Summer Holiday Insider Tip for Families in Austria
Relaxed Family Holiday thanks to our Excursion Tips in Carinthia – completely stress-free!
Relaxed Family Holiday thanks to our Excursion Tips in Carinthia – completely stress-free!
Summer in Austria has many faces
Far from mass tourism, crowded beaches, traffic jams, and scorching asphalt in the cities, there are places that offer peace, deceleration, and genuine nature experiences. One of these retreats is the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn in the middle of the Nockberge Biosphere Park.
Whether in July, August, or September – those looking for a relaxing summer holiday in Austria will find peace, nature, and plenty of family time in the holiday village in Bad Kleinkirchheim.
The ideal starting point to discover Carinthia
From the Kirchleitn holiday village, many of Carinthia’s most beautiful excursion destinations are just a short drive away. Whether mountains, lakes, or alpine pastures – everything that makes a summer holiday in Austria special is right on your doorstep.
Holiday in a holiday apartment in Bad Kleinkirchheim
In the Kirchleitn holiday village, you’ll find holiday homes designed in the style of historic farmhouses with cozy apartments – lovingly furnished and ideal for families with children. The solid wood houses blend harmoniously into the landscape and convey the feeling of living in a real alpine village. The holiday apartments offer ample space, a fully equipped kitchen, separate bedrooms, cozy living areas with a tiled stove, separate bathroom and toilet, and usually a private balcony with views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
Whether as a couple, with children, or with your dog, everyone will find their favorite spot here. The combination of traditional construction and comfortable furnishings creates an atmosphere during your summer holiday in Austria where you immediately feel at home.
In the car-free holiday village, children can play undisturbed and parents can relax and let go. Whether at breakfast on the balcony, during a shared dinner in the holiday apartment, or chatting with other families in one of the children’s areas: Kirchleitn is a place to arrive, breathe deeply – and want to stay.
Nature Experiences in the Mountains
Children’s Areas directly in the Carinthian Holiday Village
What could be better than playing outdoors, moving around, and experiencing something together in summer?
In Kirchleitn, children discover the world with all their senses – climbing, splashing, running, and marveling in nature. Adventure and fun are naturally at the forefront here. Perfect for little adventurers with a great urge to move. Each area is lovingly designed, safely accessible, and centrally located in the village, so you can keep an eye on everything.
Water Playground:
Experience with all senses
Equipped with channels, locks, and wooden flumes, the water playground invites observation, feeling, and experimentation. Children experience how water flows, is dammed, or diverted – a place that encourages mindfulness and appeals to the senses.
Climbing Tower:
For little adventurers with courage
Ropes, beams, and narrow walkways await on the sturdy wooden tower – perfect for testing balance, coordination, and agility. Here, children can try things out, overcome heights, and playfully develop their motor skills.
Indoor Playroom: For adventures in any weather
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the indoor playroom in Kirchleitn offers space to let off steam, play, and make friends – without any boredom. Equipped with handmade wooden toys, the room invites children to let their imagination run wild.
Bobby Car Racetrack:
Movement in the middle of the village
On the winding Bobby Car racetrack, you can speed through the car-free holiday village in Bad Kleinkirchheim. The track invites lively driving and trying things out – ideal for children who love to be active.
Children’s Playground with Sand Area
Swing, slide, seesaw, or dig to your heart’s content in the large sand area: The playground offers enough space for movement, play, and creativity. Centrally located in the village and easily visible, it is a popular meeting point for little explorers.
Natural Swimming Ponds: Cool off, dive in, enjoy
Two natural swimming ponds directly in the Kirchleitn holiday village offer the perfect refreshment on warm days. Here, children can jump into the water, splash around, or simply sit comfortably on the bank and dip their feet into the cool water.
Our Slow Travel Insider Tips for Your Summer Holiday in Austria
Holiday Insider Tip July
July is the classic holiday season for families. While elsewhere the asphalt glows, traffic jams fill the highways, and the search for a free sun lounger becomes a test of patience, Kirchleitn remains pleasantly relaxed. Its location in the biosphere park ensures fresh mountain air and pleasant temperatures. Children curiously explore the surroundings, while parents enjoy quiet moments in the village’s own sauna, stroll through nature, or sample regional specialties.
