An Alpine Summer in Austria: Your Step-by-Step Guide

STEP 1: ARRIVE & UNWIND

Put your phone away & on silent
                       …The most authentic experiences happen off-screen.

Nature Immersion
The Zillertal Alps High Mountain Nature Park protects around 40% of the entire Zillertal valley. It stretches from 1,000 m above sea level in the mountaineering village of Ginzling up to 3,509 m on the Hochfeiler, the highest mountain in the Zillertal Alps. It is also home to 85 glaciers and part of the largest network of protected areas in Central Europe. If you are looking for untouched nature, this may be the place to choose. Pick a hiking trail and immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Peace & quiet
The Innsbruck region is more than “just” the city of Innsbruck: The area around the Tyrolean capital is home to 40 other towns, villages and landscapes, including many hidden gems, such as the Sellraintal Valley, just 25 km from Innsbruck. The little hamlets of Sellrain, Gries and St. Sigmund have officially been designated as ‘mountaineering villages’, meaning they are archetypical Alpine settlements built on traditional lines and full of age-old charm. Perfect for a holiday away from the hustle and bustle of every life.

Adventure
Looking to keep the kids entertained and engaged while the grown-ups unwind and take in the beautiful surroundings? Look no further than the Teufelsgasse (‘Devil’s Lane) in the region of St. Johann in Tirol. As a hiking destination it is a genuine insider tip, one which sets the hearts of adventurous children and adults racing alike. This legendary gorge at the Leerberg in Kirchdorf in Tirol casts a spell over everyone.

Stunning vistas
Clear mountain air, stunning vistas and fascinating excursion destinations: The Schladming-Dachstein region offers all that and more. Within a short ten-minute ride on the Dachstein panorama gondola you can immerse yourself in a completely new world. Take in the breathtaking views of the Hohe Tauern mountain range. Not for the faint-hearted (or those with a fear of heights) are the Dachstein Suspension Bridge, the Stairway to Nothingness and the Sky Walk.
 

STEP 2: INTRO TO AUSTRIAN GEMÜTLICHKEIT 

Settle in with an aperitif in hand
…Leave your worries at the door and experience the Austrian Lebensgefühl.

Cooling off
Imagine standing on top of a mountain you've just hiked up, exhausted but with a huge smile on your face, looking down on a glittering lake and up to a snow-covered glacier. That’s exactly what a summer break in Zell am See-Kaprun is like. Top tip after a hike: Lake Zell is the perfect spot to refresh on a hot day. Go for a swim, try out some stand-up paddling, or just relax on its shores.

Legendary hikes
Completed the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbühel on skis in the winter? It’s time to do the same in summer – either on foot or on two wheels. In the warmer months you can hike the course of the famous downhill ski race from start to finish. For mountain bikers there is also a blue trail suitable for all levels, allowing you to cycle from the mountain station Hahnenkamm right into the heart of Kitzbühel. If you want to top off the experience in true Austrian style, stop at the Hahnenkammstüberl for the best cranberry pancakes in the region.

Sample local beers
Salzburg is not all about ‘The Sound of Music’ and Mozart. One lesser-known fact is that the city is regarded as the beer capital of Austria. Salzburg’s beer culture has a tradition dating back to the 14th century when the first commercial brewery opened. These days, no less than 11 breweries can be found in and around the city, with the Stiegl Brewery and the Augustiner Bräu being the most famous ones. Check out the ‘City Walks: Salzburg Beer Culture’ route as it is linking historical brewing sites. If you need a break, find a spot at one of the many beer gardens for a pint. Prost.
 

STEP 3: MINGLE WITH THE LOCALS

Say ‘Servus’ to the friendly locals (they don’t bite)
             …Nothing beats a local’s insider tip on where to go & what to do.

Family-run
With 92 % of all Tyrolean businesses being family-run, a holiday in the province will instantly make you feel like coming home. Regardless of where you stay in Tirol’s 34 regions, your hosts will have countless stories to tell and insider tips to share. If you want to experience the real Austrian lifestyle, the ‘Lebensgefühl’, first-hand, just ask your hosts about their favourite spots.

Traditional crafts
Tradition and preservation often go hand in hand in the Austrian Alps. A place where you can experience both for yourself and learn about Alpine culture is Old Nessler Thaya, a historical mountain dairy hut in the region of St. Anton am Arlberg. Sitting on the Nessler Alm, it gives you insight into the life of local dairymen and herdsmen more than 40 years ago – from how they produced cheese and other food items to where they lived, slept and what kinds of traditional tools and equipment they used.

Glacier swimming

Mountain hiking in the summer is fascinating and fulfilling, but for those looking for an extra kick, the Alps certainly have no shortage of extraordinary experiences. At the Nature’s Ice Palace at the Hintertux Glacier you can now literally dive into the world of ice during an ice swimming session in the glacial lake. Alternatively, explore the lake on a stand-up paddle board.
 

