If you find yourself in the Carinthia region of Austria with some time to kill, Villach is a cute little town worth a visit. Nearby is the Villach Alpine Road, which offers some nice views and a decent drive. While not exactly the most popular destination, Villach has a certain charm that makes for a pleasant, laid-back afternoon.
Exploring Villach
We rolled into Villach in the early afternoon. We immediately noticed the well maintained colorful houses and store fronts. It’s the kind of place where you can take a leisurely walk and just soak in the atmosphere.
Besides some quaint little shops, and cafe’s there are also a few pretty churches that are worth a visit. That said, Villach is small, and you can probably cover the main sights in less than an hour.
Since we were looking for a low-key afternoon, we decided to start with a stop at Cafe Konditorei Bernold. We ordered a slice of their yoghurt fruit cake, which turned out to be a light and refreshing treat. Definitely get yourself a slice of cake if you pass by this café!
Driving the Villach Alpine Road
With a bit of the afternoon still ahead of us, we decided to drive the Villach Alpine Road. It’s a scenic route that takes you up the mountain, offering some pretty cool views along the way. The entrance fee is €22 per car, which was a bit steep, but you can take as long as you want to explore the route and there is much to see.
The road itself has seven hairpin turns, and the higher you climb the better the views get. There are several parking spots along the way where you can pull over and take in the scenery. Our favorites were P5, P6, and P11.
Tri-Border View (P5)
Our first stop was at the Tri-Border Viewpoint (P5), where you can see Austria, Slovenia, and Italy all at once. It’s a unique spot, and the view is pretty impressive!
Red Wall Observation Platform (P6)
Next, we stopped at the Red Wall Observation Platform (P6). This spot offers a dramatic view of the Red Wall, a cliffside with a reddish tint. The platform juts out over the edge, giving you a good look at the landscape below.
Rosstratte (P11)
Our final stop before turning home was at Rosstratte (P11), the highest viewpoint on the Villach Alpine Road. This spot offers a wide view of Carinthia, with its rolling hills and distant mountains. The view is lovely. If you have time, there are some hiking trails that are fun to explore.
