Carinthia Lakes
3
Day Itinerary •
Austria
Three days in Carinthia take you to the warmest and most extraordinary lake district in Austria, where turquoise Alpine lakes reach swimming temperatures by June and the extraordinary medieval landscape of castles, cathedrals and Roman ruins gives the finest cultural depth in the Austrian Alps. From the Worthersee, the most fashionable lake in Austria, to the extraordinary clifftop fortress of Hochosterwitz and the Romanesque cathedral of Gurk, Carinthia is unlike anywhere else in the country. This route covers the essential Carinthia. The Worthersee lakefront and Klagenfurt's extraordinary old town, the turquoise Millstatter See surrounded by forested mountains, the extraordinary Hochosterwitz castle on its volcanic rock, the Gurk cathedral with the finest Romanesque interior in Austria, and the extraordinary Roman ruins of Virunum, the capital of the province of Noricum.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for swimming, year-round for culture
Getting There
Fly into Klagenfurt or Ljubljana, train from Vienna 3.5 hours
Getting Around
Car recommended throughout for lake circuit and castles
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and driving
DAY 1
KLAGENFURT AND THE WORTHERSEE
MORNING
KLAGENFURT OLD TOWN AND THE DRAGON FOUNTAIN
Klagenfurt is the most extraordinary small capital city in Austria, its extraordinary Renaissance old town built on a grid around the Neuer Platz with the famous Lindwurm Dragon Fountain at its centre. The dragon, based on a fossil skull found nearby, has been the symbol of the city since 1593. The Landhaus, the extraordinary Renaissance government building with its courtyard of arcades, and the Stadtpfarrkirche cathedral are the finest buildings in the old town. The Minimundus open-air miniature park on the lake is extraordinary. Travel: 20 min drive to Worthersee
MIDDAY
THE WORTHERSEE LAKEFRONT
The Worthersee is the most fashionable lake in Austria, its extraordinary turquoise water reaching 28 degrees in summer and its lakefront villas and promenades giving it the character of the Austrian Riviera. The Belle Epoque resort of Portschach on the north shore is the finest, its extraordinary peninsula jutting into the lake with views in all directions. Brahms composed his Second Symphony here in 1877. The extraordinary Maria Worth church on its own peninsula is the most photographed on the lake. Travel: 45 min drive to Millstatt
AFTERNOON
FIRST VIEWS OF THE MILLSTATTER SEE
The Millstatter See is the most extraordinary deep-water lake in Carinthia, its turquoise water enclosed by forested mountains rising to 2,000 metres above the shore. The lake is 12km long and 141 metres deep, the water extraordinary clear. The promenade around the Millstatt village lakefront is the finest in Carinthia. The extraordinary Romanesque Benedictine abbey in Millstatt, founded in 1070, contains a remarkable cloister and a collection of extraordinary medieval manuscripts.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Wörthersee Schifffahrt boat service between Klagenfurt and Velden is the most extraordinary lake transport experience in Carinthia, the electric boat stopping at the extraordinary peninsula villages of Maria Worth, Reifnitz and Portschach along the way. Covered by the Carinthia Card. The Maria Worth church seen from the water is the finest view on the lake.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Klagenfurt old town Coffee on the Neuer Platz below the extraordinary Dragon Fountain. | Lunch: Restaurant Landhauskeller, Klagenfurt Outstanding Carinthian restaurant in the Renaissance government building. Local Kasnudeln. | Dinner: Restaurant Strandcafe, Millstatt Outstanding lakeside restaurant in Millstatt. Local freshwater fish and Carinthian wine.
