Portopetro
Whizz across slopes and plateaus on holidays to Seefeld – with views of the alpine countryside.
Seefeld sits pretty on a plateau, sandwiched between the grand peaks of Wetterstein and Karwendel in western Austria. In winter, it looks like your classic snow globe village – but in summer it shakes off the snowbanks and bursts into greenery. Be sure to visit the iconic Seekirchl church tower to soak up the panoramic views.
Surrounded by three mountains, Seefeld's got natural beauty on tap. Take a cable car to the top of the peaks, or walk through moorlands to Wildsee Lake for a quick dip. If you've had your countryside fix for the day, move on to history in nearby Innsbruck, just a 40-minute train ride away.
A top-notch skiing spot, Seefeld's best known for its standout winter sports scene. The Alpine town's downhill slopes are ideal for beginners and intermediates alike – so the whole family can zip around together. A steaming mug of hot choc afterwards is the best way to warm up.
Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Seefeld:
• Lakeside paths with cycle route
• Lake bathing
• Boat trips
• Bike hire
• Waterfalls
• Outdoor pool
• Museum
• Minigolf
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Fishing
Seefeld takes its name from the words 'see', meaning 'lake', and 'feld', meaning 'field'. The bathing lake is the Wildsee, which is 5.1m deep and is flanked by thick forests. It attracts a whole host of aquatic birds, gentle wildlife and thriving plants.
Wildsee is protected as a place of outstanding natural beauty. The lake is incredibly tranquil, with numerous walking paths for afternoon rambles.
On warm days, swimmers flock to Wildsee to take a refreshing dip. The lake waters only reach 20°C, though the heated swimming pool on the lake complex is a warmer option. There's an excellent restaurant, kid’s pool, adventure playground, kayaks for hire and changing facilities.
The pedestrianised village is perfect for farmers' markets, flea markets and other pop-up possibilities where you can fill your shopping bags. The regular market is held on Tuesdays and sells fresh food produce from local farms.
There are plenty of mid-range retailers in Seefeld as well, offering an array of products like sunglasses, activewear, jewellery, clothes and shoes.
Seefeld has a number of boutiques stocking designer gear to suit all tastes – like Moncler, Kenzo, Burberry and baby Gucci – plus high-end jewellery and accessories, too.
Seefeld has an array of small bars and pubs where you can go for a quiet evening drink, or just sit and watch the world go by. The pedestrianised centre has plenty of pavement cafés that are perfect for people watching.
The Die Kane bar and club is a buzzy place for cocktails and a floor show. The venue is part of the Hotel Klosterbräu and bills itself as ‘the most sophisticated nightspot in town’. It’s open three times a week in the summer.
Austrian cuisine is the main focal point in Seefeld. You'll find Austrian pubs, delicatessens and fine-dining restaurants with prices to suit every budget. You can settle down for a meal or a glass of wine around Lake Wildsee and watch the sun set on the water, or discover mountain huts serving coffee and cake thousands of metres above sea level.
Along the Klosterstrasse is the Plangger Delikatessen, a contemporary deli serving light lunches and wine in the beautiful centre of Seefeld. The popular choice is the Tiroler Teller platter consisting of different hams, breads and cheeses. And if anything really tickles your fancy, you can buy some to take home with you.
Opposite the train station is the small and traditional Elizabeth’s Bar. With reasonably priced food, scrumptious Tiroler gröstl and a beer garden to enjoy during the summer months, it’s a great place to stop for lunch.
On the Wildmoos plateau at 1,300m (that's as high as Ben Nevis) is the crazy Wildmoos Alm. Known for its entertaining owner Walter, its food and its schnapps fountain, every day is a party. Energetic staff and quirky interiors make this restaurant a memorable experience for all.
Seefeld has designated pedestrian districts where everyone can stroll around the town centre and enjoy the sights at their own pace. These include the Dorfplatz, Klosterstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse – all of which have an array of shops, restaurants and bars.
The station is a 1-minute walk from the town centre on the Bahnhofplatz 115. You can catch a train to Innsbruck in 40 minutes, departing every half an hour, or to Mittenwald in 20 minutes, departing every 1-2 hours.
You can catch buses to a range of towns from the main bus station, which is situated next to the train station. They run to towns like Reith, Leutasch and Leithen. There’s also a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle service that leaves every 20 minutes and makes stops around the resort.
A variety of lifts are open during the summer to help you explore the mountains, including the funicular railway, the Seefelder Joch cable car and the Harmelekopfbahn, all operating every 15 minutes. They're open between 9am and 5pm every day, from the end of May until the end of October.
Walking in Seefeld is incredibly diverse, so you can make it as easy or as difficult as you want. There are 650km of trails, ranging from lakeside walks to high alpine routes. Take a gentle stroll to Lake Wildsee for beautiful views of the town and mountains, or go further, through forests and meadows, to discover Seefeld’s three sparkling lakes. The Gschwandtkopf and Rosshütte lifts are waiting to whisk you to the peaks for access to picturesque rambles – and you simply can’t miss taking a ride on the Rosshütte funicular and wandering back along the woodland track.
This is one of Seefeld’s most popular walks – and it’s easy to see why. Follow the scenic route to Lake Möserer See, one of the Tyrol’s warmest lakes, where you can go for a dip and enjoy some lunch at the Möser Seestub’n. Then carry on to your second lake, the Lottensee, and finally to the Wildmoos-See. Reward your efforts with mouthwatering apple strudel at the Wildmoosalm restaurant – the perfect ending to the day.
Discover the beauty and power of nature, which carved the Leutasch Gorge out of this stunning landscape. This flat route winds through the gorge and across a metal walkway, where you can really feel the contrast between the solid rocks and the rushing water. The area is also steeped in folklore, so look out for goblins and spirits on the way. When you reach Mittenwald, you can circle back through the gorge or catch the train back to Seefeld.
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