Written by: Hannes Wagner, 19.05.2020
Impressive alpine roads, exciting zoos, hot springs and much more awaits you in and around the city of Villach. Our STUWO student residence and our holiday apartments offer you the ideal opportunity to get to know the city and its beautiful surroundings. Get inspired by our leisure tips and start your next adventure!
Experience
A very special animal experience awaits you in Landskron, a town near Villach. The Landskron Monkey Mountain is a world-famous research station for Japanese macaques. Over 160 monkeys live here, which can be looked at without a cage or even glass panels. The swimming monkeys are a special attraction. There are two ponds where the Japanese macaques cool off, play or even dive for food. The monkeys are able to live a life that comes very close to their natural habitat. Admission to the Affenberg is only possible with a guided tour and takes about 45 minutes. You can also book private tours with an experienced primatologist or zookeeper to have a look behind the scenes and visit the baby monkeys. It is also possible to feed the monkeys – but you should not try to stroke them. If you want to immerse yourself in the universe of these animals, the Affenberg Landskron is your ideal destination!
Best season: spring, summer, autumn
Opening times: Guided tours are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (April to October).
Address: Schlossbergweg 26, 9523 Landskron
Phone: +43 4242 430375
Email: kassa@affenberg.com
Walking, cycling
The Villacher Alpenstrasse is a beautiful panoramic road with many scenic viewpoints. The road on the Villacher Alpe is definitely one of the most impressive mountain roads in Carinthia. The route is not only suitable for cars and motorcyclists, but also invites amateur racing cyclists to get active. In addition to the possibility of hiking, the local mountain Dobratsch offers you a platform with a unique view over the Karawanken and the Julische Alpen. You can also marvel at the alpine garden with over 800 plants in the Dobratsch Nature Park. Bird lovers will also get their money’s worth, because the mountain is a passage area for over 5000 honey buzzards.
Got curious? Then pack your friends and immerse yourself in the breathtaking nature of the carinthian mountains.
Best season: spring, summer, autumn
Opening times: open all year round. From June to August special regulations and entry bans apply.
Address: Start in the Villach-Möltschach district
Phone: +43 662 8736730 / +43 4242 55309
Email: info@villacher-alpenstrasse.at
Hiking, swimming
A real “Villacher” insider tip is the Maibachl, which is very popular among locals. It is located in the middle of a forest, and consists of a stream bed that naturally fills up with water at about 30 degrees around mid-May. This creates a small pond, which is great for swimming. The reason for this is the melting snow from the Dobratsch massif, where the water first seeps into the depths, is heated in the underground and is pushed back up again. In addition to the melting snow, heavy rainfall can also lead to this rare and extraordinary natural spectacle. Maybe you are lucky and can enjoy a pleasant bath – with or without swimming trunks – in the great outdoors!
Best season: May, October
Opening times: freely accessible
Address: Napoleonwiese 4, 9504 Villach
Culture
In the Villach Vehicle Museum, times long past are brought back to life. On about 1300m2 you can marvel at over 260 exhibits from the years 1927 to 1990; including mopeds, scooters, motorcycles and cars. The original vehicle museum has also been joined by a radio museum to take visitors back to another time. Ideal for rainy days and vehicle lovers!
Season: all year round
Opening times: Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Address: Ferdinand Wedenig Strasse 9, 9500 Villach-Zauchen
Telephone: 04252 33031 (only available during opening hours)
Email: oldtimermuseum@aon.at
Climbing
Located directly in Ossiach, only 20 minutes away from the STUWO dormitory in Villach, there is a climbing park, which became a popular destination even on rainy days. More than 500m of the famous adventure trail will lead you through dense tree tops, spectacular tree platforms, a “fly line” and other attractions. In addition to that, the nature park offers you a wonderful view of Lake Ossiach. If you are free from giddiness and are looking for a little thrill, you should definitely pay the climbing forest a visit.
Best season: spring, summer, autumn
Opening times: Open from May to November. See here for up-to-date information on opening times
Address: Rappitsch 76, 9570 Ossiach
Phone: 0664 5632120
Email: info@kletterwald.at
Culture
Two show mines – 1 location. In Bad Bleiberg, a small town, only 20 minutes drive from Villach, you can learn more about mining history and explore two show mines. You can get inside the mountain on a 68m long miner’s slide. There you can find out more about the dangerous working world of a miner and expand your knowledge on historical as well as present mining methods. To fully enjoy this experience, we recommend warm clothing and sturdy shoes.
Season: all year round
Opening times: different opening times, depending on the season.
Address: Antoniweg 5, 9530 Bad Bleiberg
Phone: +43 4244 22 55
Email: office@terra-mystica.at
Swimming, sports, ice skating
The Silbersee can be reached in less than 10 minutes by bike from the STUWO student residence hall. It is one of the few lakes in Carinthia with year-round free access. During the summer months you can go for a relaxed swim here, work out or simply play a game of tennis or beach volleyball with your friends. Equipment for table tennis, table football or boccia is also available for a fee. If you get hungry from working out, you can get a snack at the Silbersee Ranch.
Best season: summer, winter
Hiking, tobogganing, ice skating
The days are starting to get colder and the nights longer? No reason to stay at home! In addition to the numerous ski regions in the area around Villach, you can also get your money’s worth off-slope. If you simply want to admire the winter landscape, you can play ice skating or ice hockey on the Aichwaldsee.
Another highlight is the full moon hike on the Dobratsch, which can be particularly romantic in the snowy winter landscape. However, if you are looking for a little more action, one of the numerous toboggan runs might be the right place for you. In the Dobratsch Nature Park there is a well-known toboggan hill including toboggan rental. Even those who have their own toboggan can let off steam on one of the natural toboggan runs. Winter in Carinthia has something to offer for everyone!
Best season: winter
As you can see, there is a lot to discover in Villach and the surrounding areas! There are exciting destinations for you and your friends all year round – you definitely won’t get bored in this town!
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