Wörthersee: 11 Trip Ideas + Accommodation

Carinthia

Wörthersee: 11 Trip Ideas + Verified Accommodations

Wörthersee is the most famous lake in Carinthia. You’ll be amazed not only by its length but also by its stunning turquoise color. It’s surrounded by hills and towns that buzz with cafes, beaches, and promenades (not just) in summer. Thanks to its location in southern Austria, it’s pleasantly warm during the season, and the water temperatures are unusually high for Alpine conditions.

So for those of you who complain to us about the water temperature in mountain lakes in Upper Austria, head to Carinthia. Whether you come for swimming, cycling, viewpoints, or trips around the area, Wörthersee is an ideal base for a relaxing holiday.

>>HOT DEALS ON ACCOMMODATION AT WÖRTHERSEE<<

Wörthersee

Wörthersee

It’s located in the Austrian state of Carinthia, just a few hours’ drive from us in southern Bohemia. It’s long been not just a destination for Austrian high society, but also a popular spot for Czech holidaymakers looking for a combination of swimming, nature, and cultural activities. Wörthersee can excite families with children, sports enthusiasts, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Accommodation at Wörthersee

There are plenty of accommodation options around the lake, from luxury hotels in Klagenfurt and Velden to smaller guesthouses and apartments in quieter parts of the lake like Pörtschach or Krumpendorf. Prices tend to be higher than at typical Alpine lakes, but they match the quality of services.

Our Verified Accommodation Tips at Wörthersee:

>>SHOW AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AT WÖRTHERSEE HERE<<

Das Seepark Wörthersee Resort

Boutique Apartments Velden

Hotel Rösch

Wörthersee plus Card – Free with your Stay

The Wörthersee Plus Card is a welcome bonus for tourists and offers dozens of discounts and free entries that can significantly enhance and reduce the cost of your stay. With it, you can visit places like the Pyramidenkogel observation tower for free or at a discounted rate, enjoy a boat trip on the lake, have free entry to several beaches or swimming pools, visit Minimundus, or use discounted cable car rides in the area.

Wörthersee

You usually get the card for free directly at the reception of your hotel, guesthouse, or apartment if it’s among the official partner accommodations in the Wörthersee, Klagenfurt, and surrounding region. It’s valid for the duration of your stay and for some services even for children, so it’s particularly worthwhile for multi-day holidays when you can combine swimming, trips, and cultural experiences.

Wörthersee

Most accommodations offer it from just 1 night. You can get more information directly at the reception of your chosen hotel.

11 Trip Ideas around Wörthersee

1. Pyramidenkogel

  • An iconic observation tower above the lake that you can’t miss. You can take a panoramic elevator up and come down via Europe’s longest covered slide. The views of the entire Wörthersee and the Karawanks always take our breath away. We’ve put this trip first because you can do it even as a supplementary excursion when just passing by the lake.
  • It’s the world’s tallest wooden observation tower (100 meters) and offers a panoramic view of the entire Wörthersee and surrounding mountains. You can get here by car or on foot.

Wörthersee

Wörthersee

2. Maria Wörth

  • A picturesque peninsula with a small church that often appears on postcards. A place made for romantic walks or a short stop during a boat trip on the lake. One of our favorite spots by the lake.
  • The local church is mentioned as early as the 9th century. An ideal place for an evening walk and sunset photography

Wörthersee

 

3. Boat trip on Wörthersee

  • A cruise between towns is a comfortable way to see the lake from a different perspective. Boats run regularly and stop at the main resorts.
  • Plan a “hop-on/hop-off” trip around the lake. It’s a convenient way to alternate between beaches and towns without having to drive. The fleet runs daily from spring to autumn, and a day ticket allows unlimited transfers.
  • Four-legged friends are also welcome on board – muzzle and leash are, of course, required.

Wörthersee

Wörthersee

4. Cycling around the lake

  • A relatively easy 41 km route along the shore with cafes and swimming bays along the way. If you’re doing a cycling trip just for one day, you can find bike rentals ideally in Klagenfurt and Velden.
  • The route is mostly flat, with a few gentle climbs, and passes through picturesque towns like Velden, Pörtschach, Maria Wörth, Reifnitz, and Klagenfurt. It mostly runs on asphalt or high-quality paved roads and is suitable even for recreational cyclists.
  • At several points, there’s an option to combine the trip with the aforementioned boat transport if you want to shorten or vary your route.

5. Hiking

  • There are several marked trails in the area not only for cyclists but also for hiking holidaymakers, such as climbs to nearby hills with beautiful views. You can also hike from the lake to the aforementioned observation tower.

Wörthersee

6. Velden am Wörthersee or Pörtschach am Wörthersee

  • A stylish town on the western shore of the lake is also known for its vibrant atmosphere. We were personally impressed by the promenade and the iconic Schloss Velden hotel. Ideal for evening walks and a drink by the water.
  • It’s also worth visiting the town of Pörtschach am Wörther See, which we find great for water activities

Wörthersee

7. Klagenfurt

  • The capital of Carinthia offers many places worth visiting. You’ll find a historic center, a beautiful botanical garden, and most importantly, Minimundus.

8. Minimundus (Klagenfurt)

  • The so-called “Small World” with famous buildings at a 1:25 scale. The place is great to visit with children or as a relaxing program during bad weather.

Wörthersee

Wörthersee

9. Trip to Tscheppaschlucht gorge or Hochosterwitz Castle

  • Adrenaline-pumping walkways, waterfalls, and a suspension bridge in the gorge near Ferlach (open only in season), or a medieval castle on a rock with the famous 14 Gates Path. Both places can be visited by car from Wörthersee in less than half an hour.

Wörthersee

Wörthersee

10. Pörtschach Beach

  • If you’re looking for swimming with all the comforts and attractions for both young and old, this is the place for you. A well-maintained beach, slides, diving boards, and a view of the lake straight out of a catalog. Promotional photo of the beach:
  • Link to the beach: sup.woerthersee.com/promenadenbad-poertschach

Wörthersee - beach

Wörthersee - beach

11. Swimming outside public beaches

  • Personally, we prefer swimming “in the wild”, away from busy public beaches, and from our own experience, we know that even at such a popular lake as Wörthersee, you can find several pleasant bays for private swimming. Go on foot or by bike around the lake and find your own spot.

Wörthersee

Where Can Dogs Swim at Wörthersee?

Dogs are not allowed to enter the water at public beaches around Wörthersee, but there are still plenty of options. Proven locations include Forstsee (marked sections), Kleiner See north of Forstsee, Trattnigteich (selected parts), and Hafnersee, which has a designated dog beach.

Right by the lake, there’s a “Hundewiese” next to Strandbad Klagenfurt where dogs can also go into the water. Dogs are also welcome on boats on Wörthersee, with a muzzle and on a leash.

You could say that Wörthersee is like an Alpine Riviera, where water activities, light hiking, cycling, and cultural trips are nicely combined. Just choose a place from which you’ll make your trips, and then it’s up to you and the current weather whether you’re tempted by a quiet bay or the vibrant atmosphere of one of the local towns.

Whether you come for an extended weekend or a week, we believe you’ll leave feeling like you want to come back.

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