Travel guide Millstatt
Sun and lake, mountains and snow
The climate at
Lake Millstatt corresponds to the moderate climate of Central Europe with warm summers and cold, dry winters. The southern Alps provide influences of the alpine climate. The average maximum temperatures rise to 24°C in July and August. The lake warms up to over 20°C – perfect for a
beach holiday in Millstatt for swimming and sunbathing. In the winter months, air temperatures are between 3 and -3°C. Skiing is then possible on the local mountain Goldeck. Due to the pure and clean air, your holiday destination is a recognized air health resort.
Where the cuisine is appreciated by UNESCO
Each of the Austrian federal states has its own culinary characteristics. In Carinthia, it's the noodles, whether savory or sweet. The queen of noodles is the Carinthian Kasnudel. The filling consists of quark, potatoes, mint and chervil. The edges are "gekrendelt", which means artfully sealed so that the noodle does not open in the water bath. Sweet tooth enthusiasts will not pass by Kletzennudeln. Kletzen are dried pears. Spices include cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Lake Millstatt and crystal clear mountain streams provide a varied fish cuisine – char, trout, carp and crayfish are available to cooks. From the forests come excellent game and numerous mushrooms. On the menus you will find venison and deer goulash, wild boar roast, pheasant and wild duck. Accompanying these are porcini mushrooms, chanterelles and parasol mushrooms. Purists, however, are satisfied with bread and wine. Lesachtaler bread was recently added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Try the wine from the
Lavanttal in eastern Carinthia, for example from Wolfsberg.
Active in the mountains – hiking, swimming and skiing pleasure
Enjoy your
mountain vacation in Millstatt and the surrounding area in summer and winter. In the warm season, it's time for swimming, hiking and cycling. Relax at the beach and bathhouse with spa area. From your holiday home in Millstatt, you can start extensive hikes right from the doorstep. The gorge trail leads from the town center through the Riegenbach Gorge, past waterfalls, to the Millstätter Alpe. The trail is divided into the theme areas Klangschlucht Path, Herb Path and Prof. Willi-Dungl Kneipp Bio-Training Hiking Trail. As early as the end of the 19th century, the Herzogfall waterfall was a popular motive for postcards. In winter, you have nine extensive ski areas in the ski carousel to choose from within a few kilometers – including Katschberg, Gerlitzen, Mölltaler Glacier and Ankogl.
Tracing history between monastery and Gründerzeit villas
From the 11th to the end of the 18th century, Millstatt's history was closely linked to the fortunes of the monastery. After the monastery was dissolved in 1773, Millstatt transformed into one of the first tourist resorts in the region about 100 years later. The monastery with the former collegiate church and today's parish church St. Salvator and All Saints is still the main attraction on Lake Millstatt. The rooms house the monastery museum. The collection includes art objects from two millennia – from the times of the Romans and early Christians to Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Graffiti from that time is still preserved in a 16th-century dungeon. The so-called 1000-year-old lime tree in the monastery is "only" 350 years old, but it is under special protection. The local and tourist museum in Obermillstatt documents the more recent history of the place. The museum is housed in a former elementary school. As Millstatt developed into a tourist and spa resort in the 20th century, numerous villas in the Gründerzeit style were built. About 20 of these can be visited on a villa hiking trail. Particularly noteworthy are Villa Verdin (formerly Hubertusschlössel), Parkschlössl (Villa Luisenheim) and Villa Streintz. Book your perfect accommodation now, whether a house in nature or an apartment in the city, and enjoy your trip or short break away from everyday stress.