Top Attractions and Things to do in Klagenfurt, Austria

Klagenfurt is the capital of the Austrian state of Carinthia, which is located in the south of the country, not far from the Italian-Slovenian border.

Its landscape is characterized by mighty mountain ranges – the Gurktal Alps in the north, the Gailtal Alps in the west, and the Karawanks in the south.

The city gets its special character from its location on the shores of Lake Wörthersee, one of the most popular bathing lakes in Austria.

The region has a lot to offer in terms of sports: a network of well-maintained and marked bike paths, running trails through parks and along the water, and many hiking trails through unspoilt nature for example, the famous Tscheppa Gorge, which is located very close to Klagenfurt.

Klagenfurt has also been the venue for "Ironman Austria" for almost 20 years and - athletes agree - one of the most popular Ironman locations ever!

On a walk through the old town, visitors can learn interesting facts about the history of the city.

Those who are interested can go on a discovery tour outside the center – particularly beautiful tours lead, for example, to the picturesque eastern bay of Wörthersee with its shipyard, Europapark and the Klagenfurt vineyard.

You can follow in the footsteps of the Romans by visiting the archaeological park in Magdalensberg or Maria Saal, where you can see the remains of the walls and foundations of the exposed city of Virunum and the restored amphitheater.

It is also home to the pilgrimage church Maria Saal, the historic Herzogstuhl and the Tonhof, a former pleasure house of the Viennese avant-garde.

Klagenfurt inspires with its lively art and culture scene. Numerous museums and galleries, the Klagenfurt City Theater and the literary heritage of Robert Musil and Ingeborg Bachmann give Klagenfurt its reputation as a "city of culture in the south".

Those traveling with children will certainly not lack for things to do and explore here, from the Minimundus small world to the Magical Forest at Lake Rauschelesee, a short distance from the center of Klagenfurt.

In pubs and specialized restaurants of the region, the taste buds are enchanted by dishes prepared with love.

For example, the Land Canal Tram offers particularly rustic refreshment breaks. At Villa Lido, everyone can enjoy the best Italian pasta, pizza and other specialties, as well as enjoy the view of Lake Wörthersee with a glass of Aperol spritz.

The Benedictine Market in Klagenfurt will treat you to culinary delights from the Alpine-Adriatic region – a must-visit when in the city of Klagenfurt!

The wide range of attractions and things to do make Klagenfurt the perfect place for everyone, whether you want to relax in a great spa, explore nature, have a sporty holiday or just hang out in the city.

Read on and discover more great places to visit with our top list of things to see and do in and around Klagenfurt.

1. Pyramidenkogel Viewing Platform

The world's highest wooden observation tower is located in the Keutschach lake valley approx. 19 km from Klagenfurt. It stretches up to 100 meters and offers a 360-degree panoramic view.

The views from Pyramidenkogel are very impressive and a must-see for anyone visiting Klagenfurt.

To get to the top you can either take the elevator or climb the tower by more than 400 steps on foot. The stairs are comfortable and you can get to the top very quickly, already admiring the stunning views along the way.

When you get to the top platform of the observation tower, which is about 70 meters high, you have a truly impressive view of Lake Wörthersee and more.

And even if it starts raining unexpectedly, don't worry, because it has a bad weather platform where you can take shelter from the rain and wind and enjoy the views.

During the summer, i.e. in July and August, the tower is open until 9 in the evening, giving romantics the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful sunsets.

After enjoying the panoramic view, you can experience another highlight from Pyramidenkogel. From the tower, if you don't want to climb down the stairs anymore, you can slide down an impressive 120-meter long slide or go down the rope with a Fox Fly.

There is also a thoroughly huge and interesting playground next to Pyramidenkogel for the kids to let off steam before heading home. As well as a restaurant where adults can relax while children play.

The entrance fee to the tower is 16 euros per adult. With discounts for children, students, families, seniors. (as of 2023) Free for Kärnten Card holders. There is also a separate fee if you want to use the slide or rope descent.

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2. Travel through Minimundus - the small world

Take a trip to Minimundus and feel like an almighty giant!

