Places to Visit in the Zillertal

The Most Popular Destinations in the Zillertal

Things to See in the Zillertal.

Take a ride on the nostalgic steam train of the Zillertalbahn along the valley floor of the Zillertal, marvel at the wonders of Alpine wildlife during the birds-of-prey show at the Ahornbühne, or enjoy barrier-free access to the Hintertux Glacier at 3,250 meters —the Zillertal offers a wide variety of recommended sights and excursion destinations, especially for rainy days!

Nature Ice Palace
A unique natural gem on the Hintertux Glacier—the perfect destination for adventure seekers and families, whether on hot summer days or on a rainy day during your vacation in the Zillertal! Discover a natural wonder unlike any other in the world, discovered in 2007 and inviting you on an unforgettable journey of discovery. Just 30 meters below the ski slope, impressive natural caverns await you, featuring gigantic icicles, sparkling ice crystals, frozen waterfalls, and a breathtaking glacial lake.

This “cool” destination is a highlight all year round—the temperature in the eternal ice remains a constant 0 degrees Celsius, making the ice cave accessible 365 days a year. We highly recommend combining your visit with a detour to the panoramic terrace at an altitude of 3,250 meters, which offers spectacular views of the Tyrolean mountains.

Zillertal High Road

Spectacular views along the Zillertal High Road! Experience one of Austria’s most beautiful Alpine roads, stretching 35 km at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. The Zillertal High Road offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Zillertal’s majestic mountains:

Murmelland at Das Kaltenbacher Ski Hut—a great playground, petting zoo, and the chance to see marmots up close
Leisurely hiking along the Hubertus Wildlife Trail—perfect for families
Legendary mountain huts, including the Kristallhütte and Wedelhütte
Zillertaler Höhenstraße hiking bus runs directly from Kaltenbach to the Hochzillertal–Hochfügen hiking region

The best part: The access road to the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse starts right in Kaltenbach, just a stone’s throw from our family hotel. Ideal for anyone who wants to combine nature, relaxation, and adventure in the Zillertal!

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AdlerBühne Ahorn in Mountopolis

Face to face with the kings of the skies—an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and families! Europe’s highest bird of prey sanctuary, located at an altitude of 2,000 meters, is an absolute must-see. Even the ride up to the AdlerBühne Ahorn is a highlight: Austria’s largest gondola lift, the Ahornbahn, takes you on a spectacular ascent. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Zillertal Alps, eagles, eagle owls, and other birds of prey perform impressive flight maneuvers. The AdlerBühne Ahorn is just a 15-minute walk from the Ahornbahn’s mountain station. Birds-of-prey shows take place daily (except Fridays) at 2:00 p.m. from mid-June through October.

TIP! Watch the falconers at work and experience the birds of prey up close—the AdlerBühne Backstage every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (by appointment only). A behind-the-scenes look is a real highlight for nature lovers!

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Olpererhütte: An Instagram Hotspot

The Suspension Bridge at the Olpererhütte | The spectacular suspension bridge at the Olpererhütte attracts photographers and Instagrammers from all over the world. The hype surrounding this famous photo spot in the Alps shows no signs of slowing down—the perfect photo is simply a must-have on any vacation in the Zillertal. But this place has far more to offer than just breathtaking views. An absolute highlight for any summer or active vacation in the Zillertal is the Schlegeis Reservoir—a true natural gem that makes even the journey there an experience in itself:

A spectacular drive up the 13.3-kilometer-long Schlegeis Alpine Road, which winds through four imposing natural stone tunnels into the high-Alpine mountain world.
An impressive structure: The 131-meter-high and 725-meter-long dam dominates the landscape; the emerald-green reservoir, with a capacity of 126.5 million m³ of water, is surrounded by the highest three-thousand-meter peaks of the Zillertal Alps.
Perfect starting point for hikes: Particularly popular is the family hike to the Pfitscherjochhaus, which crosses the border into Italy.

The Best Family-Friendly Destinations in the Zillertal
The Zillertal offers families with children and teens not only a stunning backdrop for hiking and biking, but also a wide variety of exciting destinations that are guaranteed to provide plenty of action and nature experiences!

Family vacations need to be exciting—especially for teens—and here you’ll find the coolest spots and destinations offering thrills and fun amidst the impressive Tyrolean mountains. Whether you’re looking for an active vacation or the best family-friendly nature destinations, the Zillertal has everything your heart desires.

And what if rain decides to take over your vacation day again? Don’t worry! With our tips for rainy-day excursions, even gray skies can turn into an adventure. A family vacation in the Zillertal is guaranteed never to be boring!

