Swimming & water

On the south-west shore of the Turnersee, below St. Primus, the Pension Hribernig runs a small, natural lido. There is a very large lawn, a playground and a gentle entry into the water – ideal for families with small children. The Turnersee lies in a Natura 2000 area and warms up to 28 °C in summer; from the water you look across to the Hochobir and the Petzen.

On the beach a kiosk sells drinks, ice cream, pizza and snacks, you can hire parasols and sun loungers, and there is storage for boats and swimming gear. The lido is an easy walk along a woodland path, and there is a car park near the beach. For a relaxed afternoon by the lake, all you need is a towel and sun cream.

The Turnersee is, so to speak, our home lake: you are only about ten minutes’ walk from its shore. Nestled among meadows and woods at 481 m above sea level, it lies in the middle of a Natura 2000 protected area and borders directly on the Sablatnigmoor bird sanctuary. At around 44 hectares and up to 13 m deep, it is much smaller, quieter and more sheltered from the wind than the neighbouring Klopeiner See – which is exactly what families and anyone looking for peace rather than crowds love about it. In high summer the water warms up pleasantly, and the bathing water quality has been rated “excellent” for years.

There are seven swimming spots around the lake. The municipal lido offers a lawn of around 1,000 m² for sunbathing, a playground, a bistro and a wonderful view of the Hochobir and the Petzen. There are also private lidos where you can while away the day. If you would rather be on the move, walk around the lake on the family-friendly Slow Trail Turnersee or stop at the Bike Break with its play tower, pump track and e-bike charging station. And in early June the whole lake celebrates at the Seefestl am Turnersee.

On the west shore of the Turnersee, just behind the Bike Break cyclists’ rest stop, lies the Strandbad Moskito, which belongs to the Gasthof Eckwirt. Around 5,000 m² of well-kept lawn with shade under trees lie in the middle of the Natura 2000 protected area; the entry into the water is gentle, and a swimming jetty takes you into deeper water. Sun loungers and parasols are free, subject to availability, and there are changing cabins and generous toilet and shower facilities.

At the Moskito bar you can get light meals, ice cream and drinks on a shady terrace with a lake view. Children will find a big sandpit, play equipment, table tennis and a beach volleyball court; right in front, at the Bike Break, there is a climbing tower shaped like a water lily, a pump track and a bike skills course. A peaceful spot for a half or full day by the water, easy to reach on foot or by bike.

The Turnersee is at its most beautiful early in the morning. Often a light mist still hangs over the water, the reeds are quiet, and to the south the Karawanks with the Hochobir stand out against the sky. If you walk down to the shore before breakfast, you usually have the lake to yourself. It is the best time for photos, for a first swim in the warm moor water or simply for a coffee on the jetty.

In summer, on Mondays from 8:00 to 9:00, there is Rise & Shine yoga at Camping Breznik right on the jetty, free with the Aktiv Card. The session suits all levels, and children aged 12 and over may join if accompanied. Bring sportswear and a beach towel or mat, and sign up at the campsite reception by 21:00 the day before.

On the north shore of the Turnersee in Obersammelsdorf lies the public lido of the municipality of St. Kanzian. The sunbathing lawns rise in terraces up the slope, with sunny and shady spots and a view across the lake to the Karawanks. The Turnersee is one of the warmest swimming lakes in the area and reaches up to 28 °C in high summer – pleasant for children and anyone who doesn’t like the cold. Typical activities are swimming, snorkelling and a turn on a stand-up paddleboard, which you can hire at the ticket office.

A self-service bistro by the entrance provides food and drinks, and a large car park is right next to it; but from the house you can also easily get there on foot or by bike. For a day at the lake all you need is a towel, sun protection and cash, as card payment isn’t possible. Dogs are not allowed in the swimming area, only in the entrance and terrace area of the bistro.

The Turnersee near St. Primus is a small, quiet swimming lake of around 44 hectares with a reed belt and water lilies along the shore; in high summer the water warms up to around 28 °C. Several lidos line the lake – Ilsenhof, Strandbad Turnersee, Moskito, Hribernig and the municipal lido on the north shore in Obersammelsdorf. The lake lies in a Natura 2000 area: lapwings and stonechats breed on the marshland, and noble crayfish live in the water.

