Destinations

All regions in Tyrol

Tirol and all its 34 regions are uniq… – Okay, okay. Every destination claims to be unique. Unlike any other. The best place ever to visit. So instead of boring you with platitudes, we set ourselves the challenge of coming up with three good reasons to visit each region in Tirol without using the word “unique” a single time. It was tough, but scroll down to see what we have come up with .

The perfect destination for holidaymakers who want a little seaside vibe in the heart of the mountains. Lake Achensee, the largest lake in Tirol, is playfully known as the Sea of Tirol and is surrounded by the Karwendel Mountains and the Rofan Mountains.

3 reasons to visit the Lake Achensee region:

  • Seaside vibe at Tirol’s largest lake AND the chance to ride a boat to a mountain hut – Lake Achensee offers a bit of everything.
  • The Karwendeltäler Valleys: The perfect place for hiking in summer and cross-country skiing winter thanks to its stunning untouched landscape.
  • Steinberg: Remote but wonderfully beautiful village.
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Picture perfect! Alpbach is often referred to as Austria’s most beautiful village. Thanks to strict building regulations it has managed to maintain its charming chocolate-box look over the years with traditional wooden houses and balconies filled with flowers. The ideal spot to send a few postcards or post a few Insta snaps.

3 reasons to visit the Alpbachtal Valley region:

  • Easy hiking trails, picturesque mountain huts serving excellent local food – what more could you want?
  • Rattenberg, Austria’s smallest town, is famous for its pretty old town and proud history of glass-blowing.
  • Kramsach is home to four warm swimming lakes as well as two gorges – perfect for cooling off on a hot summer’s day.
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Situated in the rolling hills of the Kitzbühel Alps and the Tux Alps, the Erste Ferienregion im Zillertal region is the gateway to the Zillertal Valley. In winter it offers perfect terrain for skiing, while in summer visitors come here to visit the many huts serving hearty local food. Indeed, the valley around Hochfügen is known as the Valley of Huts. 

3 reasons to visit the Erste Ferienregion im Zillertal region:

  • Skiing & dining: The huts in the Hochzillertal / Hochfügen ski resort are so good that you will barely be able to tear yourself away to enjoy the slopes.
  • From village to village: The Zillertal Cycle Path connects villages, restaurants and swimming lakes along the banks of the Ziller river.
  • Alpine safari: The Zillertal High Road is a wonderful twisting mountain road where you can enjoy the fascinating high alpine fauna and flora either from the comfort of your car or in the saddle of a road bike.
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Landeck is the cultural centre of the west of Tirol. It is surrounded by high mountains and has probably the largest concentration of castles and fortresses anywhere in Tirol.

3 reasons to visit the Tirol West region:

  • Explore the night sky: On the Venet mountain there is an observatory where you can take a closer look at the millions of stars visible in the dark night sky.
  • The region is the point where the Inn Cycle Path, the Via Claudia Augusta hiking trail and the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route all converge.
  • Fortress hopping: The Tirolean Castle Trail gives visitors the opportunity to visit several of the castles and fortresses around Landeck.
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The pretty Kaiserwinkl region is located in the north-west of Tirol, surrounded by the Kaiser Mountains and the Chiemgau Alps. 

3 reasons to visit the Kaiserwinkl region:

  • Action and adventure or rest and relaxation? You can either admire the craggy peaks of the Wilder Kaiser Mountains from afar or get up close while hiking and climbing.
  • Walchsee lake: Beautiful lake with its own campsite – the ideal place to cool off on hot summer days.
  • Enchanting: Don’t miss out on the chance to experience the rolling pastures and meadows at the Burger Alm bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. Oh, and while you are there, you simply must try their homemade cheese.
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Kitzbühel is known as one of the world’s best ski resorts and a place where celebrities from all over the world meet to see and be seen.

3 reasons to visit the Kitzbühel region:

  • Sporting pedigree: The Hahnenkammrennen ski races held here each January are the most famous ski races in the world. Brave and competent skiers can follow in the tracks of the stars and take on the infamous Streif piste themselves.
  • The Kitzbüheler Horn is the main mountain in the region and has something for everyone: hikers, bikers, nature enthusiasts and even paragliders.
  • Kitzbühel is famous for offering high quality in every area, from the ski resort itself with excellent pistes and state-of-the-art lifts to the local restaurant serving fine food with a warm welcome.
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A visit to the Hohe Salve mountain with its rotating summit restaurant is a must. A great way to enjoy the amazing 360° view!

