Austria has so many highlights – where to start? It was difficult but we have chosen what we think are the 15 most beautiful places in Austria. For nature lovers and thrill seekers; for history fans and families. Explore them all when you visit Austria, or discover your own favourites!
The turquoise waters of Lake Wörthersee between Klagenfurt and Velden are surrounded by forested foothills and snow-capped mountains. Skating in winter or swimming in summer – Wörthersee is one of the most beautiful places in Austria all year around. Take a boat trip on one of the traditional cruise craft to see idyllic islands, remote bays, and elegant lakeside villas from the water.
This panoramic road on the Dobratsch in Carinthia is 16.5 km long and covers 1,200 metres of altitude over its seven exciting bends. The Villach Alpine Road is one of five such routes in Austria and offers spectacular views of Villach, the Karawank Ranges, and even the Julian Alps of neighbouring Slovenia.
The Dobratsch was Carinthia’s first nature park, reflecting its important status as a biodiversity hotspot. In the midst of an idyllic landscape of lakes and mountains, a warm climate and Mediterranean-like habitats are highlights of this pristine environment.
This is one of Austria’s gentler alpine driving routes but no less varied and beautiful for that. The Nockalm Road runs for 34 kilometres from Innerkrems to Ebene Reichenau via 52 bends and numerous mountain huts and inns. There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the views along the way, from the largest stone pine forest in the Eastern Alps to the green summits of the Nockberge mountains.
Called the “Small World on Lake Wörthersee”, Minimundus has been a much-loved attraction in Klagenfurt since 1958. From the Statue of Liberty to the Eiffel Tower, many world famous monuments have been recreated at 1:25 size. Look out for the Tower of London, the Sydney Opera House and the Taj Mahal. There are a total of 159 attractions covering over 40 countries so you can see the world in a day! Some of the most special places to see in Austria are also included, such as Hochosterwitz Castle and St Stephen’s Cathedral of Vienna.
The magnificent vistas from the top of the Pyramidenkogel are just one reason why this observation tower in Keutschach is one of the most popular places to visit in Austria. 100 metres high and set on a hill at 920m altitude, the 360-degree views are amazing winter or summer from the highest wooden viewing tower in the world. The structure itself is an architectural marvel and Europe’s tallest indoor tunnel slide shoots down to the ground at speeds up to 25 kilometres per hour.
The mighty Grossglockner is Austria’s highest mountain, in the middle of the stunning Hohe Tauern National Park. This is Austria’s most famous alpine road and deservedly so, as it offers a unique alpine experience over 48 kilometres of exciting driving. There are visitor centres and information boards along the way to enhance your enjoyment of this wonderful mountain environment when you visit Austria.
Hochosterwitz Castle is an outstanding example of a medieval fortress, built in the 14th century to be impregnable, and in a spectacular position atop a 172-metre (564 ft) high dolomite rock near Sankt Georgen am Längsee. Whether you enter via the 14 fortified gates or the ‘fools’ stairs’, you’ll be impressed by the technical achievement here at Hochosterwitz Castle.
Like many places in Austria, Lake Millstatt is everything you could dream of in an idyllic scene of lakes and mountains – it is truly one of the most beautiful places in Austria. Take a classic boat cruise past glamorous lakeside villas and to remote inlets and islands.
The Mölltaler Glacier is the only place you can go skiing all the year around in Austria, as it only closes for two weeks in May! Here above 3,000 metres, the views from the pistes are of the breathtaking Hohe Tauern National Park and the glacier alpine world offers a beautiful adventure, even at the height of summer.
The Turracher Höhe cable car is a pathway to a snowy wonderland in winter and amazing hiking trails the rest of the year. It’s also home to the Nocky Flitzer, an unforgettable alpine roller coaster that whizzes through alpine meadows and luxuriant evergreen forest.
The beautiful semi-precious garnet stone has been mined here in Radenthein for centuries and the town welcomes visitors to discover more about “the stone of love” and how it is extracted. The Granatium is a fascinating experience with educational exhibitions and the opportunity to mine garnets from the mountainside yourself.
In the heart of Klagenfurt, the planetarium is the place to discover more about the mysteries of the universe and the vastness of space. There are frequent family-friendly educational shows and this is a perfect activity for a wet weather day.
One of Austria’s many natural wonders, the Obir Stalactite Caves are a window into 200 million years of history here under Hochobir in the Karawank mountains. Multi-media effects reveal the rare natural spectacle of living stalactites.
Take a look at the most popular cities and regions in Carinthia. From the magnificent Hohe Tauern National Park to the lively capital city of Klagenfurt – these are some of the most beautiful places in Austria.
Surrounded by forest-covered mountain scenery and bisected by the Glan River, Klagenfurt is blessed by natural beauty. The state capital and a university town, it has a lively, youthful vibe and a rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss seeing the huge Dragon Fountain (Lindworm), the impressive Landhaus palace, and of course the charming Old Town with its Renaissance architecture and bustling cafes. To the east, the city is bounded by the beautiful Lake Wörthersee, with its crystal clear waters and extensive swimming lido.
