Kitzbühel is a beautiful small town situated in the Austrian Alps. Roughly 1 hour 30 minutes from Salzburg and 2 hours from Munich, Germany. This town is perhaps most well-known as a popular and top tier European ski destination during the winter. But did you know that the mountains here, have a lot to offer visitors during the summer too. We recently spent 3 days exploring Kitzbühel and the surrounding area and we fell in love with the towns charm and world class scenery.
In this guide you can expect to find information on how you can enjoy a summer, short break in Kitzbühel. This guide is for the outdoor adventurers and nature lovers, with a thirst for the mountains. By the end of this guide, you will be sure to have Kitzbühel on your list for your next Europe adventure.
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Furthermore, this post is written in collaboration with Kitzbühel Tourism who hosted us during our stay & organised many of the awesome activities we are going to share below. Therefore, a huge thank you goes out to them.
When to visit Kitzbühel
As we mentioned, Kitzbühel is often visited during the ski season (November – April). Therefore, if snow sports are your thing, then you will want to definitely consider visiting during this period to make the most of the slopes. This is when the town is at its busiest, hotels and restaurants fill up quickly. You will need to make sure that you book your trip well in advance to secure not only a good price, but a place to stay!
However, if you are more of a hiking trail, and swimming in lakes kind of person then the best time to visit Kitzbühel is during the summer months (June – September). This is the towns quieter season, there are much less crowds. Paving the way for you to enjoy the mountains relatively peacefully. We visited Kitzbühel in early September and in comparison, to other mountain destinations in Europe, it was not overly touristy and felt like a hidden pocket of Europe. Which can be very hard to come by in the summer.
Note that for the month of October Kitzbühel temporarily ‘closes down’, at the end of the summer season and just before the ski season starts. It is best to avoid visiting during this month as the cable cars won’t be operating and some restaurants may also be closed.
As you can see, it totally depends on how you want to spend your time in Kitzbühel and what your interests are. We would love to return to the area during the ski season, to feel that atmosphere and enjoy the slopes too.
How to reach Kitzbühel
In order to reach Kitzbühel your best options are to fly into either Salzburg or Munich. Each are a similar distance from Kitzbühel and offer affordable flights from other European destinations. Once you arrive in either Salzburg or Munich you have the option to rent a car and drive to Kitzbühel yourself. Or you could take the slightly longer route via train, which may include some changes along the way, but is certainly doable.
When looking for a rental car on our adventures, we always book through Discover Cars. They compare prices with all major rental companies and often come out cheaper than booking direct. Moreover, Discover Cars offer great all-inclusive insurance packages that are affordable and leave your journey feeling stress free.
Where to stay
Although Kitzbühel is mostly known as a high-end ski resort, there are actually plenty of other affordable options in town that are available all year round. Accommodation options can range from 5-4-star hotels to town apartments in the heart of all the action.
If you are looking to treat yourself, then we highly recommend staying at Hotel Kaiserhof Kitzbühel. This gorgeous hotel sits right at the base of the Hahnenkamm, which is a perfect location for both skiing and hiking alike. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, with spectacular views onto the mountains. Our favourite part was the cable cars passing right outside our balcony, which made for a beautiful backdrop in photos.
The hotel also offers a luxurious spa with sauna and indoor swimming pool, perfect after a big day in the mountains. Finally, there is an onsite restaurant that serves a breakfast buffet every morning and the option to visit for lunch or dinner too. It really was a fantastic stay!
Day 1: Arrival and Kitzbühel Horn
Once you have arrived in Kitzbühel and have successfully checked into your accomodation, it’s time to start exploring. There is no better place to start than with a trip to the top of the Kitzbühel Horn. With an elevation of 1,996m above sea level, the views from the summit are incredible and well worth seeing.
In order to reach the top of the Horn you must take a couple of cable cars, starting from here. Note that the cable car only runs in the summer for hiking and winter for the ski season. Make sure you take it all the way to the top of the horn, which will require two cable car trips.
Once you are on top of the horn the views are truly breathtaking. From here you will be able to see across the whole valley and beyond, even out to the snowcapped Alps sitting on the horizon. There are a few trails to enjoy that will take you around the horn and even some that lead back down into the valley, if you fancy walking back.
As well as hiking, there is a perfectly positioned restaurant right next to the cable car station. It’s called Gipfelhaus and we recommend that you pop in here for lunch with a view. Definitely try the Schnitzel, washed down with a classic Ski Wasser. This is a lunch you won’t forget!
Relax at Kaiserhof Hotel
If you choose to stay at Kaiserhof (which we hope you do), then after your hike you should take full advantage of the spa facilities at the hotel. The spa offers an indoor swimming pool, multiple saunas and steam rooms, plus treatments can be purchased separately. It really is the perfect place to unwind after a day in the mountains.