In addition, going through this huge exciting park you will have the opportunity to travel the world in one day and see such famous buildings as the Statue of Liberty, Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower, St. Peter's Basilica, Golden Gate Bridge and much more.

Come admire their beauty, enjoy the atmosphere and alfresco dining in your chosen "world spot".

Visitors to Minimundus can see miniature replicas of the world's most iconic buildings from more than 50 countries.

About 160 buildings in 1:25 scale, designed with attention to detail, and many are even electrified (with lights, trains run on tracks, boats move/turn). Those who are interested in more details about the relevant building will find descriptions with information about each building.

Also, Minimundus has thought especially about the smallest visitors. There is a large children's playground and special interesting tours for children.

As well as an indoor adventure world, with interactive attractions, 4D movies/trips that will appeal to adults too.

Throughout the large park with flowers and bonsai trees, you will find benches where you can sit and relax, as well as toilets and cafes. Animals are also welcome.

To enjoy all that this little world of Minimundus has to offer, count on at least 4 hours of fun and excitement.

Read also: Best sights & things to do in Wachau Valley, Austria

3. Learn about reptile at Happ Reptile Zoo

The incredible Happ Reptile Zoo in Klagenfurt, not far from Minimundus, is the perfect place for lovers of reptiles to explore.

The Happ Reptile Zoo has an indoor and outdoor area featuring over a thousand reptiles, including monitor lizards, mambas, cobras, rattlesnakes, vulture turtles, column turtles, tarantulas, scorpions and piranha as well as various small fish and much more.

Beyond this there is a large dinosaur park with huge replica dinosaurs in the outdoor section, which will delight the children.

The highlight at Happ Reptile Zoo is definitely watching the snake feeding.

And the bravest even have the opportunity to participate in the snake and baby crocodiles petting attraction, and if that's not enough, be sure to take a photo with the snake wrapped around your neck.

Happ Reptile Zoo is not a huge zoo but offers a great experience for the whole family and with free entry if you have a Kärnten card it's well worth visiting for anyone interested in fish and reptile life.

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4. Klagenfurt Planetarium

The Klagenfurt Planetarium is an educational and entertaining place for young and old alike, as it offers a wide variety of informative shows about the planets of our solar system.

In addition, there are shows that are designed specifically for children, with a simple explanation, and there are shows that are more suitable for adults.

Shows take place daily and a new show is presented every hour, lasting approximately 45 minutes.

Those with the Wörthersee Plus card have discounted entry, while those with the Carinthia card have free entry.

In addition, with the Carinthia Card, visitors can enjoy one performance per day at the Klagenfurt Planetarium.

Klagenfurt Planetarium is really a great place to spend time learning and maybe learn something you never knew before.

What's more, it's next to Minimundus and Happ Reptile Zoo, perfect for combining visits together for an unforgettable day of adventure!

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5. Europapark in Klagenfurt

Klagenfurt is quality of life, and quality of life is leisure. The largest leisure area in the city is Europapark just off the shores of lake Wörthersee.

Soccer and baseball players meet on the large, freely accessible meadows, beach volleyball courts invite you to play some volleyball, and the skate park is a magnet for young people.

In addition, the outdoor chess set has provided exciting afternoons for many game enthusiasts.

But for those who just want to relax, there are quiet places by the duck pond or quiet park benches.

Europapark is also very friendly for families with small children, it has a huge children's playground with play equipment for every age group!

There are playgrounds for toddlers aged 1 to 6, children aged 6 to 14, as well as water and sand games and a meeting place for young people.

The park also has drinking water fountains, toilets, a cafe, and many parking lots.

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6. Admire the beauty of Klagenfurt Cathedral

Discover the history and beauty of Klagenfurt Cathedral, located in the picturesque historic center of Klagenfurt's old town.

Even if its austere facade from the outside doesn't show its outstanding artistic qualities, be sure to go inside and admire the interior that will instantly amaze you.

Its interior is decorated with rich baroque and rococo stucco, decorations and frescoes adorning the ceiling, vaults and walls of the central nave.