DAY 2
THE MILLSTATTER SEE
MORNING
THE MILLSTATTER SEE CIRCUIT AND ABBEY
The morning walk around the Millstatt village lakefront and up to the extraordinary Benedictine abbey is the finest start to a Carinthian day. The abbey cloister, with its extraordinary Romanesque arcades and the carved Plague Column in the courtyard, is outstanding. The abbey church contains extraordinary 12th-century frescoes. The Stiftsmuseum tells the extraordinary story of the monastery and the Carinthian noble families who endowed it. Museum entry approx 5 euros. Travel: 20 min drive to Spittal
MIDDAY
SCHLOSS PORCIA, SPITTAL AN DER DRAU
Schloss Porcia in Spittal an der Drau is the most extraordinary Renaissance palace in Carinthia, its extraordinary arcaded three-storey courtyard the finest Italian Renaissance architecture north of the Alps. Built between 1533 and 1597, the palace now houses the Museum of Regional History with an extraordinary collection of Carinthian folklore and medieval artefacts. The town of Spittal itself has an extraordinary historic centre. Palace entry approx 8 euros. Travel: 30 min drive to Gmünd
AFTERNOON
GMÜND IN CARINTHIA, THE WALLED TOWN
Gmünd in Carinthia is the most extraordinarily preserved medieval walled town in Austria, its extraordinary intact city wall with round towers, the extraordinary upper town with its Renaissance castle and the lower town with its remarkable guild houses giving a character entirely untouched by modern tourism. Porsche was founded in Gmünd in 1948 and the extraordinary Porsche Museum tells this story with remarkable early cars on display. Museum entry approx 12 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Nockberge National Park above Millstatt is the most extraordinary Alpine landscape in Carinthia, its extraordinary rounded summits, the Nockberge, entirely unlike the sharp limestone peaks of Tyrol. The Nockalmstrasse toll road through the park gives the most extraordinary panoramic drive in Carinthia. The road is open June to October. Toll approx 22 euros. The finest mountain drive in Austria.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel Seevilla, Millstatt Outstanding lakeside breakfast before the morning abbey walk. | Lunch: Restaurant in Gmünd Outstanding traditional Carinthian restaurant in the medieval walled town. Local Kasnudeln and wine. | Dinner: Hotel See-Villa, Millstatt Outstanding lakeside dinner. Local freshwater fish and the finest Carinthian white wine.
DAY 3
HOCHOSTERWITZ AND GURK
MORNING
HOCHOSTERWITZ, THE CASTLE ON THE ROCK
Hochosterwitz is the most extraordinary castle in Carinthia, its extraordinary silhouette rising 160 metres above the plain on an isolated volcanic rock, the 14 fortified gates spiralling up the rock face the most extraordinary defensive approach in Austria. The castle has been owned by the same family since 1571 and never fallen to an enemy. The innermost courtyard contains an extraordinary armoury museum. The castle is visible from 30km away. Entry approx 16 euros. Travel: 30 min drive to Gurk
MIDDAY
GURK CATHEDRAL, THE GREATEST ROMANESQUE CHURCH IN AUSTRIA
The Dom zu Gurk is the most extraordinary Romanesque building in Austria, its extraordinary twin-towered facade and the crypt beneath containing 100 slender columns the finest Romanesque interior in the German-speaking world. The extraordinary Samson Carrousel fresco cycle and the Bishop's Chapel with its 12th-century paintings are outstanding. The cathedral was built between 1140 and 1200 and is the finest example of Romanesque architecture in Central Europe. Entry to crypt approx 2 euros. Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE VIRUNUM ROMAN RUINS AND MAGDALENSBERG
The Magdalensberg above Klagenfurt is the most extraordinary pre-Roman and Roman site in Austria, its excavations revealing the capital of the Celtic-Roman province of Noricum with extraordinary mosaics, bronze objects and the most complete Roman house foundations in Austria. The Magdalensberg youth bronze, a Roman copy of a Greek original found here in 1502, is the finest Roman bronze in Austria. The Magdalensberg church on the summit gives extraordinary views. Site entry approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Klopeinersee southeast of Klagenfurt is the warmest lake in Austria, its extraordinary shallow water reaching 29 degrees in July and August, warmer than any other lake in the country. The extraordinary clear water and the small beachside villages are entirely free. The finest hidden swimming lake in Carinthia and almost entirely unknown to international visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gasthaus near Hochosterwitz Coffee before the castle gates open at 9am. | Lunch: Restaurant in Gurk village Outstanding local Carinthian food. Kasnudeln and local cider in the cathedral village. | Dinner: Restaurant in Klagenfurt Outstanding farewell dinner. Local Carinthian specialities and Austrian white wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Klagenfurt, Night 1 Hotel Sandwirth or Palais Porcia. Old town location near the Worthersee. Approx 90 to 200 euros. Millstatt, Night 2 Hotel Seevilla or Strandhotel Millstatt. Direct lake access. Approx 80 to 180 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. The Worthersee reaches 28 degrees in July and August. The public beaches at Klagenfurt and Portschach are extraordinary.
2. Hochosterwitz is most atmospheric at 9am before the coach parties arrive. The 14 fortified gates up the rock are extraordinary.
3. The Millstatter See is the deepest lake in Carinthia at 141 metres. The water is extraordinarily clear and cold even in summer.
4. The Gurk cathedral crypt contains 100 columns and the most extraordinary Romanesque interior in Austria. Entirely free.
5. The Carinthia Card covers most attractions and lake ferries. Available at tourist offices and most hotels.
6. Carinthian food is the finest regional cuisine in Austria. Kasnudeln filled with curd and mint are the essential local dish.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day