Dinner at Wirtshaus zum Rehkitz
For a taste of Austria on your first evening, head into the hills surrounding Kitzbühel and visit Wirtshaus zum Rehkitz. They have a beautiful setting out on the porch, with a view of the mountains.
Day 2: The Lakes of Kitzbühel
The best way to explore more of the surrounding area near Kitzbühel is to rent e-bikes from Element 3 and head off on a bike ride amongst the mountains.
Schwarzee
This is the closest lake to Kitzbühel as it’s only a 5-minute cycle from the centre of town. Schwarzee literally means ‘Black Lake’ in German, and that is the exact appearance of the lake. This lake is unique to other alpine lakes as its peat rich moor water is what gives it a dark colour. Once at the lake there is a cycle and footpath around the perimeter, which offers gorgeous views across to the Wilder Kaiser mountains.
There are also grassy sunbathing areas and wooden docks to go swimming from, it is such an idyllic spot to enjoy a swim. If you don’t fancy a swim, then in summer there are rowing boats that you can rent to take out onto the lake. It would definitely be one of the most peaceful ways to experience the beauty of this area. Furthermore, there are several restaurants and cafes with terraces overlooking the water where you can stop for an Austrian lunch or perhaps a beer.
Gieringer Weiher
The second lake you should pay a visit to is the magical Gieringer Weiher. This lake is very different to the previous as it is much quieter and a little off the beaten path. This is the perfect place to come if you are in search of some peacefulness amongst some of the area’s most outstanding beauty. This is also a moor lake, so the colour is again very dark, but the water is exceptionally clean for swimming. Gieringer Weiher is surrounded by wetlands are forest rather than open lawns, from here you’ll also get some fantastic mountain views on a clear day.
Before you return your bikes, you should absolutely enjoy a cycle through the valley back towards Kitzbühel. There are some lovely viewpoints to stop off at and take in the scenery whilst snapping some photos.
Dinner in Kitzbühel Old Town
After a day of cycling through the mountains and past the lakes, you should absolutely head into Kitzbühel’s old town for the evening. The town itself is absolutely stunning, especially if you take a walk down Stadtl. Which is the main street lined with colourful Austrian style houses. This is the heart of the town and where you will also find many restaurants to choose from for dinner.
We definitely recommend that you pop into Das Glockenspiel, it’s a funky bar that serves some delicious wines and pizzas. They also often hold events here and the vibe is great on a warm summers evening.
Day 3: Hahnenkamm Hike & Paragliding
Hiking
The Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm is most well-known for its downhill ski race during winter. However, in the summer the ski slopes transform into hiking trails, and you can follow the trails all the way from the centre of town, right to the top of the Hahnenkamm, that looks over Kitzbühel.
The hike from Kaiserhof Hotel to the top should take roughly 2.5-3.5 hours depending on how much you stop along the way. There is plenty to see as you hike, including views across the surrounding mountains and Kitzbühel town, forests and a couple lakes. The trail is well maintained but does have some very steep sections.
Once you are just below the summit there is a stunning lake called Seidlalm. This is the perfect place to stop and maybe have a drink or snack before making your final push to the top. Sitting on the shores of the lake you will get postcard worthy views of Kitzbühel Horn and other mountains, that reflect off the surface of the lake.
The summit of Hahnenkamm is much more like a ridge than a sharp peak. Once you reach it you will be at 1,712 metres above sea level and the views are fabulous!
Lunch at Berghaus Tirol
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from once you reach the top of the Hahnenkamm, but we definitely recommend that you head to Berghaus Tirol. This lovely restaurant sits on the edge of the Hahnenkamm slopes with panoramic views out across the surrounding mountain ranges and down into the valley below. You can expect to find traditional Austrian dishes served here such as Schnitzel, Kasespatzle and Apfelstrudel.
Paragliding with Element 3
After you have enjoyed the views at the top of the Hahnenkamm and wandered around. For the adrenaline junkies reading this, the most fun and quickest way to get off the mountain, is without a doubt by paragliding back to Kitzbühel. If you are up for the adventure, the people to go with are absolutely Element 3.
Nothing compares to the moment you run off the mountain and take to the sky. Not to mention you’ll get some incredible views on the way down and save your legs on the downhill. Within 15 minutes you’ll be back on the ground in Kitzbühel, in awe of what you have just done. It’s truly an unforgettable experience and the perfect way to end your stay in the Austrian Alps.
Final thoughts on summer in Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel in summer is one of those places that quietly exceeds expectations for nature lovers. Beyond its winter ski fame and well-kept streets, the landscape opens up into a network of alpine meadows, forest trails and panoramic ridge walks that feel both accessible and genuinely wild. it is a place shaped more by nature than activity and a calming sense of slowing down, even just for a short while. This little mountain town has something for everyone to enjoy, and our hope is that this guide will inspire you to plan your own visit to beautiful Kitzbühel.
If you do have any additional questions, you can always leave us a comment below. Otherwise, we’d be happy to help over on our Instagram, you can send us a direct message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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