At the municipal lido you can hire stand-up paddle boards and take a leisurely trip around the lake; you can launch your own board at the bathing areas. It is loveliest early in the morning, when the water is like glass, or on summer evenings – in July and August the lido is open until 21:00. There are terraced sunbathing lawns and a self-service bistro at the entrance. Dogs are allowed only in the entrance and terrace area, not on the lawn.

The Ilsenhof’s lido lies in Obersammelsdorf on the north shore of the Turnersee and is also open to people who are not staying at the hotel. The large lawn has lots of old trees, so you can find a shady spot even at midday. A gentle shingle entry leads into the water, and there is a separate area for small children. Older ones jump off the long wooden jetty. The Turnersee is a moor lake and warms up to around 28 °C in summer.

On the shore there is a playground and a beach restaurant for lunch, ice cream and drinks. For families with small children the lido is good for a whole day, because water, shade and playground are all close together. From 16:00 a reduced entry fee applies. If you come often, you can buy a 6-day ticket whose days don’t have to be consecutive.

Just a stone’s throw west of the Klopeiner See, separated from it by the village of Seelach, lies its quiet little sibling: the Kleinsee. There is no promenade and no bustle here, but a dense belt of reeds, water lilies, dragonflies and plenty of peace. Especially early in the morning, when wisps of mist hang over the water, the lake is a wonderful place to take a deep breath.

The Kleinsee is very popular with anglers: pike, zander and carp are at home here. You can get fishing permits from the outlets of the St. Kanzian municipality. For walkers and cyclists, the Kleinsee combines beautifully with a loop around the Klopeiner See – that way you experience both faces of the region in a single morning: the lively lakeshore and the quiet natural idyll.

Along the shore of the Klopeiner See runs a continuous, paved footpath, lit in the evening, through Klopein, Seelach and Unterburg. On the north shore in Klopein, cafés, ice-cream parlours, restaurants and lidos line the shore. On the quieter south shore, along the Südpromenade, the shore is partly freely accessible, and you look across the turquoise water to the Karawanks.

You can walk the path in sections, or allow a good hour for the whole loop around the lake. The path is flat and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. It’s especially lovely early in the morning, when the lake is still calm, and on summer evenings, when the restaurants and bars along the shore are busy. On the north shore cyclists have to get off and push.

Hardly any water flows through the Klopeiner See, so it warms up a lot in summer: at up to 28–29 °C it is one of the warmest alpine lakes. A swim is most pleasant in the late afternoon and early evening, when the day visitors head home, the sun is low over the western shore and the water still holds the warmth of the day. As there are no motorboats on the lake, it is quiet then, too.

Most of the lidos on the shore belong to hotels. The municipal lidos are open to the public, such as the Sportstrandbad Süd on the south promenade in Unterburg; the municipality of St. Kanzian can tell you about admission and opening hours. Bring a towel, a light jacket for the way home and, at dusk, a head torch. Afterwards a short stroll along the lakeside promenade is well worth it.

The Klopeiner See is the heart of our holiday region and one of the warmest swimming lakes in Europe: on midsummer days the water reaches up to 28 °C. The reason: very little water flows through the lake, so it stays in the basin for a long time and warms up nicely in the sun. It lies at 446 m above sea level, covers around 1.1 km², is up to 48 m deep and has drinking-water quality; in the bays the pale, chalky lake bed shimmers turquoise.

Austria’s only continuous lakeside promenade runs all the way round the lake. The circular path of about 5.3 km can be done at a leisurely pace in around an hour and a half: the north shore tempts you with cafés, shops and an art mile, while the south shore is quieter and more natural. You can swim at numerous public and private lidos, and there are SUP boards, kayaks, pedal and rowing boats as well as diving courses. At the Kärntner Badehaus, saunas and a heated infinity pool with direct access to the lake await you all year round. In summer the PromenadenZauber, the water and light shows and, in early July, the big “See in Flammen” festival with fireworks make for unforgettable evenings.