STEP 4: TASTE THE ALPS

Indulge in local delicacies & good conversation
                   …Every meal and story tastes better when shared.

Award-winning
Think Austria is just Wiener Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarren? Think again. With over 80 restaurants having received MICHELIN stars when the Guide MICHELIN recently returned to Austria, the country is also a great destination for fine food connoisseurs. One region that has seen plenty of culinary accolades is Paznaun-Ischgl. Three restaurants now proudly sport Guide MICHELIN stars, including Benjamin Parth's gourmet restaurant Stüva at Hotel YSCLA in Ischgl which has been awarded two stars for its exceptional culinary achievements on its first review.

Wine treasures
If you have wondered where the highest wine cellar in the Kitzbühel Alps is, then we have the answer for you: Angerer Alm, located in St. Johann in Tirol, is a treat for wine enthusiasts: With up to 6,000 bottles from 400 international wineries, the charming mountain hut’s wine cellar is a true highlight for wine lovers seeking unique flavours in an authentic Alpine setting. At an altitude of 1,300m the hut boasts breathtaking views over the valley and a cosy atmosphere inside.

Alpine Cuisine (‘Almkulinarik’)
Top Styrian chef Richard Rauch brings gourmet experiences to 18 selected Alpine huts in the Schladming-Dachstein region. Together with the hosts, he develops a special alpine dish for each hut. Imagine your culinary summer holiday like this: Hike, bike or climb in a stunning setting, then stop at a different hut every day and try their signature ‘Almkulinarik’ dish for lunch. New events like ‘One Evening, Five Chefs’, featuring a five-course tasting menu with Styrian wine pairings, further showcase the region’s rich flavours and local products.

Hikes for foodies
Hiking and culinary enjoyment are closely interlinked in Austria. In the Kitzbühel region you can take the cable car up the Kitzbüheler Horn Mountain at 4:15 AM and not only marvel at the postcard-perfect sunrise spectacle that’s unfolding but also enjoy a well-deserved mountain breakfast afterwards, think home-made and fresh farmhouse bread, herb cream cheese, jams, bacon and more. No better way to start the day!
 

STEP 5: SAVOUR THE MOMENT

Embrace the slower pace of an Alpine stay
                   … The best adventures happen when you stop checking the clock.

Find your inner zen
If you are looking to get away from the daily grind, enjoy yoga and love the mountains, then we have just the right event for you: The Mountain Yoga Festival in St. Anton am Arlberg is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. From 4th – 7th September 2025 yoga and nature lovers will come together to master their postures and meditate with world-class teachers, breathe in the purest mountain air during guided hikes and meet like-minded people.

Arts performances
The Salzburg Festival is without a doubt one of the most important performing arts festivals in the world. During the summer the city transforms into one giant stage featuring compelling productions, outstanding vocal performances and remarkable orchestral concerts. In 2025 opera, music and theatre lovers can look forward to Verdi’s Macbeth and Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda as well as concerts with the Vienna Philharmonic, and the traditional ‘Jedermann’ performed on the Cathedral Square.

Wellness paradise
There is no better way to rest tired muscles after a challenging Alpine hike than by relaxing in hot water. And with a water surface of more than 1,000 square metres and a 1,500-square-metre sauna area, the Silvretta Therma in Ischgl is literally made for it. Craving a little extra luxury? Look no further than their Private Spa: Enjoy an entire wellness area, sauna and steam bath just for yourself (and your better half). Pure relaxation guaranteed.

Alpine urban
Looking for the perfect mix of sightseeing and outdoor adventures, all right at your doorstep? Innsbruck offers just that. You can stroll its streets full of Imperial elegance and beautiful Baroque and Gothic architecture in the Old Town and then take a cable car from the centre and be at 2,000 m in just 20 minutes. Hip eateries, vintage shops and unique events are also all part of the deal. Or, in other words: You can get all of Austria's highlights in just one day.
 

STEP 6: TIME TO SAY FAREWELL 

One last ‘Prost’ before you go
              ….No Alpine goodbye is complete without a Schnaps.

Fine & fruity
Fine brandies, liqueurs, gin and more: Tirol is all about high spirits. Local distilleries are devoted to the craft of schnaps-making, using only high-quality fruits and production methods. Along the Tyrolean Schnapps Route you will find a collection of artisan distilleries producing hand-crafted schnaps, spirits and liqueurs from farm-fresh ingredients.

Straight from the farm
Want to take a piece of the Austrian Alps home with you? Visit the ‘Hofladen Augut’ shop in Zell am See and stock up on home-made bacon and cheese, jams, honey, fruits, veggies, schnaps, and a lot more directly from their farm. To ensure the best quality, the owners Josef and Ingeborg look after 12 dairy cows, 30 cattle, 20 pigs and 30 Sulmtaler hens and rock partridges, among other farm animals.
 

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