If you’re looking for somewhere to go for a long weekend or a few days’ break, you might be surprised to find that you don’t have to travel very far. In the south of Austria lies the region of Carinthia, which offers a beautiful combination of mountains, lakes and a pleasant summer atmosphere.
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.
Where to stay near Lake Millstatter See?
When choosing accommodation, we particularly recommend selecting a location based on what you’d like to experience during your stay. We stayed at the Hotel Zur Post in the village of Döbriach, which proved to be the perfect base for exploring the surrounding area.
As well as standard accommodation, which includes spacious, modern rooms with balconies, the hotel also offers a slightly more unconventional option called Biwak. It’s a small cabin right on the shores of Lake Millstätter See, which has a glass roof, so you can gaze at the stars at night from the comfort of your bed. Another advantage is the terrace, where you can enjoy a lovely breakfast and the views throughout the day.
Who Is Carinthia Perfect For
Given that the region offers a truly wide variety of activities, there’s something for everyone here – whether it’s families with children, couples looking for a romantic getaway, or a group of friends. So let’s take a look at what activities you can enjoy during your holiday in the area around Lake Millstatter See.
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.
Cycling in Carinthia: Best Bike Routes Around Lake Millstatter See
If you enjoy active holidays, Carinthia is also a great destination for cyclists. The region offers a wide range of routes along lakes, through picturesque villages and more challenging mountain climbs with stunning panoramic views.
The area around Lake Millstatter See is particularly ideal for leisure cyclists and e-bikers. Thanks to the combination of the lake, the mountains and well-signposted trails, there’s something for everyone here – from a leisurely ride with views of the water to more challenging routes at higher altitudes.
Popular routes include, for example:
- Millstätter See Cycle Path (Millstätter See Radweg)
One of the most beautiful ways to explore the lake itself. The cycle route around Lake Millstatt is approximately 28 kilometres long and runs along the lake shore, through woods and small villages. It is also suitable for less experienced cyclists and, thanks to the beautiful views, is one of the most popular activities in the area. - Nockbike – cycle routes in the Nockberge Mountains
For those looking for a greater challenge, the region offers a wealth of mountain bike trails in the Nockberge area. They’re particularly ideal for e-bikes, which help you tackle even steeper climbs whilst enjoying the stunning views. - Via Paradiso – a panoramic route above Lake Millstatter see
This route is one of the most scenic walks around the lake. It runs high above the lake’s surface and offers magnificent views of the water and the surrounding mountains.
Whether you choose a leisurely ride around the lake or a more challenging mountain route, we believe that cycling is one of the best ways to explore the region’s beauty at your own pace.
Things to do at Lake Millstatter See: a lake full of activities
Lake Millstatter See surprised us in that it isn’t just your typical destination where you turn up at the lake, have a swim and that’s it. Quite the opposite. The lake offers a wealth of opportunities to explore it in both active and romantic ways. During our stay, we tried our hand at stand-up paddleboarding, enjoyed a romantic picnic on a boat, and also visited one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area – SternenBalkon.
Paddleboarding on Lake Millstätter See
One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Lake Millstatter See is to head straight out onto the water. We chose for paddleboarding, which we thought was the perfect activity for a warm summer’s day. A paddleboard costs around €16 per hour. We rented ours from DROPS Bootsverleih at this location. As well as paddleboards, they also rent kayaks, motorboats and pedalos.
The water in the lake is beautifully clear, and from the water’s surface you can enjoy a completely different perspective – the surrounding mountains, green hills and peaceful atmosphere give you the feeling that you’re somewhere much further away than Austria.
Lake Millstatt is one of the largest and deepest lakes in Carinthia and, thanks to its pleasant water temperature, is ideal for swimming and various water sports during the summer. When we were there, the lake had a pleasant 26 degrees.