The Sportstrandbad Süd is the municipal lido on the south shore of the Klopeiner See, right on the Südpromenade. There’s plenty of room on the large sunbathing lawn, even for families. To keep you moving there are two beach volleyball courts with a shady stand, which all bathers can use free of charge. Right next door is the Fitness Beach, a freely accessible outdoor fitness area with a view of the lake.

At the ticket office you can hire sun loungers, parasols, pedalos and SUP boards. The beach buffet keeps you supplied with food and drinks, and there’s a diving school next door. The Klopeiner See is one of the warmest swimming lakes in Austria, often over 25 °C in high summer. You can easily spend a whole day at the lake here. Later in the day, it’s worth taking advantage of the reduced admission from 15:00.

The Campingbad Nord, the municipal lido, lies on the north shore promenade of the Klopeiner See, right next to the municipal campsite. The water gets deeper only gradually, which makes it especially good for families with small children and for non-swimmers. For playing there is a water slide, a diving tower, a water trampoline, a children’s pool and a sandpit; the beach buffet and the large sun terrace are there for breaks in the shade.

A pool lift is installed on the jetty so that wheelchair users can also get into the water. You can hire sun loungers, parasols, pedalos and SUP boards on site. It is worth planning a half or full day at the lido – and if you only come in the afternoon, entry is cheaper from 15:00.

The Strandbad Krainz lies on the east shore of the Klopeiner See in Unterburg and is especially popular with families: the shore slopes gently, so children and non-swimmers can get into the water safely too. The Klopeiner See is one of the warmest swimming lakes in Europe and reaches well over 25 °C in high summer.

On site you can hire day cabins, sun loungers, parasols and table tennis; children especially love the pedalos, some of which have a slide. A restaurant takes care of lunch, and there is an accessible toilet. If you bring your own SUP, you pay a small daily fee. Thanks to the afternoon and evening tickets, even a short swim after an outing is worthwhile.

On the east shore of the Klopeiner See, right on the Ostuferstraße, lies the lido of the Bellevue Alm. Under old trees there is a large, well-kept lawn with plenty of shade, and a long jetty takes you straight into the turquoise-green water, pleasantly warm in high summer. The way in is flat and gentle, so the lido suits families with small children well; a playground and sandpit are right by the shore.

If you fancy something different in between, hire a pedalo or play table tennis and Pit-Pat (mini golf on a table). Plan on a half or full day by the water; pack a towel, sun cream and water shoes for the little ones. The large car park is right in front of the entrance, and in July and August the lido is open until 20:00 in the evening.

When the swimming season is over, the Turnersee and Klopeiner See remain appealing for cold-water swimmers: a quick dip in the cool, clear water in spring or autumn gets your circulation going and clears your head. The tourism region offers tips online and points to the Carinthian bathing rules for cold-water swimming spots. Go into the water slowly, stay in for only a few minutes, never swim alone, and get warmly dressed quickly afterwards.

The Sonnegger See in the municipality of Sittersdorf is a small swimming lake at the foot of the Karawanks, created artificially in 1966. It covers 1.7 hectares and is no more than 4.5 metres deep, so the water warms up quickly in summer. All around is a large lawn for sunbathing with old trees. The municipality runs a lido here with a bathing jetty, a long water slide, a beach volleyball court, a children’s playground and a restaurant. You can hire sun loungers and parasols on site.

The lake is quieter and has more of a family feel than the big lidos on the Klopeiner See and is ideal for a relaxed day of swimming with younger children. For cyclists it is a popular stop on the 6-Lakes Loop through southern Carinthia, so a ride combines nicely with a swim. Anglers can get fishing permits at the ticket office.

The Gösselsdorfer See between Eberndorf and Sittersdorf is an insider tip for anyone who loves unspoilt nature. Much of the lake has silted up, it is only around three metres deep and is fed mainly by groundwater – so it warms up quickly in summer. It lies in a protected landscape area and, like the Turnersee and the Sablatnigmoor, is an important resting place for migratory birds on their way over the Karawanks.