3 reasons to visit the Hohe Salve restaurant:

  • The Hohe Salve offers breathtaking views – there are few places in Tirol where  you can see so many other mountains.
  • An incredible 270 kilometres of pistes make the Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser one of the best ski resorts in Tirol. The village of Hopfgarten, from where you can access the resort, is just a ten-kilometre drive from the motorway exit and just 500 metres from the local railway station serviced by high-speed international trains.
  • Two reasons to visit Kelchsau: Langer Grund and Kurzer Grund are the names of two small valleys just outside Kelchsau considered two of the most beautiful spots in the Kitzbühel Alps.
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The crowning glory of the Tirolean Unterland. Families will love the three mountain adventure play areas (Steinplatte, Buchensteinwand and Wildseeloder) while hikers and climbers can take on the Lofer Rocky Mountains before plunging into the Pillersee lake to cool off.

3 reasons to visit the Pillerseetal Valley region:

  • The Jakobskreuz stands high and mighty atop the Buchsteinwand mountain and is the only summit cross where you can walk up inside, hold a conference or even get married!
  • The Wildseeloder mountain is full of action and adventure for kids as well as rest and relaxation for adults.
  • Biathlon and cross-country skiing are two popular sports in this part of Tirol – and Hochfilzen is the perfect place for both of them thanks to its snow-sure terrain.
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The crowning glory of the Tirolean Unterland. Families will love the three mountain adventure play areas (Steinplatte, Buchensteinwand and Wildseeloder) while hikers and climbers can take on the Lofer Rocky Mountains before plunging into the Pillersee lake to cool off.

3 reasons to visit the Pillerseetal Valley region:

  • The Jakobskreuz stands high and mighty atop the Buchsteinwand mountain and is the only summit cross where you can walk up inside, hold a conference or even get married!
  • The Wildseeloder mountain is full of action and adventure for kids as well as rest and relaxation for adults.
  • Biathlon and cross-country skiing are two popular sports in this part of Tirol – and Hochfilzen is the perfect place for both of them thanks to its snow-sure terrain.
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Nestling between the Kitzbühel Horn and the Wilder Kaiser Mountains, this quiet region is characterised by rolling hills instead of sheer rockfaces. The largest town is St. Johann – an ideal base camp for mountain adventures and an interesting baroque period sight in its own right. 

3 reasons to visit the St. Johann region:

  • 26,000 dumplings in 22 different flavours – the St. Johann Dumpling Festival is one of many highlights going on in St. Johann throughout the year.
  • Set at the foot of the northern slopes of the craggy Wilder Kaiser Mountains, the Kaiserbachtal Valley is wonderfully remote and quiet.
  • It is in St. Johann that three rivers merge – the Reither Ache, the Kitzbüheler Ache and the Fieberbrunner Ache – to form the Großache. A cycle path leads along the banks of this river.
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High in the north of Tirol, Kufstein is known in a famous local song as the “Pearl of Tirol” – and for good reason. This bustling town on the river Inn is home to an impressive fortress as well as a university of applied sciences and is a good base from which to explore the rugged Kaiser Mountains.

3 reasons to visit the Kufsteinerland region:

  • The remote Kaisertal Valley is spectacularly beautiful and can only be reached on foot using 280 steps.
  • The Erl Festival of Classical Music welcomes some of the world’s top  musicians each year to the small village of Erl with a population of just 1,500.
  • Further highlights around Kufstein include plenty of refreshing swimming lakes, a yoga festival, Tirol’s only spa resort, lots of places serving and selling regional produce, and beautiful areas of untouched nature waiting to be discovered.
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The Lechtal Valley is home to the rushing Lech river, one of the last remaining wild rivers in Europe. Just as wild and untamed are the mountains here, which stretch high into the sky. This valley is definitely a contender for being considered the most natural region in Tirol.

3 reasons to visit the Lechtal Valley region:

  • The Lech Nature Park protects the only remaining wild river in the northern Alps  and gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy its wonderful flora and fauna.
  • There is a walking path and a cycle path from the source of the Lech river all the way to the Lechfall in Füssen, Germany.
  • Four villages in side valleys of the Lech Valley are so remote and peaceful that they have given themselves the title Time Out Villages.
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Mayrhofen is famous throughout Tirol and beyond for its fantastic skiing in winter, but in summer the Zillertal Valley also has plenty to offer visitors. Highlights include some of the best hiking trails in Tirol, including the famous Berlin High Trail.

