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.
Top 5 highlights in Carinthia
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Wörthersee
Carinthia's most famous lake with bathing temperatures up to 27°C, turquoise water, and elegant beach resorts.
Nockalmstraße
The 35 km long panoramic road through the Nockberge Biosphere Park offers gentle alpine landscapes and magnificent views.
Minimundus
The 'Little World at Lake Wörthersee' showcases over 150 models of famous buildings at a scale of 1:25.
Burg Hochosterwitz
One of the most impressive hilltop castles in Europe sits atop a 175-meter high limestone rock.
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.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
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
Compare thousands of package holidays to Carinthia and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays now5 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!
Ready for Carinthia?
Plan your Carinthia holiday now with our free tools.
