Warmbad Villach is a thermal spa resort sitting a few kilometres south of the city centre in a forested valley. The thermal springs here have been in continuous use since antiquity, and the modern complex has developed into one of the most complete spa destinations in Austria, combining indoor and outdoor thermal pools, a large wellness centre, and a small resort village of hotels and treatment clinics.
The outdoor pools are the main draw in summer, with temperatures warm enough for extended bathing even when the surrounding mountains still carry snow. The water has a slight mineral taste and a faintly sulphurous quality that you notice on arrival and quickly stop noticing. The complex is popular with Austrian families and older visitors seeking thermal treatments, but the outdoor facilities work well as a half-day stop for any traveller passing through Villach. The walk or cycle from the city centre through the Drau valley takes about 30 minutes and is pleasant in good weather.