Experience the Best of Lake WörtherseeWörthersee is Carinthia's showpiece lake, ringed by castles, gourmet terraces, and turquoise water warm enough to swim from May through September. From lakeside dining and historic hotels to boat tours, watersports, and quiet swimming coves, here's what makes Wörthersee so special.Authorsvisitaustria
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Outdoor Activities

WSG Wörthersee Schifffahrt GmbH
WSG Wörthersee Schifffahrt GmbH operates passenger boats across Lake Wörthersee, connecting towns like Velden, Pörtschach, and Klagenfurt. The service runs seasonal routes that pass along wooded shorelines, villas, and open stretches of water. Boats range from short cross-lake connections to longer circular cruises that follow the lake’s full length.
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Schifffahrt-Velden Santa Lucia
Schifffahrt Velden Santa Lucia is a lakeside boat stop in Velden, run by an independent operator focused on the Velden–Maria Wörth stretch of Lake Wörthersee, plus private charters and events. The route hugs the north shore past Pörtschach on the way out, then returns along the south shore, passing villas, wooded shoreline, and open water with views toward the Karawanken mountains. Cruises run seasonally, roughly Easter through October.
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Segel-& Sportschule Wörthersee
Segel- & Sportschule Wörthersee in Velden offers sailing and watersports instruction directly on Lake Wörthersee. Courses range from introductory sessions to structured training for sailing and motorboat licenses, combining classroom learning with time on the water. Much of the activity takes place on the western part of the lake, where conditions are more consistent for learning and maneuvers.
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Seebutler
Seebutler is a curated yacht experience on Lake Wörthersee, departing from Velden near the Schlosshotel area. Guests are taken on a guided cruise aboard a private boat with a personal skipper acting as onboard host. The route follows Velden Bay and nearby stretches of the western lake, passing villas, waterfront landmarks, and open water views. The experience typically runs around 90 minutes and includes commentary on the surrounding area during the cruise.
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Wörthersee Sports
Wörthersee Sports sits along the shoreline near Velden on Lake Wörthersee, where wakeboarding, waterskiing, and other tow-based water sports run out into designated areas of the lake.
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Rent a SUP Verleih Pörtschach / Wörthersee
Rent a SUP Verleih Pörtschach puts you right on the water, with boards available just steps from the Johannes-Brahms-Promenade. Paddle out into Pörtschach's western bay and take in the clear water and surrounding mountain views at your own pace, whether you're after a quiet morning glide or an active afternoon on Wörthersee.
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Must-See Attractions

Pyramidenkogel Tower
Rising 100 meters above the forest, Pyramidenkogel Tower is the world's tallest wooden observation tower, with panoramic views stretching across Wörthersee and the surrounding Carinthian peaks. Take the elevator or climb the stairs to the top, then skip the walk down and take Europe's longest tower slide back to the bottom instead.
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Strandbad Klagenfurt
Strandbad Klagenfurt is one of the largest lidos on Wörthersee, with a sandy beach, sprawling sunbathing lawns, and three iconic wooden piers stretching out over the water. Cool off with a run down the 113-meter water slide or the diving tower, or just settle in and take in the view across the lake to Pyramidenkogel Tower on the far shore.
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Forstsee
Forstsee is a quiet natural lake tucked into the forest about 600 meters north of Wörthersee, offering a peaceful alternative to the main lidos. Surrounded by trees, it's a calm spot for a swim in warm water, just a short walk from the lake itself.
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Maria Wörth
Maria Wörth sits on a small peninsula on the southern shore of Wörthersee, once an island until it was connected to the mainland in the 18th century. Its twin Gothic churches, the parish church and the smaller Winter Church, date back to the 9th century and remain one of the most photographed views on the lake, especially from the water at sunset.
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Restaurants

Seespitz Restaurant & Living
Seespitz Restaurant & Living puts you right on the shore of Wörthersee, where the terrace at Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden opens straight onto the water and the mountains rise up behind it. The kitchen brings together Carinthian and Alpe-Adria flavors with a slow food philosophy, sourcing regionally for a menu that keeps pace with the seasons.
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Seerestaurant Portofino
Seerestaurant Portofino sits on a covered terrace right over the water at Seehotel Europa, with views across Velden Bay to Schloss Velden and the Karawanken mountains. The kitchen focuses on fresh seafood and steaks, alongside Alpe-Adria dishes and a well-stocked wine list.
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Gourmet Restaurant Hubert Wallner
Gourmet Restaurant Hubert Wallner sits directly on the southern shore of Wörthersee in Dellach, with a terrace that catches the sunset over the Karawanken. The kitchen builds its tasting menus around Alpine and Alpe-Adria influences, from Wörthersee char to Adriatic shellfish, backed by a wine list running to roughly 3,000 labels.
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Stay

Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden
Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden rises straight out of Wörthersee, an actual 1590s castle fused with a bold modern wing that somehow makes the whole thing work. Spend the morning floating between pools in the 3,600-square-meter spa, drift down to the private beach by afternoon, and let a boat from the marina carry you out onto the lake before sunset. Few places in Carinthia make waking up on the water feel this cinematic.
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Hotel Schloss Seefels
Built in 1860 by the inventor of the postcard, Hotel Schloss Seefels sits right on Lake Wörthersee with a heated lake pool and an eclectic, art-filled interior spanning 67 individually designed rooms. It's a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property, with three restaurants and a private beach on site.
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Hotel GUT Trattlerhof & Chalets
Hotel GUT Trattlerhof & Chalets has been in the Forstnig family for five generations, with the estate's history dating back to 1642. It's a 4-star hotel in Bad Kleinkirchheim, just under 500 feet from the ski lift, with 14 private chalets, a large wellness area, and an on-site riding stable for guests.
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Das Ronacher - Thermal Spa Hotel
Das Ronacher Thermal Spa Hotel sits in Bad Kleinkirchheim, surrounded by the Nockberge Biosphere Park. Its roughly 59,200-square-foot spa area holds five thermal pools drawing from an in-house healing spring, and breakfast runs until noon for guests who'd rather sleep in than rush down.
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Mountain Resort Feuerberg
Mountain Resort Feuerberg sits at about 5,800 feet above Lake Ossiach, with roughly 48,400 square feet of spa space including an award-winning infinity pool and a solar-heated natural swimming lake. Hiking trails start right at the resort, and the family behind it has been hosting guests here for more than 100 years.
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