Lake Neusiedl (German: Neusiedler See) is only a 40 mintue drive from Vienna in the Austrian state of Burgenland. It is the largest endorheic lake in Central Europe covering 315 square kilometers. Due to its location and easy accessability it is one of the most popular recreational areas for the Viennese and is often refered to as "Sea of the Viennese".
The lake offers ample opportunities for water sports such as swimming, paddling, windsurfing, kite surfing and sailing. Those that prefer to stay on dry land can do so by going on a bike tour around the lake or explore the area by foot. In the winter - when the lake freezes - it becomes one of Austria's largest outdoor ice skating areas.
Most of the lake's shoreline is surrounded by reeds which serve as a natural habitat for a diverse wildlife. In 2001 the National Park Neusiedler See - Seewinkel was accepted as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.
The landscape around the lake makes the area also an ideal photo location for landscape and nature photographers alike. The area offers numerous photo opportunities for scenic landscape shots.
While the area does get quite crowded during the summer months, it is a calm sanctuary during the winter. The calm shorelines and deserted beaches are perfect for a relaxing walk.
One of the most popular villages by the lake is Podersdorf on the eastern shore of the lake. Once a quaint little village, Podersdorf is now one of the local tourism centers. In the summer months you have to pay an entrance fee to gain access to the lake and the bathing facilities. However, during the winter months you can enjoy the shoreline free of charge.
Podersdorf is also home of the iconic lighthouse. The lighthouse is probably one of the most photographed and instagramed sights of the area. Catching a sunset at the pier had been on my bucket list for a very long time. When the sun slowly sets and paints the sky in all shades of orange, pink and purple, it creates a truly magical atmosphere.
I hope you enjoyed this little photo tour at Lake Neusiedl!
P.S. Prints of Lake Neusiedl will soon become available, so stay tuned!
