Klagenfurt & Surrounding
Klagenfurt, the capital of Carinthia, is a charming lakeside city in southern Austria. Nestled by the turquoise waters of Lake Wörthersee and surrounded by gentle mountains, it offers a perfect mix of relaxation and culture. The historic old town is full of Renaissance courtyards, colorful facades, and inviting cafés, making it a delightful place to wander. Guests can enjoy lakefront promenades, boat rides, or simply soak up the alpine-meets-Mediterranean atmosphere. With its vibrant cultural scene, cozy restaurants, and stunning natural setting, Klagenfurt provides a welcoming introduction to Carinthia and is a wonderful place to explore before or after wedding festivities.
1.Klagenurt Oldtown
On the shores of Lake Wörthersee, Klagenfurt is Carinthia’s capital and a city with a charming Renaissance Old Town. Its pastel-colored courtyards, arcaded houses, and lively squares make it a delightful place to stroll, shop, and linger at cafés.
Highlights: The heart of the city is the Neuer Platz, dominated by the Lindwurm Fountain, a 16th-century sculpture of a dragon that has become Klagenfurt’s symbol. Nearby, the Alter Platz is a long pedestrian street lined with arcades, boutiques, and restaurants. Don’t miss the Landhaus, the Renaissance palace that now houses the regional parliament and features impressive halls with frescoes. The city also offers several museums, including the Moderne Galerie and the Robert Musil Literature Museum.
Tips: The Old Town is compact and best explored on foot. Combine your visit with a walk along the Lendkanal, which connects the city to Lake Wörthersee. In summer, open-air markets, festivals, and street cafés bring the squares to life, while in Advent the Christmas market fills the Neuer Platz with festive cheer.
2.Landhaus
The Landhaus is Klagenfurt’s most important secular Renaissance building and one of Carinthia’s architectural treasures. Built in the 16th century after the great city fire, it served as the seat of the Carinthian estates and today houses the regional parliament.
Highlights: The jewel of the Landhaus is the Wappensaal (Hall of Coats of Arms), decorated with more than 650 coats of arms of Carinthian noble families. Completed in the early 18th century, the hall impresses with its richly painted ceiling frescoes and detailed heraldry, making it one of the most unique historic interiors in Austria. Guided tours and exhibitions explain the history of Carinthia’s estates and the significance of the heraldic symbols.
The Landhaus also features elegant arcaded courtyards and a striking tower. In one of these courtyards you’ll find a well-regarded restaurant, a great spot to pause for Carinthian specialties or coffee while soaking in the historic atmosphere.
Tickets & hours: The building is open to visitors when parliament is not in session. Admission to the Wappensaal is around €5, with guided tours available.
3.Strandbad Klagenfurt
On the shores of Lake Wörthersee, just a short walk from Klagenfurt’s center, lies the Strandbad Klagenfurt – one of the largest and most popular lake resorts in Austria. With its long sandy beaches, grassy sunbathing lawns, and crystal-clear waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, relaxing, and soaking up Carinthia’s summer sunshine.
Highlights: The Strandbad stretches across more than 3 hectares and offers shallow areas for children, diving platforms, water slides, and plenty of space to spread out. You can rent paddleboats, play beach volleyball, or simply enjoy the view across the turquoise lake toward the Karawanken mountains. The site also has cafés and snack stands, making it easy to spend a full day by the water.
Tickets & hours: Open daily from May to September, roughly 8:00–19:00 (depending on weather). Admission is around €6 for adults, with discounted tickets for children and families.
Tips: In summer, arrive early to secure a good spot, as the Strandbad is very popular on hot days.
4.Maria Loretto
On a small peninsula at the eastern shore of Lake Wörthersee, just west of Strandbad Klagenfurt, lies Maria Loretto, a romantic castle surrounded by water and greenery. Built in the 17th century by the Count of Dietrichstein, the castle was originally a summer residence and chapel complex. Today, it is one of the most picturesque spots on the lake.
Highlights: The castle courtyard and surrounding gardens open up to sweeping lake views, making it a popular venue for weddings and special events. A lakeside restaurant and café in the castle serves Carinthian and Mediterranean dishes – perfect for a leisurely lunch, coffee, or an evening drink with sunset views over the water. The small chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, adds a touch of history and spirituality.
Tips: Maria Loretto is within walking or cycling distance from Klagenfurt’s Old Town and pairs well with a visit to the Strandbad or a stroll along the Lendkanal. Reservations are recommended if you plan to dine at the restaurant, especially in summer.
5.Minimundus
Right next to Lake Wörthersee, Minimundus is one of Klagenfurt’s most unique attractions – a miniature park where you can see the world’s most famous landmarks in one place. Opened in 1958, it has delighted visitors of all ages for decades.
Highlights: Over 160 models of buildings and monuments from more than 40 countries are displayed at a scale of 1:25. From the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty to the Taj Mahal and Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the detail and craftsmanship are remarkable. The park is beautifully landscaped, with small trains, ships, and planes adding life to the scenes. Indoors, a large exhibition space features interactive displays, hands-on activities for children, and seasonal programs.
Tickets & hours: Open daily from April to October (and with a winter program indoors). Admission is about €20 for adults, with discounts for children and families.
