green trees near blue sea under blue sky during daytime
green trees near blue sea under blue sky during daytime
a city on the water
birds eye photography of forest and body of water
a lake surrounded by trees and mountains

Holiday in Wörthersee

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

Country

Austria

Type

Lake

Best time to travel

Jun–Sep (bathing season)

Budget/day

90–150 €

Getting there from Germany

By train to Klagenfurt or Velden (about 4h from Munich). Car via the Tauern Autobahn A10. Klagenfurt Airport.

About Wörthersee

Lake Wörthersee in Carinthia is one of the warmest bathing lakes in the Alps, reaching water temperatures of up to 27°C in summer. With its bright turquoise color, surrounded by gentle hills and elegant villas from the Belle Époque, the lake has exuded a glamorous flair for over 150 years. Even during the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, Lake Wörthersee was a summer retreat for the nobility and artists — Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, and Hugo Wolf composed some of their greatest works here. Velden on the western shore is the most glamorous spot on the lake, known for its casino and the TV series “A Castle on Lake Wörthersee.” Pörtschach enchants with its blooming peninsula and elegant beach promenades. Klagenfurt, the Carinthian capital on the eastern shore, surprises with its charming old town and the Europapark. The historic beach facilities with their wooden piers and cabins are architectural gems and shape the image of the lake. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy sailing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddling, and diving. The Wörthersee cycling path leads around the entire lake for 42 kilometers, and the surrounding hills offer wonderful hiking opportunities with lake panoramas. Culinary delights include fish specialties like Wörthersee whitefish, Carinthian cheese noodles, and excellent wines from the nearby southern slopes. The Wörthersee shipping service connects the lakeside towns and offers stylish evening cruises at sunset.

Nature
100
Relaxation
93
Safety
93
Families
80
Adventure
65

Top 5 highlights in Wörthersee

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Velden am Wörthersee

A glamorous holiday resort with a casino, luxury hotels, and the famous lakeside promenade – known from the TV series “Castle Hotel on Lake Wörthersee.”

2

Klagenfurt Strandbad

Europe's largest inland lake beach with a diving tower, sunbathing lawns, and direct access to the turquoise water.

3

Maria Wörth

The church on the peninsula is one of the most photographed motifs in Carinthia and a romantic wedding venue.

4

Pyramidenkogel

The world's tallest wooden observation tower (100m) offers a 360° view over the lake and all of Carinthia.

5

GTI-Treffen & Events

Every year, the GTI meeting and numerous festivals attract thousands of visitors to the lake.

Hotels in Wörthersee

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

Über 700.000 Hotels
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Hotels in Wörthersee vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Wörthersee

Recommended travel time

Jun–Sep (bathing season)

Summer

24–30 °C, sunny and warm

Winter

0–5 °C, lake rarely freezes

How much does a holiday in Wörthersee cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

55–80 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

90–150 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

170–320 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

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5 travel tips for Wörthersee

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Beach facilities charge an entrance fee but offer excellent infrastructure.

Boat service across the lake: All towns are connected by boat.

Wörthersee cycling path: 55 km around the lake, flat and family-friendly.

Summer retreat: In July/August, the lake is well visited – quieter in May/June.

Nightlife in Velden is legendary – clubs right on the lakeshore.

Food & drink in Wörthersee

These specialties you must try!

Carinthian cheese noodles
Wörthersee fish (whitefish)
Carinthian Reindling
Ritschert
Ice cream by the lakeshore
Carinthian church day soup
Suitable for:bathing lakesummernightlifeglamorouscycling

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