Lake Neusiedl is the largest body of water near the city of Vienna. For this reason, it has earned the nickname “the Viennese Sea.” This area is a large nature reserve that serves as a recreational site during the summer months, especially for lovers of water sports and boating. Around the lake, there are lovely towns that you can visit during a day trip around the lake.
Archaeological findings in the area indicate that settlement around Lake Neusiedl began as early as the Neolithic period. Later, the area became popular during the Roman Empire, and there were several Roman villages, some of which have been partially preserved and are located on the Hungarian side of the lake.
Podersdorf am See
Today, there are many towns and villages around the lake, such as Donnerskirchen (where there are llama tours) or the town of Podersdorf am See, which serves as a central place for surfers and visitors to the lake. In this town, you will find a beautifully preserved windmill, considered one of the oldest in Austria.
Another notable place is the village of Rust, which has become famous throughout the region for being a major attraction for many storks. The villagers have placed nests on their roofs for the storks, and during the spring, you can see these impressive birds nesting on the rooftops.
The capital of the state of Burgenland, Eisenstadt, is also a short drive from the lake, making it possible to combine a visit to the impressive Esterházy Palace with a day of fun on the lake shore.
Although the lake is actually a protected nature reserve, it has also become a popular tourist attraction among local residents, especially for the people of Vienna. On the lake, you can go on pedal boats, go windsurfing, and also fish in designated areas. The weather conditions in this area are unique, and a strong wind blows around the lake for most of the year. For this reason, international windsurfing competitions are often held here.
Around the lake, there are places where swimming is allowed, as well as public pools for hot summer days. You can see all the swimming options here.
Other entertainment options a short drive from the lake are the luxurious St. Martins Spa, with its hot pools, saunas, and relaxation areas, and also the largest children’s amusement park in Austria.
Cycling Around the Lake
For cycling enthusiasts, there are about 29 bike paths in the entire lake area. You can rent bicycles in various places along the lake. A good option for those arriving by train is to rent a bike from the bike shop in the town of Neusiedl am See (located near the train station) and from there, set out for a ride around the lake. If you are in good shape, you can even circle the entire lake in one day – it is advisable to bring a passport as part of the route is in Hungary. If you are not interested in a strenuous ride, you can ride to the southern part of the lake to the town of Mörbisch am See and from there, take a ferry to the other side of the lake. You can take your bike on the boat and from the other bank, continue riding towards Podersdorf. Renting a bike for a day costs about €25 per person.
Lake Neusiedl from a bird’s eye view:
Essential Information for Visiting Lake Neusiedl
How to get to the lake by public transport from Vienna?
You can take a train from Vienna’s main train station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) to the train station in the town of Neusiedl am See, which is right next to the lake shore. The train journey takes about 40 minutes.
