Ten Places in Tirol You Simply Have to Visit in 2024
As we get ready to enter a new year, we have asked the authors who write for our blog to give us their personal tips on places in Tirol you simply have to visit in 2024. Scroll down to find out more.
1. Matzen Castle: A Time Capsule in the Lower Inn Valley
Category: Site of interest
Best time of year: All year
Region: Alpbachtal Valley
Once a home to nobility, Matzen Castle is today a popular visitor attraction at the eastern end of the Inn Valley between St. Gertraudi and Brixlegg. As well as the castle itself, it is known for its park. These vast grounds were created in the 19th century in an English garden style on what was at the time swampland and today boast an impressive range of exotic trees and ponds.
Just a short walk away is Gut Matzen, a café and restaurant housed in a building dating from the 16th century. Under the management of Michael Oberwalder, who has worked as a chef in places including New York and Munich, the restaurant offers an exquisite selection of savoury dishes and cakes. A meal here is not cheap, but the atmosphere and view of Matzen Castle are well worth it.
The castle itself, which has played host to famous people including former US President Theodore Roosevelt, is now a luxury hotel with a spa area in the castle keep. The nearby children's playground makes the park an ideal destination for families. The ponds contain carp, ducks and even turtles.
The park is special to me as it has been a place for leisurely Sunday walks since I was a child. As an adult, it offers me a pleasant break from emails, meetings and MS teams. A great place for a nice stroll.
– Klaus
2. Airtime at Area47
Catgory: Swimming
Best time of year: May until October
Region: Ötztal Valley
Area47 has developed a reputation as one of the leading outdoor adventure parks in the Alps. My two sons have been asking me for ages to take them there. Now they have reached the minimum age and height for the Water Area I look forward to sliding, swimming and "blobbing" with them there soon. Let's see how many of their teenage friends I have to take along with me!
– Julia
3. Out of This World: After-Work Ski Touring Near Innsbruck
Category: Ski tour
Best time of year: November until March (depending on snow cover)
Region: Innsbruck
The Patscherkofel mountain south of Innsbruck is just a short drive or bus ride from the city, making it an ideal place for an after-work ski tour. From the bottom station of the cable car there is a well-maintained route up to the to of the mountain which can be used by ski-touring enthusiasts. The huge red-and-white TV antenna and moon-like domed summit of the mountain will make you feel like you are out of this world when you get to the top.
– Verena
4. My Favourite Place: Piburger See Lake
Category: Swimming
Best time of year: May until September
Region: Ötztal Valley
The Piburger See lake is one of my favourite spots in Tirol. It has a unique mix of natural beauty, peace and quiet, and plenty to see and do. The great views, clear water and surrounding mountains make for a very special and enchanting atmosphere.
The lake offers me the opportunity to relax in the midst of unspoilt nature and at the same time deepen my love of the forest and water.
The leisure activities on offer, be it swimming, boating, walks along the shore or a meal at the local restaurant, contribute to making the Piburger See lake a very special place for me. Here I can find the perfect balance between action and relaxation and simply enjoy the beauty of nature.
Want a few more facts about the Piburger See lake? Here you go!
– Christina
5. Go Veggie: The Neue Regensburger Hütte
Category: Hiking
Best time of year: Early June until mid-October
Region: Stubaital Valley
It takes 5.5 kilometres, 1,050 metres of altitude gain and countless cute cows to reach the first vegetarian hut in Tirol. The Neue Regensburger Hütte is one of the main huts on the Stubai High Trail, but is also well worth a day trip. From Falbeson, the trail winds its way up to a waterfall and past the Falbesoner Ochsenalm (which you should definitely pay a visit to). Once we arrived at the hut, we were rewarded with a mix of traditional, Nepalese and modern cuisine – all vegetarian and regional. Brave souls can jump into the super-cold lake next to the hut. Brrrr!
