Millstatt holidays

Lake Millstätter See is dotted with swim spots, and the beach in the village of Pesenthein is the closest one to Millstatt Ï just hop on the 5140 bus to get there in around four minutes. Spread out your towel in the grassy park, then spend a sunny afternoon drifting between the water and the bar-cum-restaurant.

Strandbad Ertl in Seeboden has lots going on for tots to adults, and everyone in between. The gently sloping beach is just right for little ones, and there's a host of activities to tempt the older ones, from banana-boat rides to stand-up paddle-boarding. Plus, there's a café on hand to keep the snacks and drinks topped up too.

Pick up regional specialties, from jams to cheeses, in one of the local far shops. There's also a weekly farmers' market in Seeboden.

Take a stroll along Markplatz street and browse shops selling traditional clothing, then pop into a souvenir shop to pick up a keepsake or two. Look out for trinkets made from the red garnet stones, which are mined nearby.

Lots of hotels in town have bars where you can sit, sip and relax at the end of the day. There are bars looking out over the lake too, the perfect spot for a nightcap.

You can find live music if you hunt it out in Millstatt. Try the local fave Das M am See, which has a lovely lakeside terrace and does some delicious cocktails.

With the town situated on the lake, it's no surprise that many of the restaurants feature fresh fish on the menu. There'll be Austrian classics like stew and dumplings too.

The nearby hamlet of Dellach has places to eat under the trees overlooking the lake. It's well worth a visit.

Metres from the waterfront in Millstatt is the award-winning restaurant at Hotel See Villa. The kitchen grows its own herbs in the hotel garden, and the wild venison on the menu is from deer caught in the nearby forests.

Local buses link Millstatt and Seeboden, and the number 5140 will take you to all the main spots around the lake in under an hour. For more flexibility, you can use the Nockmobil - a kind of taxi-cum-bus that you can call to pick you up from set stops around the area. You can get discounts on this and more public transport in the area with a Millstatter See inclusive card - available at selected accommodations.

A regular ferry service criss-crosses the lake, or you can also use the Peter Pan boat shuttle to hop between Millstatt and Seeboden. As an extra perk, most boat trips are included with the Millstätter See Inclusive Card.

Millstatt isn't a big place, and most things are just a few minutes' walk away. With its onion-domed church and brightly painted buildings, the pedestrianised centre is a pleasant place for a potter. Over in Seeboden, there are leafy parks that are the perfect place for some leisurely strolling.

Walking trails cover the gently sloping mountains that surround the lake. For a leisurely stroll, head for the meadows around the nearby village of Döbriach.

This walk follows a wide ridge between two mountain tops, so you've got great views of the lake every step of the way. It starts near the Alexanderhütte, which is a little way out of town, so save your legs for the walk itself and use the local Nockmobil dial-a-ride service to drop you off.

Hop on a bus to Döbriach for this gentle 2-hour circuit. The route starts in the main square, and along the way you'll pass through bloom-filled meadows and leafy woods. There's a short climb up to the cliff-top hamlet of Glanz - though the lake views are well worth it - then it's down toward the waterfront for an easy saunter back to the centre.