Also noteworthy are the impressive marble side altars and beautiful paintings such as the St. Ignatius painting by Paul Troger, who is considered as one of Austria's most important Baroque artists.

Klagenfurt Cathedral was built in the 16th century, and although it is known as the Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, it was originally the Church of the Holy Trinity, which served as a Protestant place of worship and was only later handed over to the Jesuits, who made it the local Catholic community.

It is also interesting to note that in terms of size, this was the largest church ever built for Protestants in all of Austria. In the 18th century, the church was hit by a fire, as a result of which it was thoroughly remodeled, in the way we see it today.

The impressive Klagenfurt Cathedral is located next to the Domplatz - Cathedral Square with small green areas and seats, as well as fountains and statues.

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7. Take a look into Landhaus in Klagenfurt

Landhaus Klagenfurt, located between Heiligengeistplatz and Alter Platz, is a beautiful renaissance palace, originally built as a castle in the 16th century, which underwent baroque changes after a fire in the early 18th century, now housing the Carinthian parliament.

Landhaus Klagenfurt offers 4 rooms to see, the most important of which is the first and largest Great Hall of Emblem (Großer Wappensaal) with a beautifully painted ceiling in baroque style and its walls decorated with around 660 emblems of Carinthian nobility.

Next is the former Meeting Hall of the Carinthian Regional Council with a fresco depicting the history of the area.

Then there is the third room, which is dedicated to the artist Anton Kolig, in which an artistic dialogue between grandfather and grandson is shown using works and photographs.

And the very last one is the Small Hall of Emblem, formerly known as the council hall, which is also in baroque style with about 298 emblems.

The building itself is quite impressive, shaped like a horseshoe with two domed towers and a lively square in the middle, which is surrounded on the left and right by the building's stairs and arcades.

And on its ground floor there is a great restaurant where you can enjoy excellent local food, and on the south side of Landhaus Klagenfurt (outside the horseshoe) there is a rich garden with a nice fountain and many colorful flower beds. Great place for relaxation!

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8. Benedictine Market with Stone Fisherman

At the weekly market, the Klagenfurt Benedictine market, you can get everything your heart desires.

The Benedictine market has already celebrated its 70th anniversary! Although it was originally located at Alter Platz, the “move” to Benediktinerplatz only happened later.

This marketplace impresses with its very special ambience and is therefore one of the favorite places of the people of Klagenfurt for a reason. Locals meet here to eat, drink coffee and, of course, on Thursdays and Saturdays at the weekly market.

In the Benedictine market, not only Farmers and gardeners from all over Carinthia, but also from Italy and Slovenia meet to exchange ideas, enjoy the market atmosphere, as well as sell their best delicacies here.

There is also a life-size statue of a fisherman made of stone on Benediktinerplatz.

According to legend, he was a fisherman in Wörthersee who tried to get more money for goods by weighing them incorrectly. One day a fisherman said to a customer, "I'll turn to stone if I've weighed wrong," what happened next.

For a long time, the statue was located in the Heiligengeist Platz, where the fish market once took place. In 1988 it was moved to Benediktinerplatz.

If you are looking for a cozy place to shop and enjoy Italian snacks with a glass of wine, then Benedictine market is definitely the place to be!

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9. Admire New Square and its Dragon Fountain

New Square, or Neuer Platz in German, is a wide rectangular square surrounded by historic buildings.

It is also the largest square in Klagenfurt, which was re-built in 2008 according to the plans of the famous architect Boris Podreka, and thus has become one of the most modern squares in the city.

Neuer Platz's most famous landmark is the massive Lindwurm fountain - Lindwurmbrunnen. It depicts a dragon, a mythical creature, and Hercules, a hero who represents the knight who, according to legend, captured the monster.

Lindwurmbrunnen has become as Klagenfurt's most famous sight and even adorns the city's coat of arms.

But Lindwurmbrunnen is not the only landmark, the New Square is also overlooked by a huge bronze monument to Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria, a ruler whose charisma influenced the whole of Europe.

