Ruqayyah Snyder
The Austrian Alps are a majestic wonder, with dramatic cities, historic sites, and incredible natural landscapes. The range stretches across the country, from the peaks of Grossglockner and Wildspitze to the lakeside village of Hallstatt and the Alpine town of Alpbach. The capital of Tyrol is a great base for exploring the Austrian Alps, with its cable cars and winding alleys. The old town of Innsbruck is also a charming destination, with medieval paved streets and Baroque architecture. For outdoor lovers, the Austrian Alps offer a range of activities such as hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. The area is also known for its food, with classic Tyrolean cuisine, including cheese dumplings and gröstl, as well as the ubiquitous Wiener schnitzel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Activities | Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, ziplining, rafting, rock climbing, sledding, swimming, cycling, kayaking, sailing, paddleboating, waterskiing |
| Attractions | Swarovski Crystal World, Maria-Theresien Strasse, Golden Roof, Ambras Castle, Bergisel Ski Jump, Hungerburg Funicular, Hintersteinsee (Hinterstein Lake), Hohe Salve, Asterbergsee, Old Town Innsbruck, Christmas Markets, Neuschwanstein Castle, Lake Zell, Lake Worthersee, Schmittenhohe, Grossglockner, Untersberg, Kitzsteinhorn, Eisriesenwelt, Krimml Falls |
| Accommodation | Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Carinzia, Hotel Zach, MoaAlm, luxury hotels and chalets in Lech |
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What You'll Learn
Explore the cities of Innsbruck and Salzburg
Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, is a great base for exploring the Austrian Alps. The city boasts charming medieval architecture, picturesque river walks, and stunning alpine scenery. Take the Hungerburg funicular up the mountains, and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. While in Innsbruck, visit the iconic Golden Roof, explore the historic old town, and discover the local zoo, the highest in Europe. Adventure seekers can try skiing, hiking, or even dog sledding in the nearby Ötztal Valley.
Innsbruck also offers cultural attractions such as the Grassmayr bell foundry, where you can learn about the history of bell-making and try ringing some bells. The city has a vibrant Turkish community, with several notable Turkish restaurants. The "Welcome to Innsbruck" Card provides free access to public transport and museums, along with discounts on various attractions.
Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, is known for its rich history and cultural offerings. The city is famous for its association with Mozart, and you can visit the Mozart museums to learn more about his life and work. Take a stroll through the historic old town, admire the Baroque architecture, and explore the Christmas markets, where you can find handmade chocolates and traditional crafts.
Salzburg also offers a range of outdoor activities, including parasailing, paragliding, river rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding. Visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Hellbrunn Palace, and Schloss Mirabell & Mirabellgarten for a glimpse into the city's grand past. The Salzburg Card provides free or discounted admission to many attractions and free use of public transportation.
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Visit the ski resorts of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and Nassfeld
The Austrian Alps offer a wide range of activities for visitors, from skiing and snowboarding to exploring historic castles and strolling through charming old towns. Two popular ski resorts in the region are Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and Nassfeld, each offering its unique attractions and advantages.
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is a ski resort located in Tyrol, Austria, renowned for its winter sports facilities and picturesque setting. The resort comprises three historic villages perched on a sunny plateau above the Upper Inn Valley, surrounded by majestic 3,000-metre peaks. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis offers a diverse selection of slopes catering to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, from beginners to experts. The resort also boasts extensive facilities for families and children, as well as action-packed attractions for thrill-seekers. Visitors can explore the "Höhlenwelt" in Fiss, which promises new adventures with its additional stations and extended routes. After a day on the slopes, guests can indulge in culinary delights at the various mountain huts and restaurants scattered throughout the resort.
Nassfeld
Nassfeld ski resort, located in Carinthia, Austria, is known for its charming atmosphere and diverse offerings. With 110 kilometres of slopes suitable for all levels of difficulty, Nassfeld caters to both beginner and advanced skiers and snowboarders. The resort features 29 state-of-the-art cable cars and lifts, providing easy access to the mountains and ensuring more time on the slopes. Nassfeld also boasts 24 mountain huts and restaurants serving regional delicacies and Mediterranean dishes. The resort enjoys a favourable location near Italy, resulting in a unique microclimate with plenty of sunshine. Visitors can also enjoy various activities beyond skiing and snowboarding, such as sledging, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Nassfeld's proximity to Italy allows guests to experience a blend of Austrian congeniality and Italian leisureliness.
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Discover the old towns of Innsbruck and Salzburg
Salzburg's Old Town, one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps, is a must-see for anyone visiting the Austrian Alps. The Old Town, with its backdrop of snow-capped mountains, elegant Baroque architecture, and narrow cobblestone streets, is sure to charm you. Most of the city's tourist attractions are concentrated here, making it easy to explore. Take a stroll down Getreidegasse, the city's most famous and busy shopping street, and don't miss Mozart's birthplace, with its canary-yellow façade and musical instruments on display. Explore the passageways off the main street to discover beautiful hidden courtyards and the ancient St. Peter's Cemetery, where notable figures like Santino Solari and Michael Haydn are buried.
The Old Town of Salzburg, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a relaxed and romantic atmosphere. Enjoy the view of the city from the Love-Lock Bridge (Makartsteg) or wander along the River Salzach. Admire the Residenz, where prince-archbishops once held court, and explore the lavish Residence Square with its beautiful fountain. The Old Town is overlooked by the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which offers a panoramic view of the city.
