Lake Faak

Lake Austrian alpine lake known for clear waters and boating

Lake Faak (Faaker See) in Carinthia lies near Villach and offers swimming, boating and lakeside cycling routes; the shore hosts annual motorcycle gatherings and watersport events.

Main image

Lake Faak (Faaker See) is a lake in the Austrian state of Carinthia near the town of Villach. It is a popular regional destination for swimming and boating during the summer months.

The lake has clear, relatively warm water and a shoreline with public beaches, leisure facilities and small settlements such as Faak am See. Water sports, lakeside restaurants and walking paths are common visitor activities.

The lake is a natural Alpine/Pre-Alpine lake that has been used for recreation for many decades and functions as a local tourism and leisure resource.

Lake Faak lies a short drive south of Villach in Carinthia, within a landscape of wooded hills and other lakes in the Drau valley region.

  • Main access point: The lakeside village of Faak am See sits on the shore and provides the main public access, beaches and seasonal facilities for swimming and boating.
  • Recreational use: Popular in summer for swimming, sailing and lakeside festivals, with clear water and shallow warm areas attractive to families.
Lake Faak
Faaker See, Gemeinde Faak am See, Carinthia, Austria
46.5775, 13.9256

How to Get to Lake Faak #

From Villach, follow the B84 southeast for about 12 km to Faak am See (roughly a 15-20 minute drive). Regional buses connect Villach Hauptbahnhof to Faak am See in low numbers-check local timetables. If coming from the A2/E66 highway, take the Villach-Ossiacher See exit and follow signs for Faak am See.

Tips for Visiting Lake Faak #

  • Circle the lake on the walking path that hugs the shore: the best light for photos is late afternoon on the eastern side when the Karawanks catch the sun.
  • Avoid the weekend crowds in July and August by visiting at dawn or on a weekday; small cafés open early in Faak am See for coffee.
  • Rent a pedal boat from the northern shore to reach quieter coves where the water takes on an improbable turquoise.
  • If driving, use the B84 and park in Faak am See town; some lakeside hotels allow day-parking for a small fee.

Best Time to Visit Lake Faak #

Best visited late spring through early autumn for swimming, boating, and the clearest water. Peak summer brings crowds; aim for shoulder seasons to enjoy the lake's quieter moods.

Summer
June-August · 18-28°C
Warm water, boating and lakeside cafés at full throttle; the Austrian motorcycle meetups and local festivals happen in midsummer.
Late Spring
May-June · 10-20°C
Water still cool but the shorelines are quieter; wildflowers and chestnut trees near the lake begin to bloom.
Early Autumn
September-October · 8-18°C
A clear, crisp season with softer light and fewer tourists; ideal for walks and photographs of the surrounding ridges.

Weather & Climate near Lake Faak #

Climate

Lake Faak's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1214 mm/year), wettest in July.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
-27°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-7°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-5°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 23°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

131 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (139 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
12° 25°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
12° 24°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

123 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

121 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

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