3 reasons to visit the Mayrhofen-Hippach region:

  • Mayrhofen is home to one of the best ski resorts in Tirol.
  • The Berlin High Trail is probably the most well-known long-distance hiking trail  in Tirol.
  • The Zillertal Valley has five side valleys branching off the main valley into the Zillertal Alps Nature Park.
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Nestling between the high peaks of the Tannheim Mountains, the Säuling and the Thaneller, Reutte is a small town on the Lech river. Nearby there is a fjord-like lake and a huge hanging bridge for those with nerves of steel.

3 reasons to visit the Reutte region:

  • Modern meets medieval at the Ehrenberg ruins, which is also home to the (in)famous Highline179 – a free-hanging bridge 179 metres above a gorge.
  • The Plansee is the second-largest lake in Tirol after the Achensee, but we think it is probably the more beautiful of the two.
  • Gravel.tirol: Together with three other regions, Reutte has the largest network of gravel bike trails in Tirol.
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The best of all worlds? This region marks the point where three countries – Austria, Italy and Switzerland – converge. In winter there are ski pistes and cross-country skiing trails over the borders, while in summer you can hike or ride in three different countries in a single day.

3 reasons to visit the Tiroler Oberland region:

  • The Kaunertal Glacier Road winds its way up 29 corners and is a firm favourite with fit cyclists and motorbike enthusiasts.
  • The Pfundser Tschey is a high mountain valley dotted with pretty wooden hay huts – a real picture-perfect landscape.
  • Plamort Trail in Nauders: A singletrail track for downhill mountain bikers with fantastic views of the surrounding region.
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East Tirol on East Tirol: “East Tirol is different. More authentic, more rugged, more real, more reduced. Reduced to the basics, only the most important things. The things we truly need. East Tirol is different.”  We have nothing to add!

3 reasons to visit East Tirol:

  • A large swathe of East Tirol lies within the Hohe Tauern National Park and is therefore subject to strict rules on the protection of flora and fauna.
  • East Tirol has 266 mountains over 3,000 metres in altitude including the   Großglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, and the Großvenediger.
  • Lienz, the largest town in East Tirol, has a Mediterranean flair with palm trees in the main square and lots of visitors from neighbouring Italy. It is the cultural centre of East Tirol.
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Highest mountain in North Tirol? Tick! Largest glacier area in the Eastern Alps? Tick! Highest waterfall in Tirol? Tick! Highest inhabited village in Austria? Tick! The Ötztal Valley is home to some of the most amazing scenery and beautiful sights in Tirol.

3 reasons to visit the Ötztal Valley:

  • From ambitious explorers to easy strollers, the Ötztal and Stubai Alps are one huge playground just waiting to be discovered.
  • Communities: Sölden is a hotspot for skiers and snowboarders in winter, while in summer the Bike Republic Sölden welcomes downhill riders keen to take on its many trails.
  • Fancy something a little different? The James Bond Adventure World, the Area 47 outdoor adventure zone, the Aqua Dome spa and the Timmelsjoch High Road are all popular highlights in the Ötztal Valley.
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Imst is the place where carnival meets canyoning! Visitors in winter should not miss out on the colourful carnival celebrations, while those coming in summer will find rafting, canyoning, trail running and alpine coasters to keep them busy.

3 reasons to visit the Imst region:

  • Colourful, crazy and part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, the carnival celebrations in Imst and nearby Nassereith are legendary.
  • The Rosengartenschlucht is a canyon which, unusually, starts in the centre of the town of Imst.
  • Adrenaline-seekers will find plenty of sports and activities around Imst.
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Ischgl is one of the best-known ski resorts in the world and draws guests from near and far with its excellent ski slopes and state-of-the-art lifts. Those who like to enjoy not only haute skiing but also haute cuisine will be pleased to know that Ischgl is home to one of the best fine-dining restaurants in Tirol.

3 reasons to visit the Paznaun-Ischgl region:

  • Ischgl is world class when it comes to not only skiing but also après-ski.
  • There are events galore going on in the valley, including huge concerts with world-famous musicians to mark the start and end of the season as well as sporting competitions such as the Ischgl Ironbike, the E-Bike World Championships, the Cheese Olympics and the Culinary Way of Saint James.
  • Benjamin Parth‘s restaurant Stüva is the only restaurant in Tirol to have been awarded five Toques by the prestigious Gault & Millau restaurant guide.
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The Pitztal Valley is home to the Wildspitze, North Tirol’s highest mountain. The valley is relatively gentle and rolling to start off with before becoming increasingly rugged as you approach the end.

