Austria
Neusiedler See
Region
Europe's westernmost steppe lake is located in Burgenland, on the border with Hungary, and, at around 320 km², is Austria's largest lake.
by Felix Gillen
Europe's westernmost steppe lake is located in Burgenland, on the border with Hungary, and, at around 320 km², is Austria's largest lake. It is only one to two meters deep, fringed by reeds, and the heart of the Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park, one of Central Europe's most important bird sanctuaries.
A Steppe Lake on the BorderNeusiedler See is one of Europe's few steppe lakes, covering some 320 square kilometres and nowhere deeper than about two metres. A portion lies in Hungary, and nearly the entire lake is encircled by a wide reed belt, the largest contiguous reed area in Europe after the Danube Delta.National Park and Bird ParadiseSince 1993, the Neusiedler See–Seewinkel National Park has protected the landscape; since 2001, the region has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. More than 300 bird species are found here, about half of which breed at the lake.Places and ActivitiesRust: small free city with a harbour and stork nests on the western shore.Podersdorf: main tourist town with the only reed-free beach, about two kilometres long.Watersports: The prevailing north-westerly wind makes the lake popular with sailors, windsurfers and kitesurfers. Watch out for sudden gusts and storm warnings.
More places in Neusiedler See
The small free city on the western shore of Lake Neusiedl calls itself the 'City of Storks and Fine Wine': Storks nest on many roofs, and the sweet Ruster Ausbruch comes from the vineyards. Rust has been a royal free city since 1681; parts of the city wall and the Powder Tower from 1614 are preserved.
