The 10 best swimming spots for you and your dog in Germany, Austria & Switzerland

Nothing your dog loves more in summer than a refreshing swim – and you have the choice between the coast, lakes and mountain panoramas. We have put together ten of the most beautiful swimming spots for you and your dog in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: from the Baltic Sea to the Alps.

To make sure your trip is a complete success, it is worth taking a look at freshly prepared dog food from HelloBello in advance – easily digestible and with a high moisture content, just right for active summer days by the water.

Before you set off, one more important note: leash requirements and access for dogs are regulated individually by the respective municipalities and are often seasonal. So, check locally or on the municipality's website before you take the leash off.

• Leash requirements and access vary by municipality and season – check in advance.
• You can identify designated dog beaches by signage, often with a paw print symbol.
• Always take drinking water for your dog – salt or algae water is no substitute.
• After swimming, check ears and fur for foreign objects and algae.

Retrieving for too long or too frantically in the water can lead to water intoxication – plan breaks.

Pelzerhaken is located on the Lübeck Bay near Neustadt in Holstein and is one of the most popular Baltic Sea destinations for dog owners. The fine, light-colored sandy beach slopes gently and shallowly into the water – ideal for dogs that are slowly getting used to the sea, as well as for strong swimmers. The beach area is wonderfully spacious, so there is plenty of room for everyone even on busier summer days. In the background, the view opens up far across the bay, and on clear days, sailboats can even be seen on the horizon. The area is easy to reach and is ideal for a relaxed day trip or as a base for a longer Baltic Sea holiday with your dog.

The Kleiner Brombachsee in the Franconian Lake District is the quieter neighbour of the Großer Brombachsee – and a real insider tip for active dogs. The fine sandy beach slopes gently and shallowly into the water, so even dogs with little swimming experience can safely build up confidence. The special highlight right on the beach: a free dog agility playground with obstacles for climbing, balancing and running through. This makes it easy to combine a refreshing swim with a good workout. The gentle, green hills of the Franconian Lake District all around create an idyllic setting that invites you to relax.

The Tegernsee is one of Upper Bavaria's best-known and at the same time most beautiful lakes. Its crystal-clear, deep blue water is nestled between gentle hills and the peaks of the Bavarian Prealps – a sight that makes both dog and owner take a deep breath. In several places around the lake, there are publicly accessible lawns and shore sections where dogs are welcome. Especially the less touristy bays away from the town centres of Rottach-Egern and Tegernsee are ideal for a quiet swimming trip. A walk along the lakeside path can be wonderfully combined with a cooling dip in the lake.

The Walchsee in the Tyrolean Kaiserwinkl is considered one of Tyrol's warmest swimming lakes thanks to its shallow depth – an advantage that even warm-loving dogs appreciate. On the eastern shore, there is a dedicated dog beach with a shallow gravel entry, which is ideal especially for cautious swimmers. Surrounded by the peaks of the Kaisergebirge, the Walchsee is a perfect conclusion to a day in the mountains: After a hike, the pleasantly warm water provides a welcome, easy cooling-off for the whole family.

Lake Wolfgang is nestled among the striking peaks of the Salzkammergut and is one of Austria's most picturesque lakes. While the main swimming areas in the towns of St. Wolfgang and Strobl are well visited during the high season, several idyllic, freely accessible swimming spots are hidden along the shaded lakeside path – quieter and more natural. The crystal-clear, shimmering turquoise water invites long swimming laps, while the lakeside path itself is ideal for a leisurely walk before or after a swim.

Weißensee in Carinthia is considered one of the cleanest swimming lakes in Europe – its crystal-clear, turquoise water against the backdrop of the Gailtal Alps looks almost unreal. As motorboats are prohibited on the lake, it remains remarkably quiet here, which is particularly beneficial for noise-sensitive dogs. Lakeside paths wind around the lake, which can be ideally combined with refreshing swimming breaks. Anyone looking for a day full of tranquility, clear water, and an impressive mountain panorama will find Weißensee just right.

The Attersee is the largest lake in the Salzkammergut with its length of just under 20 kilometers and impresses with its rich blue-green color against the alpine backdrop. In addition to the lively beach baths of the lakeside towns, there are numerous quieter, publicly accessible lakeside meadows where dogs are welcome. The lake is popular with sailors and can therefore become noticeably windy on some days – an aspect that should be kept in mind for more anxious dogs. In return, the Attersee rewards with one of the most impressive mountain backdrops in the entire Salzkammergut.

Klöntalersee lies deep nestled between the steep rock faces of the Glarus region – a backdrop that looks as if it emerged from a painting. Away from the official beach baths, your dog can jump into the refreshingly cool water here all year round without a leash. The path around the lake is ideal for a leisurely hike, which can be perfectly combined with a cooling dip. Especially outside the high season, it is pleasantly quiet here – a place for everyone looking for pure nature.

Lake Zug is the quieter, less crowded neighbor of the large Central Swiss lakes. Its gentle shores slope shallowly in many places – ideal for dogs that are only slowly getting used to swimming. The view of the striking Rigi in the background makes every walk along the shore a little postcard moment. Between relaxed grassy areas and quiet bays, there is plenty of space here for a relaxing day by the water, far from the greatest hustle and bustle.

• Let your dog get used to the water gradually: Not every dog is a natural swimmer. Let them decide how deep they want to go and practice in shallow water before heading into deeper areas.
• Always bring fresh drinking water: Your dog should not swallow large amounts of lake or salt water. Offer them fresh drinking water regularly.
• Plan breaks during fetch: Dogs that spend hours frantically fetching balls or sticks from the water can swallow dangerously large amounts of water. You can read more about this in our guide to water poisoning in dogs.
• Be mindful of the time of day: On hot days, the morning or late afternoon is more pleasant than the midday heat—even for the trip to the lake. Read more in our guide to dogs and heat.
• Dry your dog off and check them after swimming: After swimming, check their ears, paws, and coat for algae, foreign objects, or scratches, especially if they have floppy ears.
• Practice recall: Reliable recall is especially important near open water—for example, if boats or swans are nearby.

Whether it's a Baltic Sea beach, a Bavarian lake in the foothills of the Alps, or a Swiss mountain panorama, a little preparation will make a trip to the lake the highlight of the summer for you and your dog. Check the local rules beforehand, pack plenty of fresh drinking water—and then the fun in the water can begin.