Carinthia, Austria’s southernmost province, conceals some of the country’s most beautiful regions. This area, known for its mountains and lakes, offers tourists an abundance of natural attractions. Let’s explore 14 wonderful ones!
It borders East Tyrol to the west, Salzburg and Styria to the north and northeast, and Slovenia and Italy’s Friuli and Veneto regions to the south.
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Best places in Carinthia
Wörthersee
Walking along the lakeshore, it’s immediately clear why this place has been attracting visitors for decades.
Wörthersee is Austria’s warmest Alpine lake, where water temperatures can reach 28 degrees Celsius in summer, making it ideal for swimming and water sports. The 17-kilometer-long lake’s shoreline is a perfect location for both relaxation and active recreation.
Along the lake’s urban section, between Klagenfurt and Velden, there are several beaches where sun loungers and waterfront restaurants await guests. A cycling path follows the shore, making it easy to explore the entire lake area. Small villages like Pörtschach or Maria Wörth exude a distinctive atmosphere, and the old villas and well-maintained parks evoke the Belle Époque era when the lake was a favorite holiday destination for Viennese aristocracy.
It’s worth taking a boat trip to admire the lake’s beauty from the water. The panorama of the surrounding mountains, the Karawanks and the southern Italian Alps, is particularly stunning.
Pyramidenkogel Observation Tower
For those who love heights and beautiful views, this place is a must-visit.
This 100-meter-high wooden structure tower rising above Wörthersee is Europe’s tallest such construction. From the top of the observation tower, standing at 920 meters above sea level, an unparalleled panorama opens up over the surrounding lake region and mountain ranges.
The route to the tower is an experience in itself, as it can be accessed in several ways: elevator, stairs, or for the adventurous, a 120-meter slide, which is Europe’s tallest tower slide. From the observation deck, on clear days you can see up to sixty kilometers away, and three countries – Austria, Slovenia, and Italy – spread out before you simultaneously.
Around the tower, there are picnic areas and hiking trails, so you can easily spend an entire day here.
Klagenfurt
The provincial capital is a city where Italian joie de vivre blends with Alpine traditions.
The heart of the old town is Neuer Platz, where the dragon fountain stands – the city’s symbol, based on a local legend. According to the story, a dragon once lived in the marshy area, and it took courage to defeat it.
Strolling among Renaissance-style buildings, you’ll quickly discover the local market, where fresh produce and handcrafted goods are available. The courtyard of the Landhaus surrounds us with a two-story arcade, one of Carinthia’s most beautiful Renaissance structures. It’s worth visiting Minimundus too, where you can view miniature versions of the world’s famous buildings combined with a pleasant walk.
Wörthersee is located near the city, so those who want water activities can easily combine a city visit with beach time. During the summer months, numerous festivals and cultural events make the city’s life even more colorful.
Klagenfurt attractions, weather
Hochosterwitz Castle
This imposing fortress is recognizable from afar, built on a 160-meter-high rock mass.
The sight of the castle is unique as it towers on the steep mountainside, with fourteen gates leading to the top. Each gate served a different defensive function, and walking through them, you can clearly sense how difficult it must have been to conquer this castle in the past.
The inner courtyard and museum rooms provide insight into medieval life. The weapons collection and knights’ hall are particularly interesting, but what remains most memorable is probably the view from the walls. The panorama over the valley extends all the way to the Karawanks, and on clear days, we can also see the mountains of neighboring Slovenia.
The walking path to the castle takes about twenty minutes, but there’s also an elevator that takes you directly to the castle courtyard. Several hiking trails are accessible in the area, so nature lovers can easily combine a castle visit with a pleasant walk in the forest.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
This mountain road is one of Europe’s most spectacular Alpine routes, winding for 48 kilometers through the Hohe Tauern National Park.
The road, running at 2,571 meters above sea level, passes through the mountains with thirty-six bends, and at each turn, a new panorama unfolds before us. The road’s destination is Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak at 3,798 meters.
Along the way, there are several viewpoints where we can stop to photograph the surroundings or simply enjoy the silence of the mountains. The sight of the Pasterze Glacier is particularly memorable, though unfortunately its size has significantly diminished in recent decades. From the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe viewpoint, we can look directly at the glacier, and information boards show how the landscape has changed over time.
Along the road, there are several information centers and restaurants where we can rest and taste local specialties. The mountain wildlife is also abundant; we often see marmots, ibex, and various Alpine plants. The road is only passable during summer months, typically from May to October, and it’s advisable to start early to avoid heavier traffic.
Nockberge National Park
This national park is characterized by gentle, rounded mountain peaks and flowering meadows, with a completely different character from the steep Alpine regions. The „Nocks” are special geological formations that stand out with their soft lines and gentle slopes. The park has twenty hiking trails that invite hikes of varying difficulty.
In summer, the mountain meadows are full of wildflowers, and the air is clean and fresh. The Nockalmstrasse, a panoramic road that touches several viewpoints, runs through the park. Along the way, we can stop in small villages where the traditional Alpine way of life still remains. Some of the local shepherd’s huts have been converted into restaurants where we can taste authentic dishes.
The park has launched numerous conservation programs in recent years, so biodiversity is extremely rich. Those who love silence and closeness to nature can truly recharge here.
Millstätter See
The lake’s calm, peaceful atmosphere immediately soothes everyone who arrives here.
It’s Carinthia’s second-largest lake – and although less known than Wörthersee, that’s precisely what gives it its charm. The area is quieter, less touristy, so for those seeking an authentic Alpine experience, this place is an ideal choice.
