Austria: A Kid-Friendly Paradise?

Austria is a paradise for families seeking culture, adventure, and breathtaking landscapes. The country offers a unique blend of nature, tradition, and modern living, making it a diverse and exciting destination for travellers of all ages. From its famous Alpine landscapes and world-class ski resorts to its charming villages and historical towns, Austria has something for everyone.

The country's capital, Vienna, boasts a rich musical and intellectual history, with figures such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Freud having called it home. The city offers a plethora of museums and kid-friendly attractions, including one of the world's oldest amusement parks, Wurstelprater, and the Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world. Salzburg, known for its breathtaking Baroque architecture and association with The Sound of Music, offers attractions such as the Haus der Natur, a popular natural history museum, and the Toy Museum, housed in a beautiful Baroque building. Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps, is home to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a magical attraction featuring a crystal-themed art gallery, an indoor play tower, and an outdoor maze.

Beyond its cities, Austria's mountainous regions provide opportunities for hiking, cycling, and skiing, with picturesque lakeside villages such as Hallstatt offering a tranquil escape. The country also boasts comfortable accommodation, delicious cuisine, and a relaxed way of life, making it an ideal destination for families seeking an unforgettable and varied holiday experience.

Skiing and winter sports

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental is one of the largest and most modern ski resorts in the world. It offers child-safe chairlifts, gentle slopes, and numerous blue runs suitable for beginners. The resort has 22 ski schools for children aged two and above, as well as fun off-slope activities like illuminated toboggan runs and a village made of igloos.

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis in Tirol is known for its child-friendliness, with a wide range of family-friendly accommodations and dedicated children's areas. The resort has 125,000 square metres of slopes reserved for children, as well as a kids' adventure land for playing in the snow. There are ski courses for all ages, and two dedicated children's restaurants. Other activities include tobogganing and winter hiking, even with pushchairs.

Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau

Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau has a new children's paradise called JUPPI-DO, which offers obstacles, jumping courses, and ski trails for little ones to improve their skiing skills. Off the slopes, there's the "Lauser Sauser" Alpine coaster, an igloo-building workshop, and the chance to ride in a piste basher.

Zell am See-Kaprun

The Schmittenhöhe mountain in Zell am See-Kaprun is ideal for family skiing. The resort's mascot, Schmidolin the Dragon, entertains children and teaches them how to ski, while parents can enjoy the many pistes, including the glacier Kitzsteinhorn. The XXL Fun Slope, snow park, and the world's longest toboggan run in the neighbouring Wildkogel Arena offer additional fun.

Kitzbüheler Alpen

Kitzbüheler Alpen offers practice lifts and magic carpets for infants, as well as 400 kilometres of blue pistes for family skiing. Families can take a break from the slopes and join a guided family hike or take photos at designated photo points.

St. Johann in Salzburg

St. Johann in Salzburg has 16 specialised family accommodation properties and a "ski in ski out" region with wide and clearly laid-out slopes. Off the slopes, families can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides and exciting toboggan runs.

Bad Kleinkirchheim

Bad Kleinkirchheim is a laid-back ski resort in southern Austria, offering easy to moderate descents, four ski schools, and a "ski kindergarten" for children aged three and above. Additional activities include snow-shoe hiking, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and tobogganing. The region's Thermal Römerbad spa is also family-friendly, offering a special children's area.

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn offers 270 kilometres of ski slopes, with 140 kilometres of blue pistes. The resort has ski schools and ski kindergartens, teaching children of all ages. Two dedicated toboggan runs, one of which requires toboggans with brakes, provide fun away from the ski pistes.

Ski Amadé

Ski Amadé is a network of 25 ski resorts, offering something for everyone. It has specialised family accommodation, holiday deals, and designated children's ski areas. Families can also enjoy tobogganing, ice skating, and hot-air balloon rides.

Bohemian Forest

The Bohemian Forest in northern Austria is a quaint, off-the-beaten-path ski resort. Children aged 10 and under pay only €3 for their lift ticket, and the region has two dedicated kids' parks and the world's first comic book slalom course.

Austria's ski resorts provide a range of options for families, from gentle slopes for beginners to exciting activities like tobogganing and snowshoe hiking. With world-class ski schools and a variety of family-friendly accommodations, Austria is an ideal destination for a winter holiday with kids.

