Summer holidays in Austria: 7 places for your bucket list

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I still have a score to settle with Austria. Last year, the night train, hotel and dinner at the 3-star restaurant Amador were already booked for a short trip over Easter. But for the well-known reasons, our detour to Vienna fell through. Now, however, it is becoming apparent that there will be a reunion with Austria this year. Or rather, we are considering a ten-day “Tour d’Autriche” for mid-August.

While we are still in planning mode, I have put together seven places and experiences from past trips to Austria that have remained in my memory as inspiration for the upcoming summer holidays.

1. Patscherkofel – Swiss stone pine schnapps with a view

In the early summer of 2019, I explored the Innsbruck Trek for six days. The starting point of this flexibly configurable multi-day hike is the Alpine town of Innsbruck. And of course, a detour to Innsbruck’s local mountain – the Patscherkofel – should not be missing from the hiking program. At the end of 2017, the new Patscherkofelbahn was put into operation, which takes you from the outskirts of Igls up to the panoramic mountain in no time at all. There are many hiking opportunities up here. Particularly popular are the Zirbenweg in the direction of Tulfes or the Jochleitensteig around the summit.

However, the stone pines are not only the namesake of hiking trails with great views, but are also served in the Gipfelstube 300 metres above the mountain station of the Patscherkofelbahn (approx. 1 hour walking time) in the form of homemade schnapps. In addition, you will be served a magnificent view over Innsbruck and the opposite Nordkette. What more could you want?

2. Mountain hut idyll on the Angerer Alm

For three decades, the Angerer Alm high above St. Johann in Tirol has been known not only for its magnificent view of the Wilder Kaiser, but also for its excellent cuisine and well-stocked wine cellar. In 1989, Annemarie Foidl took over the reins of the alpine pasture, which her parents had leased the years before, and began to build up a wine list. Today, the president of the Austrian Sommelier Association, together with her daughter Katharina and her husband Gerald Weiss, takes care of the culinary well-being of the alpine guests.

I was inspired by the harmonious symbiosis between tradition, history and excellent regional cuisine almost from the very first minute. And it would almost be a shame if you just stopped here – although the Kaiserschmarrn served on the sun terrace tastes very fine, of course. The highlight here are the cute guest rooms (with shared bathroom) and the rich mountain breakfast, which is an experience in itself.

3. Enjoyable alpine hikes in the Navistal

The Navistal is one of the lesser-known Tyrolean side valleys. That’s what makes this area so charming. The valley is part of the tourist region of the Wipptal, which runs from Innsbruck along the Sill in a southerly direction and crosses the main Alpine ridge at the Brenner Pass. Just halfway between Innsbruck and Brenner, the Navistal branches off to the east and forms an approximately 10-kilometre-long end of the valley.

Due to the numerous managed alpine pastures, the Navistal is often called the “Valley of Alpine Pastures” and is at the same time a paradise for fans of leisurely hikes. A highlight is the Naviser Almrunde, which takes about five hours to walk through the pristine alpine cultural landscape and passes an incredible five alpine pastures/huts. And in all these places, delicious, homemade products are served. On the menus of the alpine pastures you will also find one or the other Austrian speciality that you will look for in vain elsewhere. My favourite are Maria Keuschnigg’s Buchteln on the Peeralm. The wonderfully fluffy yeast pastry competes with any Kaiserschmarrn.

4. Family paradise & biker mecca: on the road in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

In recent years, the Tyrolean holiday region of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has become one of the top destinations in the Alpine region, especially for families. Located not far from Landeck on a sun-drenched high plateau, the three mountain villages score with lots of sunshine, historic charm, a family-friendly infrastructure and plenty of activities on the mountain. The destination is ideal for a family holiday because everyone gets their money’s worth here: biking, hiking or fun and games in the adventure park – action is guaranteed. In addition, there is also a great range of accommodation for every taste. If you want to spend a relaxing wellness weekend, you are in good hands at the luxury Hotel Cervosa. For those who prefer it more casual, I can recommend the boutique hotel Das Marent. And the Löwe & Bär children’s hotels are very popular with families with high demands.

I have fond memories of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis not only because of the great hotels, but first and foremost because of a successful bike day from A to Z. I’m not the most daring, but our guide Stefan from the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis bike school led us so well that after a few “dry runs” I actually dared to go down the bike park and half a day later even on the varied single trails. Bike beginners are definitely in good hands here.

By the way, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis can be reached from Zurich in about 4.5 to 5.5 hours by public transport and is therefore also suitable for a long weekend.

5. Pure nature in East Tyrol

A somewhat longer journey is required for the detour to East Tyrol. The eastern part of the Austrian province is separated by Italian territory (South Tyrol) and Salzburg south of the high mountain group Hohe Tauern. But the seclusion and originality is exactly what makes East Tyrol so charming. The deceleration starts as soon as you arrive and at the latest when you check into the Gradonna Mountain Resort Châlets & Hotel at the foot of the Grossglockner, everything is under the sign of relaxation.

From the Lienz Dolomites to Alta Pusteria to the Hohe Tauern National Park region and the Defereggen Valley, there are countless excursion opportunities for hikers and bikers in East Tyrol. A hike or a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Gschlöss Valley – a side valley of the Tauern Valley (just under a 45-minute drive north of the Gradonna Mountain Resort) is particularly appealing. From the Matreier Tauernhaus at the entrance to the valley, it takes just under two hours on foot to the end of the valley, where you are almost directly in front of the imposing glacier wall of the Grossvenediger. For refreshments, we recommend a stop at the Venedigerhaus in the charming alpine settlement Innergschlöss. My tip: try the cheese spaetzle here.

6. Summer retreat at Lake Weissensee

If you ask me, Lake Weissensee is not only Carinthia’s highest swimming lake, but also its most beautiful. Seven years ago, I spent a few days in the region and somehow this wonderful, natural lake, which exudes almost Caribbean flair on sunny days, but is also extremely charming when cloudy, burned itself into my head. In 1995, the region was awarded the “European Prize for Tourism and the Environment” and declared a nature park and is considered a pioneer in the field of sustainable tourism.

With two-thirds of the shoreline undeveloped, an extensive network of hiking and biking trails and “motorless” water sports activities such as stand-up paddling and surfing, Lake Weissensee is the ideal holiday destination for those who focus on enjoying nature. It goes without saying that there is also a lot on offer here in terms of culinary delights. My favorite: the vegetarian restaurant of the beach hotel at Lake Weissensee.

7. Detour to the culinary capital of Graz

It is considered the culinary capital of Austria, at the same time bears the title of Unesco City of Design and has a lively cultural scene. Austria’s second-largest city – Graz – has some powerful arguments up its sleeve as to why a detour to the southeasternmost tip of Austria is worthwhile. A big plus here is the daily train connection, which connects Zurich directly with Graz. And where is the best place to enjoy yourself in the Capital of Pleasure? On one of the numerous culinary tours. Or take a leisurely stroll through the winding alleys of the old town. Because one thing is clear: hectic is a foreign word in Graz.

Well, whose mouth is watering after this post? In any case, I’m looking forward to the next culinary trip to Austria. You can find more tips and up-to-date travel information on the official website of Austria Tourism.