On the banks of the Drau River, Villach is a city and region that stretches from the Gailtal Alps to Lake Ossiach. Close to the borders with Italy and Slovenia, this is part of the beautiful Alpe-Adria, where Mediterranean landscapes and cultures meet with the alpine world. Mountains and lakes, historic cobbled streets, and charming villages share a way of life with visitors. Hiking and cycling are very popular and cyclists should check out the Drau Cycle Path. Nothing expresses the “dolce vita” atmosphere in Villach like the gastronomy – here traditional dishes and high-quality regional produce marry up to make every day delicious when you visit Austria.
Surrounding Austria's highest mountain, the mighty Grossglockner, the Hohe Tauern National Park offers a fantastic panorama of more than forty peaks soaring over 3,000 m. In winter the Grossglockner ski area has 55 km of varied and snowy pistes, served by 11 modern cable cars and lifts. In summer this is a hiking wonderland, with 1,856 square kilometres of unspoilt nature to explore on mountain trails. The Hohe Tauern is an important biodiversity hotspot, enjoyed today and protected for future generations. Home to the impossibly scenic and thrilling Grossglockner High Alpine Road, this is one of the world’s most beautiful mountain landscapes and one of the best places in Austria.
The Nock Mountains are the highest mountain range of the Gurktal Alps and deeply rooted in the Nockberge Biosphere Park. This world of gentle summits offers unique activities following the rhythm of the seasons on the sunny southern side of the Alps. Trained biosphere park rangers are on hand to lead unforgettable adventure tours for all the family. The Nockberge encompasses the idyllic valleys of Ebene Reichenau, Gnesau, Deutsch Griffen and Himmelberg, and in the warmer months a network of hiking paths stretching for many kilometres invites you up onto the mountains of the Turracher Höhe, Falkert, Hochrindl and Innerkrems. Drive the Nockalm Road, zoom down the “Nocky-Flitzer” alpine roller coaster, and take your kids to the Heidi Alm children's adventure park.
Visitors have flocked to Bad Kleinkirchheim for hundreds of years to enjoy the therapeutic thermal waters and decadent spa experiences at the St Kathrein and Romerbad thermal spas. Here in the Nockberge Mountains, the huge variety of outdoors adventures have to be seen to be believed with skiing, hiking and more so accessible thanks to the excellent lift infrastructure, like many places in Austria. Discover the idyllic natural environment of Bad Kleinkirchheim.
So what is Carinthia famous for, apart from sunny skies, delicious food and beautiful nature? Carinthia has a rich cultural history dating back many centuries and this is reflected in a sophisticated calendar of cultural events. Discover the many musical, theatrical, literary and artistic fixtures taking place when you visit Austria.
The Carinthian Summer Music Festival showcases established and new classical music talent in a series of atmospheric venues such as the 11th century Ossiach Abbey.
A huge open-air stage in a bay of Lake Wörthersee is the spectacular setting for The Night of the Stars in Klagenfurt. Famous international musical acts present their greatest hits at this gala event.
A proudly cultural city, Klagenfurt has a full programme of theatrical productions and concerts every year. The Stadttheatre Klagenfurt has been entertaining discerning theatregoers since 1737. Next door is the Summer Theatre, with riotous comedy and satire on balmy evenings.
The Kaendace Theatre is a more recent addition to Klagenfurt’s theatre scene and offers an incredible creative space for interdisciplinary contemporary theatre. Enjoy a night at the theatre in Klagenfurt when you visit Austria!
Art lovers flock to the Carinthian Museum of Modern Art (Museum Moderner Kunst Kärnten), in its palatial 16th century building. MMKK has a permanent collection and exhibits on both new and established contemporary fine art from Austria and around the world.
The Stadtgalerie Klagenfurt is one of the best places in Austria to see works by Klimt, Chagall and Dali. To find out more about Klagenfurt itself, the Regional Museum of Carinthia (Landesmuseum Kärnten or LMK) is all about the natural history and social history of Carinthia, from an ice age rhinoceros to Roman gravestones.
Klagenfurt is also home to many speciality museums, such as the Klagenfurt Cinema Museum (Kinomuseum), documenting the history of cinema, and the Eboard Museum, which celebrates electronic keyboard instruments.
Klagenfurt plays host to a major European literary event every July. The Festival of German-Language Literature features readings and discussions, culminating in the awarding of one of the most important awards for literature in the German language – the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize.
The “Klagenfurt Festival” features renowned performance artists and intellectual forums, alongside enthusiastic audiences in the Burghof and other venues.
By contrast, you’ll also find the World Bodypainting Festival in Klagenfurt, one of Europe’s most colourful events. From sponge painting to airbrushing, artists achieve astonishing transformations on the shores of Lake Wörthersee. You can even attend workshops and learn how to body paint yourself and then dance the night away at one of the many lively evening parties.
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