I know that Tyrol is in vogue in the wintertime, but the summer season should not be left behind either.
We decided to spend a week in Tyrol at the beginning of June. Some of the advantages being:
- the excellent weather.
- by avoiding the months of July-August, the accommodation is cheaper and the resorts are not so crowded.
After many researchers on the internet, we chose Kitzbühel, a small Alpine town east of Innsbruck, with many beautiful sights, mountain trails, and lakes nearby, perfect to fill our time in a week.
The accommodation was at the Austria Trend Hotel Schloß Lebenberg, where we paid 120 € per night with breakfast included. One of the main reasons for choosing this hotel was the indoor pool on the top floor, which offers panoramic views over the entire resort.
To justify the gain, the same room in August was listed at 200 € per night.
The weather
Ever since we started tracking the weather in Kitzbühel, it didn’t seem like we were gonna be lucky to see the sun, just non-stop rain. We prepared with jackets, pants, and sweaters.
The reality was different. We got some short rains especially after lunch, but nothing that disturbed us from our itinerary. The temperature was close to 30 °C during the day, even in early June.
We had an amazing holiday, one to remember over the years, hard to top, to be honest.
Without any other further ado, here are the best things you can visit in Tyrol in the summer:
Kufstein Fortress
35 km from Kitzbühel, from the top of the Kufstein Fortress, you have the most beautiful view of the town with the same name.
Kufstein Fortress served as a prison for political dissidents during the Austro-Hungarian time. Today, the fortress houses the city’s museum and holds concerts and other events throughout the year.
Take the glass elevator to the top of the fortress, visit the museum’s exhibits, and enjoy the amazing views over the city.
Entrance fee: 12.5 € adults, 7.5 € children, and students. Also, don’t miss walking the chic, clean and tidy streets of the city.
As a means of relaxation, a boat trip on the lake is a great choice. We chose Schwarzsee because it was close to our hotel: 30 minutes – 10 €.
Lake Achensee
Lake Achensee is the largest lake in Tyrol. The five surrounding villages are located in the fascinating mountain landscape of the Karwendel and Rofan mountains in the heart of the Alps. The region is a very popular destination both in the summer and in winter. The lake’s color in some areas is a perfect turquoise, excellent for baths.
Here we chose to visit the resort Pertisau and Maurach:
In Pertisau, StrandBar offers a wide range of drinks and tasty dishes with a great view of the lake.
Swarovski Kristallwelten
Since its opening in 1995, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens have been on Austria’s list of most visited attractions.
The Crystal World was created by Austrian artist André Heller to mark Swarovski’s 100th anniversary. In an amazing wonder garden, the head of a giant throwing water into a pond greets you in this fantastic playground.
The ‘wow’ factor of the enchanting gardens is the Crystal Cloud floating above a black mirrored pool – this mystical masterpiece is covered with 800,000 hand-mounted Swarovski crystals.
Inside the iconic giant head, you will find an underground labyrinth with 16 crystal rooms that amaze and amuse the spectators with interesting, complicated, colorful, and surprising installations. Throughout the year, Swarovski Crystal Worlds provides a bright backdrop for evenings with outstanding events. Price: 19 €/adult. Visit their page as well for more information. Allow at least 2-3 hours to visit.
Museum of Tyrolean Farms
The museum is located in a rural setting in the Kramsach area. Due to the museum’s involvement, various houses were preserved, some almost 600 years old (the whole house being moved from its place of origin to the museum). This way, you can get an excellent view of the lifestyle back then.
The museum was established in 1974 and occupies an eight-hectare site. Each building has a detailed description in English and there is also a newly developed application that explains different aspects of each house. Price: 10 €/adult. For more information check out their website.
This was by far one of the most beautiful experiences in Tyrol. Every step reminded me of my childhood and grandparents, and in some houses, I still felt the smell of food being made on the hearth.
Wildpark Aurach
Located in the heart of the Kitzbüheler Alps, at 1,100 m above sea level, Wildpark Aurach is a paradise of nature and animals.
In a natural habitat of 40 hectares, home to more than 200 different native and exotic animals, you will have the best experience where you get to walk along with small animals in an open area with barriers that are designed to create an environment almost totally free of bars and cages. It is an amazing experience for both children and adults to admire animals in their natural habitat and not in cages. The best time to go is around 2.00 pm to catch the 2.30 pm feeding time.
Price: 9 €/adult.
Zell am See
Zell am See-Kaprun is located in the Pinzgau region of Salzburg. The two villages, Zell am See and Kaprun are the heart of the region. Kaprun is famous for the Gressen Kitzsteinhorn ski area.
Lake Zell is perfect for water sports. In winter, you can skate on the shining ice, and in summer, the lake invites you to an exceptional holiday with bathing, kayaking, or a comfortable boat trip.
Kundler Klamm
For a short and easy hike, we choose the Kundler keys. It’s one of the most beautiful natural keys in Austria. With a length of 3.5 km, it is ideal for young people, the elderly, and families with small children as well. Even with a stroller, the route is easily accessible. For more information check out this website.
Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel, one of the largest and most famous winter resorts in Austria, is located in a beautiful valley at the foot of the Kitzbüheler Horn. Here you can explore some of the most amazing alpine scenery in Austria, especially around the Kitzbühel Alps. It’s a pleasure walking around the streets, admiring the architecture of the buildings, and relaxing on one of the many bars and restaurants in the center area. Kitzbühel was an inspired choice for accommodation.
There is no doubt that Tyrol is an incredible area, whether you choose to visit it in winter or summer. Be prepared to be amazed by the panoramic views at every corner, because Tyrol has it all: good food, hospitality, fresh air, and a relaxed vibe.
Check out also our trip to Salzkammergut, where we explore the Salzburg region lakes.
Have and amazing day!
Andreea
