Villach, Austria's 12 Best Attractions And Destinations To Add To Your Itinerary

When it comes to major tourist destinations in Austria, we often automatically think of big cultural hubs like Vienna and Salzburg, the latter of which is home to a cozy restaurant widely considered the oldest in the world. As historic and beautiful as they are, there's something to be said for smaller, under-the-radar destinations with fewer crowds — especially if they still offer access to amazing landscapes and unique cultural treasures. If that's the kind of atmosphere you're looking for on your next trip to Austria, spend some time in Villach, a charming and welcoming city in the southern region of Carinthia. 

Although humans have inhabited the area for thousands of years — including an ancient road used by the Romans — it rose to prominence as a municipality during the Middle Ages. Today, it's the seventh-largest city in the country. Surrounded by Alpine peaks, there are opportunities for great skiing in the winter within an hour's drive of the city center. It boasts charmingly walkable streets, historic landmarks, and incredible art, including Europe's largest landscape sculpture. It's also just 20 minutes north of the Slovenian border, home to one of Europe's oldest national parks. Whether you're looking for a relaxing weekend getaway in southern Austria, or an adventure-filled pit stop on a longer road trip, Villach makes a great base camp. Here are 12 must-visit attractions and destinations for your itinerary. 

In the heart of Innenstadt, the old town of Villach, Hauptplatz is the city's quaint and colorful main square lined with cafes and shops. International fare is abundant in the city center, from the Italian Cafe-Bistro Bellini to Restaurant Delphi for Greek and Mediterranean specialties. For something more casual, don't miss Bratwurstkönig for traditional sausages or bosna, an Austrian street food specialty served on a grilled bun that customarily consists of sausage doused with ketchup, mustard, curry powder, and onions.

Wander into the charming courtyard of Paracelsushof, the Renaissance home of acclaimed physician Paracelus. Then, gaze up at the Trinity Column, a so-called protection column against plague and fire. These prominent monuments erected in cities across central Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries feature the Virgin Mary and other saints, serving as symbols of resilience against epidemics like the bubonic plague. Amid this vibrant and thriving city, it's a solemn reminder of the past challenges Villach has weathered.

In the summer, heard to the Drava River to see "DRAUpuls," a water fountain show with synchronized music and lights that runs twice weekly from June to September. During the holiday season, Villach celebrates Advent with a charming Christmas market and a village of food huts in the main square.

A small yet elegant church at the south end of the Hauptplatz, St. Jakob Church is a centerpiece of the city and an icon of its skyline. Its steeple tower, known locally as Stadtpfarrturm, is more than 300 feet tall, making it the highest in all of Carinthia. Though it may date as far back as 1136, an earthquake essentially leveled the structure in the 14th century, requiring extensive repairs. Subsequent disasters, such as another earthquake and fire, necessitated more rebuilding. The modern steeple, which sits on its original medieval foundations, dates to the mid-19th century.

Along with being an architectural highlight of central Villach, the tower is also open to the public, offering panoramic views of the city and mountains from about 157 feet off the ground. Standard admission is €5 per person, or just under $6 USD, at the time of writing. To access the overlook, you'll need to scale 239 steps to what was historically the tower keeper's quarters. Today, you can take advantage the sweeping views in all directions — not only is it a great spot for photos, but it's also a great way to orient yourself to other landmarks in the city. It's a very popular attraction around the Advent season, with an atmospheric overview of the holiday festivities below.

In southern Villach, you'll find Schillerpark, a pleasant city park with walking paths and fountains that's also home to a rather unique attraction hidden inside of a building tucked amid the trees. Purpose-built to house what was essentially a late 19th-century educational community art project, the pavilion contains the Relief Von Kärnten, a monumental model of Carinthia. The diorama depicts the province at 1:10,000 scale, fitting the entire region's topography into an area just shy of 2,000 square feet. An elevated walkway, with another at ground level, allows visitors to circumnavigate the scene, which was hand-built by a group of teachers and students at the Villach Technical School starting in 1891. Today, visitors experience the addition of multimedia effects that animate the scene.

Admission to the Relief Von Kärnten is €5, but it's worth noting that the diorama is one of a trio of city attractions that can be accessed with a combination ticket. For €14.50, or roughly $17 USD, you can visit the relief as well as the City Museum of Villach and the Parish Church of St. Jakob tower lookout.

Europe is a mecca for car enthusiasts, from the BMW and Mercedes-Benz Museums in Germany, to the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, an underrated Italian city packed with taste, art, and laid-back charm. In Villach, visitors will want to take their time wandering through a relatively new addition to the city's cultural scene to admire a collection of more than 250 cars at the TAF-TIMER Car Museum. The city used to have another automobile museum called Villach Vehicle Museum, but that location is now permanently closed. Thankfully for the gear heads among us, TAF-TIMER filled that gap, operated by the owners of a vehicle rental company called TAF Rent. Its showroom, spanning more than 43,000 square feet, features a range of rare and vintage vehicles, contemporary models, and a motorcycle display.

