7. Museum Kitzbühel
An excellent local museum located in the town’s old granary, Museum Kitzbühel (Museum der Stadt Kitzbühel) is well worth a visit. With a focus on the region’s rich history, including its popularity as a leading ski destination, its many displays include items of Tyrolese folk art and finds from ancient mines.
Its substantial art collection includes more than 60 paintings and 100 drawings by Alfons Walde, whose colorful images of the mountains helped attract the rich and famous from around the world to the region’s slopes. Many other artworks with a winter sports theme are also on display. Also worth seeing are numerous sports-related artifacts, including an iron bobsled, ancient skis, and displays of star athletes connected to the area. Guided tours are available.
Address: Hinterstadt 32, 6370 Kitzbühel, Austria
8. Splash about on the Schwarzsee
Those who enjoy a much slower, more laid-back pace should visit the Schwarzsee, a picturesque little lake located just three kilometers northwest of Kitzbühel. Named after its dark green waters – an effect that’s caused by its moorland setting, which has also resulted in mineral-rich water – Schwarzsee is immensely popular for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing (carp and pike are plentiful). It’s also popular for those who enjoy people-powered boating, such as canoeing and kayaking (rowboats are available for rent).
This idyllic, 15-acre, tree-lined lake is also well known for having some of the warmest waters in the Alps, with its water temperature making it as high as 27 degrees Celsius in the peak of summer. Schwarzsee is also included on many of the region’s walking trails and makes a great place to stop for a lakeside picnic. Nature lovers are also frequent visitors thanks to the nature reserves located here.
Location: Schwarzsee, Tirol, Austria
