6 Great Places for a Summer Day

Summer in Graz can get hot – but luckily, there are plenty of places to cool down without travelling far.

Some swimming spots are right in or around the city and are easy to reach by bike or public transport. Others make for a great half-day or full-day trip into the Styrian countryside.

And thanks to the new Koralmbahn, even Carinthia has become surprisingly close: the fastest trains now take only 41 minutes from Graz to Klagenfurt, making Lake Wörthersee a realistic option for a spontaneous summer day trip.

Here are six of our favourite places to go swimming from Graz – whether you prefer travelling by bike, train, public transport or car.

1. Tieber See – a lake trip north of Graz

Best reached by: Bike, car or public transport

Tieber See is located near Röthelstein, around 25 kilometres north of Graz. Surrounded by wooded hills and mountains, the lake already feels much further away from the city than it actually is.

There are spacious lawns, shady areas, sports facilities, a playground and places to get food and drinks, making it a good option if you want to spend several hours by the water.

HOW TO GET THERE:

By bike:
For sporty cyclists, Tieber See makes a great day trip from Graz. Head north through the Mur valley, with much of the route following the Mur Cycle Path.

By car:
The drive takes roughly 30 minutes from Graz in the direction of Frohnleiten and Röthelstein.

By public transport:
It is also possible to travel towards Röthelstein by public transport, although the connection is less straightforward than to destinations such as Wildon. We recommend checking the current route in the ÖBB or BusBahnBim app before leaving.

ADMISSION?
Yes. Admission is charged for access to the swimming area.

2. Wildoner Badesee – probably the easiest lake
without a car

Best reached by: Train, bike or car

South of Graz, Wildoner Badesee is one of the most convenient swimming lakes for a day trip.

The lake lies directly below the green Wildoner Schlossberg and offers large lawns, swimming areas, a playground, beach volleyball and other leisure activities.

Its biggest advantage, however, is how easy it is to reach from Graz without a car.

HOW TO GET THERE:

By train:
Take the S5 from Graz to Wildon. The train journey takes around 25 minutes. From Wildon railway station, it is only about a 10-minute walk to the lake.

By bike:
Follow the Mur Cycle Path R2 south from Graz. The route passes directly by the lake, making Wildon particularly attractive if you want to combine swimming with a bike ride.

By car:
The drive from Graz takes approximately 25–30 minutes.

ADMISSION?
Yes. An adult day ticket currently costs around €6.

3. Bad Straßgang – the quick option inside Graz

Best reached by: Public transport or bike

If you only have a free afternoon and do not want to leave Graz, Bad Straßgang is one of the easiest choices.

The outdoor swimming area is located in the south-west of the city and offers plenty of green space for swimming, relaxing and escaping the heat without organising a full day trip.

HOW TO GET THERE:

By public transport:
Bus line 62 stops directly at “Bad Straßgang”, making this one of the easiest swimming spots to reach without a car.

By bike:
Depending on where you start in central Graz, the ride takes approximately 25–35 minutes.
Bad Straßgang is particularly useful if you want to go swimming after sightseeing, work or a day in the city.

ADMISSION?
Yes. In 2026, an adult day ticket costs approximately €8.90.

4. Weihermühle – a natural swimming lake close to Graz

Best reached by: Car, bike or public transport

The Weihermühle is located near Gratwein-Straßengel, north-west of Graz.

At the centre of the swimming area is a large natural lake surrounded by lawns and trees. There is also a water slide, children’s area, beach volleyball and food and drink available on site.

It is a good compromise if you want a natural swimming experience without travelling too far from Graz.

HOW TO GET THERE:

By car:
The drive takes around 20–30 minutes from Graz.

By bike:
You can cycle north from Graz towards Gratwein, with much of the journey following the Mur. From there, continue west towards Weihermühle.

By public transport:
Public transport connections are available towards Gratwein and Hörgas. Depending on the connection, the final part of the journey may require a short walk.

ADMISSION?
Yes. In 2026, an adult day ticket costs approximately €7.

5. Leopoldsteinersee – cold water, mountains and one of the best views

Best reached by: Car

The Leopoldsteinersee near Eisenerz is the furthest Styrian destination on our list – but probably also the most spectacular.

Do not expect warm water here. Even during summer, the lake is refreshingly cool, making it especially appealing on very hot days.

What really makes the Leopoldsteinersee special, however, is the scenery. The deep green water is surrounded by forests, steep limestone cliffs and mountains, creating one of the most beautiful swimming panoramas in Styria.

If you have enough time, combine your swim with a walk around the lake. The circular route is around four kilometres long and offers several beautiful viewpoints along the way.

HOW TO GET THERE:

By car:
Allow approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Graz. Drive north towards Leoben and continue via Vordernberg and Präbichl towards Eisenerz.

For this destination, travelling by car is clearly the most convenient option from Graz.

ADMISSION?
Swimming is free. There is no entrance fee for the lake itself. Parking is charged separately.

Our tip
Take a walk around the lake first and jump into the water afterwards.
The combination of refreshingly cold water and the spectacular mountain panorama is what makes the Leopoldsteinersee worth the longer journey.

6. Lake Wörthersee – take the Koralmbahn to Carinthia

Best reached by: Train

This is probably the most surprising option on our list.

Thanks to the Koralmbahn, Klagenfurt and Lake Wörthersee have become realistic destinations for a day trip from Graz.

The fastest trains take just 41 minutes from Graz Hauptbahnhof to Klagenfurt Hauptbahnhof, without changing trains.

That means you can leave Graz in the morning and be swimming in one of Austria’s most famous lakes shortly afterwards.

There are two particularly good options.

Which swimming spot should you choose?

If you just want a quick swim without leaving Graz, for instance, you should choose Bad Straßgang because it is located directly in the south-west of the city.

However, if you are travelling without a car, Wildon is undoubtedly the easiest option. Simply take the train, walk for around ten minutes, and you are already at the lake.

On the other hand, if you want to combine swimming with a bike ride, Wildon, Tieber See, and Weihermühle are all excellent destinations.

For those looking for the most impressive scenery, head instead to Leopoldsteinersee. The water is cool, but on a hot summer day, that is actually part of the appeal. Furthermore, if you have a full day available, you can take advantage of the Koralmbahn and head straight to Lake Wörthersee. Indeed, being able to travel from Graz to Klagenfurt in only 41 minutes has completely changed what counts as a nearby day-trip destination.

Therefore, pack a towel, sunscreen, and some water – and choose your direction!

Please note: Opening hours, admission prices, and public transport schedules can change. Therefore, we recommend checking the respective swimming area and current ÖBB or BusBahnBim connections before your trip.

Staying in Graz?

If you are looking for a comfortable place to stay while exploring Graz and its surroundings, Remotehome offers fully furnished apartments in central Graz for stays from a few days to several months.

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Explore Graz like a local.

There is so much to see in Graz, from the historic Schlossberg to the “City of Design” landmarks. To make sure you don’t miss the best spots, check out our blog posts below. We’ve listed our favorite restaurants and hidden gems, all recommended by locals like us!

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