Summer Destination Carinthia

Only a leap in the air away - fly to Austria's sunny south!

Embedded in a unique landscape with high peaks and gentle hills, the province offers more than 200 bathing lakes with temperatures of up to 28 degrees Celsius to refresh yourself in the water, to be active in sports or simply to let your soul dangle on the beach. Carinthia has 14 summer regions that offer everything from southern holiday flair to active holidays in the mountains.

Carinthia as a summer destination in brief:

Swimming, cycling, hiking, family holidays, slow food & home-made cuisine, water experiences and many unique sights. Accommodation ranging from 4/5*star hotels with many pioneers and hosts with a passion, to loving guesthouses or farm holidays, as well as many beautiful places to go camping - for big and small wallets - always something to choose from.

Carinthia's summer regions at a glance

Klagenfurt am Wörthersee

The provincial capital stands for a successful mix of nature and culture, joie de vivre and enjoyment, sporting activities and recreation. The vibrant old town is surrounded by idyllic countryside with green forests, lush meadows and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wörthersee. TIP: Enjoy homemade Carinthian delicacies at lunchtime at the Benediktinermarkt or visit Europe's largest lido in Klagenfurt.

Region Wörthersee

Nestled between the Alps in the north and the Adriatic Sea in the south, close to the border with Slovenia and Italy and between the cities of Klagenfurt and Villach, lies one of Austria's best-known summer holiday destinations, the Wörthersee region. Paradise for water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers, party and lifestyle stage, yoga hotspot and meeting place for bikers, hikers and runners. A real sight is the Pyramidenkogel with a breathtaking view over Carinthia. TIP: Enjoy an evening in Velden, walk in the footsteps of Roy Black with a cocktail at Schlosshotel Velden or test your luck at Casino Velden, where the cuisine of gourmet chef Marcel Vanic is also highly recommended.

Klopeinersee Southern Carinthia

Mild climate, southern flair, lakes with excellent drinking water quality and a picturesque nature and exciting activity programme characterise Southern Carinthia. With the Flow Country Trail on the Petzen, a wide variety of single trails and tunnel biking, the region offers true highlights for every mountain biker. TIP: Domäne Lilienberg - The Carinthian winery is called Carinthia's little Tuscany and impresses with its lovely white and sparkling wines. Guided tours and tastings available on request.

Carnica Region Rosental

A paradise for hikers, cyclists and nature lovers. The varied landscape in the heart of the Karawanken offers impressive nature experiences, regional culinary delights and varied leisure fun for the whole family. Fantastic panoramic views, cross-border tours and cosy sun terraces await you on the Panorama Trail Southern Alps. TIP: Hiking and canyoning in the Tscheppaschlucht gorge.

Mittelkärnten

In the region of Central Carinthia, an unspoilt, gentle natural landscape meets the historical heart of Carinthia. Numerous excursion destinations invite you to explore by bike or on foot. Warm, clean bathing lakes provide relaxing moments. A highlight of the region is Hochosterwitz Castle and the medieval town of Friesach. TIP: Customs and festivals play a major role in Central Carinthia. The Dalai Lama Tibet Centre in Hüttenberg/Görtschitztal is also worth a visit.

Lavanttal

Tours between valley and summit - in Carinthia's easternmost holiday region a backpack full of adventure awaits, with holiday fun for the whole family. More than 1000 kilometres of marked, family-friendly hiking trails up to 2100 metres above sea level ensure unforgettable hiking experiences for young and old. Keyword culinary: Between banana apple, gourmet cuisine and culinary festivals such as "Genussfestival", "Gackern" or "Apfelfest", everyone will find their personal favourite dish and the best apple juice in Austria. TIP: The magnificent neo-Gothic building in Tudor style Schloss Wolfsberg is always worth a visit.

Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See

A natural paradise for active holidaymakers in the heart of Carinthia. Spicy-clear alpine air, bathing lakes with drinking water quality, in between extensive hiking trails, bike trails - the Villach region is a natural paradise for active holidaymakers and connoisseurs: Lake Faaker See is famous for the European Bike Week in autumn. Lake Ossiach with its local mountain Gerlitzen, a guarantee for skiing fun for the whole family.

The heart of the region beats in the second largest city in Carinthia, Villach, with its picturesque pedestrian zones and cafés. Here, the Carinthians' joie de vivre is palpable and celebrating is writ large. Especially around carnival and Austria's largest traditional festival, the Villacher Kirchtag. The Kärnten Therme in Villach-Warmbad, open all year round, is one of Austria's most modern thermal spa experiences. Villach is also home to the technology giant INFINEON. A region as diverse as life.

