Austria with kids Salzburg & the lakes

UNESCO World Heritage city with a fairy-tale fortress, Mozart's birthplace, and the Mirabell Gardens. Compact and walkable with children — excellent as a base for day trips across the region.

One of the most photographed villages in Europe — a lakeside hamlet with Alpine houses, a market square, lake boats, and a salt mine above the village. Arrive early to enjoy it before the crowds.

A stunning mountain lake at the foot of the Dachstein glacier, with turquoise water reflecting the peaks. The easy 4 km lakeside path is perfect for families, and the Gosaukammbahn cable car goes up from here.

The compact medieval heart of the Tyrolean capital, centred on the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) — a late-Gothic balcony covered in 2,738 gilded copper tiles. Herzog-Friedrich-Straße is a pedestrianised arcade street with pastel facades. The Imperial Palace and Court Church are a short walk away. Well-suited for a family morning or afternoon stroll before heading to the mountains.

A relaxed lakeside town on Lake Wolfgang, connected by ferry to St. Wolfgang. Great for a family swimming and boat day. A cable car to the Zwölferhorn summit adds a viewpoint option on clear days.

A charming lakeside town about 30 km from Salzburg, built around a striking white Basilica. The lake offers easy swimming, a pleasant promenade, and calm water for families. A natural scenic stop on the way to or from the Salzkammergut lake district.

An elegant spa town at the heart of the Salzkammergut, once the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph. The relaxed, walkable town center is good for a coffee break, a short stroll, or a mid-day stop while touring the lake district.

A multi-stage cable car up to 2,100m on the Dachstein plateau. The Five Fingers viewing platform — steel fingers jutting 400m over the void — is one of the most dramatic views in Austria. Allow a half to full morning.

A scenic gondola ride above the Gosau valley to the Zwieselalm ridge, with panoramic views of the Dachstein and surrounding lakes. Pairs naturally with a walk at Gosausee below.

An extraordinary experience: reach two high-altitude reservoirs (1,672m and 2,036m) via funicular, electric bus, and tunnel walk. One of the most unique day trips in Austria — best saved for clear blue-sky days.

An enclosed gondola ride above Salzburg linking Mönchsberg to Festungsberg — a quick, sheltered way to get aerial views of the city and mountains. Great bonus activity on a Salzburg day, and covered if it drizzles.

A thrilling 1.3 km alpine coaster near Flachau where riders control their own speed on a winding descent through forested mountains. Children from age 3 welcome (under 8 with an adult).

A large family thermal bath complex in Altenmarkt with indoor and outdoor pools, waterslides, and a dedicated children's area. One of the best rainy-day options for families in the Salzburg region.

A family theme park in Flachau with over 60 attractions across themed worlds — rides, play zones, and live shows. Aimed mainly at children up to about age 12, with dedicated areas for younger children.

A family mountain park above Wagrain, reached by gondola. The summit features dedicated play areas, water elements, easy walking trails, and panoramic Alpine views. One of the best family-friendly mountain experiences in the Salzburg Sportwelt area — suited for children of all ages.

A mountain adventure park for children on the slopes above St. Johann im Pongau, reached by gondola. Features interactive play stations, water elements, nature trails, and mountain views — designed specifically with young families in mind.

A well-preserved medieval walled town near Flachau and the Sportwelt Amadé ski region. The charming market square and old town walls make for a pleasant short walk or coffee break while touring the area.

One of the longest and deepest accessible gorges in the Alps — a 4 km walk on wooden walkways through a narrow canyon with waterfalls and turquoise pools, ending at a spectacular 60m waterfall. Partially covered in light rain.

An underground tour through historical Celtic salt mines just 15 km south of Salzburg. Includes slides, a wooden mine train, and an underground salt lake. About 90 minutes underground, fully sheltered — an excellent rainy-day choice.

A well-equipped thermal spa in the Gastein valley with indoor and outdoor pools, waterslides (Galaxy Rutschbahn), and a family area. Best saved for a poor-weather day or as a recovery day after active days in the mountains.

