The city of Klagenfurt am Wörthersee (or just 'Klagenfurt') stands in the south of Austria, just 15 miles north of the border with Slovenia and equidistant from Innsbruck and Vienna. Visitors who hire a car in Klagenfurt will find that it is surrounded by wooded hills and mountains, the Wörthersee Lake and the Glan River. The shores of this warm-watered Alpine lake are considered Austria's 'Monte Carlo', thanks to its upmarket homes, hotels and restaurants. There's a large sandy beach and lido. The Glan, in contrast, runs through pretty and unspoilt valleys and passes the picturesque but little-known Burgruine Glanegg Castle.
The grand old university and bishopric of Klagenfurt has an intact historical heart that now forms a popular tourist destination. it's easy to explore the city with a hire car. The highlights include the beautiful Renaissance buildings, courtyards and arcades around the Old Square. Look out for the Landhaus Palace, the Baroque cathedral and Viktring Abbey. There are stately homes, castles, parks and gardens too. And you can see the world in Klagenfurt: there are more than 150 miniature replicas of great buildings from around the globe at the Minimundus Park on the shore of the Wörthersee.
