Carinthia Region Attractions
General
Carinthia is the southernmost province in Austria, bordering Slovenia and Italy. It is the sunniest region in Austria, boasting 2,000 hours of sunshine per year and relatively low precipitation compared to the national average. Carinthia has over 200 lakes (in addition to other small bodies of water) known for their pristine, crystal-clear water of drinking-water quality. In 2008, it won the European Environment Award for its strict commitment to environmental protection and the use of "green" products from nature.
44 lakes in the region have organized swimming beaches, and their major advantage is that the water temperature is higher than in other regions of the country. In summer, the water temperature in the lakes reaches 26-28 degrees Celsius, making the area a paradise for swimming and various water sports. Finally, you can swim in the lakes without turning into teeth-chattering ice cubes.
Each lake has its own unique beauty and charm. The largest lakes in the region are Lake Wörthersee, which is also the most popular; Lake Millstatter See, known as the "gem of Carinthia"; and Lake Ossiacher See. A smaller yet breathtaking lake is the high Alpine lake Weissensee, long and narrow, looking like a fjord. The lake has an amazing turquoise color, and in the morning and evening, its waters act like a mirror, reflecting the green hills rising on its eastern part.
Along the shores of the lakes are picturesque and lively resort towns in summer, overflowing with festivals, events, family activities, and attractions. Along the lakes are walking trails of varying difficulty. You can take ferries to various starting points of trails and return on foot or by bicycle.
Besides lakes, the province also has 8,000 kilometers of rivers ideal for fishing, canoeing, or rafting.
The entire area is surrounded by towering mountains, with Austria's highest peak, the Großglockner, located at its northwestern tip and shared with the neighboring regions: Salzburg and Tyrol. The region features 120 peaks rising above 3,000 meters.
The province's area is 9,536 square kilometers, and it is populated by about 560,000 residents. Carinthia was part of the Roman Empire until 1806 and later part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austria's current border with Slovenia was established in 1920.
Carinthia offers visitors a wide variety of sports and active recreation both on the lakes and in the mountains, and it abounds with hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. In addition, the province has hundreds of ancient castles and fortresses, some of which are extremely impressive.
Carinthia is particularly suited for family trips, and its family accommodation and vacation options are numerous and varied.
♦ Recommended Hotels in Carinthia
In the heart of the town Bad Kleinkirchheim
Hotel Kärntnerhof
A 4-star family hotel featuring an expanded spa, an indoor pool, and an expanded children's play area. A ski slope, ski school, and thermal spa are located near the hotel.
Successful Accommodation Options in Carinthia:
Selection of Vacation Apartments in Carinthia
Recommended Farmhouse Stays in Carinthia
B&B Accommodations in Carinthia
Hotels in Carinthia
Carinthia is extremely suitable for a hub-and-spoke trip. It is recommended to stay in the region for at least three to four days and tour its selected tourist and vacation sites. It also serves as an excellent starting point for visiting northern Slovenia, mainly the Bled and Julian Alps area, and you can also take a day trip to northern Italy, in the northeastern Dolomite region.
It is especially successful to base yourself in the "Valley of the Four Lakes" Keutschach, which is rich in attractions, including Lake Wörth and three smaller lakes south of it.
Although the region is particularly attractive in summer, when you can actively enjoy the variety of lakes, visiting Carinthia in the autumn months is also recommended, when the region hosts harvest celebrations, many folklore events, and diverse culinary celebrations.
Additional tourist information about the region can be obtained from the numerous tourist offices with branches in every town. The main branch, Kärnten Information, is located in the town of Velden, address: Casinoplatz 1, 9220 Velden.
Klagenfurt
The capital of the province is Klagenfurt, which serves as both the administrative center and the cultural and business center.
In this city is Minimundus - "The Miniature World of Lake Wörth". This is the number one family attraction in Carinthia! A must-see even for those who have already visited other miniature worlds in the world. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful and well-maintained of all. In the spacious park, there are 150 miniature models, on a scale of 1:25, of the most famous and beautiful buildings in the world from 42 countries whose flags fly around. Everyone will be able to recognize many familiar buildings, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, the Leaning Tower of Pisa from Italy, the CN Tower in Toronto, the Statue of Liberty from New York, the Taj Mahal from India, and more.
Villach
The second-largest city in the province is Villach, an ancient city with a rich past dating back to Roman times. The city suffered heavy bombings in World War II, and many parts of it were destroyed. In the center of the old town, the Drava River meanders among picturesque ancient houses, and in the central square stands a church with a tall tower rising to a height of 94 meters. You can climb 239 steps to the top of the tower and enjoy an impressive view of the city, the Julian Alps, and the Hohe Tauern peaks. The city serves as one of the important crossroads in the eastern Alps and has family attractions aplenty in and around it, including: the monkey park Affenberg Landskron, which I will elaborate on later including a video,
an adorable doll house Elli Riehl Doll World,
Forest walking trail with wooden sculptures Wurzelpark Arriach-Gerlitzen,
Alpine botanical garden Villacher Alpengarten at the top of a mountain with breathtaking views of the valley and mountains.
Kärnten Card Tourist Card
Also for the Carinthia region, similar to the Salzburg region, there is a worthwhile tourist card called:
Kärnten Card. The card includes free admission to more than 100 attractions in the Carinthia region which you can enter as many times as you desire, including: 13 cable cars, 6 passenger ships on the lakes and rivers, 4 panoramic roads, 36 museums, 4 animal parks, 16 swimming pools (some indoor, many with water slides and diving boards) and an abundance of nature sites, active recreation, sports, and adventure sites. In addition, the card includes discounts of 10-50 percent for admission to 50 additional tourist sites.
