We visited this region during our four-day summer holiday and we must admit that it was a very pleasant surprise. Pristine lakes, stunning walking trails, panoramic views, wellness facilities and romantic experiences. Carinthia is a place where you can plan an active or relaxing holiday to suit your own preferences.

However, as Carinthia is a very large region, this article will focus mainly on the area around Lake Millstätter See, where we stayed during our visit and from where we set off on all our excursions. It was this part of the region that we got to know best, and we’ll show you the places we visited during our trip.

How to Get to Carinthia, Austria

Carinthia is situated in the southern part of Austria, right on the border with Slovenia and Italy. It is precisely this location that gives it its unique atmosphere. As well as the typical Austrian Alpine landscape, there is also a slight Mediterranean influence here.

We traveled by car from Bratislava and the journey took us around 4½ to 5 hours (depending on the specific destination in the region). Most of the journey takes you along Austria’s high-quality motorways, meaning you can enjoy Carinthia even over a long weekend.

The nearest major town and transport hub is Klagenfurt, from where it is easy to reach the region’s most famous lakes and tourist destinations.

Hiking at Lake Millstatter See: The Best Trails

One of the main things we were looking forward to on our holiday in Austria was hiking. And in this part of Carinthia, too, you’ll find countless hiking trails – ranging from easy to more challenging ones.

As we wanted to combine several activities during the day, we chose moderately challenging hikes that took us about 2–3 hours. It was just because of this that we had the chance to spend the afternoon doing something else and get to know the region a little better.

Falkert See

One of the most beautiful places we visited during our stay was Falkert See. This small mountain lake is situated in the Nockberge region, and simply getting there is an experience in itself. The tranquil surface of the lake, surrounded by green hills and typical Alpine scenery, looks like something straight out of a postcard.

We recommend a visit to Falkert See even if you’re not a keen hiker. You can simply take a short stroll around the lake or walk for about 8 minutes to this lovely swing, which also offers some beautiful views! The swing is located right next to the Zirbenhütte.

Falkert Summit

From the lake we set off to climb Falkert Summit (2 308 m. a. s. l.). The route follows the red trail gradually uphill and rewards you with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains right from the start. The most beautiful part comes further up, where the path opens out and the final stretch of the ascent follows a panoramic ridge.

At the summit, you’ll be treated to a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and a sense of being far away from civilisation. The hike isn’t technically very demanding, but we definitely recommend wearing good footwear and being in reasonably good physical condition – mainly because of the elevation gain, which is around 400 metres. All in all, the Falkert See – Sonntagstal – Falkert loop and back took us about three hours.

After reaching the summit, we stopped at the Almasthaus Seehütte, where we had a delicious lunch as a reward, with a stunning view of the lake as a BONUS.

Goldeck Summit

The second hike we would recommend is the climb to Goldeck Summit (2 142 m. a. s.l.). This mountain is one of the most popular destinations in the region and offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views around Lake Millstatter See.

The advantage is that you can tailor the route to suit your time and fitness level. Take the cable car up to the mountain station at an altitude of approximately 1 780 m. a. s.l. and from there you continue on foot to the summit. The climb up and down, including a break, takes about 2 hours. In good weather, you can see as far as the Italian Alps.

We particularly enjoyed the moment when the views of the lakes, the surrounding peaks and the whole valley opened up before us. It’s exactly the sort of place where you stop and simply take in just how beautiful nature can be. If you’re looking for a hike with real ‘wow’ factor without having doing an all-day climb, we think Goldeck is one of the best options in the area.

The cable car runs during the summer season from 9 am, and the last cable car from the top leaves at 4.15 pm.

Hrebienok – Zbojnícka Chata

The route from Hrebienok to Zbojnicka chata is considered to be a moderately difficult hiking with an elevation of about 730 m. The beginning of the route is very pleasant and everyone can handle it. The climb starts after the second half of the route, but we guarantee you that the views will definitely be worth it. At Zbojnícká chata you will enjoy great food and beautiful views. In total, this hike will take you 5:30 hours.

Gastronomy

During our stay in the High Tatras we also tried several gastro establishments, which we would like to recommend to you. If you are currently in Stary Smokovec, it is definitely worth mentioning Stodola Smokovec. We tasted there the best bryndzové halušky and homemade soup.