Nassfeld – Pressegger See – Lesachtal – Weissensee

No-boredom-gurantee in the Nassfeld-Pressegger See region: cross-border tours to Italy inspire hikers and bikers, families discover new adventure spaces and comic heroes like Fix and Foxi on the mountain or directly on Lake Pressegg, gourmets indulge in the finest regional cuisine while gazing at a breathtaking panorama. TIP: Baking bread in the Lesachtal - a World Heritage Site and trying & tasting the Slow Food experiences of the region.

Langweilig wird es in der Region Nassfeld-Pressegger See garantiert nicht: Grenzüberschreitende Touren nach Italien begeistern Wanderer und Biker, Familien entdecken neue Erlebnisräume und Comic-Helden wie Fix und Foxi am Berg oder direkt am Pressegger See, Genussmenschen lassen sich von feinster regionaler Kulinarik verwöhnen, während sie auf ein atemberaubendes Panorama blicken. TIPP: Brot backen im Lesachtal – ein Weltkulturerbe und die Slow Food Erlebnisse der Region ausprobieren & verkosten.

Millstätter See

There are places in this world that are just right. Places where you belong. From the very first moment. Experience lake and mountain experiences at the most beautiful box seats. Where you can take a deep breath and feel mysteriously connected to the world, to your neighbour.

One of these places is Lake Millstätter See and the Granattor. Tor not only refers to the largest alpine garnet deposit inside the mountain, it also allows you to experience a unique view all the way to the Hohe Tauern.

At Lake Millstätter See, exclusive retreats invite you to spend time as a couple. With the Sentiero dell' Amore - in bivouac under the stars, Lake Millstätter See offers unique box seats to be very close to the natural spectacle in the firmament. The refuges become a familiar as well as cosy place at extraordinary locations on the lake and on the mountain - a unique experience.

Bad Kleinkirchheim

Not only thermal spa lovers will find what they are looking for here, because what makes the Bad Kleinkirchheim region so special is its diversity. The variety of activities is what makes the region special. Active between mountain and lake with hikes, with thermal bath pleasures in the Römerbad or golfing on Carinthia's highest 18-lock golf course, the home of Franz Klammer has a lot to offer. TIP: The Mountain Yoga Trail at 2,000m above sea level or a piece of Franz Klammer cake from the Hutter confectionery.

Hohe Tauern – The national park region|

At the foot of the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain, lies the Hohe Tauern holiday paradise - the National Park Region in Carinthia.Nature lovers and active connoisseurs are offered a variety of opportunities to go on exciting journeys of discovery. Along wild waters and on gorge trails, on glacier trekking, on the long-distance hiking trail Alpe Adria Trail, on the way to the summit cross of the Großglockner, on the "Magic Moments" tours guided by rangers and mountain guides and much more.

The vastness and unlimited possibilities in the Hohe Tauern National Park are best discovered with the experts. The national park rangers know every nook and cranny in the national park, no matter how hidden. They show us places where you can observe wild animals up close, rushing waterfalls and the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps - the Pasterze.
Find out everything about our programmes with the National Park Rangers.

TIP: Guaranteed snow all year round for skiers and snowboarders on the Mölltal Glacier.

Nockberge

Deeply rooted in the Nockberge Biosphere Park, the gently rolling summit world offers unique activities in an unspoilt natural landscape in the rhythm of the seasons. Already in spring you can explore the idyllic valleys of the communities of Ebene Reichenau, Gnesau, Deutsch Griffen and Himmelberg on enjoyable themed hikes.The alpine roller coaster "Nocky-Flitzer" and also the high rope course in Innerkrems provide fun, younger visitors get bright-eyed at the Heidi-Alm.

Lieser-/Maltatal

The Lieser & Maltatal in Carinthia, known as "the family valley", lies in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Nockberge Biosphere Park. A relaxing family and nature holiday is guaranteed.The leisure activities on offer range from exciting water playgrounds and trails, such as the Trebesing Energy Experience Trail, to the artists' town of Gmünd with its Porsche Car Museum, to extensive outdoor activities - hiking, canyoning and climbing.

Katschberg-Rennweg

The Katschberg tourist region with its magnificent mountains and sunny heights is located on the southern side of the main Alpine ridge between 1,100 and 2,220 metres above sea level. Fresh, clear mountain air and a varied activity programme are guaranteed. Breathing freely in low-allergen high-altitude air and plenty of sunshine characterise the region, which has established itself as a top destination for family holidays on the sunny side of the Alps.

The Carinthia Tourist Board team is available for your personal holiday enquiries at +43 463 3000 or info@kaernten.at.

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