Things to see and do on your trip to Klagenfurt?

Known as the capital of the region of Carinthia, the city of Klagenfurt is located in the south of Austria. It is a city with an incomparable heritage, full of palaces and monuments of great beauty. But it is also located in a region with an unforgettable natural charm. Read on and we tell you about all the things to do in Klagenfurt, Austria.

Things to do in Klagenfurt Austria

1. Neuer Platz

We’ll start the tour at the Neuer Platz, or in other words, the new square of Klagenfurt.

The square, besides being one of the most popular meeting places, is also home to the most recognized monument of the city: the Dragon Fountain.

And it is so iconic because for many years this was the emblem of Klagenfurt, thanks to an old legend. That’s why it has been nestled in the square for more than 3 centuries.

You will find several spectacular sculptures in Klagenfurt. There is also a statue of Hercules, which is almost as old as the Dragon Fountain, and the Trinity Column. Indeed, Neuer Platz is a must-see place in Klagenfurt.

2. The Alte Platz in Klagenfurt

Now that we left Neuer Platz behind, we must mention the other part of the city. This is Alte Platz, a huge street with beautiful buildings with baroque-influenced facades.

The Altes Rathaus is also located in this area. It used to be the town hall of the city and it also houses an old parish church called St. Egid.

Both buildings are worth visiting but the church in particular for ist has great historical importance. The paintings on the ceiling and the impressive mural, make it a treasure not to be missed.

3. The Carinthia Regional Museum

It is difficult not to get lost among all the cultural heritage that Klagenfurt houses. This is why a perfect way to see a summary of the history of the Carinthia region is to visit the regional museum.

There you’ll find art pieces and a collection of archaeological exhibits. And there is also a series of dioramas of the city and its surrounding areas, such as the Villach Alps.

All in all, if you are fascinated by natural history and art, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the spectacular region of Carinthia.

4. The Landhaus

Along the Alter Platz street, you will find one of the most emblematic buildings in Klagenfurt, Austria: the Landhaus.

All the details of this stunning building make it a history of the city. The castle, formerly home to the Dukes of Klagenfurt, stands out for its mighty towers crowned with domes.

Inside there are also a few interesting things. You should not miss a beautiful courtyard to walk around and the Grosser Wappensaal. It is a huge hall displaying the coats of arms of important warriors in the history of Carinthia.

5. Klagenfurt Cathedral

The Klagenfurt Cathedral is an architectural landmark with an unforgettable collection of artwork on its ceilings and walls.

The cathedral was built around 1590 and is one of the most emblematic sights in Klagenfurt. The most remarkable thing is the exquisite artistic decoration, with works by famous artists. This makes it an essential visit on your tour around the city.

You can not miss the Diocesan Museum located next to the cathedral. There you can find a number of art pieces with a religious character that are highly recommended to be seen.

6. A route around the Wörthersee

The truth is that you could spend days and days in the forests and lakes surrounding Klagenfurt. The Wörthersee is undoubtedly the most impressive lake in the area, stretching for miles in its fullness.

Carinthia is known for its natural beauty and this lake, as well as the views of the mountains are a feast for the senses.

We recommend you to visit it and if you are a water sports enthusiast, this is a perfect place to practice them. Ice skaters, on the other hand, get to enjoy it when the lake is frozen. Wörthersee is a great place for many activities, so make sure to stop by.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Things to do around Klagenfurt, Austria

1. The Castle of Hochosterwitz

If you were looking at this peak from afar, you’d probably wonder what that castle on top of the mountain is and why it looks like it came out of a novel.

Actually, the Hochosterwitz Castle, in the town of Launsdorf, has more than a thousand years of history. It is all a legend because it was never conquered.

The path to get there is a rewarding experience in itself, because of the gates you will find along the way and the natural charm that surrounds it.

In the castle area there is also a beautiful chapel and another church, both quite ancient and worth a visit.

Don’t worry if you get hungry during your visit to the castle. There is a restaurant, which also offers one of the best views in the area.

2. Villach, a beautiful region in Austria

If, like us, you have fallen in love with the region of Carinthia, there is another small town you should visit, called Villach.

Surrounded by mountains and lakes, the charming Villach has a bewitching old town. Walking around its narrow streets is a lovely experience.

Of course, you will also find some outstanding buildings there. For example, the Church of the Holy Cross of Villach, with its pink and white façade, is a must-see.

Things to do in Klagenfurt, Austria in 1 day

To make sure you don’t miss any of the things to do in Klagenfurt, we have prepared this short checklist for you. Here is an itinerary of the must-see things your trip to Klagenfurt, Austria:

• Neuer Platz
• Alter Platz
• Landhaus
• Klagenfurt Cathedral

Where to eat in Klagenfurt

• Himmel: Excellent service, a charming place and a very extensive menu with a Mediterranean influence. Prices are around 20€-25€ per person.
• Zum heiligen Josef: Perfect for enjoying what Austrian cuisine has to offer, in addition to a lovely terrace. The price ranges from 20€-30€.
• Cat’n’Coffee: This cafe is one of the most popular in the city, not only because of its coffee offer, but also because there are cats walking all over the place. 

Where to stay in Klagenfurt

• Apartments Alter Platz: As the name suggests, these apartments are in the heart of the city center and have very well equipped installations. The price is around 110€ per night for the whole apartment. 
• Seepark Worthersee Resort: This magnificent resort in the surroundings of the lake, is one of the most luxurious accommodations, with incredible views and spa… The prices are around 200€ per night, but the luxury is worth it.
• Hostel MAPI/JARU: One of the most affordable options in Klagenfurt. The shared rooms are as charming as the lounges and the inner garden that welcome you to the hostel. The price is €24 per night.  

How to get to Klagenfurt in Austria

There are many flights from Europe to Austria, especially from the capitals and big cities.

Although there is an airport in Klagenfurt, you usually have to make at least one stopover at a nearby airport. There are flights with a stopover in Vienna. Prices are around 400€, depending on where you are coing from.

Another option is to take a train from Vienna, because you can enjoy the trip to the Carinthia region on the way and it is only about a two-hour trip.

Tips about a trip to Klagenfurt Austria

• The official currency of Klagenfurt, Austria is the Euro, so you won’t have to worry about exchanging currency.
• If you are a European citizen, you don’t need a visa to enter the country, your ID card or passport is enough.
• If you are traveling from a country with another currency, we recommend that you make the currency exchange in advance.
• The best time to visit Klagenfurt is from May to September, when temperatures are milder.
• There is no roaming in Austria (for European citizens), so you can use the Internet on your cell phone without any problems.
• The city is safe, but as in any tourist spot, be careful with your belongings.
• Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to organize what to see in Klagenfurt

Register for or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes mentioned in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in Klagenfurt Austria

If you have doubts on how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Klagenfurt