On the west shore you will find the public bathing area with a sunbathing lawn, children’s playground, pedalo hire and a snack bar with a terrace. All around stretch reeds, wet meadows and fields, with the Karawanks in the background. From our house the lake is easy to reach by bike on quiet back roads, and it combines nicely with the Sablatnigmoor or Stift Eberndorf.

Above the centre of Bad Eisenkappel lies the town’s solar-heated outdoor pool, with a view of the Karawanks. The pool has about 310 m² of water. There is also a 40-metre slide, a toddlers’ pool with a little elephant slide next to its own parent-and-child area, and a children’s playground. For breaks there is table tennis, table football, a snack bar and a café with a sun terrace. You can hire sun loungers.

The pool is small and quiet. It suits families well if you are heading into the Vellach valley anyway, for example to the Obir-Tropfsteinhöhlen, the Trögerner Klamm gorge or the centre of Bad Eisenkappel. After a hike or a cave visit it is a nice place to spend a few hours in the water. Opening hours may change in bad weather.

The town of Völkermarkt’s outdoor pool is on Strandbadweg, not far from the town centre. The pools are solar-heated. Alongside 50-metre lanes with a 1-metre board and a 3-metre diving tower, there is a water slide, a current channel, a relaxation pool with massage jets, a mushroom fountain and a baby pool. On the grounds you will also find a beach volleyball court, a children’s playground and free Wi-Fi. You can rent cabins and parasols.

If you want to swim lengths as well as splash about, this is the right pool for you; it is also a good choice for teenagers looking for a diving tower and a slide. From June to August it is open daily from 9:00 to 20:00, in May and September only in good swimming weather. A visit combines nicely with a stroll across Völkermarkt’s main square.

Between wooded slopes at the foot of the Hochobir lies the Freibacher Stausee in the municipality of Zell, a narrow reservoir run by Kelag, a good kilometre long, with strikingly clear, turquoise-green water. The place feels a little like a small fjord and is much quieter than the big swimming lakes. Swimmers, windsurfers, divers and anglers come here. Since 2025 the State of Carinthia has officially designated the shore as a free public lake access point. The beach buffet on the east shore is open daily during the swimming season.

The lake lies at over 700 metres above sea level and rarely gets really warm even in high summer, which makes it a welcome way to cool off on hot days. There is no boat or SUP rental. If you’d like to paddle, bring your own board or kayak and ask about the rules on site. Water shoes are a good idea for swimming, as the shore is natural and stony. For half a day it combines nicely with a drive through the Rosental or a short walk along the lakeshore.

The Linsendorfer See near Linsendorf in the municipality of Gallizien is a former meander of the Drava – a quiet natural swimming lake of around 21 hectares with very good water quality. At the Kohldorf municipal bathing area there is a large, natural sunbathing lawn with a jetty; swimming is free. There is no kiosk and no lido facilities – instead, plenty of space and little hustle and bustle.

Around the lake, wet meadows, dry grassland and riverside forest alternate – in early summer, oxeye daisies and clover bloom here. The lake is close to the Drava Cycle Path and makes a good swimming break on a bike tour along the Drava. Bring drinks, a snack and perhaps a parasol, as shade on the lawn is only found around the edges.

Between Feistritz ob Bleiburg and the village of Pirkdorf, at the foot of the Petzen, lies the Pirkdorfer See, a small, man-made swimming lake fed by spring water. It is up to 3.5 metres deep and warms up to 27 °C in summer, so it is pleasant for children and anyone who doesn’t like to be cold. On the shore there are sunbathing lawns with mountain views, a separate area for day visitors, a playground and the lake restaurant with a large terrace.

The lake is quieter and less busy than the Klopeiner See and fits well into a day out in the Petzen area: up the mountain by cable car or onto the Flow Country Trail in the morning, into the water in the afternoon. For a few hours of swimming pack a towel, sun protection and a blanket; there is only shade in places. Right next door are a campsite and a glamping resort.

Bleiburg’s outdoor pool lies on the edge of town on Bahnhofstraße, with a view of the Petzen. You enter through a bright, historic entrance building with the word “Freibad” on it. Behind it are a leisure pool with a slide, a separate children’s area and a large lawn for sunbathing. For regulars the town also rents out season cabins.

