Discover Tyrol: Mountains, Trails and Culture

Tyrol can be explored through a range of interests: mountain trails, wildlife watching, historical collections, special visitor experiences and regional cuisine each give a trip its own focus. If you’re looking for a hotel in Tyrol, first consider which of these aspects you want to shape your stay.

Hiking, cycling and discovering nature

The Hohe Tauern National Park covers 1,856 square kilometres and is the largest protected area in the entire Alpine region. Themed trails and hotspots make it possible to discover natural and cultural treasures independently, with information available on site at various stops. The Nordkette also offers a wide range of options: hikes there range from short, level circular trails to tours lasting several hours for different ability levels.

The NaturKraftWeg Umbal Falls trail in the upper Virgental valley leads close to the source of the Isel. Those interested in river landscapes and their wildlife and plant life can explore the wild river landscape of the Tyrolean Lech through an engaging introduction at the Klimmbrücke Nature Park Centre. The bird discovery trail in Pflach shares information about the calls and appearance of native birds at five stops. Birds can be observed in the wild from an 18-metre-high observation tower.

The Inn Cycle Path runs right through Tyrol, from the Swiss border to the German border. A family-friendly long-distance cycle route, the Tyrolean section of the Inn Cycle Path is 211 kilometres long, mostly flat and technically uncomplicated. Check current route conditions and possible diversions before setting off. Tyrolean hiking routes can be filtered by difficulty, distance and duration; on the Nordkette, for example, options range from short circular trails to tours lasting several hours.

At around 6.8 square kilometres, Lake Achensee is the largest lake in Tyrol. A seasonal natural highlight awaits you at Martinauer Au near Vorderhornbach: between mid-May and mid-June, several thousand lady’s slipper orchids bloom across an area of 2.5 hectares. The flowering period may vary from year to year.

Culture, crafts and special visitor experiences

Ambras Castle became the residence of Archduke Ferdinand II, the Prince of Tyrol, in 1564. Ambras Castle is considered the world’s first museum; at its original location, visitors can experience the earliest known systematic concept for collecting and presenting objects. The audio guide leads through the Armoury, the Chamber of Art and Curiosities, the Spanish Hall and the Habsburg Portrait Gallery. Kufstein Fortress towers above the district capital of Kufstein and bears witness to the city’s turbulent past as a border town between Tyrol and Bavaria.

The Tyrolean Farmhouse Museum comprises 37 historic buildings: farmhouses with outbuildings, small craft workshops, chapels and a village school. Interactive, hands-on themed stations bring the past to life. The visitor experience also includes demonstrations of various traditional crafts, customs, and festivals featuring music and Tyrolean delicacies; some demonstrations and festivals may take place seasonally. At the Ötzi Village in Umhausen, archaeology meets hands-on activities: in this archaeological open-air park, visitors can try making fire, archery and tanning hides, among other activities.

The Chambers of Wonder at Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens feature large-scale installations by international artists and designers. The extensive park landscape includes works of art and an alpine garden. The Chambers of Wonder and the park are accessible to wheelchair users, prams and people using walking aids; the alpine garden is an exception because of some steep sections. Crystal Worlds can be reached by bus, train and bicycle. Check connections before your trip.

Experience regional cuisine

The Zillertal Show Dairy in Fügen shows visitors the cheesemakers’ daily work and how cheese is made from pure hay milk. Check current operating details before your visit. Some of Tyrol’s most popular dishes include bacon dumplings, Tyrolean gröstl, Schlutzkrapfen and the famous Kaiserschmarrn. Together with the region’s varied natural and cultural experiences, these culinary impressions offer further ideas for deciding what to focus on when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Gasteig, Schwaz, Reutte, Paznaun Valley, Lienz, Lech Valley, Landeck, Kufstein, Kitzbühel, Ischgl, Innsbruck-Land, Imst, Brixental, Arlberg, Alpbachtal.

Go to the main travel overview: Austria.