A small medieval village in the Salzach valley — the gateway to Hohenwerfen Castle and Eisriesenwelt ice cave. Charming with the river, mountain views, and a relaxed atmosphere that works well with children.

A 900-year-old fortress perched 155m above the Salzach valley, reached by funicular or uphill walk. Daily falconry shows are the highlight for children. Outstanding valley views and an immersive medieval atmosphere.

The world's largest accessible ice cave — 40 km of passages with frozen waterfalls and glacier formations. Guided tours last about 75 minutes. Temperature inside is around 0°C year-round, so warm layers are essential. Fully sheltered from weather.

The imperial summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty — a UNESCO World Heritage site. The grounds include the world's oldest zoo, a hedge maze, a palm house, and sweeping baroque gardens. Children love the zoo and the maze; the gilded palace interior impresses older kids. Budget a full morning or afternoon — the zoo alone takes 2–3 hours.

Vienna's historic amusement park, home to the 1897 Riesenrad Giant Ferris Wheel that still dominates the city skyline. Entry to the park is free — pay per ride. Good for a family afternoon with a mix of classic and modern attractions. The surrounding Prater meadows are excellent for picnics and cycling.

Vienna's Gothic masterpiece and spiritual heart of the city. The coloured tile roof, twin towers, and catacombs make this far more than a standard church visit. Children are drawn to the catacombs tour — atmospheric underground passages with centuries of history. Climb the south tower for sweeping city views on a clear day. Arrive early to avoid midday crowds.

The historic first district — the Innere Stadt — with the imperial Ringstrasse boulevard, Opera House, and pedestrian streets. Walkable with children. Must-sees: the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs and gems), the Art History Museum (Egyptian section with mummies), and Michaelerplatz. The ring tram is a good way to see the whole boulevard. Also excellent for an evening stroll.

The only surviving Vienna apartment where Mozart lived — at Domgasse 5 in the city center, where he composed The Marriage of Figaro and entertained Haydn. Four evocative floors of museum. More meaningful for music lovers and older children than for young kids, but the audio guide makes the stories accessible. A natural short stop when exploring the city center.

Two Baroque palaces (Upper and Lower Belvedere) set in formal French gardens with fountains and sculpted hedges. The Upper Belvedere houses Klimt's The Kiss and a world-class art collection — compelling for art-minded adults and older children. The Lower Belvedere and Orangery suit younger families. The gardens are free to enter and excellent for a relaxed afternoon stroll. About 20 minutes by tram from the city centre.

A cable car system that rises straight from the heart of Innsbruck to 2,256m on the Nordkette ridge. The Hungerburg funicular departs near the old town; gondolas climb to Seegrube and on to the Hafelekar summit with sweeping panoramas over the city and the Alps. Allow at least 2–3 hours. Bring warm layers — even in summer the summit is significantly colder than the city.

A dreamlike art and exhibition space in Wattens, about 20 minutes from Innsbruck. Underground chambers filled with crystal art installations, light sculptures, and immersive environments. The outdoor Giant — a grass-covered face spouting water — is a landmark. Children are captivated by the scale and sparkle. Allow 2–3 hours; includes outdoor gardens and a design park.

The highest glacier area in Tyrol, accessible by gondola from the Mutterbergalm valley station about 40 minutes south of Innsbruck. In summer the upper plateau sits around 3,000m — snowfields, panoramic walks, and a Top of Tyrol viewing platform. A genuinely high-alpine day: bring warm layers for children even in August. The Stubaital valley below is scenic and worth a slow drive back.

Tyrol's largest lake — a long, strikingly blue body of water framed by the Karwendel and Rofan mountain ranges. Pertisau on the western shore is the main family base: swimming beaches, boat rentals, and a calm promenade. The Rofan cable car on the eastern shore climbs to a ridge with accessible family hiking. The historic Achenseebahn steam rack railway runs along the lake and is a highlight for children.