Nature Highlights in July:
- Hikes through shady forests
- Cooling off in crystal-clear mountain streams
- Wildlife observations in the Carinthian mountains – experience marmots and birds of prey up close
- Eventful family time at the water playground and the natural ponds in the village
- Breathtaking sunsets with panoramic views in the Nockberge mountains
Holiday Insider Tip August
While elsewhere stress, noise, and crowds set the tone for holidays, families in Bad Kleinkirchheim enjoy the diversity of midsummer in the Carinthian mountains. Completely relaxed, close to nature, and without hustle and bustle. The day begins with the scent of meadows and forests, followed by a hike with a fantastic view. Those who wish can pack a picnic basket and find a quiet spot on the alpine pasture.
Nature Highlights in August:
- Picnic with a view of lush green mountain meadows
- Reduced admission to cable cars, nature parks, and family destinations with the Kärnten Card
- Detour to nearby swimming lakes: Lake Millstatt, Lake Feldsee, and Lake Brennsee
- Sunrise hike to Falkert or Kaiserburg
- Bobby Car racetrack in the middle of the holiday village – ideal for letting off steam
Holiday Insider Tip September
September brings warm colors and pleasantly quiet days. The hiking trails of the Nockberge are emptier, the sun is lower, creating a very special atmosphere. Now is the perfect time to stroll barefoot through the moss in the forest, observe animals together, or stop at a hut and enjoy the view.
Highlights in September:
- Hikes in the golden late summer light with panoramic views
- Regional delicacies during harvest season
- Nearby thermal spas in Bad Kleinkirchheim with views of the Nockberge mountains
- Enjoy peace and expansive views on the quiet alpine pastures
- Breathtaking drive along the Nockalm Road (Free with the Kärnten Card)
More Summer Family Excursions in Carinthia
When you holiday in Austria’s southernmost federal state, one thing is a must: unforgettable excursions into nature, to exciting attractions, and special places that delight children and adults alike.
Are you wondering what you absolutely must do in Carinthia with children? Which excursion destinations are particularly popular? …
With the Kärnten Card, which is already included with your stay at the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn, you can discover over 100 family-friendly attractions for free or at a greatly reduced price. Many of them just a stone’s throw from the holiday village. Whether wildlife park, swimming lake, panoramic view, or museums: We show you our personal favorites for a relaxed and eventful summer holiday with children in Carinthia.
Mountains, Gondolas & Panoramic Roads
With the Brunnachbahn, you can easily get right into the Nockberge Biosphere Park.
At the top, family-friendly hiking trails, an activity park for children, and pure nature await.
The region is also easily accessible with a stroller or child carrier.
Distance by car:
directly on site
Comfortably reach the Kaiserburg mountain station by gondola.
Ride to over 2,000 meters above sea level with access to panoramic trails, bike trails, and great views. Ideal for families, hikers, and connoisseurs.
Distance by car:
approx. 15 minutes
One of Austria’s most beautiful alpine roads.
with nature stations, alpine huts, and adventure stops. By the way, Windebensee is perfect for a car-free picnic excursion.Distance by car:
approx. 35 minutes
The mountain railway takes you to Turracher Höhe.
At the top, a themed trail with play stations and the speedy Nocky Flitzer await.
With the alpine roller coaster, you ride through curves and waves into the valley – fun for all ages. Suitable for children aged four and up.Distance by car:
approx. 35 minutes
One of Carinthia’s most beautiful panoramic roads.
With magnificent views, cozy alpine huts, and hiking trails around the Seetal parking lot.
Distance by car:
approx. 45 minutes
An ideal destination for a varied mountain day.
With the modern Goldeckbahn, you comfortably ascend to 1,780 m to the reservoir lake, where easy peaks and panoramic circuits await. For children, there’s summer tubing directly at the mountain station.