3 reasons to visit the Pitztal region:

  • Only in the Pitztal Valley will you find a café and a registry office at 3,440 metres above sea level! This is the highest easily accessible point on the Pitztal Glacier, which is famous for its snowsure ski slopes and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
  • Some of the best views of the region can be enjoyed from the Geigenkamm and Kaunergrat ridges, where you may find yourself on your own – with the exception of a few mountain goats for company.
  • Pine village, pine park, pine exhibition – it’s not hard to work out which trees you will find in the forests around Jerzens. 
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Hall in Tirol, home to one of the largest and most attractive old towns in Austria, lies just a ten-minute drive from one of Tirol’s  most popular tourist attractions, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.

3 reasons to visit the Hall-Wattens region:

  • World of wonder: The Swarovski Crystal Worlds are full of glistening exhibits that will fascinate visitors of all ages.
  • The old town in Hall in Tirol is one of largest and best-preserved in Austria.
  • The Pine Trail between the Glungezer mountain and the Patscherkofel mountain offers some wonderful views of the Inn Valley.
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From the ski piste straight to the opera house – Innsbruck is a place where alpine meets urban. This fusion gives the city an unparalleled vibe that draws visitors from around the world. 

3 reasons to visit the Innsbruck region:

  • Visitors wishing to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city can take the Nordkettenbahn whizzing passengers from the centre of Innsbruck up to 2,200 metres above sea level in just 20 minutes.
  • Sport or culture? Bergisel ski jump or Hofburg imperial palace? In Innsbruck you can enjoy the best of both worlds. There are also plenty of events and festivals going on throughout the year.
  • There are lots of villages dotted around Innsbruck from which visitors can access both the city and the mountains in a matter of minutes.
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Surrounded by the Wetterstein Mountains, the Mieming Mountains and the Karwendel Mountains, the Seefeld High Plateau perched above the Inn Valley offers plenty of space for outdoor activities as well as plenty of sun in summer and snow in winter.

3 reasons to visit the Seefeld region:

  • Seefeld and Leutasch are two of Tirol’s most popular cross-country skiing areas in Tirol. Where else can you ski for 55 kilometres without passing the same spot twice?
  • Gateway to the Karwendel Mountains – or maybe Canada? With its many maple trees, the Karwendel Valley gives off North American vibes, especially in autumn.
  • Seefeld is considered a pioneer of sustainable tourism. The entire region has been awarded the Austrian Eco-Label in recognition of its efforts in this regard.
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We are family! Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is the perfect spot for families with children as well as all those in search of rest and relaxation. In winter it has a huge ski area while in summer  visitors can explore the three villages on foot or by bike. 

3 reasons to visit the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis region:

  • Family-friendly: From accommodation to activities, everything is set up to offer families the best possible holiday experience.
  • Serfaus has its own tiny underground railway giving access to the car-free village centre.
  • Here comes the sun! Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis  enjoy over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year – more than any other place in Tirol.
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The Karwendel Silver Region takes its name from the fact that in centuries past it was a major centre of silver mining. Today it is natural treasures that enchant visitors such as the Karwendel Mountains and the Tux Alps as well as the town of Schwaz.

3 reasons to visit the Karwendel Silver Region:

  • The Ahornboden with its hundreds of maple trees is without a doubt one of the most photographed places in Tirol, especially in autumn.
  • Schwaz was once famous for its silver mining and today houses a museum where visitors can travel back in time to see how this precious metal was once gleaned from the rock.
  • Hogwarts in Tirol? Not quite, but Tratzberg Castle looks pretty similar to the world famous school of Harry Potter, at least from the outside.
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The cradle of alpine skiing! St. Anton am Arlberg is famous the world over and is home to a global  skiing and snowboarding community. 

3 reasons to visit the St. Anton am Arlberg region:

  • Endless cruising: The Arlberg Mountains are home to Austria’s largest network of ski pistes.
  • Legendary: The Vallugabahn cable car, the Crazy Kanguruh après-ski bar, the Run of Fame, the Weisser Rausch race – St. Anton am Arlberg has something for everyone.
  • The Arlberg Trail is a hiking trail connecting all five villages in the Arlberg region.
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From the outskirts of Innsbruck, the Stubai Valley branches off from the Wipptal Valley and runs more or less straight all the way to the mighty glaciers of the Main Alpine Ridge. 

