Places to Visit in Vorarlberg
Sights & Excursion Ideas for Your Holiday in Vorarlberg
A holiday in Vorarlberg combines impressive mountain scenery, historic towns, modern culture and remarkable natural experiences. From Genusshotel Vermala in St. Gallenkirch in Montafon, you can reach numerous places to visit in Vorarlberg for one final stop on your journey home – from Bludenz and Feldkirch to Dornbirn, Hohenems, Bregenz and Lake Constance.
Whether you are planning a family day out, a cultural excursion, a rainy-day activity or a stop on your journey home, discover our personal recommendations for sights and special excursions during your holiday in Vorarlberg. Explore hidden gems along your route and enjoy a relaxed ending to your wellness holiday at Genusshotel Vermala before setting off for home.
Muttersberg near Bludenz
Situated at an altitude of 1,401 metres, Muttersberg is a popular year-round destination and an ideal starting point for numerous mountain activities. From Hoher Frassen, you can enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Below the summit, the welcoming Frassen Hütte and its panoramic terrace invite you to stop for a break. Alpengasthof Muttersberg is located directly beside the mountain station and is another lovely place to relax and enjoy refreshments. A large adventure playground and slacklines provide fun and variety for the whole family. A singletrack trail leads from the mountain station down to the valley station.
Hinterplärsch 5, 6700 Bludenz
Telephone: +43 5552 68035
Email: alpengasthof@muttersberg.at
muttersberg.at
Milka Lädele - Shop
Sweet Treats at Special Prices
Several tonnes of smooth Milka chocolate leave the alpine town of Bludenz every day. To discover how chocolate is made and learn more about the story behind the purple cow, we recommend visiting the Milka Lädele Experience Shop.
Opening hours:
Monday: 9.00 am–12.00 noon
Tuesday to Friday: 9.00 am–4.30 pm
Saturday: 9.00 am–12.00 noon
Telephone: +43 5552 609 304
Bad Rothenbrunnen in the Walsertal
Excursion into the Großes Walsertal
A true gem in the heart of the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve. The healing waters of Rothenbrunnen were first mentioned in written records as early as 1460. The spring rises 500 metres above Gasthaus Rothenbrunnen on the banks of the Matonabach stream. A water analysis found it to be excellent mineral water containing calcium, magnesium and sulphate. It is considered particularly suitable for therapeutic bathing and drinking treatments for rheumatic conditions, chronic liver damage, mild cases of diabetes and gallbladder disorders. Iron deposits give the spring outlet its reddish-brown colour and also gave the spring its name. The historic inn can be reached on foot in 15 minutes and is well worth the detour.
Alpengasthof Bad Rothenbrunnen
6791 Sonntag-Buchboden
Telephone: +43 5554 20104
Email: office@rothenbrunnen.at
www.rothenbrunnen.at
Schattenburg Museum in Feldkirch
The Historic Schattenburg
Schattenburg Castle towers above the town and served as the residence of the Counts of Montfort until the end of the 14th century. The keep, the highest part of the castle, serves as a viewing platform and offers panoramic views across Feldkirch. A miniature golf course is located beside the castle entrance. The castle is particularly interesting for history enthusiasts, as the complex has remained almost unchanged despite several later additions. It also houses the Schattenburg Museum and an inn where you can stop for refreshments.
Burggasse 1, Feldkirch
Telephone: +43 5522 3043510
Email: besuch.museum@schattenburg.at
www.schattenburg.at/de
Feldkirch Wildlife Park for Families
Feldkirch Wildlife Park offers a wonderful animal and nature experience for families. Marmots, eagles, ibex and numerous other animals can be observed throughout the park. A playground provides plenty of fun, while a kiosk serving hot food is available for hungry visitors. Discover the variety of wildlife in harmony with nature during a relaxing walk through Feldkirch Wildlife Park. Admission is free.
Ardetzenberg 20, Feldkirch
Telephone: +43 5522 74105
www.wildpark-feldkirch.at
Indoor Karting in Feldkirch
This unique indoor karting track in Feldkirch, Austria, features a specially designed high-grip racing surface and offers maximum driving enjoyment across 4,000 m². Beginners and experienced drivers can compete for the fastest lap times on the Vorarlberg Ring using modern karts. The 360-metre high-speed circuit includes a double banked bend.
Münkafeld 2, Feldkirch
Telephone: +43 5522 22822
Email: office@kartbahn-treff.at
www.kartbahn-treff.at
The Principality of Liechtenstein & Vaduz Castle
Excursion to Vaduz in Liechtenstein
Vaduz, one of Europe’s most important financial centres, impresses with its contrast between prestigious bank buildings and trust companies on the one hand and welcoming traditional buildings and farmhouses on the other.
The princely castle is inhabited and therefore unfortunately not open to visitors. However, the view from the castle across the country and its surroundings is magnificent. The small town is particularly renowned for its art collection and postage stamp museum.
