I worked with Region Villach Tourismus and Naturel Hoteldorf Schönleitn during this stop. The opinions and the photographs are my own.
Villach was a stop on my Interrail route, between Munich and Slovenia. It is a very cute little town. And when you reach the lake and the hotel village, it feels like a whole other world.
Villach overview
How we got there: by train from Munich, with our Interrail pass. Munich to Villach was the most beautiful ride of the whole trip.
How long we stayed: three nights.
How we got around: by bus, between the hotel, the lake and the town.
How long I would stay: it is clearly the kind of place where you can spend one or two weeks, just to switch your brain off.
Where to stay: Naturel Hoteldorf Schönleitn
A hotel village of chalets in Latschach, at the foot of the Mittagskogel, above Lake Faak.
What I loved: everything. The breakfast, with good products. The staff. The chalet.
Best things to do in Villach and Lake Faak
Walk around the old town of Villach
We walked all around the town.
The umbrella street: as soon as you enter the old town, it is on your right. It is Lederergasse, one of the oldest streets in Villach, covered with more than 200 colourful umbrellas as a summer installation. Look for the flood marks on the houses, like the one from 1567 at number 12.
What else is in the old town: the Hauptplatz, the long main square, and at the end of it the parish church of St. Jakob. Its tower is 94 metres, the highest church tower in Carinthia, and it is open to visitors for about 5 euros, with a gallery near the top and the view over the town, the Drau and the mountains. Along the river, the Drau promenade is where people actually walk in the evening.
Swim in Lake Faak
We swam at the private beach of the hotel group, and it was amazing. The water is turquoise.
Good to know: guests of Naturel Hoteldorf Schönleitn can use the private beach of its sister village, Naturel Hoteldorf Seeleitn, in Egg am Faaker See, about 2 km away.
If you are not staying there: the lake has public bathing areas around its shore, in Drobollach, Egg and Faak am See, with boats and stand up paddles to rent in season. The water is that turquoise because of the limestone of the Karawanks, the range you see on the far side.
What else there is to do around Villach
We did not have time for these, but they are all within half an hour of the town.
- Dobratsch, the mountain above Villach, reached by the Villacher Alpenstraße, a toll road of about 16 kilometres with viewpoints and a skywalk over the drop. It is a nature park, with hiking in summer and cross country skiing in winter.
- The Gerlitzen cable car, on Lake Ossiach, for the view over the whole lake district.
- Lake Ossiach, the bigger lake to the north east, for windsurfing and paddling, with Ossiach Abbey on its shore.
- Kärnten Therme, the thermal baths at Warmbad Villach, where the Romans already came for the hot springs two thousand years ago.
- Affenberg and the eagle show, the two animal parks, if you travel with children.
And in winter: the Villacher Fasching, the carnival that runs from 11 November to Lent, is the biggest event of the year here.
Where to eat
We ate at the hotel.
How many days in Villach and Lake Faak?
At least three nights, like us. But it is clearly the kind of place where you could stay one or two weeks, just to disconnect.
Villach FAQ
Is Villach worth visiting?
Yes. It is a very cute little town, and Lake Faak next to it feels like another world.
Where is the umbrella street in Villach?
It is Lederergasse, on your right as soon as you enter the old town.
Can you swim in Lake Faak?
Yes. The water is turquoise.
How do you get around Villach and Lake Faak?
We took the bus between the hotel, the lake and the town.
Where to stay near Lake Faak?
We stayed at Naturel Hoteldorf Schönleitn, a hotel village of chalets in Latschach.
Can you climb the church tower in Villach?
Yes. The St. Jakob tower is the highest in Carinthia at 94 metres, and it is open to visitors for about 5 euros.
Why is Lake Faak so turquoise?
Because of the limestone of the Karawanks, the mountains on the far side of the lake.
How many days at Lake Faak?
As many as you can. You could easily spend one or two weeks there.
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- Graz travel guide: a peaceful city, red rooftops and the Schlossberg
- Vienna travel guide: a city of grandeur, best seen on foot
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