Waterside Accommodation: Holiday Spots next to Rivers, Lakes and Streams

Guests at the Rosenhof can enjoy wonderful views of the Thiersee lake from their balcony or from one of the wicker beach chairs overlooking the water. The Rosenhof offers direct access to the lake from each holiday apartment. Popular activities include rowing and swimming as well as hiking in the mountains. The family-friendly apartments sleep up to five people.

What better place to relax than in a sizzling sauna or a bubbling whirlpool overlooking Lake Achensee? The Fürstenhaus in Pertisau is located next to Tirol's largest lake and, as such, offers a wide range of water-based activities such as swimming, boating, water skiing, etc. The lake is surrounded on all sides by the craggy peaks of the Karwendel and Rofan Mountains. After a long hike, head to the sauna to relax those muscles ready to do it all again the next day!

With the mighty Fernstein Castle above and the emerald-green waters of the lake below, the Hotel Schloss Fernsteinsee provides a truly princely setting. This nature resort spread over 280,000 square metres offers a wide selection of outdoor activities including boating, stand-up paddling, scuba diving and hiking on the island in the middle of the lake. The castle itself is perched at 1,000 metres above sea level near the village of Nassereith, not far from the Fernpass connecting Austria with Germany. This part of Tirol is also home to several stages of the Via Claudia Augusta, a long-distance hiking trail along a former Roman road.

A private garden, direct access to the lake, a sauna overlooking the water – what more could you want? The new Alpenhotel on the Schwarzsee lake near Kitzbühel is the ideal setting for a relaxing break. It comprises the main hotel building as well as a the Lakeside Lodge and Steghaus offering exclusive rooms and suites with plenty of alpine charm. There is excellent walking and hiking in the surrounding mountains, while the nearby town of Kitzbühel is well worth a visit too.

Start the day the right way at the Isarlodge Wiesenhof with a hearty breakfast overlooking the Isar river. Full of energy for the day ahead, visitors can then head out into the Karwendel Nature Park for hiking, mountain biking and lots of other activities – far from the stress of daily life. We recommend a visit to the Gleirschklamm gorge, a bike ride to the source of the Isar or a hike along the Karwendel High Trail.

The Stilluppbach is a mountain stream which feeds a large reservoir next to the Stillupperhaus in the Zillertal Valley. This alpine guesthouse offers guests the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and simply relax in a stunning alpine setting. The rooms are simple and functional. There is also the option of staying in a converted mountain hut. Activities include hiking, mountain biking and visiting the many huts in the surrounding area serving hearty local food.

Featuring lots of natural pinewood and other materials sourced from the area, the Hotel Lechzeit is a four-star hotel situated in the village of Elmen in the Lech Valley. Its location on the banks of the Lech river, one of the few river landscapes in Europe to have been maintained in its natural state, makes the hotel the ideal starting point for walks and bike rides by the water. Inside the hotel there is a spa and a selection of cosy rooms.

Just a few metres from the Plansee lake, the Forstchalet is a more than 250-year-old building which today houses two large and modern holiday flats sleeping either six or eight guests. The lakeside location is super-sunny and the mountain stream rushing past outside makes for a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

What better way to start the day than waking up and stepping out onto your balcony to watch the mist swirling around the Wildsee lake slowly give way to the warm summer sun? The Haus Wildsee is located on the shores of the Wildsee lake in Seefeld and offers seven holiday apartments sleeping up to four people. Each has a balcony or terrace, overlooking either the lake or the forest. Popular activities in the surrounding area include Nordic walking and hiking.

The LaPosch Almvillen in Biberwier is a place where guests can dive straight from their private terrace into the crystal-clear waters of the Kristallsee lake. The villas comprise two floors and have been built in the typical chalet style with lots of pinewood and stone. Each features a private sauna. Villas range between 115 and 150 square metres floor space. The surrounding mountains offer lots of activities – if you can tear yourself away from the lake!

The Stuibenfall waterfall which gives the Gasthof Stuibenfall its name is the highest waterfall in Tirol and tumbles 159 metres down two rocky outcrops, spraying visitors with a fine mist on its way down. This spectacular natural phenomenon can be found in the Ötztal Valley and is easily accessible thanks to a walkway with handrails. The Gasthof Stuibenfall itself is located just a short walk from the waterfall, in Niederthai, and is a good basecamp if you wish to explore the valley. Visitors can choose from classic guest rooms and new chalets.