Mudpie Fridays >> Austria >> 7 Day Holiday in Zillertal Austria in the Summer

7 Day Holiday in Zillertal Austria in the Summer

Over the Summer we spent two weeks in Austria. After staying in St JOhann and Salzburg we headed a couple of hours East to Tux and Zell am Ziller. Both are located in the Zillertal Region of Austria. We split up our stay to try and reduce travel time by staying in a self-catering apartment and the 4* superior Ferienhotel Sonnenhof. The Zillertal Valley is a leading family destination in the Austrian Alps. There are so many outdoor activities and great things to do for the whole family, here is our 7 day Zillertal itinerary.

Table of Contents

Getting to Zillertal Alps Austria

We drove since this was the second half of our two-week road trip in Austria. I do think that to explore the country property you really do need a car. Although our experience of public transport was good and there are public buses which runs through many of the quaint villages. It can take much longer to reach your destination, so you may want to add hiring a car to your budget.

The nearest airport to the Zillertal region that receives flights from the UK is Innsbruck which is 50km away.

Austrian Vignette

If you are driving down like us then you can buy a Vignette when you cross over the border. Just look for the below sign and buy one in the petrol station or shop at the border. We missed the sign the first time we drove into Austria when staying on the Bodensee. So this time I brought ours in advance. It is really easy to do via the ASFINAG website. But you have to do it at least a month in advance as a consumer since they have a 30-day refund policy.

If you buy it online then you are given a digital ticket to keep with you during your visit. If you buy a physical vignette then it is a sticker which you attach to your windscreen.

Day One – Visiting Schlegeis Stausee Reservoir and Dam

As we were transitioning from one area of Austria to another we looked for an activity which was close to where we were staying in the Tux alps. The boys had not seen a Dam before so we took the opportunity to head over to Schlegeis Stausee. The area is full of hiking trails if you want to expand your visit although we did not have long so decided just to walk along the Dam wall.

The glacial lake is a beautiful turquoise colour and the views are beautiful across the valley below. It is possible to do a number of activities such as a chair swing and climbing the Dam wall. All of these can be booked on-site when you arrive. There is also a cafe next to the first car park.

Entrance cost- A car cost €15.50 there is a little checkpoint on the way up. Cash only
Address – Tuxerstraße 795, 6290 Mayrhofen, Zillertal Austria
For more information and to read about our visit – Visiting Schlegeis Stausee Reservoir and Dam

Day 2 – Day trip to Innsbruck

If you have followed us for a while then you will know that we tend to hunt out Hard Rock glasses on our travels. When we found out the closest Hard Rock Cafe was in Innsbruck this cemented the idea of a day trip. Although there is much more to do than we had time for it was a good introduction to the city. We wandered around the old town, went up the tower and did some souvenir shopping.

Before heading to the funicular railway and up to the top of Innsbruck. Although this was not cheap and the gondola was ridiculously crowded when we visited but the views are amazing. My only suggestion would be to do it the other way round and visit the mountain in the morning. As the time it took to get back down again meant that we had to give the Sauvoski museum a miss.

Entrance cost- Entrance to the tower cost €9 for two adults, the children were free. Ticket to the top of Innsbruck cost €37.40 for adults and €22.40 for children age over the age of 6. This included both the train and the gondolas.
Address – we used The Old Town Parkin,g Innrain 4, 6020 Innsbruck and found it to be well located to explore the market and the old town.
For more information and to read about our visit – A Day Trip to Innsbruck and Complete Guide to the Top of Innsbruck

Day 3 – All Day Hintertux Glacier

You really need to leave a whole day to visit the Hintertux Glacier. Especially if you book to do certain activities. Such as the ice cave which is located at the top station. We had already booked our tickets in advance and so had to visit on the day we did. However, if you do not do this then you can be more flexible. Being the highest peak in the Zillertal region at 3250 km above sea level it has its own microclimate. So it is worth checking what the highest point looks like on the webcam. When we visited we could only see a couple of feet in front of us.