The card is valid for two weeks and costs 35 euros for an adult and 14 euros for a child aged 6-15. Free for children under 6. A family purchasing tickets for a couple of parents and two children receives free tickets for the rest of their children.
You can purchase the card at 140 sales points throughout the region: at tourist offices, at sites included in the card, and at some accommodations.
You can also purchase the card on the website. There is no need to purchase the card in advance, but it is definitely recommended to order (for free) the information booklet which includes extensive details on all the attractions included in the card. Please keep in mind that every year there are changes in the tourist sites included in the card.
In the detailed family tourist sites later in this chapter, attractions offering free admission for cardholders are marked with the KC designation. "Bonus" attractions, which offer various discounts, are marked with B.
There are also separate cards for specific areas, such as the Wörthersee Kärnten Card or the Hohe Tauern National Park Region Card, which are usually given free to guests staying in many of the hotels and vacation rentals in these areas.
The Carinthia region features successful family museums, an
abundance of animal parks, and
nature sites.
Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment Options in the Carinthia Region
A variety of attractions, amusement parks, a special monkey park, slides, golf, swimming beaches, and more.
The selection of swimming beaches in Carinthia's lakes is vast. Most of them offer sports and recreation facilities in addition to swimming beaches, and some also feature playgrounds. In many places you can fly in paragliders, rent boats of various types and sizes, cruise the lake, ride a "banana boat", and more.
For families looking for beaches with the largest variety of facilities, it is worth visiting one of the following two sites:
Carinthia's Amusement and Recreation Park Kärntner Erlebnispark
The park is located on the shore of Lake Presseggersee, considered one of the warmest lakes in the Carinthia region, combining lake vacation and swimming with entertainment and nature.
The park features several pleasant amusement facilities, a water slide straight into the lake, rafts, paddle boats, tennis courts (clay), badminton and beach volleyball courts, table tennis tables, a large and well-kept lawn with umbrellas and lounge chairs. Near the lake are many walking and biking trails in nature.
Ossiach Beach Erlebnisbad Ossiach
An organized swimming beach at Lake Ossiacher See featuring a water slide, an inflatable "iceberg" in the water, a raft, sports courts (beach volleyball, basketball, handball), a roller-skating track, table tennis tables, and facilities for toddlers.
Monkey Park Abenteuer Affenberg
The park is located near the city of Villach. The park is home to dozens of Japanese macaques roaming freely in a large, fenced forest reserve. Guided tours enter the park in groups, and the monkeys wander around near the visitors.
It is best to arrive during feeding time and watch the monkeys at their most alert, snatching the food thrown at them.
Below is a short video from a visit to the park:
Moselebauer Adventure World Moselebauer Erlebniswelt
A variety of sports and adventure facilities located at the Moselebauer Hotel, featuring an outdoor and indoor ropes course, a climbing wall, golf simulator, mechanical bull riding, bowling, quad biking, archery, and more.
The hotel also features a large and successful pool and spa site spanning 950 square meters with two indoor pools, an outdoor pool, saunas, etc.
Suitable for any weather thanks to the spacious indoor facilities.
Celtic Golf Keltengolf Laurenzhof
A new kind of golf game: a combination of miniature golf and croquet. A golf course with 18 stations featuring amusing obstacles located near the Laurenzhof Hotel. Mini-golf enthusiasts will be glad to diversify and have fun at the place.
The game is paid. 25% discount for Carinthia Card holders.
The Rock Labyrinth of Nassfeld NTC-Felsenlabyrinth Nassfeld
This is actually a ropes course particularly suited for height enthusiasts. The location features ropes courses at various difficulty levels, including cliff climbing, rope bridges, rappelling, a cave, gorges, and additional surprises. The park also has long and high zip lines. If you dreamed of flying between the trees like Tarzan, you've come to the right place!
Some trails are suitable for children aged 8-10 (depending on height and weight) and some for children over 14.
In 2007, a new trail opened suitable for younger children. No weight or height restriction, but close parental supervision is required. You get to the park by riding the modern "Millennium Express" cable car departing from Tröpolach and reaching Nassfeld in a few minutes.
Alpine Slides:
The Carinthia region features a most impressive selection of alpine slides, many of them modern and fast. Some are located in amusement and vacation sites that offer additional facilities.
The most successful slides of all are:
Sommerrodelbahn am Klippitztorl
A modern alpine slide with a 1,400-meter track, an elevation drop of 260 meters, and a 20% gradient. The track features 18 turns. Ascent to the top of the slide is via a double chairlift. Children aged 7 and above can ride alone. Located in northeastern Carinthia.
Sommerrodelbahn Verditz
An alpine slide with a winding track 1,100 meters long passing under bridges and through tunnels. The top of the track is reached by chairlift. At the lower station, there is a children's playground and a restaurant with a children's petting zoo. The slide is located in the center of the Carinthia region north of Villach.
Gerlitzen Pisten-Flitzer
Two alpine slide tracks of varying difficulty departing from the Kanzelhohe intermediate station of Gerlitzen at speeds of up to 40 km/h. You return to the starting point with a roughly five-minute double chairlift ride. Children 130 cm and taller can ride alone.