Ambras Castle is considered the world’s first museum. In 1564, it became the residence of Archduke Ferdinand II, the ruler of Tyrol. At its original location, you can experience the earliest systematic concept for collecting and presenting objects in history. An audio guide takes you through the Armoury, the Chamber of Art and Wonders, the Spanish Hall and the Habsburg Portrait Gallery. Here, the history of the collection and its individual rooms come together in a historic setting.
Discover cultural history
The Tyrolean Farmhouse Museum also brings the past to life. Its collection includes 37 historic buildings, including farmhouses with outbuildings, small craft workshops, chapels and a village school. Interactive, hands-on themed stations illustrate life in times gone by. Demonstrations of various traditional crafts, customs and celebrations with music and Tyrolean specialities round out the offering; some demonstrations and celebrations may be seasonal.
Kufstein Fortress towers above the Tyrolean district capital of Kufstein. It bears witness to the city’s turbulent past as a border town between Tyrol and Bavaria. Freundsberg Castle, above Schwaz, combines a museum visit with views of the city and the surrounding mountain landscape. These historic sites offer different perspectives: one focuses on the history of a border town, while the other pairs a museum visit with sweeping views across Schwaz.
Experience mountain landscapes and nature up close
At around 6.8 km², Lake Achensee is Tyrol’s largest lake. Hohe Tauern National Park covers 1,856 square kilometres, making it the largest protected area in the entire Alpine region. Themed trails and points of interest let you explore its natural and cultural treasures independently; various information stations are located along the trails. These stations help you find your way, while the size of the protected area conveys the vast scale of the landscape.
At the Umbal Falls Nature Trail in the upper Virgental valley, the path takes you very close to the source of the Isel. Other nature experiences share knowledge at specific stops: the bird experience trail in Pflach covers the calls and appearance of native birds at five stations. From an 18-metre-high observation tower, you can watch birds in their natural habitat. At the KlimmbrĂĽcke Nature Park House, you can learn in an interactive way about the wild river landscape of the Tyrolean Lech and the local wildlife and plant life.
The Martinauer Au near Vorderhornbach offers a special seasonal highlight. Between mid-May and mid-June, several thousand lady’s slipper orchids bloom across an area of 2.5 hectares. The flowering period varies from year to year. Nature experiences here range from watching individual birds to witnessing a seasonal plant display that lasts for a limited time.
Trails, tours and travel planning
The Nordkette offers hikes ranging from short, flat circular trails to several-hour tours for different fitness levels. Use the Tyrol hiking trail search to filter by difficulty, distance and duration. These criteria help you compare different tours by the time required and level of challenge. Check the details for each hike when making your selection.
The Inn Cycle Path also follows a clearly defined route: it crosses Tyrol from the Swiss border to the German border. The Tyrolean section of the Inn Cycle Path is 211 kilometres long, mostly flat and technically straightforward; it is considered a family-friendly long-distance cycling route. Check current route conditions before setting off. For a different perspective, take the high alpine road over the Timmelsjoch, which connects the Ă–tztal with South Tyrol and is considered a mountain pass road that is worth the trip in its own right.
Take part, watch and taste
At the Ă–tzi Village in Umhausen, visitors can try activities such as making fire, archery and tanning hides. The Bird of Prey Park holds daily flying displays featuring eagles, buzzards, falcons and kites. As the display schedule may change seasonally, check the current programme before your visit.
The Chambers of Wonder at Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens feature immersive installations by international artists and designers. The extensive park landscape includes artworks and an alpine garden. The Chambers of Wonder and the park are accessible to wheelchair users, visitors with pushchairs and people using walking aids; the alpine garden is excluded because of some steep sections. Crystal Worlds can be reached by bus, train and bicycle. Check current transport connections before your journey.
In Fügen, the Zillertal Show Dairy gives visitors a look at the cheesemakers’ daily work and the production of cheese made from pure hay milk; check current operating details before your visit. Some of Tyrol’s most popular dishes include bacon dumplings, Tyrolean gröstl, Schlutzkrapfen and Kaiserschmarrn. Together, these insights into craftsmanship and cuisine offer another way to discover Tyrol beyond its culture and landscapes.
Discover more destinations: Alpbachtal, Arlberg, Brixental, Imst, Innsbruck-Land, Ischgl, KitzbĂĽhel, Kufstein, Landeck, Lechtal, Lienz, Paznauntal, Reutte, Schwaz, Gasteig.
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