Lake Achensee (Austria) is one of the country's largest and most picturesque bodies of water and a popular family and children's resort. The bright blue lake is about 450 km from Vienna. It is located in the Tyrol region around the city of Innsbruck, between the Karwendelberg and Brandenberg mountains. The reservoir has a maximum depth of 133 metres and a total area of 7 km2. The height of the surrounding mountains reaches up to 2,000 metres.
The crystal clear water creates the illusion of the reservoir's infinite depth, which is only enhanced by the surrounding scenery. Interestingly, the locals call it the Tyrolean Sea.
This is no place for water sports enthusiasts, as all boats, scooters, motor boats and other forms of motorised transport are banned in order to preserve the perfect purity of the water, which is even drinkable. Only environmentally friendly sailing boats can be seen on the lake.
They take people to the "sea" for recreation and competition — there are many sailing clubs in the area that regularly hold regattas and other water-based events. Anyone can learn to sail — local instructors offer express courses to the highest international standards.
Windsurfing and scuba diving are equally popular, which is not surprising given that the bottom of the lake can be seen down to 10 metres, and thick wetsuits allow you to ignore the low water temperature. In fact, only the most hardened will be able to swim in the lake, as the water temperature never rises above 20 degrees Celsius. However, this doesn't deter tourists from northern countries.
Another popular local attraction is the eco-drive on Jönbach, a steam-powered tram ride. The open carriages offer a chance to admire the pastoral scenery along the way. The shores of the lake are also a popular picnic spot for tourists and the Tyroleans themselves.
If you look at Lake Achensee on a map, you can see several settlements around it. These are the nearby villages of Pertisau, Maurach or Achenkinch, which seem toy-like with their neat whitewashed buildings, clean courtyards, peaceful everyday life and idyllic scenery.
You can admire the local fauna — roe deer, deer and chamois abound in the woods — while touring the protected area around Achenkinch. For some spiritual nourishment and peace and quiet, visit the local church of St John the Baptist.
Pertisau has an interesting zoo and the Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity. If you decide to take a trip to the village of Maurach, you can sample and even buy spirits at the distillery. Natural attractions include the local waterfall and St Mary's Catholic Church.
For those who want to venture further afield, there is a special route to Verona in Italy.
In winter, families flock to Lake Achensee in Austria for skiing. The resort offers several comfortable slopes of varying difficulty. Lifts are located near the hotels, so children and adults alike should have no trouble getting up the slopes. You don't have to worry about queuing to use the lifts, as is the case in some resorts — Achensee has 40 lifts!
Achensee is beautiful in winter and no less so in summer. In spring and summer, cycling is very popular in the resort, which attracts amateurs and professionals alike with its well maintained cycle paths and contrasting scenery.
The reserve is popular with travellers who prefer a quiet family holiday with children. There are many comfortable and quiet hotels along the coast, with accommodation to suit all budgets. There are a total of 140 hotels and guesthouses.
The Achensee offers a wide range of sports, leisure and wellness activities throughout the year. There are even two golf courses within the resort. The region's clean air and harmonious landscape were once appreciated by many Austrian emperors and aristocrats who came here for rest and recuperation.
If you are still thinking about coming to Achensee, the reviews will put all your doubts to rest. The area is officially recognised as a highly rated and trusted holiday destination for families and children. This is thanks to the extensive and varied children's programme. Some of the hotels have rooms specially equipped for the little ones.
