Holiday in Carinthia

Region in Austria — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇦🇹

Country

Austria

Type

Region

Best time to travel

May–Sep (bathing lakes), Dec–Mar (skiing)

Budget/day

90–150 €

Getting there from Germany

By train via Salzburg or Villach. By car via the Tauern Autobahn A10. Klagenfurt Airport with seasonal connections.

About Carinthia

Carinthia, Austria's southernmost province, is a sun paradise between the Alps and Mediterranean flair. With over 200 bathing lakes, including some of the warmest alpine lakes in Europe, as well as a mild climate, the region offers perfect conditions for families, active vacationers, and nature lovers alike. Lake Wörthersee is the heart of Carinthia: With water temperatures of up to 27°C in summer and its turquoise color, it resembles southern regions. The elegant resorts of Velden, Pörtschach, and Maria Wörth line the shore, combining imperial charm with modern lifestyle. Lake Faak impresses with its Caribbean turquoise and views of Mittagskogel, while Lake Millstätter boasts crystal-clear drinking water and forested shores. The state capital Klagenfurt enchants with its Renaissance city center, the Lindwurm Fountain — the city's landmark, which is based on an old dragon legend — and the picturesque Europapark by Lake Wörthersee. Minimundus, the miniature world with over 150 models of famous buildings, is a highlight for families. For mountain enthusiasts, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a must: The 48-kilometer panoramic road leads to an altitude of 2,504 meters and offers views of Austria's highest mountain (3,798 m) and the Pasterze, the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps. The Nockalmstraße and the via ferrata at the Großen Kinigat complement the alpine offerings. Carinthia is also a culinary insider tip: Carinthian cheese noodles, Reindling, and fish straight from the lake shape the regional cuisine.

Safety
93
Nature
80
Families
80
Relaxation
70
Food
65

Top 5 highlights in Carinthia

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Wörthersee

Carinthia's most famous lake with bathing temperatures up to 27°C, turquoise water, and elegant beach resorts.

2

Nockalmstraße

The 35 km long panoramic road through the Nockberge Biosphere Park offers gentle alpine landscapes and magnificent views.

3

Minimundus

The 'Little World at Lake Wörthersee' showcases over 150 models of famous buildings at a scale of 1:25.

4

Burg Hochosterwitz

One of the most impressive hilltop castles in Europe sits atop a 175-meter high limestone rock.

5

Pyramidenkogel

The world's highest wooden observation tower (100m) offers a 360° panoramic view over all of Carinthia.

Hotels in Carinthia

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

Über 700.000 Hotels
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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Carinthia

Recommended travel time

May–Sep (bathing lakes), Dec–Mar (skiing)

Summer

22–30 °C, very sunny

Winter

-3–5 °C, snow in the mountains

How much does a holiday in Carinthia cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

55–80 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

90–150 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

180–320 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

Book a package holiday to Carinthia

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5 travel tips for Carinthia

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

The Carinthia Card offers free admission to over 100 excursion destinations.

Wörthersee boat trip for a relaxed overview of the region.

Carinthian cheese noodles are the local specialty – definitely try them!

Cycle path along the Drau: One of the most beautiful long-distance bike paths in Europe runs through Carinthia.

The Slovenian border is just a few kilometers away – a day trip to Ljubljana is worthwhile.

Food & drink in Carinthia

These specialties you must try!

Carinthian cheese noodles
Carinthian Reindling
Ritschert
Frigga (polenta)
Carinthian Laxn (char)
Kletznbrot
Suitable for:bathing lakesnaturesummerfamilymountains

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