Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
Destination Guide
Klagenfurt on Lake Wörthersee invites guests on a journey of discovery for all the senses. A southern attitude to life and the influences of three cultures characterise the Carinthian capital.
A stay between bathing in the warmth of Lake Wörthersee, cultural sites such as Maria Saal Cathedral or the Renaissance city centre of Klagenfurt, fine creations from the Alps Adriatic cuisine and recreational pleasure while cycling, boating on Lake Wörthersee, hiking in the Karawanken or visiting tourist attractions such as Minimundus.
Klagenfurt presents itself as an Alps-Adriatic pleasure city, where culinary influences from Carinthia, Slovenia and Italy merge in the most delicious way. At the intersection of the Alps and the Adriatic, the city combines holidays between nature and culture, tranquillity and joie de vivre, and looks back on a captivating history. The highlight of the cultural year is the "Days of German-Language Literature" with the awarding of the coveted Ingeborg Bachmann Prize. The "Ironman Austria" has been leading triathletes from all over the world across the city of 100,000 inhabitants for years, before the atmosphere reaches its summer climax at the World Body Painting Festival in the middle of the city centre.
Stadtpfarrturm Klagenfurt
You want to be up high? Want to get a real overview of Klagenfurt? Then let's go up the Stadtpfarrturm Klagenfurt! 225 steps later, it was really worth it. The view from the 50-metre-high observation platform on the tower of the St. Egid parish church on Pfarrplatz is magnificent!
It offers a wonderful view of the old town of Klagenfurt and a magnificent panoramic view from Lake Wörthersee to the Karawanken and the Koralpe. The bright carillon, which has always invited even Klagenfurters to stop at many a full hour, is unfortunately at a standstill until the completion of the church tower renovation in November 2021.
In the meantime, Austria's only full-time doorman, Horst Ragusch, tells stories that reveal amusing facts. For example, in addition to saints, sponsors and celebrities, the people depicted in the carillon even include a bon vivant and a mafia boss whom death comes for.
Benediktinermarkt
The early bird catches the worm! - Those who want to get hold of the coveted delicacies, from the sweetest fruits to much sought-after gourmet pieces, should visit the Benediktinermarkt early in the morning. Here you will find local culinary delights in abundance. From Carinthian Reindling made by a real farmer's wife to Adriatic lunch snacks from Ivo's kitchen.
Klagenfurt's Benediktinermarkt is much more than just farmhouse bread and colourful vegetables. The market attracts not only nutrition-conscious, regionally buying customers, but also numerous stallholders from Friuli and Slovenia, who give the Alps-Adriatic market its very own southern flair with their goods of wine, fish, cheese, fruit and oils.
Opening hours: In the two halls of the Benedictine market you can shop daily from 6.30 am to 4.00 pm (Wednesday until 1.45 pm). On Thursdays and Saturdays the market is bustling from 6.00 am to 1.00 pm. On public holidays, the market is moved forward one day!
Halbinsel Maria Loretto
You have reached your destination! Have you seen it yet, Lake Wörthersee? Yes, that's right, only a few people know that: Carinthia's provincial capital is actually located directly on the beautifully turquoise lake with drinking water quality. It is also possible to get there by water. There is a marina including a charging station for electric boats.
And if you feel like an aperitif, enjoy a sundowner on the hip terrace at Maria-Loretto Castle right next door. The large green area with a breathtaking view of the eastern bay of Lake Wörthersee is known far beyond the country's borders as a popular wedding location.
Tip: The Maria Loretto Restaurant (Lorettoweg 54) offers excellent fish dishes from the Alps-Adriatic cuisine as well as an incomparable view of what is probably Austria's most famous lake. Get the south onto your plate! Host family Hofer spoils you with culinary delights between chic silverware and romantic decorations.