On the west side of the new square is the Town Hall (Rathaus), built at the end of the 16th century, which was known as the Rosenberg Palace and belonged to the Counts of Rosenberg until 1918, when it was exchanged for the old Town Hall in the Old Square, and the city administration moved to the new Town Hall.

The New Square is surrounded by trees, benches, cafes and restaurants, as well as some buildings with impressive stucco.

Today, the New Square is not only a square where you can admire the impressive landmarks, it also hosts various events throughout the year, such as the Christmas market.

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10. Spend time in Klagenfurt's Old Town Square

Another charming place in Klagenfurt that everyone should definitely visit is its Old Square, or Alte Platz in German.

This square, which is one of the oldest parts of the city, is surrounded by historic buildings with baroque facades and Renaissance courtyards.

The main feature of the square is its Trinity Column, which stands in the middle of the square and rises like a spire into the sky.

Also, the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), which stands out with its picturesque three-story arcade courtyard, cannot be overlooked.

In addition to the beautiful historical buildings, the Old Square is filled with palm trees, nice fountains, fashion and jewelry stores, as well as restaurants where you can spend nice moments.

Not far from the square is the parish church of Klagenfurt - St. Egid, which stands out for its impressive frescoes and more.

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11. Visit the Parish Church of Klagenfurt-St. Egid

Klagenfurt is impressive with its ancient historical buildings, including St. Egged parish church, located in the very center of the city.

The history of this church dates back to the 13th century, which has been rebuilt several times to this day.

St. Egged Parish Church is one of the oldest churches in Klagenfurt and is located on Pfarrplatz, about a minute's walk from the Old Square.

From the outside, Sankt Egid looks like an "ordinary church" with a pitched roof and a beautiful, slender and white clock tower with a baroque-style dome that stretches almost 92 meters into the sky.

When you enter the church, you will be enchanted by its beautiful interior.

A domed ceiling decorated with beautiful frescoes in pastel colors, a beautiful gilded 16 m high main altar and more than four equally beautiful side altars, and much more which dazzle the eyes.

But in addition to this beauty, for every visitor to the church it is highly recommended to take guided tours and explore the chapel of Ernst Fuchs, which houses a painting of about 160 square meters, depicting sacred scenes in fantastic colors.

The church tower (Stadtpfarrturm) of Sankt Egid is also definitely worth a visit. The observation platform of the tower is located at a height of 50 meters and is reached by a narrow spiral staircase with 255 steps.

Once you reach the tower's viewing platform, you will be rewarded with panoramic views over Klagenfurt.

You can visit the church itself for free, but the chapel of Ernst Fuchs and the church tower of St. Egid can be visited with a guide for a small fee.

The Fuchs Chapel can be visited on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On the other hand, the tower is open every day, except for Sundays and holidays.

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12. Strandbad or beach of Klagenfurt

Klagenfurt is proud not only of countless historical landmarks, but also of its excellent location, next to one of the warmest Alpine lakes in Austria - the Wörthersee.

When the weather starts to get warmer, the shores of Lake Wörthersee start to fill up slowly with tourists and locals alike. And of course Klagenfurt's Strandbad, or beach, is no exception.

During the summer, the turquoise water temperature is around 26 degrees, and sometimes even reaches 28 degrees, which is ideal for anyone who likes to stay in the water, whether it's for water sports or just swimming.

Klagenfurt's Strandbad offers many ways to have fun. There are boardwalks, water slides, a sandy beach, a child-friendly beach, water sports offers, and cafes, and on top of all that, a Mediterranean atmosphere that ensures everyone who visits has a great vacation in Klagenfurt.

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13. Tscheppa Gorge Ferlach

Hiking through Tscheppa Gorge is the right thing to do for adventurers while in Klagenfurt. From Klagenfurt you can reach the famous Tscheppa Gorge or Tscheppaschlucht in German in less than 25 minutes. It is located south of Klagenfurt near the village of Ferlach and very close to the Slovenia border.

Here you can discover Carinthia from a particularly exciting side. It is an incredibly beautiful place with fantastically deep gorges, steep and rugged rocks, a unique fauna and to top it all off, great roaring waterfalls that complete the picture.

