Popular Tourist Attractions to Visit in Villach, Austria

July 31, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 4580 Views

Villach is the second largest city in Carinthia state. It is also the 7th largest city in all of Austria. Most people visit Villach during the famous carnival. It is one of the most engaging celebrations to enjoy in Austria. Though Villach is a compelling tourist attraction even without the carnival. There are several historical places to visit in Villach as well as several leisurely tourist spots. Like many other cities of Carinthia, Villach has several lakes which are major tourist attractions. As Austria doesn’t have coast, the beaches beside the lake are popular Villach attractions. People come to these lakes for swimming, boat rides, and beach side picnics. Some of these lakes freeze over during the winter and become ice-skating rinks for winter activities among things to do in Villach.

Lake Faak is among the most visited tourist attraction for swimming and fishing. The turquoise blue water of the lake makes it a very attractive sight to behold among all things to see in Villach . Another lake you can visit in Villach for swimming is the artificial lake Silbersee. Although there are several other lakes around Villach, if you are to visit only one, then head to Lake Ossiach. It is the largest lake in the region and third largest in the state of Carinthia. There are several restaurants and activity options like boat rides, jet skii, and swimming around Ossiach lake.

On the other hand if you are looking for some thrill and leisure at the same time, you can visit Kärnten Water Park. The park not only has water rides and swimming pools, but also some amazing thermal water spa therapy. It is a great place to wash your worries away during Villach travel. If you are looking for natural hot springs, then Maibachl is the place to visit in Villach. The hot spring pool is not available all year long, but even the hike to the pool is worth the effort.

Villach is also located on the Alps, so it is a popular skiing destination during the winters. The are several ski slopes and ski resorts for various things to do in Villach during winter. The Alpine Road is a great route to take for Villach sightseeing. If you wish to indulge further in nature, you can head to Dobratsch Nature Park. This Nature reserve covers mountains and valleys of the Alps. It is a popular destination for hiking and camping as well. Dobratsch Nature Park is also well known for visits from migratory birds.

If you are seeking for historical places to visit in Villach, you can start your journey with the city’s Museum. The museum will also provide you Villach tourist information for other popular attractions in and around the city. There are several palaces and castles among Villach tourist attractions as well. Among them Landskron castles is the first you should visit in Villach. The castle sits regally on top of the mountain offer excellent views of the Alps and the city. Besides the medieval castle itself, there is also a falconry show which is popular among things to see in Villach.

Villach would require more than a couple of days to thoroughly enjoy. There are several things to do in Villach in winter as well besides skiing. The castles, churches, and palaces around the city are open all year to visit in Villach. If you are planning to visit Villach in summer, you will need more than a week to thoroughly explore the city and places to visit around the city.

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Table of Contents

The Top 4 Tourist Places to Visit in Villach in 1 Day

1. KärntenTherme Warmbad-Villach

This health resort began life as a Roman bath built in the 19th century. The thermal spa and spring bath are major attractions of this resort, but there are a variety of health, leisure and entertainment activities in the resort. It is one of the best places to visit in Villach to relax. You will need 2 to 3 hours for this resort.

2. Affenberg Landskron

This open air zoo is also known as the Monkey Mountain. It houses 160 Japanese Macaques. You can get guided tours and also book a variety on interesting interactive activities. It is one of the most popular things to do in Villach, Austria for family tourists. You will need 2 hours at least to experience this place.

3. Gerlitzen Kanzelbahn

This cable car ride will take you atop Mount Kanzelhohe. It is the oldest cable car service in Carinthia. From atop the mountain you get great view of the valley and the city. It is especially popular during winter months to reach the mountain for skiing. But, regardless of the season, this ride remains popular among Villach tourist attractions. You will need 2 hours at least for the ride and to explore the mountain.

4. Bunkermuseum Wurzenpass/Kärnten

This used to be the largest defense facility in Austria. It is quite popular owing to the facility’s deep rooted history in the Cold War. You will get to see bunkers, trenches, tanks, military vehicles and more. This place is among the most interesting things to see in Villach, Austria. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

If you are looking for more places or activities to do in Villach, check out the sections below. We have complied an exhaustive list of attractions to explore when you visit Villach.

