Must-see attractions in Tyrol & Vorarlberg

  • Renaissance Schloss Ambras (castle).

    Schloss Ambras

    Innsbruck

    Picturesquely perched on a hill and set among beautiful gardens, this Renaissance pile was acquired in 1564 by Archduke Ferdinand II, then ruler of Tyrol,…

  • People are passing around the palace Hofburg in Innsbruck, Austria.; Shutterstock ID 550745233; Your name (First / Last): Daniel Fahey; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Hofburg Innsbruck POI

    Hofburg

    Innsbruck

    Grabbing attention with its pearly white facade and cupolas, the Hofburg was built as a castle for Archduke Sigmund the Rich in the 15th century, expanded…

  • Hofkirche

    Innsbruck

    Innsbruck’s pride and joy is the Gothic Hofkirche, one of Europe’s finest royal court churches. It was commissioned in 1553 by Ferdinand I, who enlisted…

  • Golden Roof, Innsbruck, Austria

    Goldenes Dachl

    Innsbruck

    Innsbruck's golden wonder and most distinctive landmark is this Gothic oriel, built for Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519), lavishly festooned…

  • Festung Kufstein

    Tyrol

    Lifted high on a rocky crag like an offering to the alpine peaks that surround it, Kufstein's turreted castle provides a fascinating insight into the town…

  • Rosengartenschlucht

    Tyrol

    An easygoing family hike is the 5km (approximately three-hour) loop through the dramatic 200m-high Rosengartenschlucht, where boarded walkways make for a…

  • Silberbergwerk

    Tyrol

    You almost feel like breaking out into a rendition of ‘Heigh-Ho’ at Silberbergwerk Schwaz, as you board a mini train and venture deep into the bowels of…

  • INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 16: Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds) crystal-themed theme park entrance on August 16, 2013 near Innsbruck, Austria.
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    Swarovski Kristallwelten

    Tyrol

    Swarovski crystals sparkle in all their glory at the fantasy fairy-tale Kristallwelten. A giant’s head spewing water into a pond greets you in the park,…

  • Stift Stams

    Tyrol

    One of Tyrol’s true architectural highlights is the ochre-and-white Zisterzienstift in Stams, founded in 1273 by Elizabeth of Bavaria, the mother of…

  • Stubai Glacier

    Tyrol

    It’s a bizarre feeling to slip out of sandals and into skis in midsummer, but that’s precisely what draws people to the Stubai Glacier. The glacier is a…

  • Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum

    Innsbruck

    This treasure trove of Tyrolean history and art moves from Bronze Age artefacts to the original reliefs used to design the Goldenes Dachl. Alongside…

  • Ötzi Dorf

    Tyrol

    This small open-air museum cleverly brings to life the Neolithic world of Ötzi, the ice man. A visit takes in traditional thatched huts, herb gardens,…

  • Bergisel

    Innsbruck

    Rising above Innsbruck like a celestial staircase, this glass-and-steel ski jump was designed by much-lauded Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. It's 455 steps or…

  • Pfarrkirche St Oswald

    Tyrol

    Seefeld’s trophy sight is this late-Gothic parish church, the supposed location of a miracle. The story goes that Oswald Milser gobbled a wafer reserved…

  • Burg Hasegg

    Tyrol

    Stepping south of the medieval centre is the Burg Hasegg, where a spiral staircase coils up to the 5th floor for far-reaching views over Hall. The castle…

  • Altstadt

    Tyrol

    Schwaz hides a remarkably well-preserved Altstadt, built high on the riches of medieval silver. Taking pride of place on pedestrianised Franz-Josef…

  • Schloss Landeck

    Tyrol

    Standing sentinel above Landeck, this 13th-century hilltop castle is visible from afar. The 1st-floor museum showcases everything from Celtic figurines to…

  • Zugspitze

    Tyrol

    Ehrwald’s crowning glory is the glaciated 2962m Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, straddling the Austro-German border. From the crest there’s a…

  • Alpine Flower Garden

    Tyrol

    Arnica, edelweiss and purple bellflowers are among the 400 alpine blooms flourishing at this quiet garden atop Kitzbüheler Horn. It’s a four-hour (14km)…

