’s be honest, a 30-minute road trip with your fellow students is all part of the fun.
Admission: Free
Obernberger Lake may not be a classic bathing lake, but it is a stunning alpine lake with crystal-clear water in the Stubai Alps. Situated at an elevation of 1,600 metres, it’s a true natural gem in the heart of the Obernberger Tribulaun Nature Reserve. From the western shore, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Tribulaun Peaks.
The water in this alpine lake is extremely cold, so it’s not the ideal place for a long swim. Instead, dip your feet into the turquoise-green water and take in the breathtaking scenery.
To reach one of Tyrol’s most beautiful alpine lakes, you’ll first need to hike for about 30 minutes along a forest road, so don’t forget to wear sturdy walking shoes! Once you arrive, you can explore several scenic hiking trails around the lake, passing a chapel and a bridge along the way. As with Möserer Lake, we recommend travelling by car, as there is no safe cycle path from Innsbruck. You can reach the village of Obernberg in under an hour by car.
The bathing lakes in and around Innsbruck have something to offer everyone: from the city’s Rossau Lake and family-friendly destinations like Natterer Lake to peaceful alpine lakes such as Möserer Lake and Obernberger Lake. If you’re looking for a beautiful lake near Innsbruck and don’t mind a longer bike ride, Weißlahn Lake in Terfens and Schlitters Natural Bathing Lake are well worth the effort. Mieming Lake on the scenic Mieming Plateau is a little further afield, but definitely worth the trip.
In short, there’s a perfect swimming lake in and around Innsbruck for every kind of summer day. All that’s left to do is pack your swimwear! Grab your towel, sunscreen, swimsuit, sunglasses, a good book, and a few friends, hop on your bike or jump in the car, and set off to discover the most beautiful bathing lakes in and around Innsbruck.
If you’re looking for more inspiration on how to balance university life beyond taking a refreshing dip, be sure to check out our article on study-life balance. And if you enjoy weekend getaways, you’ll find even more tips on travelling on a student budget here.
Which is the most beautiful lake in Innsbruck?
That really comes down to personal preference. Lanser Lake is particularly popular for its alpine charm and stunning views of the Tux Alps, while Rossau Lake is the city’s only bathing lake. If you prefer a more natural setting, you’ll love Obernberger Lake, with its crystal-clear turquoise-green water at an elevation of 1,600 metres.
Is there a water park in Innsbruck?
Located 7 km southwest of Innsbruck the Natterer Lake is home to Tyrol’s largest aquapark, featuring a giant water slide, water trampoline, climbing iceberg, and a kayaking school. If you’d rather stay in the city, Tivoli Outdoor Pool also offers water slides and water play areas.
Which swimming lakes near Innsbruck are free to visit?
Möserer Lake (at 1,292 metres above sea level) and Obernberger Lake (at 1,600 metres) are both free to access. However, both are only easily reached by car and are best suited as natural excursion destinations rather than traditional bathing lakes, as they don’t offer facilities such as lifeguards or other visitor amenities.
Which is the warmest swimming lake in and around Innsbruck?
Among the lakes close to Innsbruck, Rossau Lake is one of the warmest, reaching temperatures of up to 25°C in midsummer. Natterer Lake is similarly warm, with average water temperatures ranging from 22°C to 25°C.
