Pure nature at our hotel near a national park in Austria: Lake Neusiedl

Name: NILS am See
Address: 7121
Telephone: +43 2167 434340
Price range: €€€ - €€€€
Rating: 4,4

The vast, open landscape of Burgenland stretches out before you – a living mosaic of wild meadows, salt lakes, meadows, wetlands, and sand dams. And at the heart of it all, Lake Neusiedl lies fringed with its iconic reed belt. A place that feels at once maritime and savannah-like. Surrounding the NILS am See, you’ll discover a natural jewel nestled between the foothills of the Alps and the Little Hungarian Plain: the Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park, one of the most extraordinary protected areas in Austria.

Sunset over a calm lake with flying bird and plants in the foreground

Step from our nature hotel in Austria directly into the national park

Ten thousand hectares of protected wilderness surround our hotel at this national park in Austria. The Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park is a truly unique habitat that is home to both common and rare species of flora and fauna. Thanks to its position at the crossroads of several landscape zones, this UNESCO World Heritage site boasts remarkable biodiversity. In fact, more than 348 bird species have been recorded here.

Close-up of a white sail and rigging on a sailboat on the water

How to explore the national park at Lake Neusiedl

Go solo on peaceful trails or join an expert-led tour – however you choose to explore, the national park at Lake Neusiedl will leave a lasting impression. Catch the sunrise as it rises above the reeds. Spot long-eared owls and countless other species while birdwatching. Or glide across Lake Neusiedl in an electric boat for a silent, sustainable experience. These are the moments that make your time at the NILS am See unforgettable.

Questions about Austria’s national parks?

Discover more here.

How many national parks are there in Austria?

Austria has six national parks: Hohe Tauern, Kalkalpen, Gesäuse, Donau-Auen, Thayatal, and Neusiedler See – Seewinkel. Together, they protect some 2,395 square kilometres, roughly 3% of Austria’s territory, and range from high-Alpine glaciers and limestone mountains to forests, river wetlands, and steppe landscapes. The NILS am See is located beside Lake Neusiedl, close to Austria’s only steppe national park – an extraordinary landscape of reeds, meadows, salt lakes, and rich birdlife.

What is the largest national park in Austria?

Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest national park in Austria. Extending across Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol, it covers approximately 1,856 square kilometres and is also the largest national park in the Alps. Its high-Alpine landscape includes more than 300 peaks that tower above 3,000 metres, glaciers, mountain lakes, and the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain. At the other end of Austria’s natural spectrum lies the Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park near the NILS am See: almost completely flat, shaped by water, reeds, meadows, and salt lakes rather than Alpine peaks.

What is the most beautiful area of Austria?

There is no official “most beautiful” area of Austria – the answer depends on the landscape you love. The Hohe Tauern impresses with dramatic peaks and glaciers, while the Danube wetlands, the forest wilderness of Kalkalpen, and the wild limestone scenery of Gesäuse offer entirely different experiences. For wide horizons, shimmering water, reed beds, salt lakes, and extraordinary birdlife, the Lake Neusiedl – Seewinkel region stands apart. The wider Fertő/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its distinctive interplay of nature and centuries of human land use. When you stay at the NILS am See, this quietly spectacular landscape becomes an integral part of your holiday.

Warum ist der Neusiedler See so braun?

Von Einheimischen liebevoll „Cappuccino-Lake“ genannt, hat der Neusiedler See eine milchig braune Farbe, ist aber keineswegs schmutzig. Die Trübung hat eine plausible Ursache: Als Steppensee enthält er Salz, das feine Mineralteilchen im Wasser in der Schwebe hält. Auf diesen Mineralteilchen sitzen salzliebende Bakterien, die absterbende Algen rasch zersetzen – so kann sich der See seit Jahrtausenden erhalten, ohne zu verlanden. Die Badewasserqualität ist dabei ausgezeichnet.

What are the top 5 national parks in Austria?

Austria has no official ranking of its national parks, and each of the six protects a very different landscape. Five especially distinctive choices are Hohe Tauern for glaciers and high-Alpine scenery, Neusiedler See – Seewinkel for its unique steppe landscape and migratory birds, Donau-Auen for free-flowing Danube wetlands, Kalkalpen for Austria’s largest forest wilderness, and Gesäuse for the rushing Enns river and dramatic limestone mountains. For guests at the NILS am See, the Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park is the natural place to start: birdwatching, cycling, walking, and solar-powered boat tours reveal an Austrian landscape far removed from the familiar image of mountains and glaciers.