The record breaking 406 meter long suspension footbridge connects remarkable Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble with the remains of the 17th-century Roman Fortress Claudia in the market town of Reutte at a dizzying height of 110 meters. (Photography: Naturparkregion Reutte)
Obviously, there is very little to do in Tirol. There’s nothing really unique or interesting to see there. Don’t believe us? Let us count the ways.
2. And don’t even get me started on contemporary architecture. Yawn.
British Iraqi star architect Zaha Hadid’s Bergisel Ski Jump in Innsbruck. (Photography: Tirol Werbung)
3. There are no nice cafés here. Not a single one.
Austria’s Highest Coffee Bar, named Café 3.440 for its altitude (3,400 meters) is located atop the mountain at Pitzal Glacier. (Photography: Tirol Werbung, Verena Kathrein)
4. Tirol has basically no traditional crafts at all.
Bronze bells of all shapes and sizes have been cast by Grassmayr Family in Innsbruck since 1599. (Photography: Tanja Ullrich)
5. There’s a lot journey through inconspicuous routes. How boring!
6. There’s no sense of grandeur or history whatsoever.
With 4,948 pipes, the Heroes’ Organ at Kufstein Fortress is the largest free-standing organ in the world. (Photography: Tirol Werbung)
7. Everything is pretty much brand-new.
Aigner Bath is a listed bathhouse that has welcomed visitors since 1772. The naturally effervescent, mineral waters that bubble out from the sources here in East Tirol’s small mountain town of Abfaltersbach are rich in calcium and sulphate. (Photography: Johann Aigner)
8. Children here must be bored out of their wits most of the time.
Kugelwald, literally “Ball Forest”, on Glungezer Mountain is home to the world’s largest wooden track. (Photography: Hall-Wattens.at)
9. The whole landscape is formed only by mountains. They are everywhere.
Wolfsklamm Gorge is accessed via a delightful series of wooden boardwalks, bridges and 354 steps that lead to Tirol’s oldest place of pilgrimage, St. Georgenberg Monastery. The frothing waters make their way through the gorge shimmering emerald and blue in the depth and mastering the highest cascades. (Photography: Tirol Werbung)
10. There’s nowhere to go.
The record breaking 406 meter long suspension footbridge connects remarkable Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble with the remains of the 17th-century Roman Fortress Claudia in the market town of Reutte at a dizzying height of 110 meters. (Photography: Naturparkregion Reutte)
11. Honestly, have you ever seen anything so lackluster?
For his marriage to Bianca Maria Sforza from Milan, Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) commissioned the construction of the „Golden Roof“ in Innsbruck. The late Gothic oriel with loggia is adorned with 2657 fire-gilt copper tiles. (Photography: Tirol Werbung)
12. Or a place so devoid of personality?
Since 1991, this former mountain farm has been a true showcase for sustainable agriculture: Year-round, the ewes and lambs of Josef Schett are allowed to roam wide, rich Alpine pastures at an elevation of 2,000 meters, producing fine-quality meat, milk, all-natural sheep wool cushions and blankets and insulation materials. (Photography: VillgraterNaturhaus)
13. It’s a polluted, crowded, and built-up country.
In the thin air above 2,009 meters lies Jagdhaus Alpine Pastures, the oldest mountain settlement in Austria. Embedded in the awesome natural beauty of Hohe Tauern National Park, entire families lived at the 13th century high-altitude resort in East Tirol’s Arvental Valley throughout the year. (Photography: TVB Osttirol)
14. The public art is boring and unambitious.
The historic 360-degree cyclorama helps to retrace the dramatic events unfolding amidst the impressive scenery of the Bergisel: The Third Battle of the Bergisel in which the Tyrolean rebels fought off the invading Napoleonic troops was memorialized in a giant panoramic painting that is 1,000 square meters (10,764 square feet) in area. (Photography: Tirol Werbung)
15. In short, Tirol is a total cultural wilderness.
Topping the list of Tirol’s most-visited attractions, a whole new era of wonder begins for the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens in the spring of 2015. In addition to extensive changes in the gardens surrounding the iconic giant, five of the subterranean chambers of wonder have been completely redesigned by internationally acclaimed designers and artists. (Photography: Tirol Werbung)
16. Nope, no sense of identity to be found anywhere in Tirol.
The Nassereith Carnival Museum is home to the biggest carnival mask collection of the Alpine Region. The famous Nassereith Schellerlaufen Parade is one of the most important carnival parades in Tirol and was declared a “World Cultural Heritage” by UNESCO in 2012. (Photography: Esther Wilhelm)
