Family fun for young and old in the heart of Carinthia

Family holidays in and around Villach

Children will simply love all the attractions the Villach - Faaker See - Ossiacher See holiday region has to offer. These include the warm and crystal-clear swimming lakes in which they can splash and play to their hearts' content, as well as a wide range of day trip destinations and varied themed walks created especially for children. And on top of all that, the popular "Erlebnis CARD" guest card is available from participating hosts, which offers a large number of activities - including guide-led hikes or entrance to various attractions - free of charge.

You'll find a selection of our best, most exciting day trip destinations in the region here. Many of them have been awarded the Carinthian Seal of Quality. And by the way, our overview page Places of interest, excursions and more, lists all the places and activities to enjoy in our region.

Archery

Archery is a sport of contrasts - tension and relaxation, concentration and letting go. It is suitable for all ages, from the age of ten, and does not require a lot of preparation time. Equipped with solid outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear, the adventure can begin after a short introduction.

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One castle - four attractions

Landskron Castle was one of the most magnificent Renaissance mansions in the Middle Ages. The “Burgherrenrunde” trail is a pure hiking adventure, with spectacular views of Villach, Lake Ossiach and Landskron Castle. There is much to marvel at whilst walking along the pleasant 3.6-kilometre-long hike, and the 180 metres of altitude are quickly covered within the first half hour.

Ossiacher See boat trip

Board the MS Ossiach and the MS Gerlitze and experience Lake Ossiach from a special perspective. Enjoy a round trip of a special kind.

Adventure Park Gerlitzen

At the middle station of Gerlitzen Alpe, a range of attractions awaits the whole family. Driven by gravity, one can flit down the secured ski piste on the Pistenflitzer mountain karts - the ultimate driving fun for all ages. The new summer tubing offers high-class sliding fun - down the piste with an inflatable tyre.

Natur Aktiv Park

For some it is a running circuit, for others a beautiful walking path. Many children have learnt to cycle here and you have direct contact with nature. Many also come from the nearby town of Villach to use and experience this gem. Klaudia Ottowitz, author and painter, tells us something about this path.

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Terra Mystica and Terra Montana

After the closure of active mining, two educational visitors mines were established in the original 1300-kilometre-long passageway system of the Bad Bleiberg ore mountain. "The wonder world in the mountain" at Terra Mystica and "The working world of the miners" at Terra Montana.

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Puch natural pool

The unassuming natural site in Puch offers the perfect cooling off especially for families. With a water surface area of around 1500 square metres, it is relatively small. The stream in the children's area is one of the attractions and will delight adventurous hearts. One can use the available gastronomy for refreshments.

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Guided town tours

A variety of guided town tours offer suitable content for everyone: every Wednesday is a themed day, while children's and young peoples' tours take place on Thursdays and every Friday you can experience the popular old town walks.

Fox Trail

Fun for the whole family with numerous adventure stations. On this Fox trail, a family adventure walk in Oberaichwald near the Lake Faaker See, knowledge on various nature subjects is playfully conveyed in all languages of the Alpine-Adriatic area. Experience the active discovery of flora and fauna and the detailed play stations together with your children.

On Woroun´s tail

Welcome to the forest of adventure! With Anna and Anton, you are embarking on an adventurous journey through the dragon forest. Are you brave and curious to find out what Anna and Anton experience here? Then accompany the two of them and go in search of the mighty dragon Woroun and the fine stag Hubertus! Great puzzles await you on your expedition!

Burgherrenrunde

A wonderful family walk along easy and well-maintained forest paths by the western foothills of the Ossiacher Tauern. Here the path takes us on a historical tour through flora and fauna to breathtaking views and idyllic forest ponds. After a brief toll road ascent to the castle ruins, we start by the castle pond.

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Finsterbach waterfalls – Hiking path

An excursion to the Finsterbach waterfalls offers a special kind of nature experience. The waterfalls are located on the northern shore of Lake Ossiacher See and are particularly suitable for families and it is one of our insider tips. On the way to the three waterfalls, guests can relax, enjoy a refreshing cool-down, listen to the impressive sound of the water and discover breathtaking viewpoints.

Bunker Museum Wurzenpass

At the Carinthian Wurzenpass stands the largest bunker complex of the federal army of the Alpine republic, formerly secret and available for use from 1963 to 2002. Since 2005, the open-air museum unique in Austria has been open to visitors.

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The Mushroom Museum in Treffen near Villach

The Mushroom Museum near Lake Ossiach is truly unique, because it has the largest collection of Austrian and foreign mushroom examples in all of Europe. Discover why mushrooms are so important for our living environment, how to differentiate between poisonous and edible varieties and how to decide when a mushroom is inedible.

Domenig Steinhaus

The Stone House at lake Ossiacher See was the pinnacle of the work of the world-renowned architect Günther Domenig, demonstrating the innovative strength in his projects. Here, his ideas of design, technology and typology are combined, making the Steinhaus an architectural biography in form.

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The Citrus Garden

You will be amazed and enchanted when you walk through Michael Ceron ́s citrus garden. Here we are in the South, albeit the South of Carinthia, but not in the Mediterranean. This collection, which is unique in Europe, is surprising to see because of the breath-taking variety of fruits on around 5,000 m2.

‘Monkey Mountain‘ Adventure at Landskron Castle

‘Monkey Mountain’ in Landskron is an attraction for young and old, as well as scientists from around the world, because on this 4-hectare wooded and fenced-in property, around 180 Japanese macaques live as in the wild, neither tamed nor domesticated.

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Family & climbing forest Ossiacher See

Yes, you read correctly. You can expect action, adrenalin and unlimited fun for all the family in the Familywald Ossiacher See (Family Forest Lake Ossiach). You can climb tree houses, master hanging bridges and explore spectacular treetop platforms in a woodland area of over 30,000 m2. Best of all, Familywald Ossiacher See will thrill everyone – from the youngest child to the grandparents.

Pumptracks Drobollach

Two pump tracks in Drobollach provide recreational fun and training opportunities. The largest asphalted pump track in Carinthia with Kids Corner and Jumpline at the Soccerzone and a weatherproof pump track with skate park at Panorama Beach offer pure variety.

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Bad Bleiberg gallery hiking trail

The Stollenwanderweg is a circular hiking trail and was set up by the Bergmännischer Kulturverein. It leads along the Erzberg and offers insights into the mining tradition of the Bleiberg Valley through old tunnels.

Tips for rainy weather

No sun? No problem. Even if the weather is bad in the otherwise sun-drenched holiday region of Villach - Faaker See - Ossiacher See, a wealth of experiences and activities await you. With these tips, your holiday will be unforgettable whatever the weather.

Family holidays in and around Villach

Our tips for adventurers old and young

Adventure hiking trails

For MTB minis

Tips for rainy weather