A family-friendly mountain just west of Innsbruck, accessible by gondola from Mutters village. Summer programme includes a natural luge run, an adventure playground, alpine hiking for all levels, and a treetop walk. A relaxed alternative to a full glacier day — less demanding, closer to the city, and well-suited for younger children or families wanting a lighter mountain experience without a long drive.

A large action and water park in the Ötztal valley, about 60–70 km from Innsbruck. Combines a summer waterpark (pools, slides, wave pool) with an outdoor adventure zone — ziplines, climbing walls, and rope courses. One of the most comprehensive family activity parks in the Alps. A full day is recommended; younger children enjoy the water sections most, older kids gravitate to the adventure zone.

The highest-altitude zoo in Europe, set on the wooded slopes above Innsbruck at 727 m. Around 800 animals from 150 Alpine species — ibex, bearded vulture, lynx, European brown bear, otter, and wolf. Most enclosures are large and naturalistic. Accessible by bus or the Hungerburgbahn funicular that also serves the Nordkette cable car. A rewarding half-day: combines well with an Innsbruck old-town walk in the morning.

The iconic ski-jump tower designed by Zaha Hadid, perched on the hill above Innsbruck. A lift carries visitors to the viewing platform at 50 m — sweeping panoramas over the city and the Inn valley. The adjacent history recalls the 1809 Battle of Bergisel and the Tyrolean uprising. Compact visit of about an hour; combines naturally with an Innsbruck old-town walk the same morning or afternoon. The panoramic café at the top adds to the appeal for families.

The widest natural waterfall in Tyrol, at the head of the Stubai valley near Ranalt. The signed Wilde Wasser Weg (Wild Water Trail) leads through a spectacular gorge past several cascades, ending at the broad Grawa falls — a curtain of water across the full valley width. The trail is easy, well-maintained, and very suitable for children. Allow around 1.5–2 hours return. Most impressive in early summer when snowmelt is highest; free and open year-round.

A gondola from Mieders village in the Stubai valley, climbing to around 1,600 m at the foot of the Serles peak. The main draw for families is the Alpincoaster — a summer toboggan run on rails that descends the mountain in sweeping curves. Accessible hiking trails suitable for children and panoramic views complete the day. The area is far less crowded than Innsbruck's main cable cars, and roughly 30 minutes' drive south of Innsbruck.

The cable car that rises from Maurach on the eastern shore of Achensee to the Rofan plateau at 1,838 m. At the top: sweeping views over Achensee and the Karwendel range, a network of signed family hiking trails, a climbing park, and a children's playground. The ascent takes just 12 minutes and the contrast from the lakeshore to high-alpine terrain is striking. A natural companion to a day at Achensee.

One of the longest alpine coasters in Europe at 3.5 km, winding down the forested hillside above the market town of Imst in the Inn valley, about 70 km west of Innsbruck. Accessed by gondola via Imster Bergbahnen; the cable-car ride itself is a highlight with panoramic views across the valley. Minimum age and height requirements apply — check before visiting with very young children. Walking trails at the top complete the day.

An interactive experience centre by the wafer and chocolate brand Loacker, set at Heinfels Castle in the heart of East Tyrol near Sillian. The exhibition explores the brand's ingredients — Alpine milk, hazelnuts, chocolate — through hands-on stations designed for families. Wafer and chocolate tastings are included. A compact visit of around 1.5 hours; a natural rainy-day anchor for families based in or passing through East Tyrol. The medieval Heinfels Castle ruins provide a scenic backdrop.

A spectacular turquoise lake in Styria, roughly halfway between Vienna and Salzburg. In spring and early summer, snowmelt floods the surrounding park paths, creating an underwater world of submerged benches and trails — a uniquely surreal sight. Best from late April to June for the flooding effect. The valley is scenic and walkable year-round and makes a natural mid-journey stop.

A family adventure mountain near Mautern an der Steyr in Styria — roughly 2 hours from Vienna and 90 minutes from Salzburg. Highlights include a tubbing run (inflatable tube slide), a summer toboggan run, mountain biking, an adventure playground, and a panoramic gondola. A natural mid-route stop for families with children aged 4–14 wanting an active break on the drive.