Short info:
- Is Klagenfurt worth a visit? Yes, it is certainly one of Austria’s most beautiful cities and offers a pedestrian zone with many shops. The old town is very well maintained.
- What are the highlights in Klagenfurt? The large coat of arms hall in the Landhaus (Wappensaal), the Wörthersee, Minimundus, the Lindworm Fountain (Lindwurmbrunnen), the Happ reptile zoo, the Klagenfurt lido, City Parish Tower and City Parish Church
- How many inhabitants does Klagenfurt have? 102,618 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2022)
Especially in summer the capital of Carinthia is worth a visit. The street cafés in the beautiful old town are packed to the brim on hot days and it’s never far to Lake Wörthersee. In the old town there are many small courtyards and tranquil streets as well as the oldest pedestrian zone in Austria. This has existed since 1961.
The most important sights:
Old Place
From the street cafés you have a wonderful view of the magnificent baroque facades of the houses. Most noticeable is the marble plague column from 1680, opposite of which is the old town hall with its arcaded courtyard, which is well worth seeing.
Another Renaissance arcade courtyard is hidden behind house number 22 on Alten Platz. This is where the inner courtyard of the Bamberg Monastery is located.
The Golden Goose House is located at Alten Platz 31. It is the oldest house in the city and was first mentioned in a document in 1489.
Country house with country house courtyard and coat of arms hall.
This building has been the seat of those in power in Carinthia for over 400 years. The actual attraction, the Great coat of arms hall in the Landhaus (Wappensaal), is on the top floor. The walls of the hall are painted with 665 coats of arms from the Carinthian beaches.
If you walk from Alten Platz through the popular Kramergasse shopping street in the direction of “Neuen Platz”, you come across the Wörtherseemandl, a legendary figure from Klagenfurt.
New Place
Here is the landmark of Klagenfurt, the famous Lindworm Fountain (Lindwurmbrunnen). The dragon sculpture was made from green chlorite slate in 1590, the sculptor is not known.
Theater square
There are several interesting buildings and museums around the square, above all the beautiful city theater from 1910. Diagonally opposite is the city hall and a few steps further the artist house.
From the city center to the Wörthersee
The 4km long canal leads from the city center to the lake. The “Lend” has been around since 1535 and was originally built to better transport heavy loads into the old town. In winter the canal is a popular ice skating track.
Shortly before the lake you come across the Minimundus with its miniature models. The Happ reptile zoo and the planetarium are also worth a visit.
Tip: The Europapark is particularly suitable for families with children to escape the stresses and strains of the city. There are various children’s playgrounds for children of all ages.
Lido
What would Lake Wörthersee be without its swimming pools?
The Klagenfurt lido has 3 bathing jetties, a huge sunbathing lawn, water slide, bars and bistros, a boat rental, beach volleyball court and everything that holidaymakers need.