The top of the mountain was covered in cloud and there was around 45cm of snow on the ground. We were expecting the snow as there are still ski areas in the Summer months, but not the cloud. The following day it had cleared completely. So I would try and be flexible with your Zillertal itinerary making it work for you depending on what the weather is doing.

Entrance cost- The Hintertux Glacier cable car is one of the ten Summer cable cars that you can ride with a Zillertal Activcard. If you do not have one then entrance costs are €48 for an adult and €29 for a child, with children being under the age of 8 free of charge. The ice cave cost €39 for an adult and €15 for a child age 6-14, and we also ate on the gondola which cost €81 for the four of us.
Address – Free parking at the Valley Station, Hintertux 794, 6293 Tux, Zillertal Austria
For more information and to read about our visit – Visiting the Hintertux Glacier, Natural Ice Palace Hintertux and Eating on a Gondola at the Hintertux.

Day 4 – Rosenalmbahn, Fichtenschloss and Fichtensee

The weather was glorious so we headed straight back up the mountains. I particularly enjoyed this cable car ride with the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains. Little mountain huts, green downhill runs and the stunning Ziller valley below.

There is so much to do for children of all ages at the top of Rosenalm. There are several adventure playgrounds called Fichtenschloss at the top, including a lookout tower, slides, climbing nets and a tree trail. Lots of water play including fountains, a water wheel and plenty of buckets and chutes. A giant marble alley in which you can play with wooden balls and a shaded area with balancing beams and hammocks. There is something for all the groups in this super fun park.

There are also some mountain lakes, called Fichtensee which is a giant play lake. At one end of the adventure lakes there is a shallow area for little ones and then a deeper area for swimming. With towers to jump off of and a platform in the middle to swim to. You can also hire boats, pedalos and paddleboards. It is the perfect way to cool off after enjoying the play area. Out of all the mountains we visited in this area I think this was by far our favourite.

Both are linked by a fun family trail where children can solve clues, find missing letters and get a prize for completion. There are also biking trails with 325 km of bike routes.

Entrance cost- The Rosenalmbahn cable car is one of the ten cable cars that you can ride with a Zillteral Activcard. If you do not have one then entrance costs are €29 for an adult and €14.50 for a child.
Address – Rohr 23, 6280 Zell am Ziller, Zillertal Austria
For more information and to read about our visit – Complete Guide to Rosenalmbahn, Fichtenschloss and Fichtensee

Day 4 – Late afternoon Arena Coaster

The entrance to the Rosenalmbahn is located in Zillertal Arena which is also where the Arena Coaster is. In fact, it is right next door. Although the last cable car on the Rosenalmbahn is at 5.45pm. If you get an earlier one then you can squeeze on a trip on the coaster. If it has been nice then there are likely to be queues. It closes at 6 pm with the last ticket being sold at 5.45 pm.

Suitable for children over the age of 4 we loved our visit and it was one of the best things we did during our whole two-week holiday. The track is 1450m and it does 350m up the mountainside. Those that are over the age of 10 and at least 130cm can ride alone. Which is what Charlie did. The toboggans have been purpose-built for two and so it is easy to take on younger ones. There are 360 degree and 540 degree gyros and the opportunity to purchase photos of your experience.

Entrance cost- A single ride for an adult costs 7€ and 4.70€ for a child. You can also get a 10% discount on these prices if you have a Zillertal Activcard. Multiple ride tickets are also available.
Address – Rohr 23, 6280 Zell am Ziller, Zillertal Alps, Austria
For more information and to read about our visit – Arena Coaster Zell am Ziller

Day 5 – Morning Mayrhofen

In the morning we looked around the town on Mayrhofen and enjoyed a ride on the tourist train which took you all the way to the National Park and back into the centre. It’s a great way to get your bearings. There is a lot of things to do in Mayrhofen and plenty of opportunity to book some adrenaline-filled adventures. For more information see – Things to do in Mayrhofen.