Between October and May, TAF-TIMER is open on weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Sundays. During the rest of the year, it's open until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays only. Standard admission to the car museum is €15 per person, and kids between the ages of 6 and 12 are half-price. The motorcycle exhibition comes with an additional fee of €9. TAF-TIMER participates in the Kärnten-Card program, a regional tourism discount pass that can be purchased weekly or seasonally. Visitors using the card receive one free entry to TAF-TIMER.

At the southwest edge of town, you'll find Villach-Möltschach, the gateway to Villach Alpine Road, a 10.25-mile scenic road toward the city's nearest mountain called Dobratsch. Panoramic views from this region, known as the Villach Alps, are enjoyed from an elevation of 4,000 feet. Perfect for a pleasure cruise, pull-offs along the road offer beautiful views of the valley, a dramatic rock slide, and a botanical garden featuring over 800 species of Alpine plants. At the top of the route, a large parking area called the Rosstratte offers great views and is also the jumping-off point for a hike to the summit through Dobratsch Nature Park. A welcoming inn called Almgasthaus Rosstratten serves regional fare like venison, soups, and Kaiserschmarrn, an Austrian dessert of scrambled pancakes served with rum-infused raisins, powdered sugar, and fruit preserves. There's even a quaint overnight accommodation option at Aichingerhütte.

Access to Villach Alpine Road comes with an entry fee of €23.50 per car, equivalent to over $27 USD. But, the fee is only required during the peak season between mid-April and mid-November — access is free during off-peak months. There's also a budget-friendly bus service from the central Villach bus station to Rosstratte for €5. The bus schedule varies by season, so it's a good idea to plan in advance.

Dobratsch Nature Park is a mountainous treasure just outside of Villach, covering a total of 380 square miles. Much of its popularity comes from its proximity to Villach Alpine Road and the Rosstratte, but there's a lot more to this park than a scenic driving route. Surrounding its namesake mountain, Dobrasch Nature Park is both a recreational oasis, a valuable resource for water, and a haven for wildlife. Villach sits along the eastern boundary of the park, where you'll find a number of trailheads, including the first leg of a vast circular route around the entire park. For something a little gentler, the Warmbad Archaeology Trail is less than 4 miles round-trip and is lined by a series of interpretive panels highlighting an ancient settlement, a burial ground, and areas of early industry.

The most dramatic views are unsurprisingly found at a height, and the most popular attractions in the park include two hiking routes to the mountain's summit. The Panorama Summit Path is a moderately challenging 5-mile hike from the Rosstratte to the peak, but it's important to be mindful of the change in altitude. Another route known as the Jägersteig is nearly half the distance, but much steeper. Don't miss a stop for rest, a bite to eat, or even a unique overnight experience at the hike-in Summit House, a contemporary mountain hut.

Located inside of a former affluent home, the City Museum of Villach chronicles the municipality's history and growth, starting from its earliest days to contemporary times. It boasts an impressive collection of archaeological finds, artwork, photographs, and archival collections. Throughout its 150-year history, the museum has held the distinction of being one of the largest municipal collections in Austria. Along with permanent holdings and a program of rotating temporary exhibitions, the building itself is a bit of a gem, especially the serene courtyard filled with ancient artifacts that you'd never guess were hidden behind its 19th-century facade.

The house was originally two separate dwellings that were combined into one in 1600, and the courtyard's elegant Renaissance-style arches harken back to its past. On the ground floor, you'll also find a number of Roman stone artifacts from the vicinity of Villach, plus a number of medieval monuments such as Jewish gravestones and a piece of a unique 15th-century stone pillory — a punitive structure usually made of wood that a criminal's head and arms would be placed into. The museum also showcases a wide variety of paintings, interactive displays, and curious objects of all sorts. Standard admission is €6 per adult.

Every Friday, a beloved farmer's market takes over Villach's Hans Gasser Platz at the southwest edge of the old town. But, this is no ordinary farmer's market. Called the Biobauernmarkt in German, this foodie destination exclusively hosts purveyors and growers of certified-organic goods. The Biobauernmarkt is a unique weekly attraction where shoppers can purchase both fresh produce and locally made artisanal products. This includes organic fruit, vegetables, sausages, poultry, fish, pasta, pastries, honey, dairy, oils, and a range of handcrafted items like candles and wool. Typically, around 20 farmers attend every week for a fresh selection. It's truly one of the most unique and unexpected spots to buy the best travel gifts, and it's open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. all year long.