Right next to the Hrebienok resort there is also a restaurant called SLOWENSKA, where we had dinner. We had a burger, wings and beer. The atmosphere was great! Burger Váňa is also worth mentioning. It’s a small stand along the main road, and the smell of burgers is so strong that it makes you swoon in an instant.

If you want to enjoy other than traditional cuisine, you can try the UMAMI restaurant, which serves sushi and other Asian specialties. If you are looking for a place to have breakfast in the morning, you can stop by MONDIEU or Pekárova žena for pastries or coffee.

All accommodation options can be found on the following links:

• Starý Smokovec
• Tatranská Lomnica
• Veľká Lomnica
• Dolný Smokovec
• Old Forest

Es Trenc

A completely different type of beach than the ones mentioned above is Es Trenc. It is located on the south coast of Mallorca. The beach is about 10 km long, with white sand and turquoise water.

However, what you hardly read about anywhere and in our opinion you should be prepared for is the fact that it is largely a nude beach. We weren’t prepared for that We preferred to enjoy our time at Es Trenc in our swimsuits and we didn’t mind it at all. Although we preferred not to look around, because we would have seen what we didn’t want to see.

If you come to the beach from the right – west side and park your car here, don’t be discouraged by the dirty beach and seaweed at the very beginning. After a few minutes of walking you will reach paradise.

Sa Calobra

Sa Calobra is a small village on the north-west coast of the island, which, in addition to its many shops, restaurants and beautiful promenade, also offers a beautiful beach. The beach is rocky and small, but the water is clean and its location in a cove between two cliffs makes it unique.

To get to it, you have to go through a path in the cave. We recommend arriving early in the morning to catch the best spot. The easiest way to get to this beach is by boat through various tours and day trips. Another option is a car. However, be prepared for very narrow roads and serpentines, which nevertheless offer spectacular views.

The Coll Dels Reis or the Torrent de Pareis are definitely worth a mention, and not to be missed on the way! However, this is a very popular cycling route and therefore you need to ride very carefully.

Cala Agulla

Among the most beautiful beaches in Mallorca is definitely Cala Agulla, located on the east coast of the island. The beach is big enough to give you privacy even during high season.

The water is beautifully clear and you can also enjoy a bit rougher sea, which is ideal for lovers of waves and adrenaline. There are several beach bars on the beach where you can have a drink and a bite to eat. On the right side there is a pier, which is an ideal place for a walk during sunset when it is not so warm outside.

Cala Mesquida

Cala Mesquida is just a 10-minute drive from the passing beach of Cala Agulla, so it’s the perfect opportunity to explore both beaches in one day. It is a sandy beach with turquoise water, but it has great surfing conditions.

There are huge sand dunes on the beach. For the more adventurous and active, there’s the option to take a walk along the pier to the next beach, Cala Torta. This coastal walk will take you about 2 hours as it is almost 5 km long. Sun umbrellas and sun loungers can also be rented on the beach. The beach area is also home to protected bird species.

But let’s move on to the TOP 10 places you have to see!

1. Sete Cidaded

The most beautiful part of São Miguel is considered to be the area around the Sete Cidades lakes. These lakes can be viewed from several vantage points, but not all of them offer the same view. Miradouro da Boca do Inferno (see photo) is definitely the most beautiful view of the island.

If you’re lucky, the view of 50 shades of green will definitely leave you speechless. We had to go there three times because twice it was foggy and we could see literally nothing, but it was definitely worth it. Our hearts were pumping and tears came to our eyes at the thought of how beautiful nature is and how lucky we are to have the opportunity to travel and see such beauties of the world.

Miradouro da Vista do Rei or Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras also offer a nice view of the above-mentioned Sete Cidades. The former, however, is certainly no match for the latter.

2. Cascata da Ribeira Quente

The second place is occupied by the largest waterfall on the island, which is hidden between two tunnels. It is very difficult to find it because unless you know its exact location, you can miss it very easily.

There are not a lot of tourists at this place, so it is often difficult to navigate by the parked cars. We recommend parking your car in front of the tunnels (on the right) and walking about 5 minutes to the end of the first tunnel. When you look to the right you are so lost for words! The most beautiful waterfall of Ribeira Quente is here.

For the brave and physically fit, it is possible to climb directly under the waterfall (see photo). The path takes about 20 minutes, but is not marked in any way. However, since the waterfall is always in front of your eyes, it is very easy to get there.

