3 days ago
Why this Austrian mountain town is the perfect summer escape
Set amid the Tyrolean Alps between Salzburg and Innsbruck, Kitzbühel is mostly known as an exclusive winter resort, with 85 years of World Cup skiing. Yet this isn't a town to rest on its snow-covered laurels. Instead of shutting up shop at the sight of a blooming crocus, Kitzbühel shakes off the frost to begin a flowering of its own — as a warm-weather hotspot. With its astounding mountain hikes, pristine golf courses, and top tennis tournaments, here's how to enjoy its warm-weather pursuits.
Kitzbühel features more than 600 miles of extraordinary mountain hiking trails, from leisurely hour-long strolls around the still waters of Schwarzsee to tougher treks across the craggy peaks of Gebra to the south. Those seeking a mountain climb with an edge can use via ferratas (metal cables with rungs and ladders secured to the rock) to explore Kitzbühel's higher elevations. This includes the Kitzbüheler Horn, which offers panoramic views of the Kaiser, Lofer and Leogang mountains. Avid climbers flock to the region for its challenging routes, taking anywhere from one to six hours to ascend, as well as to traverse sheer rock faces and cross churning gorges whilst canyoning. Alternatively, visitors can switch to two wheels to tackle the bike trails — the longest being the Hahnenkamm Flow Trail stretching over four miles — or, soar high above the town thanks to year-round tandem paragliding, run by outfitters including Element3.
In a country with more than 25,000 bodies of water, it's no surprise Kitzbühel offers open-water swimming aplenty. Those seeking a crystalline pool to cool down in should head to Schwarzsee. It's the king of Kitzbühel's bathing lakes, where travellers can soak in deep mineral waters against a backdrop of forest-fringed Alpine beauty — and it's only a half-hour walk from town. Another popular swimming spot is Gieringer Weiher, located in the scenic Bichlach hiking and biking area. Meanwhile, the Jochberg swimming pool is a favourite with families, thanks to its waterslide and separate baby wading pool.
It's tee time all the time in Kitzbühel, with no fewer than four championship golf courses within a five-minute drive of town. Its two main golfing hotspots are Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith, an 18-hole course with curved terrain and majestic mountain panoramas, and Eichenheim Kitzbühel-Aurach, a scenic par-71 course featuring sheer rock faces and thick deciduous forests. The latter also has one of the area's most luxurious spa hotels, Grand Tirolia Hotel Kitzbühel. The town also has two nine-hole courses close to the city centre. This includes the par-70 Golfclub Kitzbühel, located on grounds of Kaps Castle, and the Red Bull Golf course at the Rasmushof Hotel, situated at the foot of the Hahnenkamm mountain. Venture further into Tyrol and you'll find several more exceptional golf courses. While they vary in length and difficulty, you're guaranteed lush fairways set amid epic Alpine landscapes.
While Kitzbühel's sprawling nature is a big draw, don't forgo exploring the town itself. Stroll its cobbled medieval streets to admire the architecture, including the ornate Hotel Goldener Greif, previously an old Tyrolean inn; the striking stained glass found in the 14th-century St Catherine's church; and the rococo chapel of Pfarrkirche St Andreas. Immerse yourself in local folklore at the Museum Kitzbühel, which takes visitors from the region's Bronze Age mining history to its iconic skiing offerings. Those in need of retail therapy should stop by the Kitz Galleria, a series of boutiques stocking luxury clothing, or tuck into kaiserschmarrn, sugary shredded pancakes found in cosy streetside cafes like Schatzi. To get a taste of Kitzbühel's fine dining scene, head to Tennerhof, an award-winning restaurant set within a Relais & Châteaux Alpine property of the same name. Or try one of Kitzbühel's two Michelin-starred restaurants: Les Deux serves modern French dishes, while Berggericht offers four or six-course set menus drawing on Tyrolean influences. Mocking das Wirtshaus, located at the foot of the challenging Streif downhill ski slope, has also received a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for its stellar Austrian cuisine.
Throughout the summer in Kitzbühel, there are plenty of seasonal events for travellers to experience. In terms of sports, the town is home to the Generali Open Kitzbühel tennis tournament, which takes place every July at the Kitzbühel tennis stadium at Kapserfeld, the largest of its kind in Austria. Meanwhile, at the tail end of the season in September, the region hosts the Kitzbüheler Cycling Marathon and Kitzbühel Triathlon. The summer months also bring together the dynamic sounds of Kitzbühel, with festivals including June's pop-heavy Schlagerbooom, July's opera-inclined Kitzbühel Klassik and August's rock-laden Kitzbühel Music Festival. Plus, on Thursdays evenings in July and August, the town comes together for food, drinks and live music at Pura Vida. In August, visitors can also hear traditional music at live performances across the town during the 'Jahrmarkt' festival, which marks its 99th annual celebration in 2025. Motorsports enthusiasts should consider visiting in June, when the town welcomes the thrilling vintage car rally, Kitzbüheler Alpenrallye, while the final weekend of August is reserved for the KITZ Kulinarik food festival — a delicious send off to Kitzbuhel's stacked festival season.
This paid content article was created for Kitzbühel Tourismus. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
