Klagenfurt Travel Guide, Austria

Klagenfurt is situated at an intersection of many international roads: 61km (38 miles) NE of Italy; 31km (19 miles) N of Slovenia; 309km (192 miles) SW of Vienna; 140km (87 miles) SW of Graz; 209km (130 miles) SE of Salzburg.

There are enormous possibilities in Klagenfurt that will fulfill all tourists’ expectations and desires.

Those who enjoy culture during their holiday will be fully rewarded, as Klagenfurt is a true capital of literature, monuments and history. A university town since 1161, Klagenfurt becomes the European capital of literature, in June, when writers all around Europe come to judge their skills in The Ingeborg Bachmann Competition.

Museum-goers will find their paradise as there are so many to visit: the Museum of Modern Art, the Provincial Museum (with Roman artifacts including the famous Magdalensberg Youth), the Armorial Hall, the Diocesan Museum, the Agricultural Museum, the Mining Museum, the Historic Lakeside Tramway (Museums-Tramway am See). Don’t forget to pay a visit to the exquisite galleries such as: the Klagenfurt Municipal Gallery, the Alpen-Adria Gallery, the Heritage Gallery (Brauchtums-Galerie) or the Landhaus Gallery.

Many treasures are to be found in open air as well, that is the historical monuments that Klagenfurt can be proud of. Just walk along the old streets and see the baroque mansions or go to the Altstadt (Old town) and linger on before going to the Trinity Column – a monument that commemorates those who died from the plague in 1681. Here you can admire the Old Town hall and its arcaded courtyard, as well as the House of the Golden Goose (from 1599), the Domkirche (Cathedral) with its rich interior, ceiling paintings or famous Mary Magdalena’s portrait dating from 1170.

But above all don’t forget to visit the city symbol, Lindwurm, a rapacious dragon, shaped in a fountain in Neuer Platz, the quadrangular center of Klagenfurt.

Klagenfurt is a must for families with children, they will have here a holiday they will not forget. Kids will especially enjoy the Moosburg (dry toboggan), the Planatarium and observatory and the Reptilian Zoo Happ. But the main attraction is definitely the Minimundus – the mini-world of well-known buildings all around the world. Here, they can easily get acquainted to the small-scale versions of the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, Big Ben, European castles or Asian temples. Opened April to October, from 9am to 5pm, in May, June, and September, opened daily from 9 am to 6pm; in July and August, opened daily from 9am to 9pm; admission costs 11€ ($13) for adults and 6€ ($7.20) for children under 16.

Adults are not neglected either: just book a day trip to the wonderful Venice to one of the many travel agencies in town (Klagenfurt is so close to Italy), hike the local mountains or just take a mini trip to the nearby Lake Worther to get away from the summer heat. If you want to venture further you can hire a car and explore St. Veit, Hochosterwitz castle, Magdalensberg, the Cathedral of Gurk, the Gross Glockner or the region’s lakes.

Hungry after all these trips? Don’t despair, the schnitzel burger is waiting for you on Heiligengeisplatz as well as many dishes of traditional food that are to be found in the various restaurants and guesthouses of the town. Benedictine market is also an attraction for craving tourists: local honey, cured meats, apfel strudel are on display.

Klangerfurt is indeed worth seeing and you will not regret that you chose it as a stopover in your drive around the lakes of the Carinthia region.