Hiking and swimming

Austria is a great destination for families, offering breathtaking landscapes, exciting activities, and a relaxed way of life. The country's mountains and lakes provide the perfect setting for outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming.

Hiking

Austria's impressive mountain peaks and calm lake regions offer a variety of hiking trails for families. The country's alpine pastures, high-altitude routes, and themed trails provide a unique and diverse experience. The Salzkammergut region, for example, has over 65 bodies of water and numerous hiking trails, especially for children. The Salzburger Pinzgau region boasts around 1,800 managed alpine pastures with countless hiking trails through beautiful and intact natural landscapes.

For families looking for a challenge, the Tyrolean Alps offer a mountain adventure with high-altitude trails and nature trails. The E5: Mini-Transalp for families takes hikers on family-friendly daily stages with educational nature trails.

Austria also has many designated family trails with interactive stations, playgrounds, and picnic spots. The Streif Panorama Trail, for instance, explores the famous Hahnenkamm trail with 9 interactive stations based on the real race track. The Mutspuren Circular Trail in St. Anton am Arlberg features interactive learning stations, water games, amazing views, and a gondola ride. The Tux River Adventure Walk in Zillertal includes a curved slide, a dwarf forest, a butterfly flight cable car, and an adventure barn.

Swimming

Austria's abundant lakes and swimming spots provide the perfect opportunity for families to cool off and have fun. Lake Hallstatt, one of the most popular day trips from Salzburg, offers a scenic loop trail that takes hikers around the lake and up to lofty heights on the brine pipeline route. The Hintersteiner See in Tyrol is another family-friendly circular hike that leads to one of the cleanest and most beautiful mountain lakes in the region. Fed by natural underground springs, the lake offers a refreshing swim after a stroll along the shore.

The Salzkammergut region, known for its beautiful lakes, also has family-friendly hiking trails. The Salzkammergut Rivers & Lakes for Families trip takes hikers on an 8-day journey through this unique landscape. The crystal-clear lakes offer a delightful swimming experience, with the opportunity to taste freshly caught fish.

In summary, Austria offers a wealth of hiking and swimming opportunities for families, with varied landscapes, interactive trails, and refreshing swims in crystal-clear lakes. These activities provide a fun and memorable way for children to connect with nature while also enjoying the country's cultural and historical offerings.

Amusement parks

Austria has plenty of amusement parks to keep the kids entertained. Here are some of the best:

Prater

One of the world's oldest amusement parks, Prater is home to around 250 rides and attractions suitable for all ages. From the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel offering stunning views of Vienna, to the thrilling rollercoaster Black Mamba, there is something for everyone. The park is in season from March to October, with several attractions, including the Ferris Wheel, open all year round.

Familypark

Austria's oldest theme park, Familypark is nestled in the green hills near Lake Neusiedl. Covering a huge area, the park offers 29 rides across four different theme worlds: Experience Castle, Fairy Tale Forest, The Farm, and Adventure Island. There are also experience zones, water games, music theatres, playgrounds, and restaurants serving Austrian dishes and light bites.

Triassic Park

Take the cable car up to the Triassic Park below the Steinplatte summit in Waidring for a prehistoric adventure. The park features a museum with dinosaur fossils and interactive educational panels, a four-kilometre educational trail with dinosaur models and fossils, a mountain adventure playground, and a beach with a slide and pond for cooling off.

Summer Fun Park Fiss

At 1,812 metres above sea level, the Summer Fun Park in Fiss offers plenty of attractions, including a large sandpit, a water playground, and the Fisser Flieger, where you can fly like Superman. Older children and adults can also try the Skyswing or the bobsleigh.

Ellmi's Magical World

Take the cable car up to the top of Hartkaiser in Ellmau to discover the magical world of Ellmi the Frog. The mountain adventure park includes a rope park, a lookout tower, a goblin ship, climbing walls, a maze, a giant swing, trampolines, and a water playground. There are also botanical gardens and educational trails where you can learn about the local flora and fauna.

Experience Park Zirbenpark Hochzeiger

This park, located at an altitude of around 2,000 metres on top of Hochzeiger in Pitztal, features a kilometre-long educational trail where you can learn about the Swiss pine, a 12-metre observation tower with a 16-metre slide, a water playground, and a mountain trike track.

