This lakeside resort town on Lake Wörth has a 19th-century yellow castle, a casino, and several beaches. Water skiing and sailing are common in summer.
Velden am Wörther See sits on the western shore of Lake Wörth in Austria's Carinthia region. The town's yellow Schloss Velden castle houses a luxury hotel and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant. You'll find families swimming at Strandbad Velden's wooden boardwalks, sailboats gliding across the lake, and hikers following the 55-kilometer Wörthersee trail as it winds past the Karawanken Mountains.
Getting to Velden am Wörther See
Drive to Velden from Salzburg in 2 hours and 15 minutes, from Vienna in 3 hours and 40 minutes, or from Graz in 1 hour and 50 minutes. While trains and buses connect Velden to major Austrian cities, a car will help you explore nearby Villach and Klagenfurt. Buy a vignette before driving on Austrian highways - you'll need it for the toll roads.
Lake Activities
Swimming, boating, and water sports fill summer days at Lake Wörthersee. Jump into the water from Strandbad Velden's boardwalks or spread your towel on the beach. Take a boat tour past waterfront villas and through forested bays. Learn to sail at the school near Casino Velden, or rent paddleboards and kayaks from lakeside vendors.
Walking and Hiking
Walk sections of the 55-kilometer Wörthersee Circular Hiking Trail, which loops around the entire lake. The path alternates between shoreline stretches and forest segments, climbing to viewpoints overlooking the Karawanken mountains. Pick up trail maps at the tourist office for shorter local walks through the woods. Mountain bikers can follow marked trails ranging from beginner routes to technical single tracks, while the local 18-hole golf course challenges players with its elevation changes.
Winter in Velden
The Velden Advent transforms the town center each December. Watch artisans create angel figurines in workshops, browse local handicrafts at market stalls, and taste regional winter foods. A decorated boat sails the lake while a large wreath floats on the water. The town center hosts an open-air nativity scene and evening concerts throughout the winter months.
Food and Restaurants
Chefs in Velden cook both Carinthian and Mediterranean dishes. Try fresh lake fish, regional cheese noodles (Käsnudeln), or seasonal specialties. Restaurants line the Seecorso waterfront, from casual cafes to fine dining establishments. Many local restaurants stock Austrian wines and craft beers from Carinthian breweries.
The Yellow Castle
Schloss Velden began as a noble family's mansion in the 16th century and became a hotel in 1892. German and Austrian viewers might recognize it from the TV series "Ein Schloß am Wörthersee" filmed here in the early 1990s. Today, the castle's Schlosstern restaurant holds two Michelin stars, with chefs incorporating fish caught fresh from the lake into their menus.
