Carinthia, Austria

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

AustriaEurope
Introduction
Carinthia (Kärnten), Austria's southernmost state, bordering Italy and Slovenia, is the country's lake district and sun-trap — a relaxed, almost Mediterranean region of warm turquoise bathing lakes ringed by Alpine peaks. For travellers it offers summer swimming in some of Europe's warmest mountain lakes, the high mountains of the Hohe Tauern and the Grossglockner, the lakeside resorts and the easygoing southern flair that has earned it the nickname the 'Austrian Riviera'.

Discover Carinthia

Carinthia's lakes are its signature, and in summer they are the warmest swimmable Alpine lakes in Europe — clear, turquoise water reaching pleasant bathing temperatures against a backdrop of green mountains. The largest and most famous is the Wörthersee, a long, glamorous lake whose shores hold the lively resort towns of Velden (with its grand casino and waterfront) and Pörtschach, and the capital Klagenfurt — its waters busy with swimmers, sailing boats and lakeside promenades, lidos and cafés through the warm months. To the north, the deep Millstätter See is calmer and ringed by mountains; the small, vividly turquoise Faaker See sits beneath the pyramid of the Mittagskogel; the Ossiacher See is a watersports hub; and the high, protected Weissensee is one of the purest lakes in the Alps, beloved for its clear water and, in winter, its vast natural ice-skating surface. Swimming, sailing, paddleboarding and simply relaxing on the lake jetties is the essence of a Carinthian summer — the reason the state is called the 'Austrian Riviera'.

Travel Types

Warm Lakes

Summer swimming in Europe's warmest Alpine lakes — Wörthersee, Millstätter See, Faaker and Weissensee.

Mountains & Grossglockner

The Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria's highest peak and the spectacular Grossglockner High Alpine Road.

Skiing & Spas

Winter slopes and thermal spas at Bad Kleinkirchheim and Nassfeld, and ice-skating on the Weissensee.

Towns & Southern Flair

Klagenfurt and its Lindwurm and Minimundus, Villach's old town and an Italian-Slovenian-influenced culture.

Frequently asked questions

Yes — Carinthia's lakes are among the warmest swimmable Alpine lakes in Europe, reaching comfortable bathing temperatures through the summer thanks to the state's sunny, southern position. The Wörthersee, Millstätter See, Faaker See, Ossiacher See and others have lidos, jetties and lakeside promenades, and swimming, sailing and paddleboarding are the heart of a Carinthian summer. The high Weissensee is cooler and prized for its purity. This is why the region is nicknamed the 'Austrian Riviera'.

Summer (June to September) is the prime season — for the warm lakes, swimming, lakeside resorts, the open Grossglockner road and mountain hiking. Late spring and early autumn are quieter and pleasant for the mountains and towns. Winter brings skiing to Bad Kleinkirchheim and Nassfeld, thermal-spa relaxation, and natural ice-skating on the frozen Weissensee. The lakes are very much a summer draw, while the mountains reward visits year-round.

Yes — the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of Europe's most spectacular mountain drives, runs up to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe viewpoint facing Austria's highest peak and the Pasterze glacier, accessible from the Carinthian side (it crosses into Salzburg). It's a toll road open in the warmer months (roughly May to October, weather permitting), with hairpin bends, viewpoints, marmots and alpine scenery. Allow a half to full day and check opening conditions, as snow can close it outside summer.

Cities in Carinthia

2 cities with detailed travel information

Klagenfurt am WörtherseeNeuhaus