Alpbach in Summer: Why This Beautiful Austrian Village Makes a Brilliant Family Holiday

Alpbach in Summer: Why This Beautiful Austrian Village Makes a Brilliant Family Holiday

When most people think about Austria, they probably picture snowy mountains, ski chalets and cosy winter holidays. But after spending a week in Alpbach in summer, I can honestly say that Austria deserves a place on your summer holiday list too.

We visited Alpbach during the school summer holidays with our two girls and my 83-year-old mum, who had always wanted to experience the Alps again. We were looking for somewhere that would give the girls a proper Alpine experience, but would also work for three generations travelling together. Alpbach turned out to be pretty much perfect.

Alpbach – a picture-perfect Austrian village

If you have ever imagined what a traditional Austrian Alpine village looks like, Alpbach probably comes pretty close. Think beautiful wooden chalets, colourful flower boxes, green meadows and mountains rising around you. It is small and peaceful, with just a handful of hotels, restaurants and shops, and I actually think this is one of its biggest attractions. It doesn‘t feel like a busy resort. It feels like a real Austrian village.

But don't let its size fool you. There is a surprising amount to do in and around Alpbach in summer, particularly if you enjoy being outdoors.

Things to do in Alpbach in summer

One of the things I loved most about Alpbach was that so many activities are right on your doorstep. There are walking routes for all abilities, from gentle strolls through the valley to proper mountain hikes. We obviously explored at a slower pace because of Mum, but that actually showed me how accessible the area can be if you don't want a full-on hiking holiday.

Cycling and mountain biking are also popular, and there are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore the countryside.

Then you have the mountains themselves. Take one of the cable cars up, and you can spend the day enjoying the incredible scenery without having to be a serious walker.

And for families, the mountain isn't just about walking. There are adventure playgrounds, climbing areas, slides, bouncy pillows and lots of activities designed to get children enjoying the outdoors. The family programme includes places such as Lauserland and Juppi's Magic Forest, giving younger visitors plenty to keep them entertained. This means Mum could enjoy the views and a gentle stroll while the girls disappeared off to explore and play – which, as anyone travelling with children and grandparents will know, is a pretty good combination!

Swimming in beautiful Alpine lakes

Another thing I hadn't really appreciated before visiting was just how good the swimming is. The area has beautiful freshwater bathing lakes where you can spend a sunny afternoon swimming and relaxing, but they are also incredibly family-friendly. We found slides, pontoons and little areas that were perfect for children to play.

The Alpbachtal Card also gives guests free admission to selected bathing lakes and outdoor pools, making it even easier to mix up your days. So you could have a mountain adventure one day, a lazy afternoon swimming the next and then head off exploring a nearby town.

The Alpbachtal Card – one of the biggest bonuses

If you're considering an Alpbach family holiday, this is something I would definitely look into when comparing the overall value of different accommodation options.

The Alpbachtal Card is free for guests staying at participating accommodation and is provided when you check in. It can then be accessed digitally through the regional app. There is a lot included. The summer card currently gives you unlimited use of four summer mountain lifts, regional buses and admission to selected swimming lakes and outdoor pools. There is also a family activity programme and discounts on a whole range of other attractions and experiences. We were genuinely surprised by how much we could do without constantly having to get our wallets out.

For families, this can make a real difference to the overall cost of a holiday. And I loved the fact that you don't necessarily need a car either. Regional bus travel is included, so you can explore the surrounding area without having to drive everywhere.

A day trip to Rattenberg

Although there is plenty to keep you occupied in Alpbach, it is also a great base for exploring the surrounding area. One place I would definitely recommend adding to your itinerary is Rattenberg, known as Austria's smallest town. It's absolutely beautiful, with historic buildings, narrow streets and a lovely traditional feel.

Rattenberg is particularly famous for its glassmaking, so it's a great place to wander around the shops, see the traditional craft and stop for a coffee, lunch or ice cream. The Alpbachtal Card also covers or discounts a number of experiences in Rattenberg, including the Augustinian Museum and some local attractions.

Swarovski Crystal Worlds

For something completely different, head to Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens. This is much more than simply somewhere to look at Swarovski jewellery. The experience includes impressive artistic installations and the famous Giant, making it a good option for both adults and children.

It's also a useful one to have up your sleeve if you get a rainy day. There is currently a discounted admission price with the Alpbachtal Card, another example of how the card can help when you're planning days out.

A day in Innsbruck

And if you fancy swapping the mountains for a city, Innsbruck makes a fantastic day trip. The contrast is what makes it so good. You can spend the morning wandering around the historic Old Town, see the famous Golden Roof, stop for lunch and do a little shopping before heading back to your Alpine surroundings.

It means an Alpbach holiday doesn't have to be purely about hiking and outdoor activities. You can combine mountains, lakes, adventure, culture, shopping and sightseeing all in one trip.

Is Alpbach good for families?

In short – yes!

But I think it's particularly suited to a certain type of family holiday. If your children love being outdoors, exploring, swimming, cycling and having adventures, there is plenty here to keep them busy.

And you don't need to have children who are keen hikers either. There are plenty of gentler activities, mountain playgrounds, lakes and excursions, so you can make the holiday as active – or as relaxed – as you want. The region itself promotes family-friendly walking routes and experiences specifically designed to bring children and adults into the outdoors together.

I also think it works incredibly well for multi-generational holidays. Travelling with an 83-year-old and two young girls meant we needed somewhere where everyone could enjoy themselves without having to follow the same itinerary every day.

Alpbach worked really well for that.

But it isn't just for families...

I'd also recommend looking at Alpbach for couples, solo travellers and anyone who simply loves being outdoors. You could spend your days hiking, cycling and exploring the mountains before coming back to a lovely hotel, enjoying good food and relaxing.

It would also make a lovely option for couples who want an Alpine holiday without the crowds and busyness of some of the larger resorts.

Would I go back?

Absolutely.

This was a very different summer holiday for us. Normally, we would probably be looking for sunshine, a pool, some culture and a good chunk of time relaxing! If it hadn't been for Mum suggesting that she wanted to see the Alps again, I'm not sure Alpbach would have been somewhere we would have chosen.

But I'm so glad we did.

It was beautiful, peaceful, incredibly family-friendly, and there was far more to do than I expected. And that's probably the biggest thing I took away from our trip.

Austria isn't just for winter.

If you're looking for a summer holiday that's a little bit different – beautiful scenery, fresh mountain air, outdoor adventures, swimming in Alpine lakes, pretty villages, great food and plenty of opportunities to explore – Alpbach is definitely somewhere I'd put on your list.