{"id":23822,"date":"2021-07-02T13:56:05","date_gmt":"2021-07-02T11:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitklagenfurt.at\/?p=23822"},"modified":"2021-12-15T13:43:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T12:43:36","slug":"finding-the-pleasure-of-life-between-downtown-and-the-lake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitklagenfurt.at\/en\/sights-and-excursions\/finding-the-pleasure-of-life-between-downtown-and-the-lake\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding the pleasure of life between downtown and the lake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Carinthian <\/strong>element is reflected in the soft, melodious accent, the sense of humour and the relaxed attitude of the locals. The Italian <\/strong>element is apparent in the architectural style of the Old Town with its wide squares, while the Slovenian <\/strong>element is present on the markets and in the art and music of the region, in particular in the specific harmonies of its songs. Last but not least, the local cuisine blends the best from all three cultures into a delicious fusion of the Alps and the Adriatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Italian master builders shaped the Renaissance cityscape<\/strong> that sprang up around the Neuer Platz as the city centre.\u00a0 The Lindwurm statue<\/strong>, hewn from a single block of stone, and the Lendkanal that links the city with Lake W\u00f6rthersee, also date from this time. Klagenfurt was awarded the Europa Nostra heritage prize three times, an award presented by international experts in recognition of its outstanding achievements in preserving its Old Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Alter
(c) Michael Stabentheiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A stroll through the Old Town is a stroll through history (and through Austria\u2019s first-ever pedestrian zone!) as well as a great opportunity to shop. Rustic inns and airy caf\u00e9s invite you to linger. Don\u2019t miss out on a visit to the Benediktinermarkt<\/strong>, the city\u2019s 70-year-old market where Carinthian farmers, and, thanks to European integration, increasingly also producers from Slovenia and Italy, sell a colourful variety of regional produce and culinary highlights <\/strong>from the wider Alpine-Adriatic region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dreamy hours on the lakeshore, outdoor activities in a beautiful natural setting, or pulsating city flair: in Klagenfurt and its idyllic surrounding area, all these things lie close together. The region enchants with lakes and mountains under a southern sun, starting with the pleasantly warm waters of Lake W\u00f6rthersee and the Karawanken mountain range, inviting visitors to enjoy water sports, running, hiking, and cycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoying the many advantages of the city of Klagenfurt and Lake W\u00f6rthersee together?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Exploring countless cycling trails along rivers and lakes, all the way to the historic heart of Carinthia? Shopping in the picturesque Renaissance Old Town with its southern flair, and browsing in the market? All these things will be possible this summer once more \u2013 with the required distancing rules and \u201cCorona etiquette\u201d, implemented with our trademark hospitality and panache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So start planning your next holiday now! Klagenfurt, Austria\u2019s smallest major city, is predestined for you to enjoy a holiday that might not have been on your radar during \u201cnormal\u201d times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(c) Michael Stabentheiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leisure cyclists welcome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Directly from the heart of the Old Town, the Neuer Platz in front of the town hall with the large Lindwurm fountain, inter-regional cycling trails lead into all directions. This is the starting point of the W\u00f6rthersee Radweg, which takes you along the northern shore of the lake to Velden via P\u00f6rtschach, with many opportunities of taking a dip along the way for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those interested in history will enjoy the Glanradweg that leads to Maria Saal, where the Herzogstuhl and the picturesque Gothic cathedral are waiting to be explored, then past the ducal town of St. Veit to the medieval castle town of Friesach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heading east from Klagenfurt, you will reach the Drauradweg, the best known cycling trail in Austria\u2019s south, via the small town of Grafenstein that is home to two outstanding restaurants, each awarded a Gault Millau toque (Hambrusch and Moritz).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Familie
(c) Franz Gerdl<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Between the old town and the lake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The distance between the romantic Old Town with its many small caf\u00e9s, courtyards, shops, restaurants with outdoor dining areas, and the eastern shore of Lake W\u00f6rthersee is short and takes you along the Lendkanal<\/strong>. The Lendkanal starts in the Old Town with the Lendhafen quarter<\/strong>, an up-and-coming, young, and urban part of town dotted with bars, and stretches across Carinthia\u2019s oldest surviving bridge, the Steinerne Br\u00fccke,<\/strong> with beautiful Art Nouveau villas along the way and a great ice-cream parlour, Morle, where you can order ice-cream with a wafer-thin chocolate layer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The route continues past the daytrip destination of Minimundus<\/strong>, the reptile zoo and the planetarium<\/strong>, all the way to the nature preserve near Maria Loretto castle<\/strong>, where the Lend flows into turquoise-coloured Lake W\u00f6rthersee. This is also the location of the Restaurant Loretto, covered in white wood and with an inspired, Mediterranean-style menu. Loretto Castle, a popular wedding location, also comes with an inviting bar and what is probably the most romantic selfie point along the shores of Lake W\u00f6rthersee \u2013 the castle gardens at night, perfect for capturing the moment and creating lasting memories!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Lendkanal
(c) Stefan Kobald<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alpine-Adriatic culture wherever you look<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Klagenfurt is the point where traditional Viennese and Italian coffee culture meet.  Restaurateurs in Klagenfurt set store by an exclusive atmosphere as well as excellent flavours. Read the paper or a book in one of the cosy backrooms or enjoy a spot of people-watching on the Alter Platz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A stroll through the Old Town of Klagenfurt opens up the dreamy atmosphere of the multi-faceted Renaissance courtyards. Museums, galleries, small shops, and boutiques make your city tour into a unique journey of discovery. Expect to stumble across some unforeseen moments of utter peace and quiet at the heart of the city, or browse the Benediktinermarkt, where regional farmers and traders offer their wares from Thursday to Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(c) Arnold P\u00f6schl<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 to do\u2019s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n