Mondsee: The prettiest Alpine lake of Austria

by - 4/15/2023


Austria is the land of Alpine lakes. These lakes are glacial, which means that the water is from the melting of the glacial snow and hence very cold! Also a majority of these water bodies freeze during the thick of winters. Thankfully, we visited this region during the autumn season and hence was not only able to appreciate their turquoise blue water but also took a dip in them!

While driving to Salzburg, we saw many "see" or lakes. A really big lake, infact the largest in Austria, Attersee was on our way. However we spotted a smaller one (as we could see the entire water body from the mountain top) with the most sparkling turquoise waters we had ever seen in our lives. It was Mondsee. It's in Upper Austria, Salzkammergut region. It was on our itinerary, depending on how much extra time we had in our hands. But mesmerized by its bird's eye view, we delayed it no more. We decided to drive all the way down, to explore and experience it; up, close and personal. 

We decided to encircle the lake, once we reached the ground level. There were various entry points to the lake. Some were private gates with yachts docked. We spotted one alley with a wooden pier and I was instantly fascinated. We parked the car and walked to the lake. 

It was surreal. The water was so clear that we could see its bed and the fish swimming there. And the surrounding greenery absolutely hypnotised me.

We then drove towards the beach. Supposedly, the beach area of Mondsee is very popular. After parking, we changed and straightaway ran into the middle of the water. I, being a complete water baby, couldn't hold my excitement anymore. It was 6 degrees in the morning at that time. And the water was FREEZING. The funny part is that Mondsee supposedly has the warmest water amongst all the lakes in Austria! Maybe because it's hardly much deep!

We were carrying croissants, fruits and juice for breakfast with us so we sat on the beach for a perfect picnic. There were people who were rafting, swimming, picnicking and basically enjoying the day. Lifestyle has to be learnt only from Europeans.

Since we were already tight on time plus we had spent way too much duration swimming (which was unplanned), we could not go to the Mondsee town. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous as an iconic Hollywood shooting site! Can you guess which one?

The Mondsee Abbey (church) is the place where Maria gets married to George Von Trap in the Sound Of Music! How romantic! The church has now turned into a popular place for weddings. There are numerous travel packages that include sightseeing of the town, the lake along with a lunch of Schnitzels and other Austrian delicacies.

Swimming in the freezing Mondsee, while being 5 months pregnant is one of the mosr daring adventures that I have done!

This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023 


This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with 
Zariya Healings.

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20 comments

  1. Wow such an awesome place and you guys look amazing.

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  2. Beautiful, as always! I love to see the pictures and the descriptions of the places you visit. It's like a beautiful story.

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  3. You have been to such lovely places in Europe. It's a dream vacation to drive around the beautiful continent. And must say, you are truly brave to jump into water being 5 months pregnant.

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  4. Perhaps beacuse of being a Piscean, destinations like the Mondsee lake attract me a lot! A heritage town nearby and a lovely picnic spot too. Great place for a swim and a snooze after a healthy meal.

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  5. Forget swimming Mandira... the fact that u were travelling so much while u were pregnant itself is daring to me 😀..Hats off to your zeal and passion. Such a beautiful place this one is...I could just sit where u are sitting all day n soak in the natural beauty around. So serene n so tranquil. Lovely pics again. If mondsee water is the warmest, I wonder how the others would be. 🥶🥶🥶
    - Kaveri

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  6. Amazing is what comes to my mind after seeing your pics and reading your post. Yes, Europeans really know how to enjoy life. I have not been to Austria but in Barcelona i saw them having a ball. I actually bookmark all ir blogs for future reference :)

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  7. Whaw what lovely clicks and the description is so tempting for a visit. The church got missed imagine the history sound of music scene of marriage was shot in that church.

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  8. It needs guts to travel when one is pregnant.. God blessed you with immense stamina to travel during this time. The location is picturesque and perfect for a photographer to get some cool captures. You are enjoying your life at the best and I wish you keep enjoying all through your life. Stay blessed and much love

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  9. Such a beautiful place is this. Amazing!! Mandira, forget about swimming! Just thinking how much you traveled while pregnant sends shivers down my spine! You've got a lot of guts and an unshakeable zeal for life. I can't help but admire your brave energy and enormous excitement.
    -Anjali (Messymom)

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  10. Reading your travelogues is always interesting. Seeing the clear waters in your post was so calming, looking forward to read many more of your adventures.

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  11. And your Austria adventure still continuous and I'm loving every bit of it! I never knew I'd be soo impressed of what Austria has to offer! Lovely scenery! Appreciate you sharing with us and I hope you continue to do so! - MommyWithAGoal

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  12. Enjoying the series, Mandira. Austria is so picturesque and Alpine Lake is no different. Absolutely love the Sound Of Music and visiting The Mondsee Abbey would be the cherry on top.

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  13. You are quite a traveler and I love reading your travelogues. Taking the trip being five months pregnant must have been an experience. Beautiful pictures as always. You are glowing.

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  14. wonderful, how the water would feel as it is formed from the melting of the snow. glaciers, greenery your words took me on a visit to the lake.

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  15. Oh wow! You got to see the Mondsee Abbey. The Sound Of Music has been a favourite of mine ever since I was a kid and this historic Benedictine monastery in Austria added its allure for fans of the musical when Maria and Captain Von Tropp get married in the unforgettable scene.
    The photos are breath taking beautiful and the views picturesque.

    Mandira,I want you to know that reading your travelogue is a captivating experience. It allows me to vicariously explore new places, learn about diverse cultures, and ignite a sense of wanderlust, all from the comfort of my own imagination and your description. Thank you ~ Dipali Bhasin

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  16. You posts are so nice and a virtual tour of sorts for those of us who haven't visited these places. Keep travelling & keep posting.

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  17. Every time I see your travel post I'm like I wanna go and your pictures make the places more tempting

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  18. Wait, before I tell you how mesmerized I am about know this lake, I would like to say, "Oh my God! Such pretty pictures!!" :) It's amazing that you decided to wait no more and visit the lake asap. Loved the little picnic you made out of this trip!

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  19. Wow! This is like reading an amazing story. Your detailing took me to the picnic spot and I could visualise each and every place you described here. And the pictures are breathtaking! Such a wonderful post.

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  20. Wow I would have never known you were pregnant just by looking at the pictures! Glad you have a lovely trip to Mondsee. The place looks gorgeous!
    Noor

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