Several small settlements are located on the lakeshore, including Millstatt, where a Benedictine abbey stands, dating from the 11th century. The abbey’s museum provides an interesting insight into medieval monastic life, and summer concerts create a special atmosphere. The hiking trails around the lake range from easy to moderate difficulty, and each offers beautiful views.
It’s worth trying SUP or kayaking too, as the lake’s water is crystal clear and calm. In the surrounding forests, we can go mushroom picking, and in autumn, the colorful foliage provides a particularly beautiful sight.
Villach
The city is the other important center alongside Klagenfurt. Its old town is atmospheric, and from the tower of Pfarrkirche St. Jakob church on the main square, there’s a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains.
The thermal baths are the city’s specialty – the Warmbad-Villach spa was already known in Roman times. The thermal water has healing properties, and the modern spa complex is a perfect place for relaxation. The Dobratsch mountains are located near the city, from where beautiful hikes begin. In winter, the nearby ski slopes become the main attraction.
Numerous cultural events take place annually in Villach, including carnival celebrations, which are among Austria’s largest outdoor carnivals. Walking through the city, the diversity is palpable, as Austrian, Italian, and Slovenian cultures meet here.
Weissensee
This lake is perhaps Carinthia’s cleanest water, and anyone who has been here once understands why. Strict building regulations apply around Weissensee, so nature has remained virtually untouched. Most of the lakeshore has no development, only forests and meadows, which is a rare treasure in today’s world.
In summer, swimming and sailing are the main activities, while in winter the lake freezes and becomes one of Europe’s largest natural ice rinks. Ice skating here is a unique experience, as we can glide on the ice for several kilometers while the snowy mountains rise around us. The path along the lake’s northern shore is ideal for hiking, and several restaurants can be found where we can taste local fish dishes.
The Weissensee area is a perfect choice for those seeking tranquility and the purity of nature, far from mass tourism.
Ossiach
The small settlement lies on the shore of Ossiachersee, and its main attraction is the Benedictine abbey, built in the 11th century. The abbey now functions as a cultural center and in summer is home to the Carinthischer Sommer festival, which offers classical music concerts and performances. The church’s interior is Baroque style, decorated with rich frescoes.
The lake itself is an excellent place for water sports, especially sailing and windsurfing, as the wind often blows. A promenade runs along the shore where we can take a pleasant evening walk while enjoying the sight of mountains reflected in the water. Several hiking trails also start from here into the surrounding mountains, from where there are beautiful views of the lake.
The settlement’s atmosphere is calm, and local restaurants serve fresh fish dishes caught directly from the lake. The abbey’s garden is particularly beautiful, and outdoor events are often held here.
Friesach
Austria’s oldest city, where the Middle Ages come to life in an almost tangible way.
It was once an important trading center, and we can find three castles in the area, of which Petersberg Castle has remained in the best condition. The city walls have survived almost entirely, and walking on them, we may feel as if we’re traveling back in time.
Several museums are located in the city, including one dealing with castle life that also offers interactive demonstrations. In summer, a medieval festival is held when the city’s streets fill with craftsmen, knights, and market vendors. The atmosphere is authentic, and visitors can try out old crafts themselves.
Beautiful hiking trails run around the city, and visiting the nearby castles is also a great program. Friesach is an ideal choice for those who love discovering history and cultural heritage.
Tscheppa Gorge
The narrow gorge is a popular hiking destination. The Tscheppa stream carved out this rock crevice over millennia, and today wooden bridges and stairs lead into its depths. At the gorge’s narrowest point, it’s only a few meters wide, and the rocks rise more than fifty meters high around us.
The walk takes about an hour, and although it’s steep in places, the experience is worth the effort. The water’s green color and the light filtering through the rocks create a magical atmosphere. At the end of the gorge, there’s a small waterfall where we can rest before heading back. The area’s flora is particularly rich; we can find many plants here that thrive in the cold, humid microclimate.
At the gorge entrance, a restaurant awaits visitors where we can taste local dishes. This place is a perfect choice on a warm summer day when a pleasant coolness greets us in the gorge.
Malta High Alpine Road
This panoramic road is less known than the Grossglockner road, but that’s precisely why traveling it is a special experience.
The 14.4-kilometer road runs through the Hohe Tauern National Park and leads to several dams, which are Austria’s highest-lying reservoirs. At the end of the road, at 1,933 meters altitude, is the Kölnbrein Dam, Austria’s highest dam.
Walking across the dam, a beautiful view opens up over the turquoise reservoir lake and surrounding mountain peaks. The place is particularly popular among photographers, as the contrast between the lake’s color and the gray rocks is stunning. Along the road, several hiking trails begin that lead into the surrounding mountains, and there’s also an opportunity to observe local wildlife.
The area’s history is closely connected to hydroelectric power generation, and at the information center, we can learn how the dam system works. The road is especially beautiful in autumn when the golden leaves of poplars bring color to the landscape.
Lavanttal
Located in the eastern part of Carinthia, in the Lavant River valley, it’s one of the most fertile and sunniest regions in Austria.
The area, also referred to as „Carinthia’s garden”, is characterized by orchards, vineyards, and gently rolling hills embraced by the Koralm and Saualpe mountain ranges. Its main center is Wolfsberg, a charming small town with a historic castle and friendly atmosphere. The region has excellent hiking and cycling trail networks, and in winter, the nearby mountains’ ski areas attract visitors.
Lavanttal is also famous for its gastronomy: local apple wines, lavender products, and traditional Carinthian dishes are true delicacies. The valley’s peaceful atmosphere, natural beauty, and hospitality make it a perfect destination for both those seeking relaxation and active recreation.
