Wörthersee Lake
Large Alpine lake near Klagenfurt, popular summer resort
Wörthersee in Carinthia is a lake with year-round shoreline towns like Klagenfurt and Velden; people visit for swimming, boating, lakeside promenades and seasonal festivals.
Wörthersee at a Glance#
Address: Wörthersee, Carinthia, Austria (lake stretching from Klagenfurt to Velden)
Website: https://www.woerthersee.com/
About Wörthersee#
Wörthersee is a large lake in the Austrian state of Carinthia known for warm summer water temperatures and resort towns along its shores. The lake has been a popular leisure destination since the late 19th and early 20th centuries and still hosts extensive tourist facilities.
The water is noted for its blue-green colour caused by fine glacial sediments and seasonal clarity. Popular activities include swimming, boating, lakeside promenades and cycling around the shoreline.
The lake sits in a broad basin south of the Alps near the city of Klagenfurt and is ringed by resort towns such as Velden, Pörtschach and Maria Wörth, which serve as the main access points for visitors.
- Recreational note: The lake is a warm, lowland Alpine lake favored for bathing and boating during the summer months.
What to See#
- Velden: A long lakeshore resort town known for its casino, promenades and lakeside hotels; it is a primary tourist hub on the lake’s western shore.
- Pörtschach: A popular lakeside resort and transport hub with boat connections and access to walking trails around the lake.
- Maria Wörth: A small peninsula and pilgrimage site with a 15th-century church that sits prominently on the lake and is a frequent photography subject.
How to Get to Wörthersee#
Wörthersee is easily reached from Klagenfurt (about 10-20 minutes’ drive to lakeside towns) and Velden; Klagenfurt has rail connections to major Austrian cities. Regional buses and cycling paths circle the lake.
Tips for Visiting Wörthersee#
- If swimming, do so where local signs indicate safe entry - some shores are steep and drop quickly.
- Rent a bike in Klagenfurt and cycle the lakeside path for quick access to the best viewpoints.
- Visit the lakeside villages early in the morning when light on the Karawanks produces dramatic reflections.
Best Time to Visit Wörthersee#
Best from late spring through early autumn for boating, swimming and lakeside cafés; high summer brings the most crowds.
Weather & Climate near Wörthersee#
Wörthersee's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1033 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -7° - 1° | -3° | 44 mm | overcast | 91% | 0.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -5° - 4° | -1° | 44 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Acceptable | -1° - 9° | 3° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 14° | 8° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.6 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.4h |
| May | Good | 8° - 19° | 14° | 89 mm | overcast | 76% | 1.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Very Good | 11° - 23° | 17° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.4 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 25° | 19° | 125 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 1.3 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Very Good | 12° - 24° | 18° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 1.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 9° - 20° | 14° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 4° - 14° | 9° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 1.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 6° | 3° | 99 mm | overcast | 89% | 0.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -5° - 2° | -1° | 61 mm | overcast | 90% | 0.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
