Holidays to Kitzbühel bring you the best of urban beats and secluded retreats, topped off with a lake you can swim in.
Mountain magic
Tucked in the western province of Tyrol, Kitzbühel brings you classic Austrian hospitality and then some. The place is lauded for its alpine scenery, but it's also got a buzzing cosmopolitan vibe. Take an invigorating dip in the clear-water lake, then grab a hot chocolate – or warming whisky – at a cosy bar.
Greenery galore
Reachable by summer chair-lifts, the mountaintops are the jewels in Kitzbühel's crown. Soak up the sun while wandering the famous Kitzbüheler Horn's nature paths. Down below, Lake Schwarzee's crystal-clear waters make a great backdrop for a picnic. Rent a boat to admire the wild alpine flowers along the shore.
Gothic glitz
In Kitzbühel town, towering architecture, cobbled streets and coloured frescoed buildings lend plenty of snap-worthy sights. The town's also earned the nickname 'Glitzy Kitz', thanks to the fact it has swish boutiques as far as the eye can see.
Festival frolics
Summer breathes life into the town with a string of seasonal celebrations. Unpack your dancing shoes for the Town Band Festival, when locals and tourists alike take to the streets to tap and twirl. To recuperate after a boogie, sit down with a plate of Tiroler gröstl – an Austrian belly-filler made of fried bacon, onions and potato.
Out and about
Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Kitzbühel:• Lakeside promenade
• Lake bathing
• Cycle routes
• Alpine flower garden
• Waterfalls
• Tennis courts
• Museum
• Fishing
• Wildlife spotting
• Paragliding
