The most beautiful bathing lakes in and around Innsbruck

Written by: Christina Pichler, 10.08.2020

 

Summer, sun, sunshine … The temperatures keep rising and you are wondering at which Tyrolean bathing lake you can cool off? You will be glad to hear that there are some amazing lakes in and around Innsbruck that you could dive into. We selected the most beautiful bathing and swimming lakes for you – and the best thing about that: you can cycle to most of them directly from the STUWO student residence.

Table of Content

1. Rossau quarry pond

Opening times: May to September daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (good weather)
Entrance fees: day ticket €3, season ticket €50, annual ticket €327.80

In the east of Innsbruck you will find the largest and only bathing lake located directly in the city: the Rossau Baggersee. A 53,000 m² sunbathing area with a bathing island, swimming jetty, two small bars and sports facilities awaits you after only 30 minutes by bike from the STUWO student dormitory.

Whether beach volleyball, badminton, streetball, bocca, chess, table tennis or mini golf, there is something to do for everyone. Sun worshipers who do not want to be so active can relax on the pebble beaches and enjoy the incredible view at the mountain panorama of the Nordkette.

The water temperature is as high as 25 degrees in summer and is therefore ideal for a very gentle cool off. As the “Haussee” of Innsbruck residents, the Innsbruck bathing lake offers everything you need for a perfect day of swimming. It’s close to the city and offers free parking spaces and bike racks! No wonder the lake is so popular. Almost 800,000 bathers were counted in 2019.

2. Lanser See

Opening times: May to September daily from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (good weather)
Entrance fees: Day ticket €7 (from 3 p.m. €5, – from 5 p.m. €4), season ticket €140

The Lanser See is located at the low mountain range above Innsbruck and is surrounded by forest. It is also only about 30 minutes by bike away from the STUWO student residence.

As a privately run bathing lake and event center, the small bathing paradise provides both cooling and relaxation, but also offers an idyllic event location for concerts and exhibitions with its international restaurant and loft.

Tip for your graduation party: If you are looking for a special place to celebrate properly, head to Lanser See.

While you are swimming in this alpine moor lake, you will have a good view of the Tux Alps and are also doing something for your health. Bathing in the moor water is very good for your skin. If you want to attend a Shiatsu, Qigong or yoga class, then you’ve come to the right place. Fans of nude bathing will also get their money’s worth at the private nudist area.

3. Natterer See

Opening times: mid-May to September daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (good weather)
Entrance fees: Day ticket € 7 (from 3 p.m. € 4), season ticket € 140

If you want to experience a “fun day”, then Natterer See is for you. Cycling to this holiday paradise will take you about 40 minutes. The lake with an average water temperature of 22 degrees is not only a bathing lake, but also part of a camping resort with numerous sports and leisure facilities.

The Natterer lake forms the center of the holiday complex with Tyrol’s most attractive aqua park for the child in you. How about a water trampoline, water swing, water polo or the kayak school right on the lake?

Action and lots of fun are guaranteed. And if you get hungry after all that action, you can strengthen yourself at the bar, the restaurant or at the pizzeria. To all music enthusiasts and night owls: From June to August, from 8 p.m., live music is also offered right on the lake. You can enjoy beautiful long summer evenings here.

4. Badesee Weißlahn

Opening times: accessible all year round, admission is charged only during summer
Entrance fees: day ticket €4.50, season ticket €50

“Die Weißlahn“, as the bathing lake is called by the Tyroleans, is located in the Inn Valley directly on the Inn Cycle Path in Terfens. From the student residence you can reach the bathing lake in about 1.5 hours by bike. A somewhat longer tour for sporty people, but the way is definitely worth it. There is no other bathing lake of this size and quality between Innsbruck and Schwaz.

While you swim your laps in the clean mountain water, you can enjoy the incredible panorama of the Karwendel Mountains and also see the flanks of the Kellerjoch. In addition to bathing jetties, there is also a small island in the middle of the lake, from which you can swing yourself into the cool water on a rope. There are two large sunbathing lawns east and west of the bathing lake, a beach volleyball, tennis and soccer field as well as plenty of parking around the area for your bike.

5. Naturbadesee Schlitters

Opening times: from May 1st, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Entrance fees: day ticket € 4, from 4 p.m. € 2, season ticket € 50

The Inn cycle path will take you to the Schlitters natural swimming lake at the entrance to the Zillertal. This excursion destination is definitely an option for the sporty ones because there are about 2.5 hours of bike path between the student dormitory in Innsbruck and Schlitters. But the long ride makes it even nicer when you reach your destination and you are finally able to jump into the cool water and take a swim next to water lilies and a belt of reeds.

The small bathing lake is located directly on the Zillertal cycle path and offers everything a natural bathing lake needs: large sunbathing areas, swimming jetties, a beach volleyball court and a lake bistro with a cozy sun terrace that provides you with ice cream and cool drinks. There is also enough parking space for your bike.

6. Möserer See

Entrance fees: free admission

The Möserer See lies between Telfs and Seefeld at 1,292 meters above sea level in a shady mountain forest. With its warm water temperature, the Möserer See is not only ideal for swimming, but also perfect for mountain bike and hiking tours.

It takes 30 minutes to explore the landscape around the Möserer See on foot. If you are lucky, the neighboring lakes Lottensee and Wildmoossee will also show up. These two lakes are a-periodic lakes that are not always filled with water.

Since the Möserer See is a bit outside of Innsbruck, we recommend that you travel by car. Even though you can’t park directly in front of the lake (only in the village), you shouldn’t ride your bike. There is no safe cycle path from Innsbruck to Lake Möserer See. And such a short road trip (30 minutes from Innsbruck) with your fellow students can also be really nice.

7. Obernberger See

Entrance fees: free admission

The Obernberger See is not only a bathing lake, but a real mountain lake with crystal clear water in the Stubai Alps. It is located at 1,600 meters above sea level and is a real jewel in the middle of the “Obernberger Triblaune” nature reserve. You can see the Triblaune peaks west of the shore. The water of the lake is very cold. The best thing to do is to just dip your toes in the turquoise-green water and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

But in order to get to one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Tyrol in the first place, you have to do a 30-minute hike over a forest road. Don’t forget your hiking boots. If you want to hike some more, there are also a couple of beautiful hiking trails around the lake.

At this lake, we recommend arriving by car as well, as there is no bike path from Innsbruck. You can reach Obernberg in under an hour by car.

Now it’s time to pack your swimwear and enjoy your summer in Innsbruck! Bring a towel, sunscreen, bikini, swimming trunks, sunglasses and a couple of friends with you, hop on your bike or in the car and off you go to the most beautiful bathing lakes in and around Innsbruck!

 

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