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Wörthersee, Austria – Beautiful Places to Stay and Things to know

Wörthersee is the place where the ruggedness of the Alps meets the “Dolce Vita” vibe of the Mediterranean.

Visit Worthersee best places to stay

Forget the dark, chilly lakes of the north. Wörthersee is known as the “Caribbean of the Alps.  Let’s dive into all you have to know before you go. 

A few frequently asked questions:

Where Is Wörthersee in Austria?

Wörthersee lies in the southern Austrian state of Carinthia, close to the border with Italy and Slovenia. The lake stretches about 16 kilometres and is surrounded by small resort towns, forested hills, and mountain views. The nearest city is Klagenfurt.

How Do You Get there?

Most visitors arrive via Klagenfurt, which sits at the eastern end of the lake. The city has a small airport and a railway station with connections to major Austrian cities. Driving is also easy, with scenic roads linking the lake to nearby alpine regions and neighbouring countries.

When is the best time to visit? 

Wörthersee (lake) is a popular tourist destination in the southern Austrian state of Carinthia.  Popular especially in summer time (July and August) when the water reaches temperatures above 20 degrees.  This is also the busiest time of the year, so you might consider going in September.

Most beautiful places in Austria

What is the state of Carinthia Known for?

Carinthia (Know in German as Kärnten) is known by many as the ‘land of lakes‘ – especially known for its skiing slopes, and its beautiful lakes.  One of which is the beautiful Wortersee.

Wörthersee - all you need to know

Standing beside Wörthersee for the first time, the color of the water immediately catches your eye. It shines in clear shades of turquoise and deep blue, almost glowing on a sunny day. The lake stretches quietly between green hills, with elegant villas, jetties, and small boats scattered along the shoreline.

The atmosphere feels relaxed yet summery and happy. Wooden platforms reach out into the water, perfect for swimming or simply sitting with your feet in the lake. In places like Pörtschach am Wörthersee, people stroll along the lakeside promenade, stopping for coffee or a drink while looking out across the water.

Can You Walk Around the lake?

Walking paths and promenades run along many parts of the shoreline. In towns such as Pörtschach am Wörthersee and Velden am Wörthersee, the lakeside walkways are especially pleasant. Wooden jetties stretch into the water, and cafés sit right beside the lake.

Why Is Wörthersee So Famous?

Wörthersee is famous for its clear turquoise water, warm summer temperatures, and elegant lakeside resorts. For generations it has been one of Austria’s favourite summer holiday lakes. Visitors come for swimming, sailing, relaxed café terraces, and beautiful views of the surrounding Carinthian hills.

Is Wörthersee Worth Visiting?

Yes. Wörthersee offers a classic Austrian lake holiday with calm scenery and easy outdoor experiences. Wooden jetties stretch into the water, boats cross the lake between towns, and lakeside promenades invite slow evening walks. Many travelers visit simply to enjoy the atmosphere beside the water.

What Food Should You Try while you’re there?

Restaurants around the lake serve classic Austrian dishes along with fresh local fish. One of the most traditional meals to try is grilled Reinanke, caught in nearby alpine lakes. Many lakeside restaurants serve it with potatoes and a simple salad.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Summer?

At this beautiful destination in Österreich (Austria) one of the best things to do, is to take photos.  It is simply beautiful and any photographer’s dream.  For a summer family holiday, you can enjoy picnics at dedicated areas, go swimming, boating, sunbathing, hiking, exploring and so much more.  Or, how about just enjoying a lazy day or two at your hotel with a stunning view?

DID YOU KNOW:

Lake Wörthersee is one of Austria’s warmest alpine lakes. In summer the water often reaches around 20°C or more, making swimming and boating very popular. Clear turquoise water, mountain views, and elegant lakeside towns give the area its reputation as a classic Austrian summer holiday destination.  Can you swim here?  Yes, most definitely. Pack your swimsuit.

best places to stay am Worthersee

TRAVEL TIP – REMEMBER:  The Wörthersee Schifffahrt (the ferry) is the most scenic way to hop between towns without a car.

Which are the Best Towns to Visit Around the lake?

Several attractive towns line the lake. Velden am Wörthersee is known for its lively promenade and lakefront restaurants. Pörtschach am Wörthersee offers wooden jetties and calm swimming areas. Klagenfurt brings historic streets, markets, and cafés close to the eastern end of the lake.

The 3 best places to stay - am Wörthersee

(in no particular order)

Why stay at Wörthersee

Many travelers choose Wörthersee for its relaxed lake lifestyle. Hotels sit directly on the shoreline with private swimming areas, jetties, and sun terraces facing the water. Staying on the lake means morning swims, sunset walks along the promenade, and cafés with uninterrupted alpine views.

Best luxury hotels Hotel Schloss Seefels in Austria

Nr 1. - A beautiful 5-star luxury hotel

In our books it has one of the most beautiful jetties in the world…

Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service.

“Renowned for its superb location right at Lake Wörthersee, this hotel offers unique charm and flair combined with luxury and exclusive atmosphere.

Guests can relax in the exclusive 1,100 m² spa area of of the hotel, which was created around natural rocks. It offers several saunas including a Finnish sauna, herbal sauna, outdoor sauna, a separate sauna just for women and a steam room, a salt infrared room. Have a tea from the tea bar in one of the relaxation rooms with panoramic lake and mountain views.” – booking.com

Nr 2. - Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden – The Leading Hotels of the World

Velden am Wörthersee, Austria

Need we say more?

The location is superb, the reviews are the best, the service is of high quality, but the photos say it best:  Gallery

Best places to stay at Worthersee
Best hotel at Worthersee best place to stay in luxury

Right at the shore of Lake Wörthersee and just steps away from the casino, Schlosshotel Velden includes an award-winning spa (open all year long), an indoor pool, and a spacious garden with an outdoor pool. In summer, the Beach Club features private lake access.” – booking.com

Oh, and they allow pets, if you want to take your 4-legged children with for a weekend getaway.  They also receive royal treatment as they deserve.

most beautiful places to stay in Austria

Nr 3. - Strandhotel Sille

Reifnitz, Austria

“Strandhotel Sille is located right at the shore of Lake Wörth in the village of Reifnitz and comprises a private beach area, a well-known restaurant, a bar, shops, a seminar centre and a fitness room.” – booking.com

Want to know how you can visit 3 countries in one weekend?  Read more>>>

More ideas on places to stay for the summer

Wörthersee isn’t just a lake; it is a shimmering, turquoise playground where the sophistication of the French Riviera meets the soul-stirring quiet of the mountains.

As the day moves toward evening, the light softens and the lake becomes even more beautiful. In Velden am Wörthersee, cafés and restaurants fill with visitors enjoying dinner on terraces facing the lake. Boats glide quietly past, and the mountains around Carinthia begin to turn golden in the fading sunlight.

It is the kind of place where the day naturally slows down. A simple swim, a quiet walk beside the water, and a long evening watching the light change across the lake often become the highlights of a visit.

Accommodation - Pörtschach am Wörthersee

Where to stay – an established summer resort and lakeside town on Wörthersee.  Find the best place for you >>>

Popular places to stay - Klagenfurt am Wörthersee

Klagenfurt, on the eastern shore of Lake Wörthersee, is the capital city of the southern Austrian province of Carinthia, and it is a beautiful place to visit.  Find the best place for you >>

A Simple Evening to enjoy…

In our opinion the best moment of the day comes in the evening. Boats return to the marinas, café terraces begin to fill, and the light softens over the lake. A slow walk along the promenade in Velden am Wörthersee is often the perfect way to end the day.