Off into the water

// Off to the water - swimming possibilities for your dog

Your dog is a real water rat, but you haven’t found the right swimming spot where he is really welcome? We have looked around Austria for the most beautiful beaches for dogs and discovered a few great insider tips for you!

Whether your dog is a water rat or cautiously watches the other dogs romp in the water from the shore: Hot temperatures are best spent together by the water! But dogs are not allowed on many lakes in Austria, not to mention outdoor pools. So where to take your four-legged darling? Pack a towel, a LimuZZ muzzle for safety, a leash and treats and off you go to our swimming hotspots – or better yet, dogspots!

Dog beaches can be found in

Upper Austria

Danube beaches: Dogs can cool off in the Danube at the Danube beaches in Ottensheim or Wilhering, for example.
Gusen: At the dog run in St. Georgen, four-legged friends can plunge into the Gusen – without the need for a lead or muzzle!
Lake Hallstatt: Between Obertraun and Hallstatt at the so-called Landbettler there is a nice dog bathing area where you can go swimming together.
Mondsee: At Lake Mondsee between the villages of Plomberg and Scharfling there is free access to the lake with four-legged friends!
Traunauen near Ebelsberg: Just a kilometer’s walk from the Ebelsberg Traun bridge are beautiful gravel banks that invite you to linger.
Lake Traunsee: There is also a place on Lake Traunsee where you can splash around with your dog: right next to the regular bathing beach and the Altmünster sailing club.
Unterhimmler Au: In the nature reserve in Steyr there are many gravel banks and shady paths along the river – ideal for a walk and cooling off!
Weikerlsee/Mitterwasser: The Große Weikerlsee is a nature reserve where swimming is strictly prohibited. But nothing speaks against a nice round around the lake – because by the surrounding Au and the nearby Mitterwasser, a cooling (at least for the dog) is also possible here.

Vienna

Old Danube: Even in Vienna, nothing stands in the way of bathing fun with your dog. Next to the Angelibad near the U6 station “Neue Donau” is the dog bathing zone Ferdinand-Kaufmann-Platz.
Danube Island: There are two beautiful bays on the Danube Island (North Dog Beach and South Dog Beach) with lots of sand and shade. The places are easily accessible by public (don’t forget your muzzle!), but there is also a parking lot nearby.
Heustadlwasser: The almost two-kilometer-long area that runs through the Vienna Prater is quiet and offers many small bays. It is located near the Ernst Happel Stadium.
Hirschstetten: The Hirschstetten bathing pond is easy to reach by bus (line 85A or line 26) and you can easily go into the water together with your dogs!
Mühlwasser: Very idyllic, on the edge of the Lobau, you can spend the day in a bay on the Mühlwasser. The best way to get there by public transport is to take lines 92A, 93A, 95A or 96A.
Süßenbrunn bathing pond: This bathing pond belongs to the dogs – at least three quarters of it! At many small bays you can ideally go into the water, but there is also a large sunbathing area, a cottage with catering and a parking lot.

Lower Austria

Ebersdorfer See: At the Ebersdorfer See in Ober-Grafendorf leash is compulsory, but there is a separate dog zone.
Danube beach in Spitz on the Danube: Here there is a public stand where dogs are allowed.
Gmünd lido: In the natural bathing pond with sandy beach may be splashed with the four-legged friend without hesitation!
Weißenkirchen: Gently sloping sandy bays promise animal fun at the lido Weißenkirchen!
Pioneer Island near Klosterneuburg: Without exaggeration, the Pioneer Island is the South Sea near Vienna! There is a large beach on the Danube, sand and stones, lots of woodland – and lots of dogs! It is ideal to go into the water and there is parking on the street. Wow – simply gorgeous!

Carinthia

Reßnig bathing lake: you can spend a leisurely day here against the impressive backdrop of the Karawanken mountains. Away from the lido, there is a dog bathing zone on the western shore of the bathing lake. Lake Wörth between Pörtschach and Velden.
Lake Ossiach: The Messer lido on Lake Ossiach also has a separate dog bathing beach with access to the lake.
Forstsee: The circular route around the Forstsee is a little adventurous – but at many bays you are completely alone and can enjoy the peace and quiet. Together with the dog you can swim and splash here. The Forstsee is located in the municipality of Techelsberg on Lake Wörth between Pörtschach and Velden.