The Tscheppa Gorge Ferlach offers its visitors winding paths that lead over swinging bridges, ladders and gorges - ensuring that adventure is guaranteed.

The Teufelsbrücke (Devils bridge), Tschaukofall waterfall, Bodentaler Felsentor (rock gate), Vodni mlýn (water mill) and the Meerauge or Sea eye (stunning crystal clear pond) are the special highlights through the hiking trail.

It will be a real Alpine adventure for both young and old, just keep in mind that the trail can sometimes be quite challenging, with stairs, steep narrow slopes and rocky descents.

The walk (depending on your speed) can take approx. 3 hours, and walking shoes are highly recommended.

The entrance fee is 9.50 euros, but if you are a Kärnten Card holder, the entrance is free. The gorge is accessible from the beginning of May to the end of October.

And for those looking for other activities to do on this side, the family-friendly forest rope park - Waldseilpark Tscheppaschlucht is definitely the right choice. As well as activities such as canyoning are available.

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14. Visit Hochosterwitz Castle

Hochosterwitz Castle, known in German as Burg Hochosterwitz, is a remarkable reminder of the Middle Ages and one of Austria's best-preserved fortress examples.

Located about 23 kilometers northeast of Klagenfurt in the small village of Hochosterwitz, the castle offers a truly breathtaking view to all who visit Klagenfurt.

By the way, Hochosterwitz Castle is one of Carinthia's main tourist attractions!

The fortress has a checkered history, from its use as a strategic defensive point to today's much-lauded museum.

It is perched on a rock about 170 meters high, and on a clear day it can even be seen from a distance of more than 25 kilometers.

Its highlight is definitely the 620-meter-long walkway known as the Burgweg, which leads through 14 gates until visitors reach the castle.

But for those who think that they won't be able to overcome this road, as it leads up the hill, there is also an inclined railway that will take you to the castle in just a few minutes.

Once at the top, visitors can see a chapel with beautiful frescoes; an armory, where not only weapons are stored, but also an arsenal of various era weapons, such as spears, armor, and helmets.

Historical apartments where portraits of the Khevenhüller family hang on the wall. And more..

For those looking to escape from city life, Hochosterwitz is the perfect destination to enjoy the majestic atmosphere and marvel at the beauty of its fortifications and refresh yourself in the Castle Restaurant.

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15. Maria Saal Cathedral

Maria Saal Cathedral is a very important religious destination in Carinthia, situated about 9 kilometers north of Klagenfurt.

It is an impressive, historically significant spiritual site, featuring beautiful Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles.

Numerous Roman tombstones can be found incorporated into the facade while its interior has been beautifully crafted with painted Gothic vaults.

A place of wonder, rest and prayer, Maria Saal Cathedral is certainly a must visit if you’re looking for something to marvel at while spiritually recharging.

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16. Hiking and jogging in Klagenfurt

Pack your backpack, lace up your hiking boots and hit the road!

In the surroundings of Klagenfurt there are many mountains, forests and places that are waiting for "hiking".

One of the closest and easiest to reach is Klagenfurt's "local mountain", known as Kreuzbergl.

There, among mystical trees and ponds, you will find countless walking paths and hiking routes. There are also wonderful routes for runners and walkers, including a lighted jogging track and a challenging fitness course.

For those who like to run in company, there are countless running events to take part in: the Klagenfurt Old Town Run, the Carinthia Run, the New Year's Run and much more.

If you are looking for something more impressive, then the Wörthersee circular hiking trail awaits you.

Around 55 kilometers around the turquoise blue Wörthersee lake through lush forests and meadows. In addition, you can change the hike at any time and take the boat back to Klagenfurt.

But for those who want to run, walk within the city limits, there is the Lendkanal, where well-maintained footpaths along the water canal connect the city with Lake Wörthersee.

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17. Cycling in Klagenfurt

The Klagenfurt region is a cycling paradise. A network of well-maintained and signposted cycle paths runs through and around the capital of the Carinthian region.

