Travel guide Villach
Carinthia's central traffic hub: Villach
Villach is located in the Austrian federal state of Carinthia on the western edge of the Klagenfurter Basin and on the two rivers Drau and Gail. As one of the most important traffic hubs in Carinthia and Austria, getting to your private holiday apartment in Villach is more than easy. Numerous regional and long-distance train lines converge in Villach. The Rudolfsbahn between Amstetten,
Bruck and Tarvis (Italy), the Drautalbahn from
South Tyrol-Trentino via
Lienz to Klagenfurt and on to Slovenia, the Karawankenbahn as well as local transport connections to Spittal an der Drau, Klagenfurt and Rosenbach. By car, you can reach your holiday accommodation in Villach via the A2 motorway, which runs from Vienna to Italy, as well as the A10 Tauern motorway and the A11 Karawanken motorway. Book accommodation, for example, in Warmbad-Judendorf or Landskron, offering sufficient living space, a garden, and a terrace for a relaxing vacation according to your personal wishes, full of privacy in the best location and close to attractions. Your journey full of excursions awaits!
The ideal season for hiking, swimming, or skiing
In the
Klagenfurt-Villach region, there is a moderate continental climate with crisp cold winters and warm to hot summers. The best time to travel for a
mountain holiday in Klagenfurt-Villach is between May and September. Temperatures in the summer months rise to an average of 22°C. The water temperature in the lakes also rises to over 20°C. In the winter months between Christmas and Easter, it is the best time for a
ski holiday in Klagenfurt-Villach in the Gerlitzen ski area and its surroundings. State-of-the-art snowmaking technology guarantees snow on the main slopes from December 1st.
The best of three countries
The
Carinthian cuisine is considered hearty and down-to-earth and at least just as delicious. The neighboring countries of Italy and Slovenia have just as much influence on eating habits as Austria's regional cuisine. The Carinthian noodle, especially the "Kasnudel" with a curd cheese-potato filling seasoned with mint and chervil, is considered the Carinthian national dish. Other variations include "Herrnpilznudeln" with porcini mushroom filling, meat or bacon noodles, or sweet apple-cinnamon or pear-curd cheese noodles. The numerous lakes and crystal-clear mountain streams are rich in fish. They contain char, trout, Carinthian Låxn, huchen, whitefish, carp, and crayfish. The forests provide excellent game and tasty mushrooms such as porcini, chanterelles, or parasol mushrooms. On special occasions such as church feasts or weddings, the Villacher Kirchtagssuppe is served. It is prepared with beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and veal, beef and sheep bones, as well as soup greens, sour cream, and sweet cream. Reindling, a traditional Easter pastry, is served with it.
Over green meadows and white slopes
To the west of Villach is the city's local mountain, Dobratsch or Villacher Alpe, which is 2,166 meters high and forms the eastern foothills of the Gailtaler Alps. The 2,800-hectare area is a protected nature reserve. Enjoy extensive hikes across mountain meadows, through forests, and along shimmering lakes and crystal-clear streams. The water in the lakes (Ossiacher See, Faaker See, Silbersee, Vassacher See, Grünsee, Magdalenensee, and Leonharder See) is of drinking water quality and warms up to 26°C in summer. The Kanzelbahn takes you from Lake Ossiach up to the adventure mountain Gerlitzen Alpe with its high ropes course and paraglider launch platform. In winter, everything revolves around the boards – whether downhill, cross-country skiing, or snowboarding. The largest ski area in central Carinthia - the Gerlitzen ski area - is located near your holiday home in Villach. Those who prefer a more relaxed pace can enjoy the winter landscape during snowshoe hikes or horse-drawn sleigh rides with the family not far from your holiday accommodation. You can also take your dog or pet with you to the scenically beautiful region. Perfect for a short break. Be sure to take a trip to Lake Faak, Lake Wörthersee, or Magdalenen Lake and sunbathe or swim in nice weather!
A tour through the historic old town of Villach
Start your city tour of Villach at the main square, whose origins date back to the 12th century. The birthplace of Anton Ghon and the house where the doctor and healer Paracelsus lived at the beginning of the 15th century are located on the west side of the square. Narrow, narrow streets, partly with arcades, branch off from the main square. The Lederergasse in the northwest follows the former city wall. The former craftsmen's street is now a pedestrian zone. At the lower part of the square stands a copy of the 15th-century pillory. The column was lost for a long time before it was rediscovered during the demolition of the embankment wall. The original is in the Villach City Museum, which is housed in a historic patrician house. Learn more about the cultural history of the region here. Another part of the exhibition is in Burg Villach. A real highlight is located northeast of Villach on a rocky plateau. Burg Landskron (Slovenian Grad Vajškra) is an imposing rock castle that towers 135 meters above the plain. Rent a holiday home, apartment, or holiday residence with plenty of living space, terrace, garden, and full privacy, for example, in Landskron or Warmbad-Judendorf in the best location for a vacation tailored to your personal wishes, and explore the surroundings with your family.