Location
Austria
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
June to September
About FKK-Dechantlacke
The Dechantlacke is a small, Danube-fed backwater lake hidden in the floodplain forest of the Obere Lobau, in Vienna's 22nd district (Donaustadt), inside the Vienna section of the Donau-Auen National Park. To protect the park's plants and wildlife, swimming in the Obere Lobau is allowed only at a few designated spots, and the Dechantlacke is one of them, alongside the Panozzalacke. The lake has a small island that is especially popular with nude bathers, and Vienna media have long listed it among the city's natural nude-bathing spots. It is not a formally designated FKK zone: sources differ on the mix, with some saying most visitors are nude and others stressing that nobody minds swimwear. There is no entry fee, no lifeguard and almost no infrastructure, just trees, small clearings and the water. The lake bottom is silty, with submerged branches, so water shoes help. The city tests the water quality of its natural bathing spots several times each summer. It is quiet out of season and busiest on hot summer weekends.
Getting there
By public transport, take the U2 to Donaustadtbrücke, then bus 92B toward Ölhafen to Raffineriestraße/Biberhaufenweg, followed by about a 15-minute walk through the forest; alternatively, take the U1 to Kagran and bus 93A to Naufahrtbrücke. By bike, follow Raffineriestraße to Biberhaufenweg. There is a car park close to the water. Paths are unpaved forest tracks.
What visitors say
Vienna media and guides describe the Dechantlacke as a quiet, natural swimming hole in the forest, loved by naturists for its small island and relaxed, tolerant mood, where nude and clothed visitors mix without fuss. Visitors highlight the free access and peaceful setting, and warn about the muddy, branch-strewn bottom and the lack of facilities. Accounts disagree on how many people are nude on a given day.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Bathing at the Dechantlacke is permitted, as one of the few approved swimming spots in the Obere Lobau within the Donau-Auen National Park. Nude bathing here is customary and tolerated rather than formally designated; no official FKK designation was found (2026).
Naturism at FKK-Dechantlacke sits under Austria's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Austria public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
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Approx. 48.1910, 16.4770
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Austria
Frequently asked questions
Is nude bathing allowed at the Dechantlacke?
It is customary and tolerated, especially around the small island, though the lake is not a formally designated FKK zone.
Can I swim there?
Yes. It is one of the few designated bathing spots in the Obere Lobau section of the Donau-Auen National Park.
How do I get there?
U2 to Donaustadtbrücke, bus 92B to Raffineriestraße/Biberhaufenweg, then about 15 minutes on foot; there is also a car park nearby.
Are there facilities?
Almost none, and no lifeguard. Bring water and water shoes for the silty bottom.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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