Klagenfurt Guide

About Klagenfurt, Austria

As legend has it, Klagenfurt was found after a man killed the evil dragon that stalked the towns surrounding the area. The dragon was dubbed the "Lindwurm" and a statue was erected in the center of the new town to celebrate his defeat.

Back to reality, Klagenfurt was really founded in the 13^th century by the Count of Carinthia, Duke Herman. It was built as a stomping ground along the commercial routes in the area. The city has had its fair share of battles with Mother Nature including a cricket infestation, flooding, fires and earthquakes. It has also battled man-made hardships like the Peasants' War in 1514 when a fire nearly wiped out the whole town. However, the silver lining to this disastrous war was the Renaissance rebirth which can be seen especially in the architecture around the city.

Klagenfurt is also pedestrian friendly. It was the first in Austria to have pedestrian only zones and nearly all of the sights and sounds of the city can be reached easily by foot. Klagenfurt only continues to increase in size and popularity as the years go on.

Things to do in Klagenfurt

Our mini-guide to what's on in Klagenfurt lists the top 10 events and attractions in the region. If you take your short break in Klagenfurt, Austria when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in Klagenfurt.

1. Old Town Magic: Every August, Klagenfurt abounds with goings-on. The Old Town Magic is a Klagenfurt tradition, a street party of sorts, which attracts nearly 100,000 visitors each year. There are acrobats, jugglers, comedians, and a variety of music and delectable eateries on streets all across the town. Admission is free.

2. Roman Week: For one week each June, Klagenfurt turns Roman. The Landesmuseum hosts Roman Week which is full of events, performances, workshops, food, drinks and tours all relating back to antiquity. Admission is free.

3. Lindwurm: The Neuer Platz at the center of Klagenfurt is home to the town landmark, Lindwurm. The legend goes that an evil dragon lurked in the area where Klagenfurt is currently located. The duke promised ample land to those who could kill the beast. A group of men "killed" the dragon and got their land and the head of the Lindworm was relished in monument form at the center of town. Today we know that the Lindworm is a glacial rhino head that was found close by around the same 16^th century period but nonetheless, the folklore still stands as one of the best attractions in town.

4. Ironman Austria: The largest triathlon in Europe takes place right here in Klagenfurt at the beautiful Worthersee Lake. The race kicks off on the public beach of Strandbad at 7:00am. Public beware, road access closes at 6:00am so either get there early or be prepared to walk! Visitors can join thousands of others to cheer on the athletes and enjoy the fireworks display, awards ceremony and parties post-race. Admission is free.

5. Europapark and Strandbad: Standing side by side, Europapark and Strandbad beach are the bread and butter of Klagenfurt. The park allows guests to stroll the stunning scenery around Worthersee, play chess, watch the male peacocks strut their stuff for the females or just enjoy the lush gardens. Just across the way Strandbad offers relaxation beach style in a perfect Mediterranean climate. It should be noted that Worthersee is the warmest Alpine lake in the world due to its Mediterranean climate.

6. Beachvolleyball Grand Slam: The Grand Slam is one of the biggest volleyball tourneys in Europe. Thousands flock to Strandbad beach each August to see all of the action while teams do battle for five days straight until the championship round on the final day. Admission is free and doors open at 8:30am. However, due to limited space, the organizer recommends getting there at 7:30am to ensure a ticket. Early admission tickets cost approximately 3EUR.

7. Wortherseefestspiele: From June through August, Wortherseebuhne hosts a variety of live concerts, dance performances and musicals to thousands. Performances run from Thursday through Sunday and begin at 8:30pm each evening. Tickets costs between 16 - 38EUR depending upon the performance. Wortherseebuhne accommodates 2,000 but it is recommended to reserve tickets online in advance to guarantee a seat.

8. Robert Musil Museum: This museum pays homage to one of Klagenfurt's most well known celebrities, writer Robert Musil. The location is actually the house where the writer was born! It is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Admission is free.

9. Historic Center Tour: For history buffs, a historic city walk tour is available each day at 10:00am during the summer months. All you have to do is go to the Neuer Platz in front of city hall for a free guided tour.

10. Reptilienzoo Happ: Just as the name states, this small zoo is stockpiled to the max with a huge variety of reptiles and small animals. Admission costs around 8EUR but there are special fees for children and groups.

Klagenfurt Airport

Klagenfurt has its own international airport called the Flughafen Klagenfurt. It has flights to and from London, Berlin, Koln, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Dusseldorf and Vienna. There are also many nearby airports in neighboring vicinities like Graz, Salzburg, Vienna, Maribor, Triesta and Venice. Trains and private shuttle buses are available to get visitors from the airport to Klagenfurt. It should be noted that shuttles must be booked in advance.