Best Things to Do in Klagenfurt after Multiple Visits

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Klagenfurt might not be Austria’s most famous city, but with a charming old town, plenty of green spaces, interesting museums and Lake Wörthersee right on its doorstep, it’s a great destination for a relaxed weekend away.

I’ve been to Klagenfurt a few times in different seasons and keep finding new places to explore. From the famous Lindwurm to hidden gardens, cosy cafés and relaxing walks by the water, there’s much more to the city than I expected before my first visit.

In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Klagenfurt based on my own visits, including which attractions are worth your time and which ones you can skip.

Table of Contents

1. See the Lindwurm at Neuer Markt

Dragon fountain sculpture sprays water from its mouth while a large stone statue stands beside it in a city square with a historic building in the background.

If there’s one place you can’t miss in Klagenfurt, it’s the Lindwurm. This dragon statue is the city’s most famous landmark and has been watching over Neuer Markt for centuries.

According to local legend, a dragon once lived in the swamp where Klagenfurt stands today before it was defeated by brave townspeople.

Neuer Markt is also the heart of the city and where many of Klagenfurt’s biggest events take place.

I’ve visited in both summer and winter, and I’ve honestly never seen the square empty. In winter, it’s home to one of the city’s Christmas markets, while in summer you’ll often find public viewing events and festivals.

2. Visit Klagenfurt Cathedral

Historic church with a tall clock tower stands behind a bronze scale model of the city, surrounded by bicycles and modern buildings beneath a cloudy sky.

Ornate Baroque church interior with pastel pink vaulted ceilings covered in frescoes, crystal chandeliers, carved gilded sculptures, wooden pews, and an elaborate altar.

Just a short walk from Neuer Markt, Klagenfurt Cathedral is worth a quick stop while exploring the old town. Although I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it, it’s free to enter and you’ll probably walk past it anyway.

Inside, you’ll find a beautiful Baroque interior with impressive ceiling paintings. I especially liked the soft pink colour scheme, which makes it feel a different than many other Austrian churches.

Before you continue, don’t miss the bronze miniature model of Klagenfurt just outside the cathedral. I always enjoy looking at these city models and trying to recognise the buildings I’ve already visited.

3. Stroll Along Kramergasse to Alter Platz

Circular mosaic set into a cobblestone pedestrian street displays colorful coats of arms, with shops and people walking through the city center.

Small bronze fountain statue of a bearded figure pours water from a barrel into a shallow tiled basin along a pedestrian shopping street.

From Neuer Markt, continue along Kramergasse towards Alter Platz. As you walk, keep an eye on the ground. You’ll spot coats of arms set into the pavement representing Klagenfurt and the surrounding towns and regions.

Just around the corner, you’ll also pass the Wörtherseemandl, a statue celebrating Lake Wörthersee and its beach culture. It’s one of Klagenfurt’s lesser known landmarks and a popular photo spot.

Although Alter Platz is officially a square, it feels more like a wide pedestrian street lined with cafés, restaurants and shops. It’s a lovely place to wander, grab a coffee and simply enjoy the atmosphere of Klagenfurt’s old town.

4. Grab a Matcha Latte at No. 98

Outdoor seating area with wicker chairs and round tables in front of the café "No.98 Coffee Matcha Bites" on a cobblestone street in the city center.

Iced layered green matcha drink in a clear glass sits on a wooden café table at an outdoor terrace along a quiet pedestrian street.

Every time I visit Klagenfurt, I end up stopping at No. 98 for a matcha latte. Finding really good matcha outside Vienna can be surprisingly difficult in Austria, so I was happy to discover this little café.

Besides the classic matcha latte, they also serve unique seasonal flavours, making it a fun place to try something different. In winter, there’s a small but cosy seating area inside, while in summer the outdoor tables are perfect for people watching.

Even if you’re not usually a matcha drinker, I’d still recommend stopping by for a drink. It’s one of my favourite cafés in Klagenfurt and somewhere I look forward to visiting every time I’m in the city.

5. Visit the Harry Potter Café

Bookshop with dark wood shelves displaying books, clothing, and gifts, featuring a reading area with armchairs beneath a vaulted ceiling.