From 1 June to 15 August it is open daily from 9:00 to 20:00, in May and from mid-August until the start of the school year from 10:00 to 18:00. The pool is a good way to combine a visit to Bleiburg with a cool-off, for example after the Werner Berg Museum or a stroll across the main square. It is also handy after a day on the Petzen. Children up to the age of six get in free.

Right on the Drava, where the Drava Cycle Path and the Lavantradweg meet, lies the Laquamünd leisure area with a small natural swimming lake. The water covers about 8,800 m² and is up to six metres deep; for children there is a separate non-swimmers’ area, a water slide and a playground. All around are wide sunbathing lawns, plus a beach volleyball court and table tennis tables.

A beach buffet and a bistro take care of food and drinks, and right next door is a small campsite. The lake makes a good swimming break on a bike tour along the Drava towards Slovenia or into the Lavanttal. Bring sun protection and a blanket – there is not much shade on the lawn.

The Stadionbad in Wolfsberg is one of the largest outdoor pool complexes in Austria: more than 2,500 m² of water spread across a 50-metre sports pool, a diving pool with a 10-metre tower, a non-swimmers’ pool and a children’s pool. The 70-metre slide is included in the admission. Around the pools lie about 2.5 hectares of lawn with old trees, so you will find shade even on hot days.

Besides swimming there are beach volleyball courts, a mini golf course, giant chess and play areas for children; a snack bar keeps you going with chips and snacks. The pool makes a good day trip to the Lavanttal, perhaps combined with a stroll through Wolfsberg’s old town. There is parking around the site, and Wolfsberg-Reding station is about five minutes’ walk away.

With its turquoise-green water, the Faaker See near Villach is one of the most photogenic lakes in Carinthia. It covers about 2.2 km², has an inhabited island in the middle and is overlooked to the south by the Mittagskogel in the Karawanks. Along the shore there are lidos and swimming spots, and cycle and footpaths run around the lake.

Above the lake, on a rock near Altfinkenstein, stand the ruins of Burg Finkenstein. Within its walls is the Burgarena, an open-air stage hosting concerts, cabaret and other events in summer; there is also the Burgschenke inn with a view across the valley. A day trip divides up nicely: swimming in the lake by day, a show at the castle in the evening.

Krumpendorf’s municipal lido on the north shore of the Wörthersee has been open since 1956. Large sunbathing lawns lie beneath old plane trees and oaks, and jetties take you straight into the turquoise water. Out in the lake there is a bathing platform, a water trampoline and a diving tower. For children there is a playground and a non-swimmers’ area, plus beach volleyball, boccia and table tennis. On the beach there is a restaurant and a kiosk. At the water-ski school you can hire SUPs, kayaks, pedalos and electric boats.

In July and August there is a free daily “fit & fun” programme with yoga, archery and aqua aerobics, and a smaller version in September. During this time there is also a kids’ club, except on Mondays. The lido is barrier-free, and there is a water rescue station on site. Plan on a whole day at the lake. The lido is ideal if you are combining the Wörthersee with Klagenfurt or Pörtschach.

The boats of the Wörthersee-Schifffahrt connect Klagenfurt with Krumpendorf, Reifnitz, Maria Wörth, Pörtschach and Velden. Klagenfurt – Velden takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, and the full round trip of the lake takes around 3 hours 45 minutes. You can get off at any stop and continue on a later boat – so you can fit in, for example, a visit to the pilgrimage church in Maria Wörth or a stroll along the promenade in Pörtschach.

Your starting point is the pier in Klagenfurt’s eastern bay by the Strandbad, with parking nearby. On the larger boats, MS Kärnten and MS Klagenfurt, you can take bikes if there is room – so you can see one side of the lake by bike and the other by boat. In bad weather a smaller boat sometimes runs instead, and then bikes and wheelchairs cannot be taken.

Besides the scheduled services, the Wörthersee-Schifffahrt offers themed food cruises: at the Sunday brunch you enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board while the boat cruises the lake, and at the Captain’s BBQ there is a barbecue in the evening. Before Christmas there are special Advent cruises to the Advent markets around the lake. Places are limited and booked online – a lovely setting for a birthday or a special day of your holiday.

