Enjoying the turqoise water of the Faaker lake in the region of Villach

365 Days of Adventure in Carinthia
The sunny side of the Alps

More than 1,200 lakes, Austria's highest mountain, lots of sunshine, and endless outdoor activities make Carinthia an all-year-round dream destination.

Welcome to the sunny side of the Alps! If you're heading to Carinthia for your holiday, good weather is almost guaranteed, no matter the time of the year. After all, Austria's southernmost province has more sunshine than any other place in Austria: more than 2,000 hours a year!

Carinthia is a place where every season brings its own kind of magic. It enjoys an unusually mild, sunny climate, warm lakes in summer, colourful landscapes in autumn, snowy mountains in winter, and fresh alpine meadows in spring. Nestled between mountains and lakes and influenced by the nearby Adriatic, Carinthia blends alpine scenery with a relaxed, almost Mediterranean lifestyle.

In summer, you can swim, cycle, and paddle in some of Austria’s warmest lakes, hike the Großglockner or bike along the water. Winter offers family-friendly ski resorts, snowshoeing, and wellness escapes. With its rich culture, outdoor activities, and easy-going atmosphere, Carinthia is a year-round destination that effortlessly combines nature, relaxation, great food, and active holidays.

Facts & Figures
Lakes> 1,200
Biking trails3,000 km
Ski slopes800 km
Cable cars285
Huts & restaurants3,000
Altitude340 to 3,798 m
Did you know?Carinthia has the warmest lakes in Austria (up to 29°C!).

Why visit Carinthia

  • Austria's sunny south - an average of 2,000 sunshine hours per year (including an impressive 100 hours more in winter than the northern side of the Alps)

  • Carinthia has more than 1,200 lakes, including the warmest one in the country (Lake Klopeiner See)

  • Home to the Großglockner, Austria's highest mountain (3,798 m)

  • Tons of outdoor activities throughout the seasons, from water sports, hiking and biking to skiing, snowshoeing and winter wellness

  • The world's first Slow Food Travel Destination - enjoy Carinthia's unique seasonal Alpe-Adria cuisine

  • A great all-year-round destination for a family holiday

  • Joint ski pass with East Tirol, giving access to 31 ski resorts, 845 km of slopes and 262 lifts

  • Easy to reach from the UK with nonstop Ryanair flights from London-Stansted to Klagenfurt

FAQs

By plane:
Fly nonstop from London to Klagenfurt with Ryanair.

By train/bus:
Take a train to Klagenfurt, then continue by local train or bus to your final destination.

Carinthia is an ideal destination for a family holiday. It combines warm, swimmable lakes with mountains, sunshine, and loads of kid-friendly activities all in a compact region. Families can spend relaxed days swimming and paddleboarding, or cycling around lakes like Wörthersee or Klopeiner See, then head into the mountains for easy hikes, cable car rides, and panoramic viewpoints that even younger kids can enjoy. There are adventure parks, alpine roller coasters, boat trips, a wildlife park, and family-oriented beaches with playgrounds and shallow swimming areas, plus plenty of ice cream stops along the way

In winter, it's all about snow sports. The Heidi Alm Bergresort in Falkert is an insider tip for travellers arriving with kids in tow. The popular figures from the children’s series of the same name promise a playful approach to learning in the snow. Children’s hotels, a children’s ski school, the Heidi Alm ski park, everything was designed with the little ones in mind here. The Katschberg region scores with the Katschi's Children's World, a kids slope with life-size animals. The Nocky Flitzer, a spectacular alpine roller coaster, is open all-year-round, including in winter.

Carinthia is a paradise for hiking fans of all ages and skill levels. Here are some favourites:

Family-friendly hikes:

  • Gamsgrubenweg
    An easy panoramic hike in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, stunning views from the nearby Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Haus restaurant.

  • Malteiner Wasserspiele

    A 5 km long trail along the Malta River in the Malta valley, amidst picturesque streams and waterfalls.

  • 3 Lakes Route Turrachersee

    Three different options, 30 minutes to 2 hours in length, with stunning views all along the way.

  • Slow Trails

    Easy short-distance hikes along some of Carinthia's most stunning lakes, including Wörthersee, Klopeiner See and Millstätter See

For experienced hikers:

  • Alpe Adria Trail

    750 km, 43 stages, 3 countries (Austria, Slovenia, Italy) - the ultimate long-distance challenge for hiking fans.

  • Pyramidenkogel

    Enjoy a 360°-view over Carinthia's lakes and mountains from the 100-m-high wooden tower.

  • Kitzelberg Lake Klopeiner See

    A viewing platform on top of the Kitzelberg mountain (686 m) in South Carinthia.

  • Skywalk Gartnerkofel

    The Hohe Tauern mountain range with the Großglockner in the north, the Carnic Alps and Dolomites in the west, and the Julian Alps in the south - this is one of the most popular selfie spots in Nassfeld.

  • Adlerhorst Aineck

    A new modern gondola takes you to the highest summit hut in the Katschberg region and its panoramic view at 2,222 m.

  • Viewing platform Lake Zwergsee

    South of Lake Millstätter See with views of the lake, mountains and valleys.

The Kärntner Skipass includes 31 ski resorts in Carinthia and East Tirol, 845 km of slopes, 262 lifts and 204 days of skiing. It is available for 1.5 days and up to a whole season and can be bought at ticket offices in each of the ski resorts or online.

Won't get Carinthia out of your head...

Experiences in spring, summer and autumn

Carinthia is all about lakes and mountains.! Make the most of this stunning setting and head on a new outdoorsy adventure every day.

Experiences in Winter

Hit the pistes and ski touring trails one day, and head for a leisurely (or more advanced) winter walk or snowshoeing adventure the next - Welcome to Carinthia in winter!

Insider's Tips

Trail of Love

Starting at the "Wall of Love", this moderate 3-hour hike leads through enchanting alpine landscapes with gorgeous views of Lake Millstätter See. There are seven stations along the way where couples are invited to write down their thoughts on love and togetherness. If you're looking for an outdoorsy activity to enjoy with your significant other, look no further!

Nockberge Trail

Connecting the five ski resorts of Katschberg, Innerkrems, Turrach, Falkert, and Bad Kleinkirchheim/St. Oswald, the Nockberge Trail is suitable for ski tourers who are in good shape, but do not want to tackle high alpine sections. The 5 daily stages take up to 6 hours to complete each. Some of the steeper sections can be avoided by taking lifts and cable cars. Luggage and shuttle services are available along the trail.

Get in touch

Visit Carinthia

Völkermarkter Ring 21

9020 Klagenfurt

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