Discover Spittal an der Drau: Culture, Nature and Family Experiences

Spittal an der Drau combines impressive Renaissance architecture with art, nature experiences and activities for both active and relaxing holidays.

Renaissance, City History and Art

A prominent cultural highlight is the parish church of Maria Verkündigung. It contains Ortenburger stone reliefs from the 14th century, a portal stone bearing the coat of arms of Salamanca-Ortenburg from the 16th century and a Pietà from the 15th century. This gives visitors several historical details to discover and connect on a cultural tour through Spittal.

The Khevenhüller City Palace (town hall) is also worth a closer look. The three-storey Renaissance building with arcades represents the city's imposing architecture. Porcia Palace continues this impression: the Renaissance palazzo has a three-storey arcaded courtyard that now provides a setting for numerous cultural events, including the choral competition and the comedy festival. The Spittl is a former hospice designed in the style of a Renaissance palace with an arcaded courtyard.

The Gallery in Porcia Palace and the Parkschlössl offer a different perspective on the art scene. In the 500-year-old vaulted cellar of the Salamanca Cellar, the gallery presents contemporary visual art. The Parkschlössl, built in the 16th century, gives local artists and self-taught artists the opportunity to present their works to the public. The cultural spectrum therefore ranges from historic buildings and religious art to contemporary artistic works.

Museum Experiences and Activities with Children

The Museum of Folk Culture offers a smartphone audio guide in four languages for its themed sections: German, English, Italian and Slovenian. This can make it easier for visitors to engage with the exhibitions individually when different family members want to focus on different aspects. During the summer holidays, the MuKi holiday programme at the Museum of Folk Culture combines creativity, play and culture, introducing children to history in an age-appropriate way.

In winter, the town park offers a tobogganing hill and an ice rink as free recreational activities for children and young people. Families can take these options into account when planning their trip and complement their stay with cultural or active days depending on the season.

Cycling, Walks and Wellness

The Drau Cycle Path runs along the Drau River to the cultural city of Spittal. Those who enjoy planning their holiday around cycling can therefore include Spittal as a destination on a cycling trip or as a starting point for planning their own day, without limiting their stay exclusively to cultural activities. The DrAUENland near Spittal offers walkers and cyclists a nature trail and a waterside recreation area.

For quieter hours, the Drautal Perle is available. The sports and leisure pool in Spittal an der Drau includes aquatic areas and a wellness area with a whirlpool, log sauna, steam brine sauna, herbal sauna, Finnish sauna and infrared cabin. This makes it possible to round off a day trip with a relaxing activity.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

Which holiday apartment suits your trip depends above all on the pace of holiday you want. If historic architecture, museums and exhibitions are your main interests, Spittal an der Drau is a culturally oriented destination. Cyclists and walkers can consider which starting point best suits their planned activities on the Drau Cycle Path or in the DrAUENland when searching for accommodation. For families, it is worth taking the season into account: in summer, the MuKi holiday programme offers children a cultural way to engage with the area, while in winter the town park provides a tobogganing hill and an ice rink. Those who want to combine relaxation with exercise can also include the Drautal Perle among their holiday ideas.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Spittal an der Drau, here are some concise starting points: Großkirchheim, Egg, Döllach, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Sappl, Oberkolbnitz, Greifenburg and Rangersdorf.

For the overarching travel overview: Spittal an der Drau.