The warmest lakes in Austria, a perfect summer in Carinthia

Carinthia is the southernmost federal state of Austria, famous for its incredibly clean, warm lakes with turquoise water, picturesque mountains, and peaceful atmosphere. The most famous of them is Klopeiner See, one of the warmest alpine lakes in Europe. In this article, we’ll explore what makes Carinthia’s lakes so attractive, which resort towns are worth visiting, what to do, where to stay, and how to get there.

Lake Klopeiner See

The warmest lake in Austria and one of the warmest in Europe.

Lake Klopeiner See is a true gem for a summer holiday in Austria. Its water warms up to +28°C, making it one of the warmest lakes in Europe and undoubtedly the warmest lake in Austria. Thanks to this, Klopeiner See is extremely popular among families with children: the water is warm, crystal clear, and transparent, and the overall atmosphere is calm and relaxing.

Little travelers will enjoy special beaches with kids’ zones, animation, playgrounds, and entertainment. Adults can relax in the spa, enjoy active recreation, water sports, or simply unwind on the shore under the Austrian sun.
The lake itself is small and very cozy: 1.8 km long, up to 800 m wide, with an average depth of 23 m, a maximum depth of 48 m, and located at 446 m above sea level.

Klopeiner See is not just about swimming in warm water — it’s about a full reset in one of Austria’s sunniest regions.

What to See and Do

Resort towns and villages around the lake:
St. Kanzian am Klopeiner See – the main resort town with beaches, hotels, restaurants, a promenade, and various water activities.
Seelach – a part of St. Kanzian, offering plenty of private accommodations and a pedestrian-friendly area.
Südklopein – a quieter area, perfect for family vacations or romantic getaways.
Klopein – a compact village with hotels and guesthouses, ideal for those who want to stay close to the water but away from the crowds.

These towns are connected by a well-developed infrastructure, well-maintained beaches, bike paths, fresh air, and access to Carinthia’s natural and cultural attractions.

Where to Stay:

Popular Hotels Near Klopeiner See

Ferienhaus Rutar – Apartments with a private beach on Lake Klopeiner See. Ferienhaus Rutar in St. Kanzian offers its own beach area and direct lake access. It’s a perfect spot to relax on the sunny terrace with a beautiful view of the lake.

Pension Kathi – Guesthouse near Lake Klopeiner See. Just a 2-minute walk from the lake, Pension Kathi offers a private beach area with free sun loungers and umbrellas. The beach is reachable within 4–8 minutes on foot. The guesthouse is located in the center of St. Kanzian, only 100 meters from the main street. A buffet breakfast is served every morning. In the evenings, guests can enjoy entertainment programs with live music performed by the host. The property features a garden, terrace, bar, children’s playground, and free parking. Cycling trails start right from the guesthouse. Klagenfurt Airport is only 20 km away.

The ibis Styles Klagenfurt hotel is located in the heart of Klagenfurt, just 400 meters from the Lindwurm fountain. Guests have access to a fitness center, bar, private parking, and stylish rooms with garden views. Breakfast is available as a buffet or vegetarian option. The 24/7 front desk staff speaks German, English, and Italian. Nearby: Museum of Modern Art, Provincial Museum. Klagenfurt Airport is only 5 km away.
Stylish LUX Penthouse Klopeiner See apartments in St. Kanzian offer direct access to Lake Klopeiner See and a private beach area. Perfect for relaxing on the terrace with a lake view.
Promenaden-Strandhotel Marolt Haupthaus – a traditional family-run hotel located right on the lakeside promenade in St. Kanzian. It features a large indoor pool, private beach with sun loungers, umbrellas, pedal boats, a pier, and a lakeside sauna. The shallow shore is safe for children. On-site: tennis, beach volleyball, massages, a kids’ club with professional animators, and a large playground. The hotel also has its own pastry shop with homemade desserts and a terrace serving ice cream and snacks.

Cafés and Restaurants by the Lake

Klopeinersee-Stüberl – a popular restaurant on Lake Klopeiner See serving regional Carinthian dishes. A perfect spot for lunch after the beach: cozy terrace, fast service, and fresh seasonal ingredients. Be sure to try the fish specialties and local delicacies.

Loving Hut am Klopeiner See – the first vegan hotel-restaurant in Austria. Offers a wide variety of delicious vegan dishes and breakfasts in a cozy atmosphere.

Restaurant Seerose – a lakeside restaurant specializing in fish dishes and local delicacies. An ideal place for a romantic dinner.

Grinzing Heurigen am Steinberg – an authentic heuriger (wine tavern) with live music and traditional snacks. A popular spot for a relaxing evening with a glass of local wine.

Seestüberl am Sonnegger See – a cozy restaurant overlooking Lake Sonnegger See, near Klopeiner See. Perfect for a sunset dinner, Carinthian home-style cooking, and local wine. The menu includes fish dishes, grilled options, light snacks, and desserts. Popular among both tourists and locals.

Things to Do at Lake Klopeiner See

• Swimming and beach relaxation – warm water, sun loungers, and shallow lake entrances.
• Cycling routes – over 270 km of bike paths (Klopeiner See Südkärnten Trail).
• Hiking – trails around the lake and in nearby mountains (Georgiberg Park).
• Windsurfing, SUP (stand-up paddling), pedal boats.
• Fishing – permitted with a license; gear can be rented on-site.
• Children’s entertainment and playgrounds – available at hotels and beaches.
• Walderlebniswelt – an adventure park for kids featuring a rope climbing town.

 

What to See Nearby

• Burg Hochosterwitz – one of Austria’s most famous castles (30 minutes by car).
• Klagenfurt – a historic city center, Lake Wörthersee, and Minimundus miniature park.
• Trögerner Klamm Waterfalls – a beautiful trail for a day hike.
• Obir Tropfsteinhöhlen Adventure Park – illuminated caves and guided tours for kids.
• Dobratsch Nature Park – mountain hiking trails and scenic viewpoints.

 

How to Get to the Lakes of Carinthia

Carinthia is conveniently located in southern Austria, near the borders with Slovenia and Italy, making it easily accessible from various parts of Europe — by car, train, or plane.

By Car

• From Vienna: approx. 3.5–4 hours via the A2 (Süd Autobahn) — fast and convenient.
• From Salzburg: 2.5–3 hours via the A10 Tauern Autobahn.
• From Munich (Germany): 4–4.5 hours via A8 and A10.
• From Ljubljana (Slovenia): only 1–1.5 hours.
• From Italy (Udine, Trieste): 2–2.5 hours.

Carinthia has well-developed infrastructure for car travel, and many hotels offer free or private parking.

By Train

• The main station in Klagenfurt (Klagenfurt Hbf) has direct connections to:

• Vienna, Salzburg, Graz,
• as well as Munich, Zurich, and Ljubljana.

From there, take a local train, bus, or hotel transfer to reach the lakes (Klopeiner See, Faaker See, Wörthersee).

By Plane

The nearest airport is Klagenfurt (KLU):

• Regular flights from Vienna, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, and London.
• From the airport to resorts – taxi, car rental, or hotel transfer (Klopeiner See ≈25 km).

Alternatively:

• Ljubljana Airport (Slovenia) – 90 km
• Graz Airport – 140 km
• Trieste Airport (Italy) – 170 km

Tip: If you’re planning a road trip with multiple stops, it’s most convenient to rent a car in Klagenfurt or Graz.