Innsbruck's Old Town, on the other hand, offers a mix of history and modern attractions. The Golden Roof, with its 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, is the town's most famous landmark and a symbol of Innsbruck. Take a stroll down Maria Theresa Street to experience the essence of Innsbruck, with its well-preserved 17th and 18th-century houses. Climb the 148 stairs to the top of the Innsbruck City Tower for a 360-degree view of the town and the surrounding mountains. Don't forget to visit the Court Church, which holds the tomb of Tyrol's national hero, Andreas Hofer.
End your tour of Innsbruck's Old Town with a carriage ride through the medieval streets. Quench your thirst at the Marktplatz, where you can also capture stunning photos of the colourful houses against the mountain backdrop along the Inn River. If you're visiting during the Christmas season, don't miss the Christmas market in the town square, where you can admire the giant Christmas tree and browse handmade chocolates and traditional crafts.
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Hike the Hohe Tauern National Park and Dorfertal Valley
The Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest national park in Austria and one of the largest in Europe. It covers parts of the provinces of Tyrol, Salzburg, and Carinthia and is home to a unique alpine landscape with glaciers, waterfalls, high alpine meadows, and impressive flora and fauna. The park offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, mountaineering, cycling, and wildlife watching.
One of the most popular hiking trails in the park is the hut hike that leads from the free hiking parking lot through the picturesque Dorfertal Valley. Along the way, you'll come across the refreshing Kalserbach stream and the Daberklamm gorge. After about 6 kilometres, you can stop for refreshments at the Kalser Tauernhaus. From here, it's not far to Lake Dorfer See, which is fed by glacier meltwater.
The Großglockner Loop is the longest trail in the park, estimated to be 66.8 miles long. This trail takes you through the majestic Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which offers incredible panoramic views of the high mountains. The road is only open in the summer and is subject to tolls, but you can also take the Glocknerbus to the starting point.
If you're looking for a challenging hike, the Innergschlöß glacier show trail in the Carinthian part of the park takes you through one of the most beautiful valley heads in the Eastern Alps and offers overwhelming views of the impressive glacier world of the Großvenediger. This trail requires some alpine hiking experience, as some passages involve using your hands.
The Hohe Tauern National Park truly offers something for every taste and ability, from leisurely strolls along idyllic paths to challenging mountain tours. The park's varied landscape of forests, mountain lakes, waterfalls, and glaciated peaks provides endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
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Enjoy the food, including Wiener schnitzel and Tyrolean cheese dumplings
When visiting the Austrian Alps, one of the must-do things is to indulge in the local cuisine, including the famous Wiener Schnitzel and Tyrolean cheese dumplings, also known as "Kaspressknödel".
Let's start with the Wiener Schnitzel, which is a national dish of Austria and a speciality of Viennese cuisine. It is made of thin, breaded, and pan-fried veal cutlets, with a unique preparation method that ensures a "wow" factor. The meat is carefully pounded, seasoned, and moistened before being coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. The secret to the perfect Wiener Schnitzel is to ensure that the breadcrumbs are not pressed down, allowing them to soufflé during cooking, resulting in a golden, crispy coating. It is then fried in clarified butter or plant oil, creating a delicious, juicy dish. Traditionally, it is served with a side of butterhead lettuce tossed with a sweetened vinaigrette dressing, along with options like chopped chives, onions, potato salad, cucumber salad, or parsley potatoes. In recent times, french fries have become a common accompaniment.
Now, onto the Tyrolean cheese dumplings, a staple of the region's cuisine. These delectable dumplings have a rich history, originating in the mountain huts and alpine pastures of Tyrol. The key to their authentic flavour lies in selecting the right cheese—a combination of tangy Graukäse and nutty Bergkäse is recommended. The dumplings are crispy on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside, making them a mouthwatering treat. They can be served in a variety of ways, such as in a soup or as a main course with a side salad or sauerkraut.
If you're in the mood for a culinary adventure, you can try making these dishes at home. For the Wiener Schnitzel, you'll need to follow the steps of pounding and seasoning the meat, coating it with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and then carefully frying it in hot fat or oil. As for the Tyrolean cheese dumplings, you'll start by sautéing onions and garlic in butter, followed by mixing them with dumpling bread, grated cheese, milk, eggs, and spices. Shape the mixture into dumplings, flatten them slightly, and then shallow fry them until golden brown.
Whether you choose to dine out or cook these dishes yourself, make sure to enjoy the unique flavours and cultural significance that the Wiener Schnitzel and Tyrolean cheese dumplings have to offer in the stunning backdrop of the Austrian Alps.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian Alps are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and cycling.
The Austrian Alps have many popular tourist attractions, including the historic cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck, the Swarovski Crystal World, the Golden Roof, Ambras Castle, and the Bergisel Ski Jump.
The Austrian Alps are known for their majestic mountains, such as the Grossglockner, Wildspitze, and Hafelekar Mountain. The Hohe Tauern National Park, with its alpine pastures and valleys, is also a must-visit.
The Austrian Alps offer a wealth of cultural experiences, including exploring gothic castles and abbeys, admiring Hapsburg palaces and cathedrals, and enjoying traditional Tyrolean cuisine in the old towns of Innsbruck and Salzburg.
For a unique experience, you can visit Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), Adolf Hitler's mountaintop chalet, or take a ride on the Hungerburg Funicular. You can also enjoy a concert or festival, such as the Salzburg Festival or Bregenzer Festspiele.
