Carinthian Lakes: 7 tips for the most beautiful places for a summer holiday in Carinthia
Carinthia is one of the most popular regions in Austria for a summer holiday by the water. Especially if you prefer swimming in warm lakes. They offer lakes with Alpine backdrops, turquoise water, well-maintained swimming areas, and great facilities that families with children will appreciate. You’ll find easy cycling paths here, as well as mountains and cities like Klagenfurt or Villach.
TOP 10 ACCOMMODATION IN CARINTHIA
We’ve prepared a list of the most beautiful Carinthian lakes for you and will advise which one we’d choose based on the type of holiday.
Carinthian lakes for (not only) a summer holiday
Find accommodation for the Carinthian lakes using the map:
1. Wörthersee
We rank Wörthersee among the most famous and popular Carinthian lakes. It lies west of Klagenfurt, measures 16.5 km, has turquoise water, exceptional swimming quality, and an average water temperature from late spring to autumn of around 25°C, reaching up to 27°C in the peak summer season.
It’s ideal for those who want to combine swimming with visits to cafes, promenades, water sports, and trips, while having high-quality facilities for a summer holiday. The town of Velden is suitable for a livelier atmosphere and evening entertainment, Pörtschach for a quieter and more elegant stay, and Klagenfurt for a combination of a lakeside holiday with city visits and cultural events.
View accommodation at Wörthersee
At Wörthersee, we recommend not missing the Pyramidenkogel lookout tower, swimming in the public Strandbads, a short boat trip, and activities like paddleboarding, wakeboarding, or other water sports.
Who Wörthersee is an ideal holiday spot for:
- For a first visit to Carinthia, couples, active travellers, and everyone who wants services, restaurants, and a bit of life by the lake.
- In the peak season, it’s one of the more expensive and busier places in Carinthia.
Full article about Lake Wörthersee:
2. Ossiacher See
We recommend Ossiacher See as a practical choice for an active holiday. It lies near Villach, and the Gerlitzen Alpe rises directly above it, which you can reach by cable car. Thanks to this, you can easily combine swimming, hiking, cycling, and family attractions. Personally, it’s one of our favourite Carinthian lakes precisely because of the opportunities for trips into the surrounding nature.
The Ossiacher See and Gerlitzen Alpe region offers beautiful nature, sports, and cultural experiences. At the lake, you’ll find options for paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, and wakeboarding, while in the surroundings, you can enjoy hiking trails, cultural sites, and interesting trips.
View accommodation at Ossiacher See
The best bases are usually Ossiach, Annenheim, Bodensdorf or Steindorf. Annenheim is good if you want to be close to the Gerlitzen cable car. Ossiach is suitable for a quieter stay by the water.
Who Ossiacher See is an ideal destination for:
- For families and active tourists who want to be close to both the lake and the mountains.
- The lake isn’t as elegant as Wörthersee or as turquoise as Weissensee, but we appreciate it mainly for its location and the amount of activities.
Full article about Ossiacher See:
3. Weissensee
Weissensee is a bit different from the most famous Carinthian lakes, and perhaps that’s why we like it best. It lies higher up, the surroundings are more natural, and it’s suitable for those who don’t want to spend their holiday among beach bars and on a busy city promenade. The lake is located in a nature park and has very clean water.
It’s the cleanest lake in Carinthia, where you can swim in water that has drinking water quality, with temperatures in the summer months around 25°C. At the same time, you can look forward to up to 200 km of hiking trails, MTB trails, and a quieter natural atmosphere.
View accommodation at Weissensee
Accommodation here often offers private access to the water, which is a big plus for us. The most practical location is Techendorf and its surroundings. Weissensee is also great for a longer stay without daily commuting. In the morning you head out on a trip, in the afternoon you enjoy swimming in the lake, and in the evening you relax with a view of nature.
Who will like it at Weissensee:
- Weissensee is ideal for lovers of nature, peace, hiking, cycling, and clean water.
- However, the water can be cooler than at lower-lying lakes. If the main goal is the warmest possible swimming with small children, Klopeiner See or Pressegger See would be better.
Full article about Weissensee:
4. Pressegger See
Pressegger See ranks among the warmest Carinthian lakes and often wins this imaginary competition for the warmest lake in Austria. At the same time, it’s a great tip if you’re looking for a smaller, family-oriented lake while still wanting to be close to the mountains. It lies in the Nassfeld–Pressegger See area, near Hermagor and close to the Italian border.
The lake is sometimes referred to as the bathtub of Carinthia, as it often warms up to 28°C in summer. Pressegger See also has drinking water quality and an area of 55 ha. We’re happy to recommend it for families with children thanks to the swimming areas and children’s attractions.
View accommodation at Pressegger See – Nassfeld
The location is also a big advantage for us. One day you can spend by the water, the next you can head into the mountains to Nassfeld. Here you can walk pleasant mountain trails, try the summer cable cars, and the next day head towards Italy, for example. Pressegger See isn’t as well-known yet, which we consider an advantage.
Who Pressegger See is an ideal destination for:
- For families, active travellers, and those who want to combine a holiday by a warm lake with mountain trips.
- The lake isn’t large enough to offer attractions for a whole week for everyone. We recommend it as a base for combined trips with pleasant swimming.