Day 5 – Lunchtime onwards Ahornbahn

Once you are done in Mayrhofen head up mount Ahorn with the Ahornbahn. The mountain has some great hikes for families and is part of the Zillertal Alps nature park. As well as a freshwater lake AhornSee and the AhornBachl stream ready for play. At set times throughout the day it is possible to see birds of prey perform in the arena.

There is also a recently opened new play space that has been designed in conjunction with Ravensburger. Which is full of games and books. As well as a Brio train set, the largest gravitx play table I have ever seen and a climbing wall. Outside there is a small play frame and ride-ons for the little ones.

If staying for lunch then we can recommend AhornHutte with stunning views across the mountains and the nature park Zillertal Alps from their terrace. They also have an undercover eating area if the weather is not playing ball. And if you are really lucky then you will be able to feed their alpacas.

Entrance cost- The Ahornbalm cable car is one of the ten cable cars that you can ride with a Zillteral Activcard. If you do not have one then entrance costs are €28 for an adult and €14 for a child.
Address – Ahornstraße 853, 6290 Mayrhofen
For more information and to read about our visit – Complete guide to Ahornbahn, Mayrhofen with kids

Day 6 – All Day Spieljoch the Family Adventure Mountain

You will also want to leave most of the day for the Spieljochbahn and the mountain. Unlike the others that we have visited so far, there are plenty of bookable activities for the children. These range from crystal mining, to rock climbing, a flying fox, high ropes course and hiring go-karts. They do all come at an additional cost, you can book the activities when you arrive at the information desk. The boys tried out crystal mining and loved it.

The good thing is that there are also lots of free things to do. As well as easy family hiking with fantastic panoramas of the most beautiful valleys and mountains. There are several play areas which of course include water. With mini row boats for kids and a floating platform to pull yourself across the water. More trampolines than I can count and plenty of opportunities for climbing. Either on play frames, purpose-built trees or scrabble nets. A barefoot trail will also help to keep them entertained. It really is a great place for families.

If staying for lunch then we can recommend IL RISTORANTE which serves delicious food in huge portions at reasonable prices. All overlooking the mountains. There is an outside terrace, sun deck and a stylish inside restaurant. Specialising in Italian cuisine there are also some traditional dishes available.

Entrance cost- The Spieljochbahn cable car is one of the ten cable cars that you can ride with a Zillteral Activcard. If you do not have one then entrance costs are €28 for an adult and €13 for a child.
Address – Spieljochbahn Fuegen, Hochfügenerstrasse 77, 6263 Fuegen im Zillertal Austria
For more information and to read about our visit –Complete guide to visiting Spielijoch Mountain with kids

Day 7 – Morning Erlebnis Sennerei Cheese Factory Mayrhofen

In the morning head to Erlebnis Sennerei on the outskirts of Mayrhofen with its long history of cheese making. With plenty of free parking, you can learn all about how cheese is made. If you visit in the morning you will also be able to see the cheese being made and the factory in operation. This normally stops between 12 and 2 pm depending on the day of the week. After which there are videos available to show you the process.

As well as the factory tour and tasting of different yoghurts. There is also an outside area with a small petting farm and play area. Both of which were a hit with the boys. Especially the go-karts. There is a cafe and shop on site so you can also pick up some tasty souvenirs or gifts.

Entrance cost- Entrance with audio guide costs €12.50 for adults and €6.50 for children between the ages of 7-14. Under 7s are free. You can also get a 10% discount on these prices if you have a Zillertal Activcard.
Address – Hollenzen 116, 6290 Mayrhofen, Zillertal Austria
For more information and to read about our visit – Guide to visiting Erlebnis Sennerei – Cheese Factory Mayrhofen

We had reached the end of our Austrian Summer holiday and headed back home to get ready for our next adventure. Stopping in Metz overnight before catching the Eurotunnel home. There are plenty of places to visit in the surrounding area:

15 Things to do in Mayrhofen
Things to do inside in Zillertal with kids
19 Practical Austria travel tips and things to know before you go

We really enjoyed our stay in the Zillertal ski area during the Summer. Have you visited Zillertal or South Tyrol? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.