Carinthia region
Holidays in Carinthia: lakes, the Nockberge and southern sun
Mountains and Alms meet warm lakes – in the Nockberge the heights are gentler, by the water summer grows long, and the cuisine already tastes a little of the south.
What is Carinthia known for?
What makes Carinthia special
Carinthia is Austria’s south: gentle Nockberge with Alms to the horizon, warm bathing lakes and a light that already tastes of Italy. In summer you go hiking, swimming and winding along panoramic roads; in winter, manageable ski areas, cross-country skiing and snowshoe hiking are part of it.
After the day outdoors, the inn, the Alm or your own kitchen awaits: with Kärntner Kasnudeln, Brettljause, Alm cheese and a glass from the lake.
Nockberge and Alms
Hochrindl · Biosphärenpark Nockberge · Nockalmstraße · gentle summits
Lakes and water
Turracher See · Carinthian bathing lakes · long summer evenings by the water
Castles and culture
Burg Hochosterwitz · Gurk Cathedral · monasteries and summer theatre
This is how Carinthia tastes
Kärntner Kasnudeln · Brettljause · Alm cheese · Slow Food from the Gurktal
The main part
Our holiday region in Carinthia
Here the destinations are only briefly placed in context – you will find the full excursion texts on the holiday region page.
Here it begins
Here your holiday in Carinthia begins
Accommodations we especially like to recommend in Carinthia.
Travelling sustainably
By train and bus to Carinthia
By train you reach St. Veit an der Glan or Feldkirchen; from there you continue by bus or transfer into the Gurktal and up to the Hochrindl. With each accommodation we say honestly how the last stretch works.
Train to St. Veit / Feldkirchen
Bus into the GurktalGuest cardsHonest last mile
Farming in Carinthia
Carinthia’s Alms lie on the sunny side and are stocked early. What grazing gives the animal and what it gives the land:
- GrazingThe most demanding way of keeping animals – and the only one in which the land gets something back.
- The annual cycle of a mountain farmFour very different years in one – depending on when you come.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know for your Carinthia holiday
What makes the Nockberge special?
The Nockberge are gentle, rounded mountains – a UNESCO biosphere park with Alms reaching up to the summit regions. Here you hike above the tree line, without any climbing, with wide views and many places to stop in.
What are the best-known excursion destinations?
The Nockalmstraße through the biosphere park, the Turracher Höhe with its lake, the Heidi-Alm on the Falkert for families and Burg Hochosterwitz with its 14 gates.
Which Carinthian dishes should you try?
Kärntner Kasnudeln with the typical mint and curd cheese filling, Brettljause with Alm cheese and Speck – and in the Gurktal the Slow Food cuisine of the inns around Sirnitz.
Is the Hochrindl suitable for families?
Yes – the Alm village at 1,600 metres is manageable and low-traffic, with easy hikes, disc golf, the Heidi-Alm nearby and a family-friendly ski area in winter.
Can I travel to Carinthia without a car?
Yes – by train to St. Veit an der Glan or Feldkirchen and onwards by bus or transfer. On the Hochrindl itself the distances are short. We are happy to recommend an accommodation that works without a car.
Where do I find all accommodations in Carinthia?
In our accommodation list – or you choose the Hochrindl holiday region above and see the matching houses there.
Together for the region
For hosts, tourist boards and regional partners
Your accommodation is in Carinthia?
We do not just show beds and amenities. Your accommodation is connected with its holiday region, matching excursion destinations, regional shopping options, sustainable travel and your personal tips.
Present your accommodation and personal tipsYou work for a tourist board or a regional business?
We link to official information on mountain lifts, museums, palaces, farm shops, markets and other excursion destinations. We are happy to include notes, additions and up-to-date details after editorial review.
Review the region page together
Carinthia
Holidays in Carinthia – enjoy lakes, mountains and hut experiences
Carinthia – enjoy holidays, lakes and mountain air
Carinthia delights with over 200 bathing lakes, gentle Nockberge and cosy huts. The region is a paradise for everyone who likes being active outdoors: hiking, swimming, cycling, mountaineering or simply letting your soul unwind. In summer, warm lakes such as the Wörthersee or the Millstätter See invite you to swim and do water sports. In winter, ski regions shine with well-groomed slopes, cross-country trails and snowshoe trails. Whatever the season – the sun is usually especially kind to us in Carinthia.
Nature, Alps and hiking in Carinthia
Carinthia’s landscape is shaped by gentle mountains, wide valleys and unique natural jewels. Discover the national parks, hike through dense forests and enjoy the view from the summits of the Nockberge. Numerous hiking trails make the region a dream destination for being out and about. In the Carinthian summer the Alms bloom, while castles and palaces tell exciting stories from times gone by.
Hochrindl – nature and hut paradise in the Nockberge
The Hochrindl lies right in the heart of the Nockberge. The region is known for sunny Alms, rustic huts and hiking trails rich in views. Here you can set off right outside your hut door, recover in stone pine forests and enjoy Schmankerl (delicacies) after hiking. In winter, Hochrindl becomes an insider tip: slopes and cross-country trails, a relaxed atmosphere and huts right by the ski slope.
Cuisine and Carinthian tradition
In Carinthia you taste the variety of the region: Kärntner Kasnudeln, fresh fish from the lakes and products directly from the farm. Many businesses focus on regionality, sustainability and genuine hospitality. Events, markets and traditions provide authentic experiences all year round.
Holidays in huts, chalets and on Alms
Carinthia is the number 1 hut destination in Austria. Whether secluded on the Alm, cosy with the family or luxurious in a chalet: the choice is huge and ranges from simple alpine huts to exclusive holiday houses. Enjoy a crackling fire, clear air and the starry sky away from the big city. Many huts and chalets are true places of strength – on the Hochrindl, too, you will find the right one for every wish.
Frequently asked questions: hut holidays in Carinthia
What makes Carinthia special for hut holidays?
Gentle Alms instead of rugged summits: the Nockberge around the Hochrindl are ideal for hiking with children, and the Carinthian lakes lie in the valley for a swimming day.
When is the best time to travel to Carinthia?
Summer for Alm meadows and bathing lakes, winter for skiing and tobogganing on the Hochrindl – as a sun-rich province, Carinthia is almost always a good choice.
How do I get there?
By car via the Tauern or Süd motorway, by train via Villach or St. Veit. The exact journey is described with each hut.
Which huts do you have in Carinthia?
Personally visited alpine huts, for example on the Hochrindl. You will find all Carinthian accommodations in the accommodation list with the region filter.