Where: Neusiedler See in Burgenland
How to get there: from Wien HBF to Neusiedl am See (40 min)
OK, so some say that the Neusiedlersee isn’t the most beautiful lake there is in Austria. Sure, there’s definitely lakes that are bluer and a bit more inviting to take a swim in, but hey, the Neusiedler See is really close to Vienna, and there’s plenty of reasons to visit it for a nature weekend getaway.
Let’s start with the wine – on the eastern shores of the lake, there’s a wine-growing region where some of Austria’s best drops are produced. You should definitely spend some time in the vineyards and Heuriger tasting the products of one of nature’s ever-giving fruits – the grape. All hail the might grape!
Listen up if you’re a foodie for the next tip – the modern take of a Heuriger, Gut Oggau, in the town of Oggau is a must visit. Just trust us on this one. Amazing place created inside a hundreds of year old winery.
If you want to live out your part-time image as a blonde beach babe surfy for a while, learn to wind surf on the lake. It’s actually considered one of the best lakes for wind surfing in Europe. Sailing is another popular water sport done here, along with stand up paddling. If you’re more the ‘reading a book on the shore while watching everybody else do these things,’ kind of person, there are plenty of so-called ‘beach areas’ where you can get comfy on a patch of grass and jump in when you’re feeling a little hot.
On land, the bike path encircling the lake makes for a very scenic (and flat) ride.
If we had to name one town on the lake to visit, we’d definitely direct you towards Rust. This town is packed with the looks and atmosphere of a mediterranean holiday town along its main street.
