Klagenfurt

The Benedictine Market: those in the know call it the «belly of Klagenfurt». Because when it comes to food, you can find almost anything you feel like here. The square is surrounded by four market halls, where things are always lively from Monday to Saturday. There are many small food shops here, including bakeries, fishmongers, greengrocers and butchers. Many are well connected across the Alps-Adriatic region. That is why their range includes fresh produce from Slovenia, Italy and Croatia. You can also taste this culinary blend of three cultures in the many market restaurants, where fresh dishes are prepared in the market halls.

In which city can you set off on a hike straight from the main square? In Klagenfurt, it is easy. Thanks to the Kreuzbergl. This local recreation area is a favourite among Klagenfurt residents and also a varied hiking area. From the lively city centre, it takes only a few steps to reach this peaceful green space, full of nature and birdsong. From here, further hiking routes lead around Lake Wörthersee or all the way to the Ulrichsberg, the historic Mons Carantanus.

Straight from the heart of the city centre, with the Lindwurm Fountain as its landmark, long-distance cycle routes lead in every direction. The Lake Wörthersee Cycle Path starts here and invites you to ride along the northern shore to Velden. Those interested in history can follow the Glan Cycle Path to Maria Saal, with its mighty Gothic cathedral, and on to Friesach, a medieval town still defined by its castles. From Klagenfurt eastwards, the route leads to the Drau Cycle Path, the best-known cycle route in Austria’s south.

The walk from the romantic old town, with its many small cafés, courtyards, shops and restaurants with outdoor terraces, to Lake Wörthersee and its eastern bay is short. It follows the 4-kilometre Lend Canal. It begins in the city centre at Lendhafen, a young urban district with laid-back bars. Lined with Art Nouveau villas, the canal continues past Carinthia’s oldest preserved bridge, the Steinerne Brücke, with its excellent ice cream parlour. It then leads past Minimundus, the reptile zoo and the planetarium to the nature reserve by Maria Loretto Castle. Here, the Lend flows into the turquoise-blue waters of Lake Wörthersee.