Villach & Warmbad Spa★★
Villach (63,000 inhabitants) is Carinthia's second-largest city and is often overlooked in favor of Klagenfurt — unjustly so. The lively old town with its Mediterranean squares, bridges over the Drau, and proximity to three lakes (Lake Faak, Lake Ossiach, Lake Silbersee) makes Villach an ideal starting point for exploring Carinthia.
The Main Square with its Renaissance and Baroque facades is the heart of the city — here, the people of Villach sit with coffee and ice cream, surrounded by arcade houses. The Parish Church of St. Jakob (Gothic, 14th century) has a 94 m high tower that can be climbed (180 steps, 3€, panoramic view). The Villach City Museum in the Crusius Palace (7€) showcases the eventful history at the crossroads of three cultures: German, Slovenian, and Italian.
Villach's trump card is the Warmbad-Villach Spa (Carinthia Spa): A huge thermal complex with natural 29°C warm thermal water, coming directly from the Maibachl spring. Indoor and outdoor pools, slides (120 m tube slide!), sauna landscape with 12 different saunas, spa area. Ideal for rainy days or relaxation after a day of hiking.
Carinthia Spa: Day ticket 29€ (adults), 22€ (children 4–15), under 4 free. 4-hour ticket: 23€/17€. Sauna world: surcharge 8€. Open daily 9 AM–10 PM. The thermal springs have healing effects on joint and back problems.
💡 Tipp
The Villach Carnival (Carnival Saturday, February/March) is Austria's largest carnival parade: Over 3,000 participants, 100,000 spectators, and a week-long state of emergency in the city. If you're in Carinthia — don't miss it! The Villach Church Day (early August, 1 week) is Carinthia's largest folk festival with traditions, music, and culinary delights.