  • Volkskunst Museum

    Innsbruck

    The Volkskunst Museum presents a fascinating romp through Tyrolean folk art from hand-carved sleighs and Christmas cribs to carnival masks and cowbells…

  • Stuibenfall

    Tyrol

    From Ötzi Dorf, it’s a beautiful 20-minute forest walk to Tyrol’s longest waterfall, the wispy Stuibenfall, cascading 159m over slate cliffs and moss…

  • Haus der Fasnacht

    Tyrol

    Every four years, Imst plays host to a Shrovetide festival, the Unesco-listed Schemenlaufen (ghost dance); the next takes place on 9 February 2020. The…

  • Museum Kitzbühel

    Tyrol

    This museum traces Kitzbühel’s heritage from its Bronze Age mining beginnings to the present day. The big emphasis is on winter sports, and the permanent…

  • Pfarrkirche St Nikolaus

    Tyrol

    This graceful 13th-century church is best known for its Waldaufkapelle, home to Florian Waldauf’s grisly collection of 45 skulls and 12 bones, picked from…

  • Stanz

    Tyrol

    If all the fresh air and activity of Landeck have worked up a thirst, pop over to Stanz, 3km away. Set on a sunny plateau dotted with apple and plum…

  • Römerhofgasse

    Tyrol

    A classic saunter leads along gingerbready Römerhofgasse, a reconstructed medieval lane that looks fresh-minted for a Disney film set with its overhanging…

  • Starkenberger Biermythos

    Tyrol

    Housed in a medieval castle, this 200-year-old brewery sits 3km north of Imst in Tarrenz. A visit dashes through the brewing process and includes a beer…

  • Dom St Jakob

    Innsbruck

    Innsbruck's 18th-century cathedral is a feast of over-the-top baroque. The Asam brothers from Munich completed much of the sumptuous art and stuccowork,…

  • Pfarrkirche

    Tyrol

    At the Gothic Pfarrkirche, your eye is immediately drawn to its steep roof bearing 14,000 copper tiles. The web-vaulted interior purportedly harbours the…

  • St Anton Museum

    Tyrol

    Set in attractive gardens above St Anton and housed in a beautiful 1912 villa, this nostalgic museum traces St Anton’s tracks back to the good old days…

  • Alpenzoo

    Innsbruck

    Billing itself as a conservation-oriented zoo, this is where you can get close to alpine wildlife such as golden eagles, chamois and ibex. It's a 10…

  • Alpinarium Galtür

    Tyrol

    This museum, documenting the tragic 1999 avalanche that destroyed the village of Galtür, has been built on the site. Inside you’ll find many poignant…

  • Zammer Lochputz

    Tyrol

    A roller coaster of water thrashes the limestone cliffs at Zammer Lochputz gorge just outside of Landeck. Leading up through pine forest, a trail passes…

  • Grassmayr Glockenmuseum

    Innsbruck

    Showcases the Grassmayr family’s 400 years of bell-making tradition. In addition to exhibits including some formidable Romanesque and Gothic bells, you…

  • Museum der Völker

    Tyrol

    Local photographer Gert Chesi set up this museum, showcasing a rich collection of African and Asian ritual art. Rotating exhibitions home in on elements…

  • Stadtturm

    Innsbruck

    Guards once kept watch over the city from this onion-domed tower, which was completed in 1450. Puff up 148 steps for 360-degree views of Innsbruck's…

  • Bergbau Museum

    Tyrol

    This reconstructed salt mine, complete with galleries, tools and shafts, can only be visited by 40-minute guided tour. Salt was mined in the valley for…

  • Zeughaus

    Innsbruck

    Emperor Maximilian’s former arsenal, the Zeughaus runs chronologically through Tyrol’s cultural history. It kicks off with geological and mineral history,…

  • Hölblinghaus

    Innsbruck

    A late-Gothic-turned-rococo townhouse that is the architectural equivalent of a wedding cake, with its piped-icing-like stucco, candy pastel colours and…

  • Franziskanerkirche

    Tyrol

    This Franciscan church blends Gothic and baroque styles. The church cloisters next door are a calm spot; Gothic windows and unfinished frescoes line its…