6. Sunny Side Up: Rangger Köpfl Mountain
Category: Hiking
Best time: September & October
Region: Innsbruck
While the Nockspitze mountain near Innsbruck has become one of the most popular peaks for city-slickers keen to watch the sun rise in the mountains, just a few kilometres away there is another summit no less beautiful where things are much quieter. The Rangger Köpfl rises as a modest hill with a completely unobstructed view over the Inn Valley. A 1.5-hour hike leads almost directly uphill from the car park to the top of the mountain. A great spot to enjoy a sunrise in the mountains without sharing the moment with 100 other people.
This mountain even forgives the classic beginner's mistake of getting to the summit after the sun has risen – late-arrivers will be pleased to know that the sunrise can also be seen from the car park!
- Start: Car park at Stiglreith, above Oberperfuss
- Walking time: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Vertical ascent: 533 vertical metres
- Breakfast can be enjoyed at the Rosskogelhütte hut
– Elena
7. Kraftalm Hut in Itter
Catgory: Food & drink
Best time of year: All year round
Region: Kitzbühel
The Kraftalm in Itter is well worth a visit in both summer and winter. It is located at 1,355 metres above sea level and offers fine views of the region.
The hut is has been run by the Hölzl family for 130 years.
Today it is sisters Marion and Evelyn Hölzl who are in charge of things – the fourth generation of their family – and completely renovated the hut in 2021.
All the food is good, but I particularly recommend the apple strudel (the recipe has been passed down through the family for many years).
– Andrea
8. A Safari in the Alps
Category: Hiking
Best time: May until October
Region: Karwendel Mountains
Even for people who spend a lot of time in the mountains, seeing an ibex in real life remains a rare experience. For those who, like me, enjoy spotting animals in their natural environment, I therefore recommend a hike to the Sonnjoch (2457 metres) or Hahnkampl (2080 metres) in the Karwendel Mountains, where the chances of bumping into an ibex out on the trails is higher than in most other places in Tirol.
Both mountains also offer fine views of the Rofan Mountains, Karwendel Mountains and Lake Achensee. The hikes begin at the Gramaialm hut with its garden, petting zoo and souvenir shop. This charming hut is an excellent place for families in summer and winter. It also serves great local food. If you get hungry en route then you can also stop for a snack at the Gramai-Hochleger.
– Johanna
9. Roadbike Riding in the Zillertal Valley
Category: Roadbike
Best time of year: April until October
Region: Zillertal Valley
The Zillertal Valley is home to many side valleys (known as "Gründe"). In one of them, the Stillupgrund, roadbike riders will find excellent riding and hearty food served at the Grüne-Wand-Hütte. I also recommend a ride up to the reservoir in the Zillergrund. These are two of the most beautiful rides in Tirol and just a small taste of the outstanding options on offer in the valley (Schlegeisspeicher, Hintertux, Gerlospass, Hochfügen, Kerschbaumer Sattel).
Ambitious riders looking for a challenge should head for the Zillertal High Road with its outrageously steep gradients outrageously beautiful views. It is more enjoyable, but no less beautiful, to simply cruise down from village to village along side roads in the valley and stop off at the Gasthof Linde in Stumm, for example. For a multi-day roadbike trip to the Zillertal Valley, I recommend the Explorer Hotel in Kaltenbach as a base camp. It offers a breakfast that is geared towards the needs of riders as well as lockers and tools for your bike plus a spa area on the top floor.
– Jannis
10. Cross-Country Skiing by the Lake
Category: Cross-country skiing
Best time: As soon as there is enough snow ;)
Region: Lake Achensee
Travelling to Lake Achensee take a little time, but the journey is well worth it. My personal cross-country skiing tip is Steinberg am Rofan.
The best time to hit the trails is early in the morning, just after sunrise. As the first rays of sunshine flash through the woods onto the trail, my heart beats faster – and not just because of the exertion! Cross-country skiers who appreciate tranquillity and an idyllic setting will love the options available in Steinberg am Rofan. You may even be lucky enough to come across foxes, hares, deer and stags when skiing in the morning or late at night.
– Max
