Spittal an der Drau

Spittal an der Drau is a historic market town of 15,000 residents in western Kärnten, situated on the Drau River where the Lieser Valley opens onto the Upper Drau basin. The town is best known for Porcia Castle (Schloss Porcia), one of the finest Renaissance buildings in Austria. Spittal serves as the administrative and commercial centre for the Lieser-Millstatt region and is a popular base for exploring the Millstätter See and the Nockberge mountains.

By Plane

Klagenfurt Airport (KLU) is about 80 km east (1 hr by car via A10 Tauern Autobahn).

By Train

Spittal-Millstättersee station on the Tauern Railway (ÖBB) connects to Villach (40 min) and Salzburg (2 hr). The station is a 15-minute walk from the Hauptplatz.

By Car / Road

The A10 Tauern Autobahn exit Spittal-Ost or Spittal-Millstättersee. The town is 30 minutes north of Villach on the B99.

The Altstadt is compact. Local buses connect the station to the town centre and to nearby lake resorts.

• Schloss Porcia — Built 1533–1538, this four-winged Renaissance palace features the largest Renaissance arcade courtyard in Austria. Houses the Museum of Kärnten Folk Culture (Museum für Volkskultur). Entry €9.

• Hauptplatz — A long square with Baroque houses, a Dreifaltigkeitssäule column, and the Gothic parish church.

• Lieser Waterfalls — A series of small waterfalls on the Lieser River, accessible via a short walking path.

• Millstätter See — Swim, sail, or hike around Kärnten's second-largest lake, 5 km from Spittal. The circular path (28 km) is ideal for cycling.

• Nockberge Biosphere Park — A UNESCO biosphere reserve. The Nockalm Road toll road (€22 per car) offers a scenic drive.

• Spittal Summer Festival (July–August) — Open-air concerts and theatre in the Porcia Castle courtyard.

• Restaurant im Schloss Porcia — Fine dining in the castle vaults. Mains €15–22.
• Gasthof Post (Hauptplatz 15) — Classic Austrian inn with venison goulash and Kärnten wines.
• Pizzeria La Torre — Italian-style pizza and pasta, popular with locals.

Local Kärnten wines and beers are served at the Gasthof Post. The Nockberge region produces herbal liqueurs and fruit schnapps worth sampling.

• Budget: Pension Garni Ebner — Affordable guesthouse. Doubles from €55.
• Mid-range: Hotel Post — Traditional town hotel on the square. Doubles from €80.
• Upscale / heritage: Hotel Schloss Porcia — 4-star hotel within the castle complex. Doubles from €120.

The Hauptplatz shops offer Kärnten souvenirs, local wines, and crafts. The weekly market (Friday mornings) has fresh produce and regional specialities.

• Millstätter See (5 km) — Kärnten's second-largest lake, ideal for swimming and sailing.
• Nockberge Biosphere Park — UNESCO biosphere reserve with scenic drives and hiking.
• Villach (30 km south) — Thermal baths and historic town centre.
• Klagenfurt (80 km east) — State capital with cultural attractions.