- Anyone who finds Wörthersee too big will like it at Pressegger See.
Full article about Pressegger See:
5. Klopeiner See
Klopeiner See is a safe bet if you mainly want warm water and a classic summer lakeside holiday. It lies in southern Carinthia and often appears in guidebooks as the warmest swimming lake in Europe. Officially, it ranks at least among the warmest Carinthian lakes. Compared to Pressegger See, you’ll also find a longer continuous lakeside promenade here. You can look forward to public and private beaches and good water quality.
The main place where we recommend staying is St. Kanzian am Klopeiner See. It’s suitable for families with children, as there’s good infrastructure, pleasant beaches, restaurants, rentals, and options for easy walks.
Tips for accommodation at Klopeiner See
Apartments Presslauer – Mori – well-equipped apartments with a kitchenette
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Apartments Presslauer – Mori
Terrassenhotel Reichmann – right on the lakeshore with breakfast and dinner options
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Terrassenhotel Reichmann
Klopeiner See isn’t the wildest or the quietest lake in Carinthia. Similar to Ossiacher See, expect a practical swimming lake where you’ll find everything needed for a pleasant summer holiday and where your children can easily spend the whole day by the water.
Who Klopeiner See is ideal for:
- For families with children, an easy-going summer holiday, and everyone looking for warmer water for swimming.
- In season, expect it to be lively. A quieter alternative in the nearby area could be Turnersee or some of the smaller lakes in Carinthia.
6. Millstätter See
Millstätter See is a good choice if you’re planning a relaxing and wellness holiday, at any time of the year. It’s not as busy as Wörthersee, but still offers plenty of services, swimming, trips, and nice spots by the water.
View accommodation at Millstätter See
The region is known for a pleasant combination: lake + mountains + wellness. At Millstätter See, you’ll find quiet bays, the first Carinthian bathhouse by the lake, a path around the lake for recreational cyclists, and we recommend preparing experiences like a picnic by the water or a sunset at the viewpoints. Personally, we like to come here from autumn to spring, when we use the bathhouse right by the lake.
Badehaus at Millstätter See
Good bases are Millstatt, Seeboden or Döbriach. Millstatt feels the most spa-like and elegant. Seeboden is more practical and lively. Döbriach is a good compromise for families and a quieter stay.
Who Millstätter See is an ideal destination for:
- For couples on romantic wellness stays and travellers who want mountain trips without too much hustle and bustle.
- However, if you’re looking for evening buzz, bars, and a promenade atmosphere, Wörthersee will be a better choice.
- With children, you’re better off heading to Klopeiner or Pressegger See.
Head to Austria specifically for a wellness stay:
Faaker See
The best for last? If you’re looking for a lake with a quieter atmosphere and turquoise water, Faaker See will delight you. It’s smaller than Wörthersee, but visually we rank it among the most beautiful Carinthian lakes. Its typical turquoise colour, clean water, and view of the Mittagskogel mountain are characteristic. Compared to Wörthersee, it feels quieter and you’ll be more in nature here.
A big advantage of Faaker See is that private motorboats don’t race around here. As a result, we recommend the lake as ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other non-motorised, quieter water sports.
A good place to stay is Drobollach, Faak am See or the surroundings of Villach, where you should expect a busier atmosphere. However, if you don’t want to be by the water all week, you’re close to the aforementioned Villach or Ossiacher See from here.
Tip for accommodation at Faaker See directly on the island with half-board option:
>> CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PRICE AT INSELHOTEL FAAKERSEE
Inselhotel Faakersee
You can also head out on trips towards the Italian and Slovenian borders. We recommend, for example, a full-day trip to Kranjska Gora, specifically Lake Jasna and the Zelenci Nature Reserve.
Who Faaker See is a great destination for:
- For families with children, couples, and holidaymakers who want beautiful water and good facilities, but find Wörthersee too busy.
- Access to the water is often through paid beaches or accommodation with private lake access. It’s worth sorting this out when choosing your hotel or apartment.
Find accommodation at Faaker See right by the water using the map:
Weather in Carinthia and when to go on holiday to Carinthia?
Carinthian lakes are ideal for swimming mainly in July and August. The water is warmest, around 26-28°C. You’ll find beaches with facilities and various services and rentals. In the surroundings of the lakes, you can head out on mountain trips and also use the summer cable cars. At the same time, expect that you’ll meet the most people during the summer holidays and accommodation prices are high, so we recommend booking in advance or waiting until the last minute to see if any hotels become available.
Personally, we also like travelling to the Carinthian lakes in spring and autumn. Temperatures are usually pleasant for trips, cycling, and a quieter holiday, but unless you’re hardy, expect to swim more from mid-June to late September. September is especially great for those who want to enjoy warm days with a combination of swimming and hiking with fewer people in hotels, on beaches, and on hiking trails.
Where to go on trips in Carinthia, regardless of which lake you’re staying at:
- Pyramidenkogel at Wörthersee,
- Klagenfurt and Minimundus,
- Villach – city and wellness centre,
- Gerlitzen Alpe above Ossiacher See,
- trips to the Nockberge mountains,
- Granattor above Millstätter See and the Badehaus,
- gorges and Alpine roads in the surroundings,
- boat trips on the lakes.
- Cycling trips between individual lakes
