Carinthia

Peaks, Trails and Wild Heights

Behind the shoreline rise some of the country's grandest mountains. The Hohe Tauern National Park shelters the Grossglockner, Austria's highest summit, along with glaciers, waterfalls and marmot dotted meadows. To the north the gentle Nockberge invite easy walking, while the Karawanken trace a dramatic frontier with Slovenia. Cable cars, panoramic roads and quiet hiking paths make the high country feel surprisingly welcoming.

Where Two Cultures Meet

Carinthia wears its history lightly but proudly. In Klagenfurt, the Lindwurm dragon fountain guards the old square, and a lively cafe culture spills onto sunny piazzas. In the valleys to the south, Slovene and German names sit side by side on the signposts, a reminder of the region's place where Germanic and Slavic worlds have long mingled. Castles, abbeys and open air museums tell the rest of the story.

Seasons of Easy Pleasure

Life here moves with the seasons and rarely in a hurry. Summer means swimming, sailing and long lakeside evenings; autumn brings golden larches and hearty Kärntner Kasnudeln on the table; winter opens up friendly ski areas like Bad Kleinkirchheim and the Nassfeld. Whatever the month, Carinthia rewards travellers who slow down, look up at the peaks, and let the southern light do its work.