At the eastern end of the Wörthersee, right next to the Europapark and Minimundus, lies the municipal Strandbad Klagenfurt – the largest lido on the Wörthersee. Three long jetties lead out into the water, a sandy entry leads to shallow areas for non-swimmers, and there is also a 113-metre water slide, a 3-metre diving tower and three roped-off lanes for lap swimmers. The lawns under old trees have room for plenty of people even on busy days.

For children there are playgrounds including a water playground; for the active there are beach volleyball courts, boccia, table tennis and hire of SUPs, pedalos and electric boats. There is a restaurant, kiosks, lockers, showers and family changing cabins, and the lido is barrier-free. Plan a whole day – it combines well with Minimundus or a boat trip.

The Wörthersee is Carinthia’s largest lake and stretches for around 16 kilometres from Klagenfurt in the east to Velden in the west. In summer the water warms up to well over 20 °C, and the shores are lined with lidos, promenades and turn-of-the-century villas. Closest to you is the eastern bay in Klagenfurt, with the large Strandbad lido, the Europapark and the pier of the Wörthersee boats.

For a day trip it is worth combining swimming and sightseeing: in the morning to the Strandbad Klagenfurt, then by boat to Maria Wörth with its pilgrimage church on the peninsula, and on to Pörtschach or Velden for a stroll along the promenade. The best view over the lake and its little islands is from the observation tower on the Pyramidenkogel on the south shore. In high summer, expect busy lidos and car parks at weekends.

On the small peninsula by Schloss Maria Loretto, on the east bay of the Wörthersee in Klagenfurt, lies the Strandbad Loretto run by the municipal utilities (Stadtwerke). It is much smaller and quieter than the big Strandbad Klagenfurt next door: lawns with old trees and natural shade, three jetties, a very gentle entry into the water and a shady playground make it a good choice for families with small children. There are lifeguards during opening hours.

For a bit of action there is a 1-metre diving board, two table-tennis tables and SUP hire with its own launch point. The beach snack bar offers snacks, ice cream and drinks; your own picnic is allowed, glass bottles are not. The ticket is also valid at the Strandbad Klagenfurt and in Maiernigg – handy if you want to combine your day by the water with a walk along the east bay. Plan a whole day.

At the Surfdays, a mobile FlowRider wave stands on the lakeshore in summer: a thin layer of water is pumped over a ramp, which you surf like a standing wave. A session lasts 30 minutes with up to five people, and surf instructors help beginners. Anyone who weighs at least 30 kg or is 130 cm tall can take part. Bring swimwear and a towel; booking and payment are online.

The MS Santa Lucia is a small passenger boat for around 90 people that sails across the Wörthersee from Velden in summer. The route runs via Pörtschach (Parkhotel) to Maria Wörth with its churches on the peninsula and back to Velden – a full round trip takes two hours. You can also go just one way, say to Maria Wörth, look at the parish church and the Winterkirche (winter church) there and come back on a later sailing.

The boat leaves from landing stage 2 on Velden’s lakeside promenade, right in front of the Schlosshotel. In the 2026 summer timetable it departed daily at 10:15, 12:30 and 14:45. The trip is ideal for families with children or as a calm contrast to the bustle on the promenade. On some summer evenings there are bay cruises with live music, and during Advent there are angel and panorama cruises through the illuminated bay.

On the west shore of the Klopeiner See in Seelach, the Seehotel Princes hires out stand-up paddle boards and pedalos right on the hotel’s own beach. An hour is enough for a paddle along the west shore or out onto the lake with a view of the Karawanks. The website doesn’t say explicitly whether non-residents can hire too – it’s best to ask at reception beforehand.

The Dive Center Klopeiner See has its dive base in the Sportstrandbad Süd on the south promenade. Here adults and children from age 8 can go underwater with a tank for the first time on a taster dive. There are also snorkelling and SSI diving courses right up to professional level. If you come with your own equipment, you can get your diving permit for the lake here (day, weekend or year). It is best to arrange dates by phone in advance.