There are many themed tours for both slow leisurely cycling and racing cycling to choose from.

For example, north of Klagenfurt you can take a short history trip to the Maria Saal, while to the west you can cycle through and discover the Keutschach Lakes Valley, and to the south you can experience cycling on the award-winning Drau cycle path in the beautiful Rosenthal Valley.

And if you don't have your own bike with you, you can rent cheap bikes at the tourist information office and elsewhere throughout Klagenfurt.

Read also: Places to visit near Innsbruck, Austria

18. Wörthersee Boat Cruise

For travelers looking to take in the beauty of Austria, a trip along the turquoise-blue waters of Lake Wörthersee provides the perfect opportunity.

In addition, when one of the oldest steam ships in Austria, the steamboat Thalia, built in 1909, is in use today for Wörthersee shipping, it gets nostalgic in your heart.

The "Thalia" carries up to 280 people and is often chartered for weddings and other celebrations. In addition to the steamship Thalia, the motor ships "Kärnten", "Klagenfurt" and "Velden" and the electro-solar ship "Maria Wörth" are also in use.

From the comfortable decks of a Wörthersee Schifffahrt vessel, tourists can enjoy panoramic views of the stunning scenery that envelops Wörthersee's picturesque towns.

With providers offering everything from Advent cruises to delicious cuisine onboard, there's something for everyone and plenty of ways to make memories that will last a lifetime.

The Wörthersee Schifffahrt marina is located in Klagenfurt's East Bay, next to the popular Pizzeria Trattoria Villa Lido.

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19. Taste the wine at a Klagenfurt vineyard

In Klagenfurt, every wine lover can experience viticulture up close. The "Stadtwinzer" Klagenfurt winegrowers' association is happy to offer guided tours of the "Ried-Seewiese" vineyards as well as wine tastings by appointment.

What's more, the "Ried-Seewiese" vineyards offer a wonderful view of Lake Wörthersee.

The viticultural history of the Klagenfurt Seewiese goes back more than 40 years, when a gift was received from the twin cities of Klagenfurt and small vines were planted.

Now, on an area of more than 0.5 hectares, the city's vintners have planted vines for white wines such as Sauvignon blanc, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling, as well as for red wines such as Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Blauburger and Merlot.

State-certified quality wines have been produced every year since 2005. The average vintage is 2,500 to 2,700 bottles.

The Ried-Seewiese vineyard is located on the circular hiking trail of Lake Wörthersee and can be easily and conveniently reached on foot from Klagenfurt's Europapark in about 15 minutes.

Read also: 12 Best Ski Resorts in Austria

20. Visit Klagenfurt Museums

Klagenfurt is a city with a rich culture and history.

This can be seen through its many museums, each containing unique exhibits that give insight into the history and culture of Klagenfurt.

The Carinthian State Museum (Landesmuseum Kärnten) is one of Klagenfurt's largest and most impressive museums.

Its collections span from prehistoric times up to the present day, with exhibits featuring Roman artifacts, Renaissance art, and contemporary works from local artists.

The Carinthian State Museum also houses a library with more than 400,000 volumes on Carinthian history and culture, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to learn more about the region.

For those interested in art, Museum of Modern Art (Museum Moderne Kunst Kärnten) is a must-visit destination.

It features modern art from both Austrian and international artists, ranging from paintings and sculptures to digital installations and video art.

The Museum of Modern Art also hosts special exhibitions throughout the year such as photography shows or artist talks - making it an ever-changing experience for its visitors!

Finally, if you want to get an insight into the music, then visit the Eboardmuseum that houses approximately 2,000 electronic keyboard instruments, many of which are unique and even some of them pre-release models.

Visiting the Eboardmuseum is not only a chance to take a guided tour and learn more about the history of these instruments; tourists have the opportunity to try them as well!

In addition to the wonderful instruments on display, Eboardmuseum also hosts about 50 live concerts every year for visitors to enjoy.

For those wanting to do further research, there is an extensive library where one can find literature about electronic music, pop culture and keyboards.

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And Finally…