Things to do in Villach, Austria

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Villach, Austria

Alder Arena Burg
Landskron Castle
Schaubergwerke Terra Mystica & Montana Museum
Villach Museum
Burgruine Finkenstein Castle Ruins
Parish Church of St. Jacob
Schloss Roseg
Ossiach Abbey
Auto Museum
Schloss Wernberg
Wurzenpass Bunker Museum
Museum of Mushrooms
Relief von Kärnten Museum
Keltenwelt Frog Museum
Burgruine Federaun Castle Ruins
Galerie Friehausgasse Art Gallery
Schloss Damitschach Castle
Sanctuary of Maria Gail
Church of St Nicholas
Heiligenkreuz Church
Aichelberg Castle
Klosterruine Arnoldstein Castle
Elli Riehl Doll World Museum
Villacher Fahrzeug Museum
Labyrinth Rosegg Museum
Museum of Nötscher Kreises

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Villach, Austria

Maibachl Hot Springs
Lake Faak
Lake Ossiach
Gerlitzen Mountain
Dobratsch Mountian
Dobratsch Nature Park
Finsterbach Waterfall
Silbersee Lake
Aichwaldsee Lake
Kletterwald Ossiacher See Lake
Magdelensee Lake
Vassacher See Lake
Ferlacher Spitze Mountain Peak
Oswaldiberg Mountain Peak
Saissersee Lake
Bleitatter Moor Lake
Mallestiger Mittagskogel Mountain Peak
Burgherrenrunde Lake
Grunsee Lake
Sankt Leonharder Lake
Finkensteiner Moor Lake
Tauernteich Lake
Techelsberger Kleinsee Lake

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places to visit in Villach, Austria

Affenberg Landskron Animal Park
Kartentherme Warmbad Waterpark
Roseg Zoo
Kanzelhohe Ski Resort
Der Zitrusgarten
Steinhaus Domenig
Wurzelpark Arriach
Kanzelhoehe Solar Observatory
Fun Park Gerlitzen Kanzelbahn
Erlebnisbad Wernberg Water Park
Kuntalm Sculpture Park

Shopping in Villach, Austria

ATRIO Villach
Biobauern Market

Beaches in Villach, Austria

Strandbad der Gemeinde Public Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours & Adventure Things to do in Villach, Austria

Skiing
Bergbahnen Gerlitzen Cable Car
HRAST Ski Lift
Romerschlucht Snow Hiking Trail

Sightseeing in Villach, Austria

Villacher Alpen Garden
Villach City Hall
Osterreichs Wanderdorfer
Schiller Park
Baumgartnerhohe
Aussichtsplatform Dobrasch Observation Deck
Tre Cofini

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Villach, Austria

Nicoletta
Kaffee Kleinfein
Trastevere Pizzeria
Stern
Villacher Brauhof
Galeria Restaurant
Pizzeria Dobner
Jedermann
Kaufmann & Kaufmann
Panperfocaccia
Lasagna Restaurant
Goldenes Lamm
Josef Villach
Oxerei
Gasthof Hofwirt
Restaurant Delphi
Racers
Freindal Wirtschaft
Gasthof Gasser
La Gondola

Where to Stay in Villach?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Villach. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Villach.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Villach

How to Reach Villach, Austria?

By Air

The nearest airport for Villach travel is the Klagenfurt International Airport located about 40 km away from the city. You may also opt for Vienna Airport or Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia. Once you reach the airport, you can either travel by bus, train or car. You won’t get these transport services directly from the airport. You will have to get to central bus station of Klagenfurt or Vienna to catch a bus for Villach sightseeing.

By Road

You can catch a train from almost every major city in Austria for Villach travel. There are direct trains to visit Villach from Klagenfurt, Graz, Salzburg, Vienna, Bregenz, Linz, and Innsbruck. If you are traveling from any other city, you can catch a connecting train to reach the places to visit in Villach. You can also catch a train from Venice, Munich, Ljubljana, Zurich, Belgrade, and Zagreb to visit Villach.

As for road transport, you can get direct bus from all major cities and nearby towns for Villach travel. If you are traveling by car you can take route A10, A11, or A2 to reach Villach tourist attractions. The road journey to Villach is extremely pleasant owing to the wonderful sights of nature and countryside Austrian villages among things to see in Villach.

By Water

Water transport is not an option for Villach travel as it is a completely landlocked region. Bus, train, car, and airplane are your only options to visit Villach.

Image Reference

KärntenTherme Warmbad-Villach – 19petra / Wikimedia Commons
Affenberg Landskron – Region Villach / Flickr
Gerlitzen Kanzelbahn – JJ55 / PD / Wikimedia Commons
Bunkermuseum Wurzenpass/Kärnten – Naturpuur / Wikimedia Commons