At the family snorkelling session run by the Dive Center Klopeiner See, children learn together with an adult how to use a mask, snorkel and fins properly, then explore the fish and plants along the shore in the lake’s clear water. The meeting point is the Dive Center at the Sportstrandbad Süd on the Südpromenade. The session lasts an hour and a half and is meant for children aged 8 to 14 who can swim. With the Aktiv Card it is free, and you can hire the equipment, including a wetsuit, for a small fee.

With mask, snorkel and fins, children aged 8 to 14 explore the underwater world of the Klopeiner See together with an accompanying adult. The team from the Dive Center Klopeiner See shows them how to use the equipment in a playful way and makes sure everyone moves safely in the water. Your child should be a good swimmer; snorkel set and wetsuit are provided for a small hire fee. The meeting point is the Sportstrandbad Süd.

The Klopeiner See is a popular diving lake. Right after the entry point on the south promenade, sunken trees lie at depths of 4 to 10 metres, home to perch, pike, catfish and carp. At a depth of 11 metres lies a medieval dugout canoe. To dive in the lake you need a day or annual diving permit from the Dive Center. For beginners and children there are taster dives, children’s diving and courses.

At the ticket office of the Sportstrandbad Süd on the Südpromenade you can hire pedalos and stand-up paddleboards by the hour. On the calm, warm Klopeiner See, with no motorboats, beginners and children can paddle easily too. Take a pedalo for a leisurely loop out to the middle of the lake, or follow the shore on a SUP board. If you bring your own SUP, you pay a small launch fee.

At the Campingbad Nord on the Klopeiner See you can hire pedalos and SUP boards by the hour. The shallow, calm shore area on the north side is good for your first attempts on a board; by pedalo you can paddle at your leisure out to the middle of the lake and take in the panorama with the Petzen and the Hochobir. Hire is for lido guests – so add the lido entry fee. You can bring your own boards for a small fee.

On the flat east shore of the Klopeiner See lies the Strandbad Krainz, a well-kept, spacious family lido. The shore slopes very gently, which is why families with small children and non-swimmers feel particularly at home here. The large lawn gives you room for a whole day by the water. You can hire day cabins, pedalos and table tennis on site, there is an accessible toilet, and there is a restaurant as well.

By pedalo you are out on the open lake within a few minutes and see the shore from Unterburg to Seelach from the water. If you bring your own SUP, there is a fee for it. For cooler days, the Badehaus next door with its sauna is open all year and has its own website. Bring sun cream, a towel and a picnic – or an appetite for the restaurant – and plan half a day to a whole day.

At the Völkermarkt marina on the Drauweg, Z-Boats rents out boats for the Völkermarkter Stausee: simple aluminium boats, inflatables, fishing boats with a 5 hp or electric motor, and kayaks. You reserve the boats online and pick them up directly at the marina. The reservoir is good for a quiet trip with a view of the town or for fishing from the boat – you can get the fishing licence you need at Miki’s Angelshop. Parking at the marina is free, and the Hafenrast takes care of food and drink.

The VST Völkermarkt rowing club hires out rowing boats for outings on the Völkermarkter Stausee. Near Völkermarkt this dammed stretch of the Drava is sheltered from the wind, has hardly any boat traffic and no swimmers. With around 48 kilometres of rowable water, it is considered one of the best rowing venues in Europe. The offer is aimed at guests who can already row; it is not a beginners’ course. Register with the club in advance. Boats are subject to availability.

The small, sheltered Turnersee is made for relaxed stand-up paddling, long swims or simply drifting with a view of the Hochobir and the Petzen. SUP boards are also available at the municipal lido. If you want more choice, the Klopeiner See is only a few minutes away: there you can hire SUP boards, pedalos, kayaks and rowing boats by the hour, and at the Sportstrandbad Süd the Dive Center shows children and families the underwater world on a snorkelling trip – in summer even free of charge with the Aktiv Card.

And if you’d like to start the day gently: on Mondays in summer, Aktiv Card holders can join morning yoga right by the Turnersee.