Salzburg

Mattsee: Dogs are allowed outside the public bathing areas and lidos.
Wallersee: The same applies to the Wallersee. At Seehotel Winkler in Neumarkt, dogs are also allowed at the hotel’s own swimming area on the Wallersee, even if the owners do not spend their vacation there.
Lake Zell: Dogs are welcome outside the public lidos and bathing areas on many stretches of shore. The large natural lake offers plenty of space and beautiful views.
Prebersee (Lungau): The high moorland lake in Lungau is an insider tip for dog owners – dogs are allowed to swim here, but the water is quite fresh.
Krummschnabelsee (Obertauern): The highest bathing lake in Europe is also accessible to dogs and offers an impressive mountain backdrop. However, the temperatures are more suitable for hardened four-legged friends.
Königsseeache (south of the city of Salzburg): The Königsseeache south of Salzburg is a popular, natural stretch of river where dogs are allowed in the water.
Ritzensee (Saalfelden)
At Ritzensee in Saalfelden, dogs are not allowed in the public bathing area of the moor bathing lake – a quiet place with a natural ambience.
Lake Obertrum (freely accessible areas)
Dogs are allowed in a few freely accessible areas on Lake Obertrum, but not in the lidos. Many sections are private property or nature reserves, so pay attention to the signs.

Tyrol

Altsee: There is no public lido at the Altsee near Reutte, so you can swim anywhere with your dog!
Blindsee: Turquoise water, fantastic mountain panorama: what more could you want? In the Blindsee at the Fernpass you are also allowed to swim together with your dog. But you have to pay for the toll road that leads to the lake.
Durlaßboden reservoir: In the mountain lake on the Gerloßpass, nothing stands in the way of bathing fun with your dog. Good to know for the surfer dogs: There is also a rental shop here with standup paddling equipment.
Seefeld: Dogs are very welcome above the Zirler Berg and especially at the “Strandperle” restaurant.
Lake Uri: Clear, blue water and free and permitted bathing for people and dogs – Lake Uri is simply fantastic!
Achensee: At Lake Achensee, the largest lake in Tyrol, dogs are welcome on almost all sections of the shore. The fenced-in dog bathing beach between Maurach and Pertisau is particularly popular, offering shallow entrances and plenty of space for four-legged friends.
Walchsee : At Walchsee, the warmest bathing lake in Tyrol, there is a designated dog bathing beach on the eastern shore. Dogs are only allowed in the water on this beach; admission is usually inexpensive and a good investment for a relaxing day of swimming.
Obernberger See (Stubai Alps): Lake Obernberg is located at 1,600 meters above sea level and can be reached via an easy hike. Dogs are allowed and the mountain backdrop makes for a special swimming experience.

Burgenland

Biotope Heiligenbrunn
Dogs are also allowed here!
Tauchenbach in Schlaining
The dogs can cool off in this river.

Vorarlberg

Lake Constance
There is a beach on Lake Constance between Bregenz and Lochau where four-legged friends are also allowed.

Styria

Lake Altaussee
Dogs are allowed, but out of consideration for other bathers they are welcome, but should be avoided in public bathing areas with large crowds.
Großlobming
There is a separate dog bathing area near the campsite in Knittelfeld.
Grundlsee
In principle, you are allowed to take your dog to Grundlsee, but there are a few exceptions where dogs are not allowed: in the outdoor pool, in the leisure center, in the park and at the public bathing areas.
Murfeld
At the Auwiese dog meadow near Graz, there is a bathing pond where dogs can also cool off.

Is muzzling compulsory on the dog beach?

As a rule, there is no general muzzle requirement on dog beaches in Austria. However, the regulations may vary depending on the region or specific beach. It is important to find out about the local regulations before visiting a dog beach. In many cases, it is recommended to carry a muzzle, especially if your dog is not well socialized or has shown aggressive behaviour in the past. Configure muzzle now!

Are dogs allowed to run free on the dog beach?

Yes, dogs are generally allowed to run free on dog beaches as long as they are well behaved and do not bother other visitors. Many dog beaches are fenced in or offer enough space for dogs to play and swim safely. However, it is important to observe the leash requirement, which may apply in certain areas or at certain times. Make sure your dog responds well when called to ensure everyone’s safety.