Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
Small-town Austria
Take in the mountain air and a slower pace of life in Austria’s lake, Alpine and spa towns
Best for: Food, architecture, hiking, outdoors, shopping Why go: Scattered across mountain areas and beyond, Austria’s small towns have a charm all of their own, with a boutique feel and no shortage of that cosy feeling of welcome known as gemütlichkeit Route: Kitzbühel; St Johann in Tirol; Zell am See; St Johann im Pongau; St Gilgen; Bad Ischl
Start in Kitzbühel, one of the most beautiful of Austria’s small Alpine towns. Its centre is a mix of cobbled streets and colourful facades, small galleries and cafés.the Kitzbühel Museum is a good place to learn more about the town, the surrounding region and its history. Then head up to the pretty Baroque town of St Johann in Tirol, the gateway to the great outdoor playground of thewilder Kaiser.
Continue by train to Zell am See, which sits on the shore of Lake Zell and below the arc of mountains formed by the Schmittenhöhe. From the pretty town centre, walk down to the lakeside, where you can take a boat tour, rent an SUP or have a swim at one of the lidos. From here, take the train to St Johann im Pongau, where you can visit the prominent Neo-gothic cathedral and the small-but-hardy Anna Chapel, which dates back to the 14th century.the local farm shop has a fantastic array of cheese, honey and schnapps from over 25 local producers.the number-one hike in the area is the sensational Liechtensteinklamm Gorge.
Take the train to Salzburg, then hop on a bus to St Gilgen. Of all the towns in the Salzkammergut region, this is one of the loveliest, and sits on the western shore of Wolfgangsee. Its main square is surrounded by traditional inns and hotels with geraniums spilling over wooden balconies.you can take a boat to the town of Stwolfgang, then switch to the Schafberg Railway to ride up to just below the summit of Schafberg.
Finally, continue by bus to Bad Ischl. This bijou spa town was once the summer residence of Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Sisi, and still carries an imperial air.visit the Kaiservilla, enjoy a spa, or simply stop at a riverside café for coffee and irresistible Austrian cakes.
While you’re in Zell am See, take the K-onnection cable car (pictured) from nearby Kaprun up Kitzsteinhorn. At 12km, it’s the longest continuous cable car axis in the Eastern Alps, and you can also join a tour with a national park guide, who will explain the different climatic zones on the way up.the landscape you’ll take in from the viewing platform, just below the 3,203m summit, is worth it, as you breathe in the grand sweep of high peaks, including Grossglockner (3,798m), It’s simply unforgettable. kitzsteinhorn.at/en