3 reasons to visit the Stubai Valley:

  • The Stubai Glacier is home to Tirol’s largest glacier ski resort.
  • Ambitious hikers can take on the Seven Summits, while nature lovers will enjoy the 12 selected Natural Gems dotted across the valley.
  • Wild Water Trail: This educational trail takes walkers on a spectacular journey from the glacier to the valley.
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Known as one of the most beautiful high valleys in Europe, the Tannheimer Tal Valley has a wide range of natural highlights including the beautiful Vilsalpsee as well as meadows in bloom with hundreds of thousands of dandelions. Further attractions you won’t want to miss out on include the Friedberger Klettersteig via ferrata as well as skiing across the frozen Haldensee lake. Autumn is a great time to come when the air is wonderfully clear.

3 reasons to visit the Tannheimer Tal Valley:

  • The Three Lakes Trail starts at the top of the Neunerköpfle cable car and takes walkers past three beautiful blue lakes
  • Craggy: The Tannheim Mountains are picture-perfect and popular with hikers as well as rock climbers.
  • Cross-country skiers can look forward to a large network of trails in the winter months.
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The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena comprises a series of towering mountains around the pretty village of Ehrwald offering fabulous views of the surrounding landscape.

3 reasons to visit the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena:

  • Peak performance: The Zugspitze is officially Germany’s highest mountain, though it can also be climbed from the Austrian side.
  • Blazing spectacle: The summer solstice is celebrated each year with fires lit in the mountains around Ehrwald.
  • The Seebensee lake and the Blindsee lake are both contenders for the title Tirol’s Most Beautiful Lake.
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Right at the end of the Zillertal Valley there is another, smaller valley branching off into a totally new world. This world is perched high in the mountains and has at its core the Hintertux Glacier, which tops out at 3,250 metres above sea level and is home to the only ski resort in Austria open 365 days a year.

3 reasons to visit the Tux-Finkenberg region:

  • The Spannaglhöhle is an ancient cave inside a mountain where visitors can learn about local geology.
  • Stand Up Paddling on a glacier? It may sound crazy but the lake which lies at the heart of the Nature Ice Palace makes it possible!
  • Pepis Kinderland, Luis Gletscherflohpark and Almspielerei – the region is home to three adventure areas for children. 
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The Wilder Kaiser region and its family-friendly villages are dominated by the craggy Wilder Kaiser Mountains. These sheer rockfaces are popular with climbers and also have plenty of charming huts serving hearty local food.

3 reasons to visit the Wilder Kaiser region:

  • On foot, by bike or climbing – how do you want to explore the Wilder Kaiser Mountains?
  • There are plenty of traditional huts in this region characterised by rolling green pastures and meadows giving way to craggy peaks.
  • The longest ski safari in the world begins in the village of Going and leads through the entire SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser resort.
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Above Wörgl and the Inntal valley lies the Wildschönau high valley, which is considered the jewel in the Kitzbühel Alps with its charming mountain villages, its living traditions and the green picture-book landscape.

3 reasons in favour of the Wildschönau region:

  • Valley of agriculture: many working farms provide regional produce. Unique: the Krautinger schnapps.
  • Valley of music: nowhere else in Tyrol are there so many choirs, bands and music groups making music. Tip: annual valley festival in August
  • Tyrolean family region: specialised accommodation, children's programme, beginners' ski region, year-round Drachental family park
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Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the most beautiful valley of them all? The Wipptal Valley has five contenders in the form of five quiet side valleys, each of which has its own charm. And the one thing they have in common? Total peace and quiet.

3 reasons to visit the Wipptal Valley:

  • Less is more: The Wipptal Valley’s two official Mountaineering Villages focus on the essence of mountain sports.
  • Culinary adventure: The Navis Hut Hike takes walkers to several huts in the region serving excellent local food.
  • The Wipptal Valley offers excellent ski touring in winter. 
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Visitors to the Zillertal Arena can look forward to excellent skiing, a fun-filled programme of activities for families in summer and one of Tirol’s most famous traditional festivals. 

3 reasons to visit the Zillertal Arena:

  • The Zillertal Arena is one of the most popular ski resorts in Tirol.
  • The Gauderfest is an annual festival in the valley which draws visitors from near and far.
  • There are seven adventure parks in the Zillertal Arena aimed at families with children. 
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More about the Tyrolean regions

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