Kufstein
A border town on the River Inn in the Tyrol, where a medieval fortress on a rocky outcrop watches over the old town. To the north, the Kaisertal is a classic car-free Alpine valley for hiking.
Kufstein lies in the Inn Valley in the northeast of the Austrian state of Tyrol, right on the border with Bavaria, Germany. It is about 75 km from Innsbruck and about 90 km from Munich. The town is known for its medieval fortress on a rocky hill. Every day at noon, the Heroes' Organ in the fortress plays, and its sound carries across the whole town. The climate is typical of the Alpine foothills. June to September is best for hiking and swimming in the lakes. Autumn brings beautiful mountain scenery, winter brings Christmas markets, and skiing is available in the surrounding area.
The sights fall into four areas. The first is the old town and the fortress. Climb to the fortress, listen to the organ, stroll the Roman Lane and the Inn riverside, and drop by the Riedel glass factory on the way. The second is the Kaisertal to the north, a valley closed to cars, and the Brentenjoch atop the Kaiser cable car, where you can gaze at the rugged Kaiser Mountains. The third is the lakes nearby. Hechtsee lies north of the town, Thiersee and Stimmersee to the west, and Walchsee to the northeast, all suitable for summer swimming. The fourth area includes hiking up Pendling Mountain, the Ebbs horse farm, and the Erl Festival Theatre.
Getting there: the train from Munich to Innsbruck stops at Kufstein, so rail travel is convenient. The old town can be explored on foot, while the lakes and mountain areas are best reached by bus or car. Plan to stay 2 to 3 days. If you drive on Austrian motorways, you need to buy an electronic toll sticker (vignette).
Top sights
- Kaisertal – A high-mountain valley above Kufstein closed to car traffic, reached by climbing hundreds of steps into pastures and mountain huts.
- Kufstein Fortress – A medieval fortress on a rocky hill beside the Inn River, where the “Heroes' Organ” rings out at noon every day; it is said to be the world…
- Römerhofgasse – A medieval lane at the foot of the fortress, dense with colorful gabled houses, wrought-iron signs and century-old taverns, the most photog…
- Kaiserlift & Brentenjoch – A decades-old single-seat chairlift that swings you up to Brentenjoch at about 1,270 meters, facing the limestone cliffs of the Wilder Kais…
- Hechtsee – A deep green alpine lake in the forest north of town, with a summer bathing area and gentle lakeside trails, the favorite summer lake of Ku…
- Thiersee – A small lake in the valley west of Kufstein, with meadows and farmhouses around its shore, and a century-old Passion play theater in the vi…
- Stimmersee – A secluded little lake in the forest southwest of Kufstein, with clean water, a small summer bathing area and a lakeside restaurant, ideal…
- Pendling – A 1,563-meter peak southwest of Kufstein, where the view from the summit hut is superb, taking in the Inn valley, the Kaiser Mountains and…
- Thierberg Chapel – A small chapel and medieval watchtower on the hill north of town, reached by a forest trail in about 40 minutes, with views over Kufstein a…
- Walchsee – A broad lake at the northern foot of the Kaiser Mountains, with lakeside bathing areas, windsurfing and a full cycling path around the shor…
- Riedel Glass Kufstein – The headquarters factory of Riedel, the world-famous wine glass brand, where visitors can watch glass being hand-blown through a window, to…
- Festspielhaus Erl – A black contemporary concert hall in a small village beside the Inn River, standing alongside a white Passion Play theater; it is the main…
- Fohlenhof Ebbs – One of the world's largest Haflinger horse breeding farms, where you can see golden-maned Tyrolean mountain horses, tour the stables and wa…
Where to eat
- Auracher Löchl – Tavern about 600 years old, where the song Kufsteinerlied was written; serves Tyrolean and Viennese dishes and steaks g…
- Bräustüberl Kufstein – Authentic beer hall on Oberer Stadtplatz serving Hofbräu München beer and Tyrolean-Bavarian home cooking such as roast…
- Purlepaus Restaurant – An old-town restaurant at the foot of the Kufstein Fortress trail, with a vaulted dining hall, a beer garden, hearty Ty…
Itineraries
- Tyrol & Arlberg Alpine Road Trip – A road trip starting and ending in Innsbruck, connecting Arlberg, Ötztal, and Zillertal