Distance by car:
approx. 45 minutes
One of Austria’s most famous alpine roads
With spectacular viewpoints, nature stations, and playgrounds, it delights families and connoisseurs alike. The new Skywalk “Rote Wand” offers impressive deep views into the Drau Valley.
Distance by car:
approx. 50 minutes
Breathtaking panoramic road
with numerous stops at spectacular viewpoints. The destination is Austria’s highest dam wall, including a viewing platform.
Distance by car:
approx. 70 minutes
Viewing platform with 360° view
directly above Carinthia’s lake landscape. For the brave: slide or flying fox from the tower.
Distance by car:
approx. 70 minutes
Animal & Wildlife Parks
Encounter with native wildlife:
Petting zoo, fish museum, and Grizzly World. Particularly exciting:
the bear cave to crawl through.Distance by car:
approx. 25 minutes
A highlight for animal lovers:
Cobras, pythons, and lizards in naturalistic terrariums. Exciting and educational for the whole family.
Distance by car:
approx. 40 minutes
Experience birds of prey up close
Impressive flight shows, informative and spectacular – against the historic castle backdrop.
Distance by car:
approx. 50 minutes
Macaques within reach
Over 150 Japanese macaques live in a naturalistic enclosure. The guided tours offer exciting insights into their behavior.
Distance by car:
approx. 50 minutes
Austria’s largest reptile zoo
with over 1,000 exotic animals. Exciting and child-friendly – indoors and outdoors.
Distance by car:
approx. 70 minutes
Museums & Play Worlds
Fun for all ages
With consoles and games from five decades. Here you can try things out and marvel.
Distance by car:
approx. 30 minutes
In the Granatium, you and your children can discover the world of the red gemstone.
The highlight for families is the covered prospecting area, where you can search for garnets yourself with a hammer and helmet.
Distance by car:
approx. 15 minutes
Gemstones from all over the world
Gold panning and interactive stations await. A glittering experience for little and big treasure hunters.
Distance by car:
approx. 25 minutes
Perfect for rainy weather
More than 3,000 mushroom species in a lovingly designed museum. Fascinating and educational for all ages.
Distance by car:
approx. 45 minutes
The wooden play world in Radenthein invites creative discovery.
Numerous handmade play stations made from natural materials provide fun, joy, and wonder – weatherproof and family-friendly.
Current opening hours and closing days can be found on the provider’s website.
Distance by car:
approx. 15 minutes
An interactive experience museum dedicated to legends, myths, and fairy tales from Carinthia.
With a 3D puzzle tour, audio stations, and imaginative design, Sagamundo delights children aged four and up and is also worth seeing for adults.
Please check the official Sagamundo website for current opening hours and closing days in autumn.
Distance by car:
approx. 20 minutes
Hands-on history
Fairy-tale castle with 14 gate systems and panoramic views. An adventure for little knights and princesses.
Distance by car:
approx. 70 minutes
Thermal Spas & Lakes
The Family Thermal Spa
in the middle of the village offers Carinthia’s longest water slide, a large children’s pool, and relaxing warm water pools for all ages.Ideal for a weather-independent day full of activity and fun.
Distance by car:
approx. 15 minutes
Wellness for parents, bathing fun for children:
The Römerbad scores with several pools, magnificent views, and its own children’s area.
Perfect for relaxing hours indoors.
Distance by car:
approx. 15 minutes
A stroll along the lakeside landscapes offers a very special atmosphere in autumn.
From Kirchleitn, you can reach the following lakes in about 30 minutes by car:
Lake Millstatt
Walking path on the south shore, boat trips possibleLake Brennsee/Lake Feldsee
quiet and close to nature, ideal for short hikesLake Afritzer
relaxed and popular for fishing or boatingDistance by car:
approx. 30 minutes
Boat trip – ideal for relaxation.
Enjoy a panoramic boat trip across Lake Millstatt with views of mountains and nature.
Distance by car:
approx. 30 minutes
FAQs Summer Vacation Insider Tip for Families in Austria