Tips: Minimundus is both fun and educational, making it especially popular with families. Pair it with a visit to Maria Loretto or Strandbad Klagenfurt, which are within walking distance.
Just a short walk from Minimundus and Lake Wörthersee, the Reptilienzoo Happ is Austria’s largest reptile zoo and a fascinating stop for families and animal lovers. Founded in 1976, it has grown into a well-known center for exotic wildlife, education, and conservation.
Highlights: The zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals from around the world – including snakes, crocodiles, turtles, lizards, and even exotic fish and insects. Visitors can see giant pythons, venomous cobras, colorful chameleons, and rare tortoises up close. The enclosures are designed for both learning and fun, with detailed information about each species and its natural habitat. Seasonal feeding demonstrations and special events make visits especially engaging.
Tickets & hours: Open daily from spring to autumn, typically 9:00–18:00 (shorter hours in winter). Admission is about €15 for adults, with discounts for children and families.
Tips: Combine a visit with nearby Minimundus or the Strandbad Klagenfurt for a varied day out. The Reptilienzoo is particularly popular with children, offering both excitement and education.
6.Reptilezoo Happ
7.Boattrip around Worthersee lake
One of the best ways to experience Lake Wörthersee is from the water itself. Regular passenger boats connect the main towns and villages along the lake, offering both practical transport and a relaxing sightseeing cruise.
Highlights: From Klagenfurt at the eastern end, boats travel westward, stopping at Maria Loretto, Krumpendorf, Pörtschach, Velden, and smaller lakeside resorts. Along the way, you’ll enjoy ever-changing views of turquoise waters, wooded hills, and elegant villas. Many cruises offer commentary in multiple languages, sharing stories of the lake’s history and culture. Sunset and themed cruises (with dinner or music on board) are especially atmospheric.
Tickets & hours: The main boating season runs from April to October, with daily departures. A full round trip takes about 4 hours, but you can hop on and off with day passes (around €20–25 adults). Shorter single-journey tickets are also available.
Tips: Combine a boat ride with a stop in Velden for its lively promenade or Pörtschach for lakeside cafés. Bring a light jacket – even in summer it can get breezy on the water.
Rising dramatically from a 150-meter dolomite rock, Hochosterwitz Castle is one of Austria’s most impressive medieval fortresses and a proud symbol of Carinthia. First mentioned in the 9th century, the castle was expanded in the 16th century to defend against Ottoman invasions.
Highlights: To reach the castle, visitors walk up the winding road through 14 fortified gates, each ingeniously designed to slow attackers – a unique journey into medieval history. At the top, you’ll find courtyards, a chapel with baroque frescoes, and a museum displaying armor, weapons, and centuries-old artifacts. From the walls, the panoramic views over fields, hills, and villages are breathtaking.
Getting there: Hochosterwitz lies about 20 km northeast of Klagenfurt (around 30 minutes by car). It’s also reachable by train to Launsdorf-Hochosterwitz station, followed by a short walk or taxi.
Tickets & hours: Open seasonally, usually April–October, 9:00–18:00. Admission ~€15 adults. A lift is available for those who prefer not to climb.
Tips: Wear sturdy shoes if walking through the gates, and allow 2–3 hours for the visit.
8.Burg Hochosterwitz
9.Pyramidenkogel
For the best views of Carinthia, head to the Pyramidenkogel, a striking wooden observation tower rising 100 meters above Lake Wörthersee. Completed in 2013, it is the world’s tallest wooden lookout tower and has quickly become one of the region’s most popular attractions.
Highlights: From the top viewing platforms, you’ll enjoy 360° panoramas of Lake Wörthersee, the surrounding Carinthian lakes, and the peaks of the Karawanken and Julian Alps. On clear days, you can even see into Slovenia and Italy. For thrill-seekers, the tower features one of Europe’s longest enclosed slides (120 m), spiraling down from the viewing deck. There’s also a glass-walled elevator for easy access and stairs for those who like the climb.
Tickets & hours: Open daily, typically April–October from 9:00–20:00 (shorter hours in winter). Admission is about €15 for adults, with discounts for children and families.
Getting there: The tower is located near Keutschach am See, about 15 km (20 minutes by car) from Klagenfurt. Buses run seasonally, or you can combine it with a lakeside drive around Wörthersee.
10.Velden
At the western shore of Lake Wörthersee lies Velden, Carinthia’s most glamorous lakeside resort town. Known for its lively promenade, elegant villas, and vibrant nightlife, it has long been a favorite summer getaway for both Austrians and international visitors.
Highlights: The landmark Schloss Velden, a yellow lakeside palace now operated as a luxury hotel, sets the tone for Velden’s chic atmosphere. Along the waterfront promenade you’ll find stylish cafés, bars, and boutiques, perfect for strolling and people-watching. The casino adds to the town’s reputation as a playground for adults, while boat rentals and swimming spots keep the lakeside relaxed and family-friendly. Velden also serves as a stop on the regular Wörthersee boat cruises, making it easy to explore other towns along the lake.
Tips: Velden comes alive in summer with festivals, concerts, and open-air events. In the evenings, the promenade glows with atmosphere as restaurants and bars fill up. By day, nearby cycling and hiking routes offer quieter escapes into the surrounding hills.
