Carinthia’s third-largest lake lies directly below the Gerlitzen. In Sattendorf we let two holiday apartments in the same house – the Ossiachersee apartment on the ground floor and the Gerlitze apartment on the upper floor, both with a balcony and views of the lake and mountains.
One bedroom with a 1.80 m double bed, living room with corner sofa and TV
Bedroom with double bed and single bed, living room with corner sofa
A holiday at Lake Ossiach means lidos, the cycle path around the lake, sailing and stand-up paddling in summer, plus Landskron Castle, the Monkey Mountain and Ossiach Abbey – and the Gerlitzen right above the lake in winter. Our two holiday apartments in Sattendorf on Lake Ossiach suit beach holidays, family holidays, short breaks for two and business trips to Villach.
The four seasons differ markedly here. Choose when you are coming.
Austria's best-known carnival, at the end of February.
The valley station is in Annenheim, straight into the ski area.
The shore path is walkable in winter too and usually free of snow.
In cold winters some bays freeze over – please observe local safety notices.
Thermal water a few minutes away.
Villach, Feldkirchen and the villages around the lake.
Lake Ossiach rarely freezes. The small Aichwaldsee is considered the most reliably frozen lake nearby – please follow local notices.
From Annenheim to 1,440 metres. Cleared winter paths and a toboggan run wait at the top, skis or no skis.
Two show mines inside the mountain above Villach – entry by pit railway and a slide into the rock. The plan for grey days.
In March both fit into one day: skiing up on the Gerlitzen, sitting in the sun by the lake. Ten minutes of cable car lies between them.
Twenty-five flat kilometres around the lake. In April you have it almost to yourself; in July you share it.
The restored wetland at the eastern shore is a spring stopover for migrating birds. You can watch them from the Tiebel estuary trail without binoculars.
The lake warms slowly. In May the brave go in; in June everyone else follows.
At 501 metres the year starts well before the mountains. While snow still lies above, everything is in bloom here.
The short, deliberately unhurried walking routes around the lake are at their best in spring – cool enough to walk, warm enough to sit.
Thermal water straight out of the mountain. The obvious alternative in spring, while the lake is still too cold.
The best-known work of contemporary Carinthian architecture, listed since 2012. Visits as announced by the operator.
The ruin above the lake opens for the season in spring; the monkey mountain lies at the foot of the castle hill.
Lidos and public lake access points all around the shore.
The route around the lake is largely flat and family-friendly.
Hire and courses at several points on the shore.
From a flat boardwalk over the moor to the climb up the Gerlitzen.
Carinthischer Sommer at Ossiach Abbey, the Landskron castle arena, the Villach Kirchtag.
Monkey mountain, eagle arena, show mines, Minimundus.
MS Ossiach and MS Gerlitze link the villages around the shore in summer – the lake seen from the water.
An events ground right by the water, with waterski shows after dark in summer.
Over 150 exercises at various heights, plus treehouses and a 500-metre adventure trail for smaller children.
In September the lake is often warmer than the air. Swimming usually works until the end of the month, in good years longer.
In early September the whole region gets considerably louder. If you want quiet, plan before or after.
In autumn the abbey and its surroundings host stalls and exhibitions. Not a fairground – more a long afternoon.
From mid-September the loop grows quiet. The wine taverns are still open and the car parks are empty again.
When you can see nothing in the morning, take the Kanzelbahn. Above 1,000 metres the fog ends.
Autumn air is clear. From the promenade you can see the Julian Alps, which vanish in the summer haze.
Above the northern shore the Finsterbach drops over several steps. A shaded walk, in autumn straight through the leaves.
Near St. Urban, hard to spot from a distance. A quiet crag away from the better-known spots.
The short boardwalk through the Bleistätter Moor is at its quietest in autumn – birds, beavers and a wide view of the eastern shore.
Sights, attractions and experiences – sorted by distance, from the doorstep to a full day out.
Carinthia's third-largest lake, framed by the Gerlitzen to the north and the Ossiach Tauern to the south. In high summer the water reaches pleasant swimming temperatures.
Show on mapThe circular route runs almost entirely level along the shore, linking Annenheim, Sattendorf, Bodensdorf, Steindorf and Ossiach.
Show on mapPublic lidos can be found in St. Andrä, Bodensdorf, Steindorf and Annenheim among others – some with lawns, diving boards and a kiosk.
Show on mapSailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddling, pedalos and electric boats – hire stations are spread around the lake.
Show on mapFrom Annenheim, Carinthia's oldest cable car runs up to 1,440 m, and the summit lift continues to 1,911 m. From lake to panorama in a good half hour.
Show on mapThe castle ruin stands on a rocky cone roughly 135 metres above the lake. In the eagle arena, eagles, falcons, vultures and owls take to the air; there is a terrace and restaurant as well.
Show on mapJapanese macaques live here in a large stretch of forest which visitors walk through with a guide – a destination that also attracts researchers.
Show on mapThe former Benedictine abbey with its baroque church sits on the southern shore. In summer it is the main venue of the Carinthischer Sommer music festival.
Show on mapA restored wetland with boardwalks and viewing points: birds, beavers, bats and butterflies. Flat and quiet.