Castles and palaces

Austria is brimming with centuries-old castles and palaces that will make you feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale. With around 1,000 castles and palaces scattered across the country, there's no shortage of majestic bastions of history to explore. Here are some of the most notable castles and palaces in Austria:

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg Imperial family and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can tour the private apartments of Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz Joseph, and also explore the world's oldest zoo, located on the palace grounds.

Belvedere Palace, Vienna

The former residence of Prince Eugene, Belvedere Palace houses works by renowned artists such as Klimt, Schiele, and Kokoschka in a magnificent baroque setting.

Hofburg Palace, Vienna

Once the imperial residence and centre of Vienna, Hofburg Palace is now home to several museums and the National Library.

Hermes Villa, Vienna

Hermes Villa was built as a hunting lodge by Emperor Franz Joseph for his wife, Empress Elisabeth, in an effort to keep her in Vienna for longer.

Ambras Castle, Innsbruck

Ambras Castle is a Renaissance castle that overlooks the beautiful city of Innsbruck. It houses the Habsburg Portrait Gallery, one of the most extensive glass collections in the world, and the Chamber of Art and Curiosities, which dates back to the 16th century.

Kufstein Fortress, Kufstein

Kufstein Fortress is known for hosting cultural events and for housing the world's largest outdoor organ, the Heldenorgel.

Tratzberg Castle, Tyrol

Tratzberg Castle is a stunning example of late Gothic and early Renaissance architecture. Visitors can take guided tours or embark on virtual reality time travels to experience the castle's rich history.

Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg

Towering over the Old Town of Salzburg, Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest fully preserved castles in Central Europe. It houses the world's oldest working barrel organ, which is operated three times a day.

Mirabell Palace, Salzburg

Built in 1606, Mirabell Palace boasts beautiful palace gardens in the heart of Salzburg. It has romantic associations, as it was constructed by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress, Salome Alt. The palace and its gardens were also featured in the musical film "The Sound of Music."

Hellbrunn Palace, Salzburg

Located on 60 acres of land in Salzburg, Hellbrunn Palace is famous for its trick fountains located throughout the vast gardens.

These are just a few examples of the many castles and palaces that Austria has to offer. Each one provides a glimpse into the country's rich history and cultural heritage, making them ideal destinations for families seeking educational and entertaining experiences.

Zoos and aquariums

Austria is a paradise for families seeking culture and adventure, with plenty of child-friendly attractions. Here is a guide to some of the best zoos and aquariums the country has to offer.

Tiergarten Schoenbrunn - Zoo Vienna

Located in Vienna, Tiergarten Schoenbrunn is the oldest zoo in the world still in operation, dating back to 1752. It has been voted Europe's best zoo several times and is the perfect place for a family outing. The zoo is home to a diverse range of animals, including penguins, orangutans, and koalas, with around 600 species in total. It is set within the beautiful and historic Schoenbrunn Palace grounds, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The zoo is open daily and offers a unique opportunity to explore different habitats, from the arctic to the tropics.

Haus Des Meeres Zoo

Also in Vienna, the Haus Des Meeres Zoo is a large aquarium housed within a former anti-aircraft tower. This unique setting offers a 360-degree view of the marine life, including sharks, on some floors. While the layout can be a little confusing, with multiple staircases and lifts, the array of animals and sea life on display is impressive.

Lainzer Tiergarten

The Lainzer Tiergarten in Vienna offers beautiful walking trails and is a great place to spend time outdoors with the family. It has a parking area and is easily accessible.

Zoo Schmiding

Zoo Schmiding, located in the heart of Upper Austria, is a wildlife park with a keen focus on conservation. It is part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The zoo has a wide variety of animals, including giraffes, tigers, gorillas, crocodiles, and rhinos. It also features the world's largest walk-through aviary, with colourful songbirds and raptors. The zoo has indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds and a petting zoo, creating a blend of play and learning for children. There is also a separate aquarium section with freshwater and marine life, including reef sharks and surgeonfish.

Salzburg Zoo

The Salzburg Zoo is highly recommended for families and is included in the Salzburg Card. It features large, natural enclosures built into the side of a hill and is a manageable size for a family outing.

Haus der Natur

Also in Salzburg, the Haus der Natur is a large, expansive museum with a heavy focus on animals. It has numerous exhibits that will entertain and educate children, and it is located near the Toy Museum, which offers a great indoor play area for kids.

Frequently asked questions