St Johann in Tyrol Holidays

Trail-covered landscapes, snowy slopes and atmospheric Alpine bars – picture that, and you've got St Johann holidays in a nutshell.

A warm welcome

Stroll the pretty Medieval streets and soak up the laidback Tyrolean vibe in this market town in western Austria. Fondue and hearty stews are a top-notch pairing with locally brewed beer, while traditional folk music makes a fitting soundtrack. You'll have to indulge in the apres-ski tradition of a steaming hot chocolate in a chalet-style café, too.

All-season activity

With walking routes tracing their way over the Wilder Kaiser Mountains and the Kitzbuheler Horn, outdoorsy sorts are well catered for here. In the summer, wildflower-covered hills call for picnics, and bike rides pass glassy lakes. Come wintertime, whizz down snowy slopes on skis or sit back and slide down on a toboggan.

Alpine adventure

St Johann makes a fine base for farther-flung alpine exploration. Local villages Kirchdorf and Oberndorf are easily reached by bus, while fashionable Kitzbuhel is within a 10-minute train ride. Daytrippers delight in cobble-streeted Salzburg, just over an hour's drive away, where they can follow in the musical footsteps of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in St Johann:

• Mountain lifts
• Cycle routes
• Waterfalls
• Indoor pool
• Outdoor pool
• Tennis courts
• Museum
• Wildlife spotting

At a glance

Catch a gondola ride up Harschbichl mountain
Go cross-country skiing
Swig local beer al fresco

Top things to See and Do in St Johann in Tyrol

BEACHES
SHOPPING
NIGHTLIFE
FOOD & DRINK
GETTING ABOUT
WALKING

Badesee Going

There are no bathing lakes in St Johann itself, but just to the west of the town is Badesee Going – an emerald-coloured pool at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser mountains, fed by natural sources from the peaks.
Natural swimming lake

Recently voted the most beautiful natural swimming lake in Tyrol, it owes its title to the clear green water, photogenic location and assortment of activities on offer – like the huge beach volleyball court, which is the largest in western Austria.
Family friendly

The water reaches a mild 24°C, ideal for swimming in the warmer summer months. Kids will love the 100m open-air slide and the extra wide XXL slide. There’s even a spot for tiny tots to splash around safely in the non-swimmers area, as well as an adventure playground complete with pirate ship.

Bargain Buys

The weekly farmers' market offers local and regional products, like meats, breads, mountain cheeses, schnapps, honey, herbs and crafts. This is an ideal opportunity to pick up some bargain souvenirs.
Mid-Range Buys

There are a few clothes shops, sports shops and a cosmetic pharmacy selling premium beauty products and perfumes. There are also specialist shops worth paying a visit to –especially the small, independent chocolate shop just off the main square.

Laid-back evenings

Pick up an ice cream from one of the cafés in the square, and spend a quiet evening strolling along the river that flows through the middle of town.
Lively evenings

Pop by Cubo, just past the train tracks. There's a beautiful sky lounge at the top, serving delicious cocktails with a side of spectacular mountain views.

Eating out

Coffee culture is big in the Kitzbühel Alps. In St Johann, you’ll find lots of hidden cafés and bistros offering delicious hot drinks and cakes. One of the favourites is Oma’s Häferlcafé, or ‘Grandma’s Big Milky Coffee’, which is served in a traditional Austrian mug.
Grab a slice from Villa Masianco

Just by the level crossing is Villa Masianco, a pizzeria with very generous portions that also serves delicious burgers, pasta, salads and other dishes. They also do takeaway, so you can sit down by the river on a sunny day.
Beer with a view at Huber Bräu Brewery

The tower of the Huber Bräu Brewery has a restaurant at its top level. As well as hearty Tyrolean fare, the restaurant has an observation balcony where you can enjoy the views of the Wilder Kaiser with a locally brewed beer.
Spoilt for choice at Café Bar Eggers

A short walk away on the Hauptplatz is Café Bar Eggers, a modern but cosy bistro with outdoor seating – ideal for people watching. They have a varied menu, from sandwiches to salads, and cocktails to coffees. There's also free Wi-Fi.
Sample strudel at Grander Schupf

A favourite among the locals is the Grander Schupf, which is an uphill walk from the resort. Reasonable prices, good strudel and a quaint, comfortable atmosphere make this Austrian chalet an ideal place to stop for a hot drink, lunch or even dinner.

On foot

Take relaxing walks through the village, where the paths are gentle and the town centre is pedestrianised between 10am and 6pm.
Trains

Situated near the Huber Bräu Brewery is St Johann’s train station. You can access Kitzbühel in 8 minutes, as well as Zell am See in 45 minutes, with trains running every half an hour. Trains also run to Innsbruck and Salzburg, departing every 2 hours.
Buses

If you're not looking to go as far, you can always catch a bus from the main station next to the train station. The buses stop at nearby Ellmau (25 minutes), Scheffau (30 minutes) and Söll (40 minutes) and run every half an hour Monday to Friday, every 2 hours on a Saturday, and every 3 hours on a Sunday.
Summer lifts

You can catch the Harschbichl gondola up the mountain for some gentle walks and beautiful views. The gondala operates from mid-May to mid-October and is open every day between 9am and 4.30pm.

Walking

Whether you’re after a relaxed stroll or a chance to really stretch your legs, you’re sure to find something suitable along St Johann’s 210km of trails. Casual walkers can spend long summer days ambling through the village, along riverside paths and through alpine meadows. If you want to explore a bit further, you can venture to nearby Kitzbühel to jump on the Kitzbühelerhorn gondola, for access to plenty of footpaths and marked trails with beautiful views. The one and a half hour walk to the Eifersbacher waterfalls is well worth it for the photo opportunity alone.
Horn-Panorama-Runde

Catch the gondola to the top of Harschbichl mountain and head up towards the Kitzbüheler Horn, following the steep path through alpine meadows. Wind past farm pastures and the lovely little chapel to the peak of the Horn, where spectacular views await you. From there, the trail leads downhill along a narrow ridge and back to the gondola station.
Griessbachklamm Gorge

Get stuck into nature and take this trail into an impressive ravine, following the winding river between steep rocky walls, and making your way across the suspension bridge, four metres above the riverbed. Step carefully along wooden boardwalks, cross a second bridge, and marvel at the cascading waterfall – all before reaching a peaceful sandy area, perfect for a lunch stop. This is a beautiful route, but not one for the casual strollers.