17. Have you ever seen somewhere so ugly?
Picturesque Obernbergersee Lake, a natural gem in a remote Alpine setting, was declared a Site of Special Natural Interest as early as in the year 1935. (Photography: Janine Hofmann)
18. There’s literally nothing to see here.
Standing 29.6 meters tall atop the summit of Buchensteinwand Mountain, Jakobskreuz is a multi-storey building in the shape of a cross. An elevator brings pilgrims on the Way of St. James, art lovers, seminar delegates and visitors up to the viewing platform. (Photography: TVB Pillerseetal)
19. Seriously: Does this country even have a past?
The Court Church in Innsbruck houses Europe’s most notable Emperor’s Tomb. The church, also called “Schwarzmanderkirche” (literally “Black Men Church”), is famous for its namesake “Black Men” – 28 over-life-sized Renaissance bronze statues of important historical figures that flank the marble tomb of Emperor Maximilian I. (Photography: Tirol Werbung)
20. Nothing aesthetically pleasing for miles.
Austria’s highest international border happens also to be one of the country’s highest paved roads. The spectacular serpentine drive reaches the summit of 2,509-meter Timmelsjoch Col and links Tirol’s Ötztal Valley with Passeier Valley in South Tyrol. Along the road, architectural sculptures reveal details about the area’s nature, history, culture, economy and society. (Photography: Timmelsjoch Hochalpenstraßen-AG)
21. It’s also dreadfully hot.
Europe’s first interpretive Waterfalls Walk was opened in 1976 in Prägraten, situated at the heart of Hohe Tauern Mountain Range. Each year, this spectacular natural sight lures 50,000 visitors. Pristine Umbal Valley in Hohe Tauern National Park is the source of Isel, the last free-flowing glacial river in the Alps. (Photography: Tirol Werbung)
Seriously, there is no reason to visit Tirol. And yes, this article is completely serious ;) If you want to visit Tirol nevertheless, here’s an inspiring Planning Tool: www.tyrol.com/attractions
When he is not working, Michael Gams is out exploring this beautiful country, hiking, mountain biking, freeriding and ski touring to the most beautiful spots in Tirol.
“There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.” said Sylvia Plath, one of the most renowned and influential poets, novelists, and short story writers of the 20th century.
A Long Weekend in October – 3 Reasons to Love Autumn in Tirol
4 min reading time
Ready for a weekend escape? Autumn, the season of vibrant colours, is arguably the most beautiful time of year to visit the Heart of the Alps. The list of what to do in Tirol in October is long, from glacier skiing in the morning and hiking in the afternoon to simply enjoying the incredible autumn colours. Take advantage of the last days of patio season and soak up the sun before the winter months arrive.Here are some ideas to get you started during any weekend this upcoming golden autumn season:
Almost half of the total carbon footprint created by a holiday in the Alps is caused by getting to and from the destination. Windsurfing board on the roof, mountain bike on the back, boulder crash pad in the boot or rock climbing equipment on the back seat – do you really need all that gear? Not in Tirol. The region has more than 500 rental and hire shops where outdoor enthusiasts can borrow the equipment they need during their stay. Ski and snowboard rental has been around for decades, but more and more places are now adopting the same model in summer. Here are four examples of rental services in Tirol to give you new holiday perspectives with minimum impact on the environment.
If you want to see something that’s hardly visible anymore, you should go on a search in the darkness. It’s the city lights that cloud the view of the stars. A journey into the heart of Tirol’s darkness – with galactic views.
Rushing mountain streams, silent alpine summits, tiny hamlets off the beaten track – and no stress anywhere to be seen. Tirol is full of slow tourism places. Some are hidden away at the end of the valley, while others are just a stone’s throw from some of the region’s main transit routes. We have put together a list of five hotspots ideal for those keen to go slow and relax.
Heaven for hungry hikers: Six of the best slow food huts
7 min reading time
Tirol’s mountain huts aren’t just a great place to spend the night. A surprising number of them offer excellent food made using produce sourced from the local region. We have chosen six of our favourite slow food locations in Tirol.
Mountains or lakes? Do both! With many lakeside huts at elevations above 2,000 meters to choose from in Tirol, you can mix hiking with a dip in a lake. Here are ten of the most beautiful Alpinist Association Huts that are located on the shores of a lake.
As a long-time resident of Innsbruck and lover of the city, I’d like to share my very personal selection of favourite attractions with you. I’ve also put together some ideas on the city’s most intriguing shops but, first, let me tell you about the city sights which never fail to impress me, even after all these years.
Slowly I step into the hall of a historic farmhouse. It feels like stepping back into the rural life of yesteryear, and it sure was hard living there. Everything here is kind of distressing and grinding – I wonder if it is the old timber or the smell? At the same time, I am kind of fascinated by this authentic simplicity, this reduction to the essentials.