Surrounded by mountains, trees, and quaint waterfront homes, Lake Faak is located less than 15 minutes by car from the center of Villach. With its shimmering Alpine waters that can warm up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer for great swimming, the lake is a popular destination for water sports and camping. Panoramabeach is a popular public park with lake access for swimming and sunbathing. It also has a huge water slide, playground, table tennis, beach volleyball, and a restaurant. The beach itself is free, but parking is €1.70 per hour from May to September, with a €9 daily maximum.

Sunsetbeach Strandbad Egg is another public spot that features family-friendly activities and a swimming beach with barrier-free access that makes it a great warm-weather destination for little ones and those with limited mobility. Sunsetbeach requires admission, which as of this writing is €5 for adults, €3.40 for kids ages 11 to 17, and free for kids 10 and under and visitors with disabilities. Numerous other private destinations like Strandcamping Gruber campground and Seehotel Ressmann also boast private lake access.

The area around Villach and southern Austria has been known as a source of healing hot springs for thousands of years. Evidence of its early use traces back to the Roman period. Fortunately, you can also partake in this timeless tradition during your visit — or even center your entire experience around the relaxing natural waters. It's one major reason why lower Austria, with its thermal spas, skiing, and holiday markets, is the perfect winter getaway. 

Located five minutes from Villach's city center by car, Kärnten Therme is a state-of-the-art facility that features saunas, slides, pools, massages, beauty treatments, and fitness areas — and that's only the beginning. The family-run business, which has been operating for more than two centuries, is built around a series of natural thermal springs with temperatures that range from 77 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The family-friendly resort consists of two choices for accommodations — Hotel Warmbaderhof and Thermenhotel Karawankenhof — a range of health centers, and a complex of different pools and water activities. You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to all of the relaxing wellness therapies you can choose from, such as sitting in a sauna, getting a massage, or rejuvenating with an infrared treatment. Kärnten Therme encourages visitors to purchase tickets online in advance to guarantee entry.

Less than a 20-minute drive east of Villach is the town of Velden, which marks the westernmost point of a narrow yet gorgeous Austrian lake called Lake Wörthersee (or simply Wörthersee, as "see" means "lake" in German). The lake is over 10 miles long and is surrounded by mountains that contribute to the Alpine lake's stunning turquoise color. On its eastern shore sits Klagenfurt, the provincial capital of Carinthia and one of Austria's most affordable cities with cozy getaway access to charming lakeside villages.

Primarily a summer destination for swimming and boating, Wörthersee is dotted with quaint waterfront neighborhoods and scenic beaches. It's ideal for water sports, boating, biking, sunbathing, hiking, and more. Ambitious trekkers will be able to take in gorgeous views over the course of a few days on the challenging yet picture-perfect Wörthersee Circular Trail, which covers about 36 miles and involves nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain in total. Alternatively, there are five designated Slow Trails that offer gentle terrain and sweeping lake views for relaxing and meditative strolls.

For Italy vibes without the crowds, the Austrian Alps town of Villach delivers postcard-worthy views and tall peaks for hitting the slopes. About 45 minutes by car from the city center, Gerlitzen is a convenient skiing destination, referred to locally as Gerlitzen Alpe. The summit rises more than 6,200 feet and features nearly 33 miles of stunning pistes. Ride the cable car to enjoy stunning vistas and take advantage of more than 30 ski slopes of various levels.

Gerlitzen is particularly well known for its 4-mile ski touring route through the Klösterle Valley, which combines cross-country elements and backcountry terrain, as a unique counterpart to the other downhill activity in the park. If there's a good amount of natural snow, you can also take advantage of an atmospheric forest path managed by the nearby village of Arriach. Day passes to Gerlitzen Alpe start at €41.50 per adult, or just under $49 USD, if you arrive at 2 p.m. However, prices increase for those who prefer to get started in the morning. If you visit in the warmer months, you'll be happy to know that the fun doesn't stop after ski season. During the summer, Gerlitzen is a fantastic hiking destination for panoramic views over Carinthia.

To get a sense of what makes Villach, Austria, such a dynamic and exciting place to visit, we began by researching the best things to see and do on regional tourism sites like Villach.at, VisitCarinthia.at, Welcome2Villach.at, and Woerthersee.com. For specific information about each destination's history, opening hours, admission fees, and current offerings, we looked to official resources such as Villacher-Alpenstrasse.at, Naturpark-Dobratsch.at, Kaerntencard.at, KaerntenTherme.com, Biovillach.at, Gerlitzen.com, and more. We gathered additional background information from Britannica.com, SkiResort.info, and VisitaCity.com. Finally, we drew from thousands of visitor ratings and reviews on trusted platforms such as Tripadvisor, Wanderlog, Google Reviews, and AllTrails.