Glacier Adventure in Hintertux

Visitors glide effortlessly and with complete accessibility from the Hintertux valley station up to an incredible 3,250 meters. Whether you’re traveling with a stroller, wheelchair, or other mobility aids—you’ll experience an incredible sense of freedom above the clouds with breathtaking panoramic views! The Hintertux Glacier, a natural gem of Tyrol, is located about 30 km from “Das Kaltenbach.” Other highlights in Tyrol’s only year-round ski area include:

Spannagel Cave, Europe’s highest-altitude tourist cave, featuring a cave museum
Glacier Flea Safari with Luis the Glacier Flea, an adventure course featuring tricky riddles
The Natural Ice Palace is a natural wonder unique in the world
Culinary diversity at the Tuxer Fernerhaus and the Spannagelhaus

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Zillertal cheese made from regional hay-fed milk

“A special treat at our healthy breakfast buffet are the Zillertal cheese specialties made from pure hay-fed milk from our parents’ farm. Ranging from mild to robust, they bring the authentic taste of home to your table—and you can then take your favorite cheese home with you right from the farm store.”

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Demonstration Cheese Factories in the Zillertal

Traditional Cheese Delights at the Zillertaler Heumilch Sennerei The Zillertaler Heumilch Sennerei, along with its cheese-making museum in Fügen, takes visitors on a journey into the time-honored world of cheese production. Here you can see how delicious cheese was made 100 years ago using the simplest of methods.

Interactive Experience with a Demonstration Dairy and Demonstration Farm
The Zillertal Experience Dairy in Mayrhofen offers an exciting alternative. Here, visitors can not only experience cheese production up close but also enjoy encounters with animals at the adjacent petting zoo—a special highlight for families!

Stiegenhaushof Distillery

The Stiegenhaushof Demonstration Distillery offers you the opportunity to experience the art of distillation up close. Following the successful conversion of a former cowshed into a demonstration distillery, both the distillery itself and the fine spirits it produces have found a new home. With over 100 award-winning brandies and liqueurs, the Stiegenhaushof has been honored with the prestigious World Class Distillery Award.

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Zillertal Brewing Art House

The Beer Experience World is an ideal destination in the Zillertal, especially on rainy days! The Brau KunstHaus offers Tyrolean beer culture for all the senses—across an exhibition area of more than 5,000 m², visitors can enjoy an exciting multimedia-enhanced tour and a glimpse into Tyrol’s oldest private brewery. From selecting the right ingredients through the brewing process to bottling, the BrauKunstHaus offers sensory experiences across three floors. Of course, tasting the specialty beers is the crowning finale.

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Zillertal Steam Train

Pure Emotion – the Zillertal Steam Train | An experience for all the senses – immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a bygone era! Feel the fascination of the “wooden-carriage class,” the crackling of the fire that brings the mighty steam locomotives to life, and the unmistakable scent of coal. See how crystal-clear mountain water powers the locomotives, and listen to the rhythmic hiss of the cylinders.

TIP! A ride on the Zillertalbahn is perfect for a family outing—especially with young children. It pairs perfectly with a visit to the Zillertal’s most beautiful playgrounds and makes for an unforgettable day on your family vacation.

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Ginzling Nature Park Visitor Center

Following a comprehensive renovation, the Ginzling Nature Park Center has been given a new lease on life. Particularly impressive is the spacious 500 m² exhibition area, which spans two floors and showcases the region’s fascinating “hidden treasures.” But that’s not all! Look forward to a beautiful nature garden, a play and bouldering area, a spacious terrace, and much more.

Small but mighty: The new “Rast” café invites you to take a cozy break with refreshing drinks and snacks—perfect for relaxing on the sunny terrace. The nature garden, complete with a bouldering area as well as play and adventure zones, also offers plenty of opportunities to explore and linger.

The Ginzling Nature Park Center, located in the idyllic mountaineering village of Ginzling, is a central meeting place for mountain and nature lovers and the heart of one of Austria’s most beautiful nature parks—the Zillertal Alps High Mountain Nature Park.

Granat Chapel at Penkenjoch

An Architectural Highlight in Tyrol | The Capella Granata was designed by renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta and completed in the fall of 2013. Its striking shape is inspired by granite—a rock commonly found in the Zillertal that gives the chapel its name.

Nestled in the impressive Zillertal mountain landscape, the Granat Chapel on the Penken is cherished both as an architectural masterpiece and as a place of peace and reflection. It is a popular destination and can be perfectly combined with a picturesque circular hike along the reservoir, which offers breathtaking mountain scenery.

TIP! The Penken Winter Hiking Trail starts at the upper station of the Penkenbahn and leads along the Bergwaldweg to the middle station of the Finkenberger Almbahn. From there, take the mountain railway up to the Penkenjoch, where the Granatkapelle is located. The return trip is via the Penken Kombibahn to Mayrhofen. With the Penkenjoch Round-Trip Hiking Ticket, you can use four gondola lifts in a single day—an unforgettable experience amidst the winter mountain landscape!

Zillertal Museum

The museum on Widumspfiste in Fügen, in the Zillertal, houses a fascinating collection from times gone by across four floors. Numerous exhibits offer insights into the lives of our local ancestors and provide visitors with a multifaceted picture of Zillertal traditions. Special emphasis is placed on the significance of the song “Silent Night,” which is part of Austria’s intangible cultural heritage.

A varied vacation program is guaranteed in the Zillertal. In addition to numerous places to visit on rainy days, there is a wealth of attractions for families and culture enthusiasts throughout Tyrol.

Sights in Tyrol