spend a weekend in Kitzbühel, Austria

In snowboarding circles, there are few destinations extra notorious than Kitzbühel, most productive identified for the hair-raising Hahnenkamm downhill ski plug — a take a look at of plug and braveness that draws crowds of round 50,000 every January. However as soon as the snow melts, this picturesque mountain metropolis is arguably extra alluring, with a medieval metropolis centre that supplies persona and culture in spades. Speckled with wildflowers, cloaked in summer season greens and punctuated with turquoise lakes, the encircling slopes also provide loads to explore, whether you’re a hiker, biker or swimmer. And it be all easy to realize too — the metropolis is served by Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich airports, making it an supreme short ruin option for company from the UK. Here’s how to invent essentially the most productive of a 3-day quit.

Day 1: a light-weight commence

Morning
As soon as you draw foot on the cobbled Vorderstadt, you’ll realise here’s no long-established mountain resort. Kitzbühel has a prolonged and storied history, most evident within the medieval structure that dominates its pedestrianised core. The towering, 14th-century church of Katharinenkirche is basically the most evident example, but glance round to the truthful white hotel within the lend a hand of it and likewise you’ll earn the Golden griffinwhich dates lend a hand to 1270. This sophisticated hotel used to be as soon as a actual, within the times when Kitzbühel used to be a staging put up on the road to Venice. After a cup of coffee, it’s time to browse Kitzbühel’s most scrutinize-catching outlets. Lady’s slipper is the metropolis’s very possess deluxe sort tag, whereas Gössl is the site for lederhosen and dirndls. Nearby, you’ll also earn a lot of bakeries and delis in which to inventory up on lunch.

Afternoon
Kitzbühel’s authorized swimming lake is the Schwarzseeone-and-a-half of miles from the coronary heart of the metropolis. Fortunately, here’s no normal glacial Alpine dip — the waters here life like 21 levels in summer season and possess been identified to realize up to 27. Head to the Alpenhotel Kitzbühelwhich has its possess diving platforms on the lake and is without problems reached by express or bus from metropolis. Or for an real sense of serenity, rob a picnic to the meadows to the north and invent the many of the invigorating Alpine air.

Evening
It won’t surprise you to be taught that Kitzbühel’s summer season nightlife is comparatively relaxed, namely in contrast with its apres-ski scene. However hotfoot the metropolis’s historical core and likewise you’ll soon earn a bar to transfer neatly with your mood. Try the Reisch Bar for cocktails, or the Leo Hillinger wine bar for a groovy, crisp glass of Austrian white.

Day 2: hit the heights

Morning
Kitzbühel is dwelling to over 600 miles of mountain climbing trails, many of which invent use of the resort’s off-accountability ski lifts. A spotlight is the six-mile Weisskopfkogel ascent, which rises gradually by new summer season pastures, before sharpening correct into a breathtaking ridge stroll on the perfect diagram to the summit. Whereas you happen to don’t know the build to commence, be a part of even handed one of the free guided hikes organised throughout the week by each KitzSki and Kitzbühel Tourismor rent a non-public book for a extra bespoke expertise.

Afternoon
Kitzbühel supplies hundreds of alternatives to proceed the outside adventures after lunch, but this time on two wheels. For road cyclists, the dwelling supplies round 750 miles of properly-maintained routes, from the Kitzbüheler Horn — Austria’s steepest bike route — to gentler lakeside alternatives. Mountain bikers will be in their part, too, with limitless MTB tours and singletracks for all abilities. And summer season supplies the high replacement to form out the enduring Hahnenkamm on two wheels in preference to two skis. The four-and-a-half of-mile Hahnenkamm Bike Path is a local authorized, thanks to its pure terrain parts and mischievous passages. Legs drained from the total activity? Rent an e-bike as a substitute and rob on even handed one of the dwelling’s many waymarked circuits, such because the 17-mile Rettenberg Rundewhich runs by lush farmland and into neighbouring Reith, the build picturesque cafes present welcome refreshment.

Evening
Kitzbühel’s culinary scene has few rivals within the Austrian Alps and there’s no better time to build it to the take a look at than after a day’s Alpine activity. Mountain-oriented — staunch within the center of metropolis — is the high pick for gastronomes, named even handed one of Austria’s ‘Newcomers of the Year’ within the 2023 edition of the Gault & Millau book.

Day 3: rest and relax

Morning
On Sundays, forgo the lie-in for a one-hour class at Of course yogawhich takes site on a mountainous wood platform on the Bio Yoga Hof, correct commence air Kitzbühel. Then, head for a properly-earned pampering at even handed one of the metropolis’s many luxurious hotel spas, corresponding to Spa-Pink on the A-Rosa hotel. A World Spa Award winner amongst Austrian inns for 2023, this elegant pickle is dwelling to five saunas and a stunning two-level pool room.

Afternoon
There’s no better manner to total your quit in Kitzbühel than with a meal on the terrace of a mountain restaurant, with hearty Austrian meals in your plate and unparalleled Alpine views rolling out from the edge of your desk. If time is short, squeeze in a meal at Hochkitzbühel on the Hahnenkamm — a short gondola stir from metropolis. Here, dishes corresponding to goulash soup, wiener schnitzel and apple strudel design with an eyeful of the Kitzbüheler Horn or the Grossglockner — Austria’s most realistic mountain.