Vacations in Villach – experience nature, lakes,
events and active vacations

Vacation themes

Villach is a versatile destination for a wide range of requirements: whether group trips, family vacations or business stays – the compact old town, central location and good infrastructure make the city particularly attractive. Business travelers appreciate the combination of a professional environment and recreational opportunities, while families and groups benefit from the varied leisure activities and proximity to nature.

The region offers a wide range of leisure activities in both summer and winter. While the warmer months are perfect for swimming, outdoor activities and relaxing hours in the city, winter attracts visitors with skiing, thermal spas and atmospheric winter landscapes. A vacation in Villach therefore combines relaxation, activity and enjoyment at any time of year.

Family vacation

An uncomplicated family vacation with short distances awaits you here. Restaurants, cafés and more are within easy walking distance.
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AdventureCard for families

Motorcycle vacation

We have a lot to offer for motorcycle vacationers. From a secure parking space and delicious food to support with tour planning.
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Motorcycle country FaakerSee VIFAOS © Franz Gerdl September 2019

Group travel

Villach is ideal for tour groups. The old town is manageable and can be explored on foot and many unique excursion destinations characterize the region.
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Tour groups in Villach

Culture in Villach

Villach is not only the second largest city in Carinthia, but also a lively cultural location with an amazing range of offers.
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Culture in Villach

Winter vacation

The Villach region has a lot to offer for a winter vacation. Skiing, swimming, hiking, ice skating … there is something for everyone.
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Skiing fun in winter

Summer vacation

In addition to shopping facilities, restaurants and bars, a varied program for young and old awaits you on your summer vacation.
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Summer vacation in Villach © Region Villach Tourismus GmbH | Michael Stabentheiner

The Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See vacation region

The Villach region is worth a visit at any time of year. For summer and winter sports enthusiasts, for families, couples or singles, bikers, business and congress guests. Not forgetting travel groups, of course.

Badeseen mit Trinkwasserqualität, malerische Wanderwege, atemberaubende Berglandschaften im Sommer und Winter, spektakuläre Bike-Trails, klare Alpenluft, viele spannende Ausflugsziele und eine umfangreiche Auswahl an Hotels – das alles und noch viel mehr erwartet Sie in der Region Villach. Im Süden Österreichs, nahe Italien und Slowenien, ist unsere Region ein wahres Naturparadies für Aktivurlauber. Dazu erwartet Sie eine wunderschöne Altstadt mit südlichem Flair und reichlich Geschichte.

Experience CARD

We offer you unforgettable vacation moments with the included, free Erlebnis CARD. Choose from the huge range of experiences for your active vacation in Carinthia!

events

Villach offers a varied program of events all year round – from traditional festivals such as church day and carnival to cultural highlights and markets. Numerous smaller events and seasonal highlights such as Advent also make a stay here particularly varied.

Street art festival

Street art festival 2025 in Villach The popular Villach Street Art Festival will take place again this year – on July 4 and 5, 2025, starting at 10 am. Experience…

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street art festival

Draupuls

Draupuls 2025 Draupuls is taking place again this year in Villach. Every Wednesday and Friday from 27 June to 9 September, visitors can experience a unique spectacle of light, water…

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Draupuls water features

Villacher Kirchtag

Villacher Kirchtag The Kirchtag in Villach is the largest folk festival in Carinthia and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Austria and beyond every year. For one week at…

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Kirchtag

Villach Carnival

Villach Carnival 2026 A must for every carnival fan, and anyone who wants to become one!The Boutique Hotel Goldenes Lamm Villach is the ideal starting point for happy carnival days….

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Mexican brass band music at the Villach Carnival

Crime Festival Carinthia

Crime festival Carinthia 2026 Fascination of crime From October 7 to 18, 2026, Carinthia will be transformed into a true paradise for crime fans for the seventh time. The Krimifest…

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The Krimifest Carinthia 2026

Bathing lakes

There are several bathing lakes around Villach that can be reached in just a few minutes from the city center – some of them are even easily accessible by public transport or bicycle.

Whether it’s the turquoise waters of Lake Faak, the wide range of water sports on Lake Ossiach or quieter natural spots such as Lake Magdalen and Lake Vassach – there is something for everyone. All lakes also boast excellent water quality, which is regularly checked.

Lake Vassach

Lake Vassach is located in the municipality of Villach, just an eight-minute drive from the city center. With an area of around 7.5 hectares, it is one of the smaller…
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Naturebeach Lake Vassach

Lake Magdalena

Lake Magdalenensee is located in the St. Magdalen district of Villach, only around three kilometers east of the city centre. It covers an area of 14 hectares, is fed exclusively…
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Lake Magdalena

Silver Lake

The Silbersee is located in the east of Villach, directly on the Drau, and is one of the most popular bathing lakes in Carinthia. With an area of around 14.5…
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Swimming in the silver lake

Lake Faak

Lake Faak – nature and well-being in one of Austria’s most beautiful regions Welcome to Lake Faak, a true natural gem in the heart of Carinthia. If you dream of…

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Faaker See aerial view from above

Lake Ossiach

Lake Ossiach: fascinating region in the heart of Carinthia Imagine a place where crystal-clear water meets gentle alpine meadows and imposing mountain peaks. A fascinating region that combines the best…

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Fun with the family at the Bodensdorf lakeside resort on Lake Ossiach

Cycle paths

Villach is located in the border triangle of Austria, Italy and Slovenia and is one of the most important starting points for cycle tours in Central Europe. Numerous international long-distance cycle routes, multi-day tours and leisurely circular routes pass through the town or start right here – with routes towards the Alps, Carinthian lakes or even as far as the Adriatic.

This makes Villach both a perfect starting point and an ideal stopover for cyclists who appreciate varied landscapes and well-developed paths.

Alps-Adriatic cycle path

The Alpe-Adria Cycle Path is one of the most famous long-distance cycle routes in Europe. It runs for around 410 kilometers from the Mozart city of Salzburg across the Alps,…
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Alpe Adria cycle path

Carinthian Lakes Loop

The Carinthian Lakes Loop is a multi-day cycle tour through Carinthia. It is one of the best-known circular tours for leisure cyclists in Austria.
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Carinthian Lake Loop

Drau cycle path

The Drau Cycle Path R1 is one of the most beautiful long-distance cycle paths in Europe and runs along the Drau from its source in Toblach in South Tyrol to…
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Drau Cycle Path Carinthia Advertising Martin Hoffmann

Hiking

Villach lies at the confluence of the Drau and Gail rivers, nestled between mountains and lakes – an ideal starting point for hikes of all kinds.

The offer ranges from relaxed walks along the river to family-friendly circular tours and challenging summit destinations such as Dobratsch or Gerlitzen Alpe. Well-known long-distance hiking trails such as the Alpe-Adria-Trail also run through the region, with many tours starting right in the city center.

Alps-Adriatic Trail

The Alpe-Adria-Trail is one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in Europe. It runs for around 750 kilometers from the foot of the Grossglockner to the Italian port town…
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Alpe-Adria-Trail-©-Kaernten-Werbung-Franz-Gerdl

Excursion destinations & sights

There is a lot to discover around Villach: from the Japanese macaques on Affenberg Landskron to impressive bird of prey flight shows at the Landskron castle ruins to exciting experiences in the Terra Mystica show mines or a view from the highest church tower in Carinthia.

Whether in the city center or in the surrounding area – the most important sights and most popular excursion destinations offer a variety of experiences for young and old.

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