3. Caldeira Velha

Imagine this: you are walking inside a jungle with exotic plants all around you, birds are chirping and you hear running water. This is the Caldeira Velha Natural Monument in the Azores.

There is a beautiful waterfall and several pools with thermal water of different temperatures. Access to the recreational park is limited, so you don’t have to worry about crowded pools or excessive noise. However, what you need to be careful of is early booking even a few days in advance. You can book your tickets here. The complex is one of the most visited places on the island.

4. Lagoa do Fogo

Another interesting area is the surroundings of Lake Fogo. The name Fogo translates to fog, so we probably don’t need to tell you what kind of weather prevails there. Again the rule of rapid weather variability applies and therefore you need to be patient. If you arrive at the place and you can’t see even one meter in front of you there is no need to give up. Try to wait a few minutes and maybe luck will smile at you.

The hiking trails around the lake and the panoramic views of Miradouro da Barrosa and Miradouro da Lagoa da Fogo are also very famous.

5. Miradouro de Santa Iria

Miradouro de Santa Iria is definitely one of the top views on the island. At first glance, it may seem like an ordinary roadside stop, but the opposite is true. The viewpoint provides a spectacular view of the cliffs, hills and ocean. And trust us, those three things are a bulletproof combination.

The advantage is that nobody stays there too long, so you can very easily have the whole place to yourself. Isn’t it beautiful?

6. Salto do Prego

The second most magical waterfall on the island is Salto do Prego. However, don’t let Google Maps fool you and be prepared for it to be a good hour from the car park to your destination. Google Maps showed us that we were about 3 minutes away, but it was not the case

And so, unprepared, without any food or water, we set out to discover the waterfall, which took more than an hour to reach. We recommend that you bring plenty of drinking water or some refreshments in addition to your swimsuit, as you may spend several hours at the waterfall.

7. Poca da Dona Beija

Poca da Dona Beija is a natural spa located in Furnas. There are five different thermal pools, which are heated by an iron water spring. Tickets to these spas cannot be bought in advance, so expect a longer queue (30 to 60 minutes). Don’t be discouraged though, it’s definitely worth it! We recommend visiting the spa during the rain, it has its own charm.

And one more important thing! Be careful what you wear, as the iron water in the springs is orange. Unless you don’t want to ruin your new swimsuit or towel, we recommend bringing older items that you won’t regret throwing away. We were there twice, which says it all! You will love this place.

8. Miradouro do Pico do Ferro

Another enchanting sight on the island is Miradouro do Pico do Ferro. This viewpoint is located about 5 kilometres from the town of Furnas, on the road to Ribeira Grande. It offers a fantastic view of the lagoon and the volcanic valley of Furnas from above.

Like all places on the island, it’s easy to get here by car, so as they say: a lot of music for little money, even if the petrol is quite expensive nowadays.

9. Salto do Cabrito

Another place worth visiting is the Cabrito waterfall. The waterfall is conveniently located in the centre of the island and is close to the aforementioned Santa Iria viewpoint.

After a short 15-minute walk down the hill from the car park, you will find the Salto Do Cabrito waterfall. It is therefore a much more accessible place than the previous Salto do Prego waterfall.

However, be prepared for the water to be quite cold and unless the sun is shining, it can be quite uncomfortable. But we enjoyed our stay and bath in the waterfall to the fullest thanks to the sunshine!

10. Grená park

The last place that is definitely worth mentioning is the Grená Park, which is located next to Lake Furnas. Grená Park offers visitors easy hiking trails that are complemented by several waterfalls, in addition to beautiful nature, chirping birds and many shades of green.

Entrance to the park is 10 euros, but the price also includes renting a bicycle, which you can ride around the whole of Lake Furnas. More info about the park and the current price list can be found here.

BONUS – three more places worth visiting!

Even though we’ve already closed the top ten, we’d like to give you 3 bonus picks that you’re guaranteed to love.

One of them is a visit to the only tea plantations in Europe called Gorreana Tea Factory. Besides walking through the tea fields, you can see the whole process of tea processing, taste their spot products, or buy products typical for the region.

Did you know that São Miguel Island is also the only place in Europe where pineapples grow in a greenhouse? You can find out more about this when you visit a pineapple plantation located just a few minutes from the centre of Ponta Delgada. You can also taste a variety of pineapple products, which you can buy to support local farmers.

The last place we want to tell you about is the black sand beach Praia dos Mosteiros. It’s definitely the most beautiful beach on the island and a must see!