Vienna not only captivates with its magnificent Art Nouveau gems and hip cafés, but also offers green oases of calm with the Danube and numerous parks. However, if that’s not enough nature for you and you feel drawn out of the city, the surrounding area also offers idyllic landscapes that invite you to recharge your batteries . Whether you’re in the mood for mountains, forests, or lakes, you can easily reach them all from Vienna. Lake Neusiedl is no longer an insider tip among excursion destinations , but it has a number of special features that make it unique in Austria.
Beyond national borders
Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland is Austria’s largest lake in terms of area – even though it also lies on Hungarian territory. It measures a total of 320 square meters, 230 of which are in our homeland. Despite its size, it is very shallow, with a maximum depth of just 1.80 meters, which is one of the characteristics of steppe lakes. It is the westernmost steppe lake on the Eurasian continent and one of only a few in Europe.
In fact, the water level of Lake Neusiedl is subject to strong fluctuations. It has no natural outlet and is fed almost entirely by precipitation. In spring, the water level is usually higher, whereas in August it is at its lowest. Because Lake Neusiedl is so shallow, it can freeze completely in very cold winters, making it possible to sail on ice and even ride a bike on the surface. In 2017, the ice surface lasted for a full six weeks. But of course, you can also enjoy sports on or around Lake Neusiedl at any other time of year , such as swimming, cycling, or paddling. Due to the rather windy weather conditions, the lake is also very popular for sailing.
Important reed bed
Lake Neusiedl is almost completely surrounded by reeds, making it the largest contiguous reed bed in Europe after the Danube Delta. Only at Podersdorf is there a 2-kilometer-long stretch of beach where no reeds grow. This makes it perfect for swimming, for example for visitors to Nova Rock.
Over the course of the 20th century, the reed belt spread further and further, now covering almost half of the lake’s surface, with almost 100 square kilometers of this on the Austrian side. This growth is due to the reduced salinity of the water as a result of fertilizers. On the one hand, the reeds are of particular importance for wildlife, as they provide a habitat for several species of birds. On the other hand, they can also be used as a raw material for roofing or thermal insulation, for example.
Your visit to Lake Neusiedl
Trips to Lake Neusiedl are worthwhile all year round. Whether for walking, playing volleyball, swimming, or relaxing, everyone can get a good dose of nature here. In summer, there are also several performances on the lake stage that you can attend in the open air. Lake Neusiedl is also surrounded by national parks on both the Austrian and Hungarian sides. Both the lake and the surrounding parks have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2001.
From Vienna, you can reach Neusiedl am See directly with the REX 64 towards Eisenstadt in about 45 minutes. So if you want to escape the city for an afternoon, this is the perfect opportunity.
