Holiday at Lake Wörthersee
Between lake, sun, and ease
Lake Wörthersee, with its turquoise-blue water, mild Mediterranean climate, and the mountain backdrop of the Karawanks, is considered one of Austria’s most beautiful lakes.
But it’s not just the lake that makes the region special…
Carinthia borders Italy and Slovenia to the south, and you can feel it. People here take life a little easier. You spontaneously make new acquaintances, laugh more readily, and an aperitivo often turns into an entire evening.
A way of life that is hard to put into words.
But once you’ve been here, you understand immediately.
What makes a holiday at Lake Wörthersee special?
One of Central Europe’s warmest lakes
Over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year
Many lidos and swimming areas
Diverse excursion destinations
Events & Festivals around the lake
Alpe-Adria cuisine with Mediterranean influences
Wellness & Spa areas directly on the lake
Nature reserves, forests, and meadows
Lake Wörthersee as a holiday destination
“Caribbean of the Alps” – One of Europe’s warmest lakes
Lake Wörthersee is considered one of Central Europe’s warmest lakes. In summer, the water warms up to 27 degrees Celsius.
Carinthia’s southern climate, with over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, makes the lake a perfect swimming spot, allowing for a bathing season from May to October.
Popular lidos around Lake Wörthersee
Almost every town on Lake Wörthersee has its own lido.
Particularly lively are the Klagenfurt Lido in the eastern bay, the Pörtschach Lido, the Velden Lido on the western bay, and the Reifnitz Lido on the quieter southern shore.
Guests of Giulia Slow Residence have it particularly easy: the popular Schiefling Lido is only 300 meters away, and admission is free for hotel guests.
Well-known towns around Lake Wörthersee
Charming towns, each with its own character, line the shores of the lake.
Velden am Wörthersee is the most glamorous destination on the lake. The promenade, the castle hotel, and the lively gastronomy make Velden the place to be on Lake Wörthersee.
Pörtschach am Wörthersee is located on a peninsula and is considered one of Austria’s most beautiful municipalities. Well-maintained parks, elegant hotels, and a magnificent lake view.
Maria Wörth, the picturesque village on Lake Wörthersee. The pilgrimage church sits on a rock directly by the water and is a real eye-catcher in every season.
Reifnitz is located on the quieter southern shore, away from the bustling promenades. If you want to experience Lake Wörthersee without the crowds, this is the place for you.
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee is the capital of Carinthia and only a few kilometers from the lake. The old town, Minimundus, Europapark, and a lively cultural scene make the city an ideal excursion destination.
Top excursion destinations around Lake Wörthersee
What not to miss around Lake Wörthersee
Austria’s southernmost region has a lot to offer. From the world’s tallest wooden observation tower to medieval castle ruins with a bird of prey show: these are the must-sees if you have a few days to spare.
Pyramidenkogel Observation Tower
The Pyramidenkogel near Keutschach is the world’s tallest wooden observation tower. From the top viewing platform at 71 meters high, a panoramic view opens up over the entire Lake Wörthersee.
If you wish, you can take the 120-meter-long adventure slide down or dare to try the Fly 100, a flying fox that plunges 70 meters.
Minimundus in Klagenfurt
More than 150 miniature models of world-famous buildings are displayed on the 26,000 m² area directly on the lake shore of Klagenfurt, all crafted at a scale of 1:25. From St. Peter’s Basilica to the Statue of Liberty: Minimundus captivates families and adults alike.
Tip: Directly next to Minimundus is the Happ Reptile Zoo (also worth a visit).
Wörthersee Boat Trip
From mid-April to the end of October, the Wörthersee boat service connects all major towns on the lake, from Klagenfurt via Pörtschach and Maria Wörth to Velden.
With the hop-on-hop-off day ticket, you can explore the lake at your own pace.
Landskron Castle
The Landskron castle ruins perch on a 135-meter-high rocky cone northeast of Villach. At the top of the rock, the Eagle Arena presents daily flight shows featuring around 20 species of birds of prey in free flight.
Slightly below, a colony of Japanese macaques lives in the extensive Monkey Mountain. The view of Lake Ossiach, the Karawanks, and the Julian Alps is impressive.
Insider tips around Lake Wörthersee
A personal tip from me as a Carinthian local: the places off the main attractions also have their charm.
Nostalgic trains & Historama Technology Museum Ferlach
On summer weekends, a historic nostalgic train runs through the Rosental valley from Weizelsdorf to Ferlach.
There, the Historama awaits, Austria’s second-largest technology museum with over 4,700 m² of exhibition space: vintage cars, trams, motorcycles, fire engines, and more.
Tscheppaschlucht Ferlach
The cascading water and natural waterfalls in the gorge south of Ferlach offer a welcome cool-down on hot summer days.
The gorge is a true nature experience with many stairs and small bridges, away from the usual tourist paths.
Celtic World Frög
Around 3,000-year-old burial mounds, a reconstructed Celtic princely hall, and hands-on experimental archaeology:
The Celtic World Frög near Rosegg offers fascinating insights into the life of the Hallstatt culture.
Villach City Parish Tower
Those who visit Villach usually pass this viewpoint without knowing that it is also accessible.
From the tower of Villach’s city parish church, a surprisingly beautiful view opens up over the old town, the Drau river, and the surrounding mountains.
Meerauge in Bodental
A small turquoise lake, which according to legend is subterraneously connected to Lake Bled in Slovenia. The Meerauge is located at 1,052 meters above sea level in the Bodental valley near Ferlach and is a relic from the Ice Age.
The path there leads through one of Carinthia’s most beautiful valleys and is also easily manageable for families.
Why holiday at Lake Wörthersee?
The water is warm, the climate mild, the landscape breathtaking, and the offerings are as diverse as hardly anywhere else in Austria.
Here, active holidays can be combined with genuine relaxation.
Events & Festivals at Lake Wörthersee (2026)
Lake Wörthersee is not only a swimming lake but also one of Austria’s most vibrant event regions.
From spring to autumn, events follow one after another.
Ironman Austria (June)
Klagenfurt am WörtherseeOne of Europe’s most famous Ironman competitions leads directly through Klagenfurt and around Lake Wörthersee. Around 2,000 athletes from all over the world take on the triathlon consisting of a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride, and 42.2 km run.
Sports Car Meeting (June)
Velden am WörtherseeFerrari, Aston Martin, McLaren, and many other dream cars turn Velden into a stage for a week. The sports car meeting is a fixed date for automotive fans from all over Europe and transforms Velden’s promenade into a rolling gallery.
Starnacht am Wörthersee (July)
KlagenfurtEvery year, the eastern bay of Klagenfurt transforms into an open-air stage. National and international pop and Schlager artists thrill the audience live at Lake Wörthersee and attract hundreds of thousands of viewers to their television screens.
Pink Lake Festival (August)
PörtschachThe LGBTQ festival takes place every year in Pörtschach and attracts thousands of guests from all over the world to the lake. Exuberant atmosphere, colorful backdrops, and parties directly on the water make the Pink Lake Festival one of the most vibrant weekends of the Carinthian summer.
Advent and Christmas Markets (Nov./Dec.)
Klagenfurt, Velden, VillachDuring Advent, Lake Wörthersee transforms into a winter oasis. The Christmas markets in Klagenfurt and Velden impress with atmospheric lighting, regional specialties, and an ambiance that makes the pre-Christmas season special.
Frequently Asked Questions about holidays at Lake Wörthersee