Show on mapAbove the northern shore the Finsterbach drops over several steps – a shaded walk that is welcome on hot days.
Show on mapThe best-known work of contemporary Carinthian architecture by Günther Domenig, listed since 2012. Open to visitors between May and October.
Show on mapOld town, main square, weekly market, the Villach carnival and the Warmbad thermal spa – the city lies at the western end of the lake.
Show on mapThermal water straight from the mountain – the dependable plan for rainy days.
Show on mapAustria's southernmost bathing lake, known for its turquoise water, against the backdrop of the Mittagskogel.
Show on mapA small town with a historic centre to the north, plus quiet cycle routes through the Tiebel valley.
Show on mapThe regional capital with Minimundus, the Lindwurm fountain, the lido and the lake promenade.
Show on mapTwo show mines in the mountain above Villach – entry on the pit railway and a slide into the tunnel.
Show on mapFrom the three-country corner, Tarvisio, the Predil Pass and Kranjska Gora are all comfortably doable in a day.
Show on mapAn events ground right by the water, with water-ski shows after dark in summer.
Show on mapThe lake from the water: in summer the boats connect the villages around the shore and combine well with a bike ride.
Show on mapSeveral operators around the lake; beginners’ courses take place right on the water.
Show on mapFive minutes’ walk from the centre of Ossiach: over 150 exercises plus treehouses and a 500-metre adventure walkway among the trees.
Show on mapBarely visible from a distance – only the pavilion above gives it away. A quiet crag away from the lakeside promenade.
Show on mapLake Ossiach hardly ever freezes over. The small Aichwaldsee, by contrast, is considered the most reliably frozen lake in the region – for skating in winter.
Show on mapOne of Austria’s major music festivals since 1969: classical, jazz and crossover in the abbey church and at other venues around the lake.
Show on mapOne of Europe’s largest motorcycle gatherings, held every September. If you prefer things quiet, plan your stay outside that week.
Show on mapLifts, opening times, events and weather – straight from the mountain railways and tourist boards.
These places belong to the region – useful when you are planning or looking for an address.
Mountains or lake – all bookable directly with the host, no portal fees.
Four holiday apartments at Kanzelhöhe – skiing, paragliding, mountain biking and panoramic views over Lake Ossiach.
Chalet Haus Murmeltier with tiled stove (up to 7 guests) and the Almzeit chalet apartment with private sauna (up to 8 guests) – close to the slopes, mountain lakes and stone pine forest.
Emy-Lou apartment: 65 m² with two bedrooms for up to six guests – quiet in Maria Saal, close to Klagenfurt, Lake Wörthersee and the airport.
Lake Ossiach is Carinthia’s third-largest lake: eleven kilometres long, around 25 kilometres of shoreline, up to 26 degrees in high summer. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment at Lake Ossiach is usually looking for exactly that – short walks to the water and no drive home over the mountain road in the evening.
We have two holiday apartments in the same house in Sattendorf: the Ossiachersee apartment on the ground floor (approx. 62 m², for two people) and the Gerlitze apartment on the upper floor (66 m², for up to three people) – both with a balcony, lake and mountain views and a bathtub. Neither is a holiday house by the lake in the classic sense – instead you stay quietly above Sattendorf with a view of the lake, just a few minutes’ drive from the shore.
A flat cycle path runs right around the lake and combines well with a trip on the MS Ossiach or MS Gerlitze. In winter the lake usually stays ice-free, but the Gerlitzen Alpe is ten minutes away – up by cable car, down by piste. Villach, with its station and motorway junction, lies at the western end; Feldkirchen to the north.
Lake Ossiach hardly ever freezes and reaches up to 26 degrees in high summer. The two facts are connected: the climate here is milder than the altitude suggests, because the Ossiacher Tauern to the south and the Gerlitzen to the north keep the wind out.
In spring you are three weeks ahead of the mountains. While snow still lies above, the loop around the lake is already rideable – 25 kilometres, flat, and in April almost without oncoming traffic. Migrating birds stop at the Bleistätter Moor on the eastern shore.
In summer everything happens on and in the water. Sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddling, wakeboarding, plus lidos and shallow shoreline at Ossiach and Bodensdorf for families with small children. When it gets too busy, take the Kanzelbahn up – it is ten degrees cooler and considerably emptier.
In autumn the water holds its warmth longer than the air. Swimming usually works until the end of September. Then it grows quiet: the cycle path returns to the locals, the air clears, and from the promenade you can see the Julian Alps that vanish in the summer haze. One exception is the European Bike Week in early September, when the whole region gets noticeably louder.
In winter the lake stays open, but the Gerlitzen is ten minutes away. You live by the water and ski anyway. For skating, people move to the nearby Aichwaldsee – considered the most reliably frozen lake in the region.
Swimming, cycling and day trips between the Gerlitzen and Villach
Enter your dates – the booking calendar opens with free dates and the price for Lake Ossiach.
See live availability and prices in the booking calendar. You book directly with the host – no portal fees, personal service from your first question to departure. We answer questions by email or phone, usually the same day.
LuxescapeUsually replies within an hour
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