Hand holds a mason jar filled with an orange-colored iced drink and a striped paper straw inside a cozy café with vintage-style seating.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, don’t miss Phoenix Café on Alter Platz. This quirky café and shop is one of the most unique places in Klagenfurt, with shelves full of Harry Potter merchandise alongside a few unexpected wiccan themed items.

I tried their homemade pumpkin juice, a blend of apple and orange juice with pumpkin spice and cinnamon. I have no idea how close it is to the pumpkin juice from the books, but it was surprisingly tasty and refreshing drink.

They even had two vegan cake options when I visited, but I didn’t tray any.

The real highlight, though, is the atmosphere. You can browse the merchandise, borrow a book to read while you enjoy your drink and soak up the magical décor.

If you’ve visited the Harry Potter attractions in London, it’s obviously much smaller, but for Austria it’s a fun and unusual place to stop.

6. Climb the Tower at St. Egid Church

While St. Egid Church is another beautiful Baroque church, the main reason to visit isn’t the interior, it’s the tower.

For €6, you can climb to the top for panoramic views over Klagenfurt and all the way to Lake Wörthersee. As the tallest building in the city centre, it’s easily the best viewpoint in Klagenfurt and worth the admission fee.

The church itself is free to enter and features a Baroque interior with ornate decorations. However, if you’re short on time, I’d prioritise climbing the tower over spending too long inside the church.

Tip: The tower is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly.

7. Enjoy the View from Kreuzbergl

Hilltop church with twin onion domes overlooks a series of small chapel shrines connected by stone paths and surrounded by greenery on a sunny day.

Stone steps descend a hillside lined with small chapel shrines toward Klagenfurt, with red-roofed buildings, church towers, and mountains stretching across the horizon beneath a bright blue sky.

If you’re looking for a great free viewpoint in Klagenfurt, it’s worth walking up to Kreuzbergl. The walk is a little uphill, but you’re rewarded with views over the city.

The church itself isn’t much of a highlight. When I visited, the Stations of the Cross were closed and looked like they were being restored. The church was also closed off, so I could only peek inside through a barrier.

The best view is from the terrace in front of the church, where you can look out across Klagenfurt.

If you’ve already climbed the tower at St. Egid Church, I don’t think it’s worth coming here just for the view. But if you’re looking for a free alternative or enjoy a scenic walk, Kreuzbergl is a lovely place to spend a little bit of time.

8. Relax in Klagenfurt’s Parks and Gardens

One thing that really surprised me about Klagenfurt was just how many green spaces it has. Whether you’re looking for colourful flower beds, peaceful walking paths or a quiet place to sit for a while, there’s a park for every mood.

Botanical Garden

Vegetable garden with sunflowers, leafy crops, and gravel paths in front of a modern building, showing an urban community gardening space.

Desert garden filled with tall columnar cacti, round barrel cacti, agaves, and succulents growing among white gravel and dark rocks beneath a partly cloudy sky.

Although smaller than I expected, I was impressed by how much they managed to fit into the space. There are themed gardens, a cactus area, ponds and even a small waterfall, making it surprisingly varied for its size.

When I visited, several areas and the elevated walkways were closed for renovation, so I couldn’t explore everything. Entry is free, but since it’s a bit outside the city centre, I’d only recommend making the trip if you enjoy botanical gardens.

Schillerpark

Wide gravel path lined with tall trees and a stone wall leads through a quiet park toward a small building beneath a cloudy sky.

Schillerpark feels more calm than the other parks in Klagenfurt. With its mature trees and wide grassy areas, it’s a lovely place for a relaxing stroll or a quiet break from sightseeing.

Goethepark

Formal garden with neatly trimmed cone-shaped shrubs surrounds a flower bed filled with bright yellow and red blooms beneath leafy trees.

Just a short walk away, Goethepark has a more formal feel. Instead of large open lawns, you’ll find neatly trimmed hedges, flower beds and well maintained paths.

Sophie’s Garden

Small Zen-inspired gravel garden with stacked stones, a large decorative rock, and rustic birdhouses set among trees and flowering plants.

Peaceful garden with a grassy lawn, stepping stones, picnic table, benches, and mature trees under an overcast sky.

My favourite green space in Klagenfurt was one I wasn’t even looking for. I stumbled across Sophie’s Garden by chance while walking past the House of Philosophy, and it felt like discovering a hidden secret.

