Awesome Adventure | Top 5 Adventures in Klagenfurt, Austria


For a region so close to the cyan waters of Lake Wörthersee there are of course tons of water activities to enjoy. But did you know that Klagenfurt also boasts a nostalgic tour on a vintage bus, a trip around the world with the cute models of Minimundus and a gorgeous old town centre?


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Tour the Region Old School Style

Nostalgiebahnen in Kärten

 

Nostalgiebahnen in Kaerten conductor Josef.
Nostalgiebahnen in Kaerten conductor Josef poses beside an antique automobile.

 

Take a guided vintage bus tour (old school style) on the Nostalgiebahnen in Kärnten. Board a Steyr open-air bus from 1951 to see the region. Highlights include Mageregg Castle, Botanical Garden and museum exhibition on Klagenfurt in the Past. A short cruise on Wörthersee lake is included aboard the historic ferry Loretto.

I liked seeing some unusual sites like nesting storks, Austrian poet Ingeborg Bachmann childhood home and Kreuzbergl or cross hill where locals go to relax. Tidbits and anecdotes from local guides and patrons make this a fun excursion.


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See the iconic Lindwurm and tour the Renaissance Gem

Klagenfurt Old City

 

Lindwurm and aerial view of Klagenfurt Austria.
Left, the iconic Lindwurm. Right an aerial view of Klagenfurt Austria.

Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide visit the Alter Platz dominated by the iconic dragon “Lindwurm”, walk the pedestrian area, see the oldest preserved house Zur Goldenen Gans in the Alter Platz, the Hall of Coat of Arms in the Landhaus, and the Parish Church Tower with a panoramic viewing platform 50 m above the town.

A decidedly Italian influence pervades the town with its restored palaces, and inner courtyards thanks to the many Italian architects and artists who have come to the area over the centuries. Visit the Kaiser-Franz-Joseph-Jubiläums Municipal theatre and reformation-era churches. If it is open try to see the Ernst Fuchs chapel in St. Egyd church.

 


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Glide on Cyan Lake Waters Surrounded by Mountains

Lake Wörthersee

 

A beautiful house graces lake Woerthersee near Klagenfurt Austria
A beautiful house graces lake Woerthersee near Klagenfurt Austria.

Klagenfurt is known as the Renaissance Gem at Lake Wörthersee, and has a charming small town feel with plenty of amenities. Its proximity to the breathtaking cyan waters of lake Wörthersee and a year round calendar of events make it a good base for touring the surrounding area.

A wonderful way to tour the lake is to begin by boarding a small passenger boat that takes guests from the canal in Klagenfurt to the lake. The first view as the boat emerges from the canal to the lake is breathtaking (think the Riviera). From there transfer to a larger boat which makes stops at the most iconic sites and towns of the lake including the lake resort of Pörtschach, swanky Velden and Maria Wörth known for its churches. The full roundtrip tour of the lake takes 4 hours but you can stop off and reboard.

 


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Travel around the world in less than 3 hours

Minimundus

 

St. Basil's Cathedral in Russia and Sagrada Familia from Spain at Minimunduds Klagenfurt Austria.
Minimundus in Klagenfurt Austria features model monuments from around the world. Left, St. Basil’s Cathedral in Russia and Sagrada Familia from Spain.

 

A trip around the world to visit its most renowned monuments is not just for kids. At Minimundus, models (of some of the world’s most famous sites) are made at a scale of 1:25 and the detailed workmanship is incredible to see up close as the artists use similar construction materials to the original. (Kids will love identifying the monuments and adults will marvel at the realism).

In fact, in 1971, upon seeing this meticulous attention to detail, Shah Mohammed Reza of Persia’s mother, commissioned a model of The Marble Palace in Teheran. Fun interactive displays (control the mini electric trains, rocket launch, and boats) round out the attraction, and net profits from Minimundus go to support the “Rettet das Kind” charity in Carinthia (Klagenfurt is the capital of this region).

 

Read more about Klagenfurt Austria in the Fall 2014 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.