A romantic picnic on a boat
If you’re looking for something to do as a couple, this was one of the most wonderful experiences we had during our entire stay. Imagine a little wooden boat, a picnic basket full of local delicacies and a peaceful spot by the lake where you can enjoy some time together, just the two of you. It is exactly this combination of nature, the lake and privacy that creates an experience quite unlike a traditional visit to a restaurant.
First, we picked up our picnic basket from Seecafé KAP, and then we headed to this car park. From there, it was just a two-minute walk to the boat rental place. You can find all the information at this link: Romantic Picnic at Lake Millstatter See. In total, this activity took us 3 hours.
SternenBalkon – The Best Lake Viewpoint
One of the places we would definitely recommend visiting in the area around Lake Millstatter See is the SternenBalkon. This is a unique wooden viewing platform high above the lake, offering a magnificent panoramic view of Lake Millstatter See and the surrounding mountains.
In our opinion, the best time to visit is definitely before sunset. When the sun begins to bathe the lake in golden hues, this place takes on a completely different atmosphere. You can reach the viewpoint by car; the journey from the lake takes about 17 minutes. There is also a restaurant and a hotel up there where you can grab a bite to eat.
Wellness in Carinthia: Therme St. Kathrein
After days filled with exploring, hiking and activities by the lake, we treated ourselves to a bit of relaxation. And that’s exactly what Carinthia is perfect for, as, in addition to its beautiful natural scenery, it also offers a wide range of wellness options.
We visited Therme St. Kathrein in Bad Kleinkirchheim, which is situated in the Nockberge mountain range. This thermal spa oasis is the ideal place to relax after a trip to the mountains or as something to do on a less sunny day.
The spa offers both indoor and outdoor pools, relaxation areas and a sauna complex. What is particularly interesting is the combination of wellness and the mountain setting, as you can relax in warm water whilst being surrounded by beautiful Alpine scenery. For us, it was the perfect contrast to our busy days. After a morning hike to the summit, paddleboarding or exploring the area around Lake Millstatter See, a few hours in the spa were just what we needed.
A romantic dinner on a private island at KOLLERs Hotel
If we had to choose one experience from our visit to Millstätter See that we would rnever forget, it would be this very dinner. ❤️
Imagine being taken by boat to a small private island in the middle of a lake, where a table is laid out for you, candles, views of the surrounding mountains and a dinner await – a dinner during which you feel as though the whole world has ceased to exist for a moment.
This is exactly the kind of experience KOLLERs Hotel offers, right on the shores of Lake Millstatter See. Their private islet, known as Insel der Liebe (Island of Love), is one of the most romantic spots in the region and is ideal for special occasions – whether it’s an anniversary, a celebration or simply an evening you want to make a little more special.
You can reach the island by a small boat, and over dinner you can enjoy not only the excellent food but, above all, the atmosphere of the whole place. In our opinion, the most beautiful moment comes at sunset, when the lake’s surface takes on golden hues and the surrounding mountains provide the perfect backdrop. Their seven-course menu and the delicious wine served throughout the evening are an experience in themselves.
Final Thoughts: Why Visit Carinthia and Lake Millstatter See
After spending four days in the area around Lake Millstatter See, we can say that Carinthia was a pleasant surprise. We were expecting beautiful lakes and mountains, but in the end we discovered a region that has so much more to offer.
What we particularly liked was that every day could be completely different. Start the morning with breakfast overlooking the lake, set off for a hike in the mountains in the morning, relax by the water or in the spa in the afternoon, and round off the day with a romantic dinner at sunset.
It is precisely this combination that makes Carinthia a place which, in our view, will be loved by those who enjoy active holidays, couples looking for a romantic getaway, and anyone wishing to discover a more peaceful side of Austria.
Although we mainly managed to explore the area around Lake Millstatter See during our visit, the Carinthia region is vast and there are still plenty of places we’d like to discover next time.
So if you’re looking for a destination for a long weekend or a summer road trip where you can combine nature, adventure and relaxation, Carinthia is definitely worth considering. You can find more information about this region on their official website.
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