The Drau-Paddelweg (paddling trail on the Drava) covers around 210 kilometres in 13 stages from Lienz to Lavamünd right across Carinthia. The three southern Carinthian stages start after the Annabrücke power station and lead across the Völkermarkter Stausee to Lavamünd. The Drava flows calm and wide here, and you don’t need any previous experience for the easy sections. Closest to us is stage 12 from Seidendorf to Dullach near Edling: 15.5 kilometres in three to three and a half hours, with rest stops at the harbours of Schreckendorf and Völkermarkt and a swimming spot in St. Lorenzen.

At the Edling, Schwabeck and Lavamünd power stations you get out at the marked points and carry your boat around. You must keep to the safety zone of 300 metres before and after the weirs. Life jackets and being able to swim are compulsory, and in a thunderstorm you leave the water. For the southern Carinthian section the website currently lists no fixed hire service, so sort out your boat and return transport in advance.

This stage is the most leisurely of the Drau-Paddelweg in southern Carinthia and is well suited to families and beginners. You put in at Seidendorf by the Tainach bridge on the right bank and first paddle along the still narrow, natural Drava. Soon the river opens out into the wide Völkermarkter Stausee. Over around 15.5 kilometres you will meet anglers, small boats and waterfowl; to the south rise the Karawanks, and on the north shore Schloss Neudenstein sits on its hill.

Allow three to three and a half hours, depending on how often you stop. There are rest stops at Schreckendorf harbour, in St. Lorenzen, where you can also swim, and at Völkermarkt harbour. After the road bridge at Völkermarkt, the stage ends on the left bank at Dullach harbour, before the Edling power station. There is hardly any current, but on the open lake a headwind can noticeably slow you down. Life jackets and being able to swim are compulsory; young people under 16 paddle only with their parents.

The last Carinthian stage of the Drau-Paddelweg runs from Dullach below Völkermarkt through a deeply cut, wooded Drava valley to Lavamünd. For the 22.7 kilometres you should allow four to four and a half hours of actual paddling. The Drava flows very calmly here and is dammed for long stretches; there is no white water – stamina counts for more than technique. On the way you glide under the Lippitzbach bridge and the Jauntal bridge, around 96 metres high, where you can watch bungee jumpers in summer.

You put in on the left bank below the Edling power station. About halfway, you get out on the right bank before the Schwabeck power station and pull your boat past the dam on a forest track with a boat trolley. You can take a break in Lippitzbach at the Gasthaus Fischerdiele or at the landing stage by the Jauntal bridge. The finish is the small boat harbour before the Lavamünd power station on the left bank. Life jackets and being able to swim are compulsory; young people under 16 paddle only with their parents.

In the Tscheppaschlucht gorge in the Loibltal valley near Ferlach, Kajak Center Faak runs a guided canyoning tour aimed specifically at families with children as well as school and youth groups. Wearing a wetsuit, helmet and harness, you make your way down the bed of the Loiblbach stream: you simply slide down many of the small waterfalls, jump into pools, swim short stretches and climb over rock steps. At some points the guides secure you with ropes.

The tour takes about two hours and is rated easy; children can take part from around the age of seven, and everyone must be able to swim. The meeting point is the car park at the Gasthof Deutscher Peter on the Loiblpass road, from where it is only a short walk to the start of the tour. Dates are arranged by phone or via the website. Bring swimwear, a towel and sturdy shoes that can get wet.

On a large wooden raft you drift gently down the Drava from the Rabenstein landing stage near Lavamünd, across the border to Unterdrauburg (Dravograd) and back again. On board there is food fresh off the grill, music, a toilet and shade from the sun. The trips are mainly intended for groups. As an individual guest or family you can join trips that have already been booked, on request, as long as there are seats free.

The Kajak Center Faak offers half-day rafting trips on the Möll: you are kitted out with full white-water gear at the Faaker See and taken by bus to the upper Mölltal. After a briefing by the guide you ride around 12 river kilometres through the waves of the glacial river, about two hours in the boat. If you like, you can jump off a bridge along the way. Alternatively there are trips on the Soča or rafting combined with a forest ropes course.