With its benches, birdhouses, zen-garden and peaceful atmosphere, it almost feels more like someone’s private garden than a public park. It isn’t even marked on Google Maps, making it one of Klagenfurt’s true hidden gems.

Europapark

Close-up of large orange dahlia flowers blooming in a garden, with additional colorful flowers and green trees softly blurred in the background.

Circular monument displaying the flags of European countries arranged around a central European Union flag, surrounded by colorful flower beds in a park.

If you’re heading to Lake Wörthersee, don’t miss Europapark. It’s Klagenfurt’s largest park and a beautiful place for a stroll, with wide paths, colourful flower displays and plenty of space to relax before or after spending time at the lake.

9. Stroll Along Lendhafen

Calm canal bordered by leafy trees reflects the blue sky and clouds, with a shaded walking path running alongside the water.

Lendhafen is one of my favourite places to go for a walk in Klagenfurt. The canal and relaxed atmosphere make it a lovely spot to slow down and take a break.

I’ve visited in both summer and winter, and each season has its own charm. In winter, Lendhafen hosts a cosy Christmas market that I actually preferred to the one on Neuer Markt.

In summer, I expected to find more food and drink stalls along the canal, but there weren’t many. Instead, it’s the perfect place to bring your own drink and enjoy it on one of the benches by the water.

If you’d rather stop at a café, Hafenstadt is right by the canal. They serve amazing sounding breakfast options until 3pm, including a few vegan options. I didn’t get to try the food because I arrived after breakfast had finished.

10. Visit Minimundus

Miniature replicas of famous landmarks surround winding canals with small model boats in a landscaped park, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, St. Peter's Basilica, Tower Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House.

Minimundus is one of Klagenfurt’s most popular attractions, featuring miniature versions of famous landmarks from around the world. As someone who loves travelling, I really enjoyed recognising places I’d already visited.

That said, I do think it’s quite expensive for what it is. The park isn’t particularly large and is starting to show its age. I enjoyed my visit in the past, but because of the admission price, I decided to skip it on my most recent trip to Klagenfurt.

If you enjoy miniature models or are visiting with children, it’s worth considering. Otherwise, I’d probably spend the time exploring more of the city or heading to Lake Wörthersee instead.

11. Spend Some Time at Lake Wörthersee

Panoramic view of Lake Wörthersee in Austria, with its vibrant turquoise water surrounded by lush green forests and distant mountain ranges under a sky streaked with wispy clouds and jet trails. The photo is taken from a high vantage point, capturing the vast landscape and curving shoreline below.

No visit to Klagenfurt is complete without spending some time at Lake Wörthersee. Known for its turquoise water, it’s one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria and just a short bus ride from the city centre.

Whether you want to go for a swim, relax by the water or simply enjoy the views, it’s the perfect escape from the city. I think combining Klagenfurt’s old town with a few hours at the lake makes for the ideal day.

I’ll be sharing a separate guide to the best things to do at Lake Wörthersee soon, but if you have the time, I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary.

12. Visit One of Klagenfurt’s Museums

If the weather isn’t great or you’re interested in learning more about the city’s history and culture, Klagenfurt has several museums worth visiting. The entrance to all of them is included in the Kärnten Card.

I haven’t had the chance to visit them myself yet, so I don’t want to pretend otherwise. I’ll be updating this guide after my next trip with my personal recommendations and photos.

For now, these are the museums I’d recommend looking into:

Museum of Modern Art Carinthia (MMKK): Contemporary art exhibitions by Austrian and international artists.
Kärnten Museum: Learn more about Carinthia’s history, culture and heritage.
Eboardmuseum: A unique museum dedicated to electronic keyboards and synthesizers.
Großer Wappensaal at the Landhaus: Klagenfurt’s famous Hall of Coats of Arms, featuring hundreds of beautifully painted coats of arms on the walls.

Continue Your Trip at Lake Wörthersee

While Klagenfurt has plenty to offer, I think a visit isn’t complete without spending some time at nearby Lake Wörthersee.

With its turquoise water, lakeside promenades and swimming spots, it’s one of the most beautiful places in Austria and only a short bus ride from the city centre.

If you’re wondering where to swim, which lakeside towns to visit or what else there is to do around the lake, check out my complete guide to the best things to do at Lake Wörthersee (coming soon).