Rappenloch & Alploch Gorges in Dornbirn
The Rappenloch and Alploch gorges in Dornbirn are among the largest gorges in Central Europe. Over hundreds of thousands of years, the flowing waters of the Dornbirner Ach carved their way through the hard limestone. Today, adventurous walkways lead through the gorges and past remarkable rock formations.
The entrance to the Rappenloch Gorge can be reached within ten minutes from Gütle. Following a rockfall in May 2011, the original path is no longer accessible. A newer route runs along the edge of the gorge and offers breathtaking views into the ravine and across the rockfall. A visit can easily be combined with the Rolls-Royce Museum.
Rolls-Royce Automobile Museum in Dornbirn
The legend of Rolls-Royce stands for quality, aesthetics and refined luxury. At the beautifully renovated Rolls-Royce Museum, you can experience the pioneering spirit of the period and its pursuit of perfection and elegance.
Located in the district of Gütle at the entrance to the Rappenloch Gorge, changing exhibitions immerse visitors in the magic of Rolls-Royce, milestones in automotive engineering and the extraordinary lifestyle of past – and even future – eras.
Gütle 11a, Dornbirn
www.rolls-royce-automobilmuseum.at
inatura Dornbirn – Interactive Nature Exhibition
The inatura is an interactive exhibition, documentation centre and research facility. Its modern museum concept, fascinating architecture and child-friendly presentation of hands-on exhibits make this revitalised industrial building an attractive destination.
The exhibition explores topics relating to nature, people and technology. Interactive games and video projections are accompanied by live small animals and taxidermy exhibits that visitors can touch. Trying, playing, experiencing and understanding are at the heart of the museum. The journey leads through the habitats typical of Vorarlberg: mountains, forests and water.
Research, experiment and discover inatura for yourself. Families can learn and explore together throughout its interactive exhibitions.
Jahngasse 9, Dornbirn
Telephone: +43 5572 232350
www.inatura.at
Spielfabrik Dornbirn for Families
Welcome to Spielfabrik, where children are encouraged to get moving and can enjoy play and fun in any weather. The 2,000 m² indoor playground provides plenty of space for children to play, run around, climb, race and bounce. All tested play equipment meets the highest safety standards.
Eisengasse 44, Dornbirn
Telephone: +43 5572 408840
www.spielfabrik.at
K1 Climbing Centre in Dornbirn
The K1 Climbing Centre in Dornbirn offers climbing fun for every ability across a total site of around 2,000 m², with 3,000 m² of climbing walls. Taster sessions, family climbing, introductory courses, children’s climbing and a summer programme provide different ways to discover the world of indoor climbing.
Bildgasse 10, Dornbirn
Telephone: +43 5572 394810
www.k1-dornbirn.at
Jewish Museum Hohenems
Place to Visit in Hohenems
The Jewish Museum Hohenems is a regional museum with an international reputation. It commemorates the Jewish community of Hohenems and its many contributions to the development of Vorarlberg and the surrounding regions. The museum tells an exemplary story of the diaspora and explores contemporary Jewish life in Europe, coexistence and migration. It also addresses the end of the Jewish community in Hohenems, shaped by the region’s National Socialist history, antisemitism, expulsion and deportation. The permanent exhibition in Villa Heimann-Rosenthal, built in 1864, documents the history of the Jewish community of Hohenems, which existed for more than three centuries until its destruction during the National Socialist era. It also tells the story of the early post-war period.
Bregenz Festival & Floating Stage
Experience an unforgettable journey into the world of art and culture at the renowned Bregenz Festival. Every year, impressive opera productions are presented with passion and dedication on the world’s largest floating stage, in the Festspielhaus and on the Werkstattbühne, captivating the senses and transporting audiences into a world of emotion.
The first Bregenz Festival Week took place one year after the end of the Second World War. Visitors from Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France made it an international event during its very first year. Four years later, the festival received its first permanent floating stage, built on wooden pillars. The floating stage was renovated and enlarged in 1979, followed by the opening of the Festspielhaus in 1980. In 1998, the festival expanded its programme with the floating stage, the Great Hall in the Festspielhaus and the new Werkstattbühne. Since then, a total of 12,000 theatre seats have been available. Each production on the floating stage is presented for two consecutive summers.
Platz der Symphoniker 1, Bregenz
Telephone: +43 5574 4076
www.bregenzerfestspiele.com
Kunsthaus Bregenz
Kunsthaus Bregenz is Vorarlberg’s centre for contemporary art, illuminated by the light of Lake Constance. Its ambitious exhibition programme and distinctive architecture have made it internationally renowned among art and architecture enthusiasts.
Karl-Tizian-Platz, 6900 Bregenz
Telephone: +43 5574 485940
www.kunsthaus-bregenz.at
vorarlberg museum
Located between the lake and the town centre, close to Kunsthaus Bregenz and the Landestheater, the architecturally impressive vorarlberg museum completes the city’s cultural mile. Since reopening in 2013, the museum has received awards for both its concept and architecture. Inspired by terra sigillata vessels – Roman ceramics in the museum collection – the artists used the bases of standard PET bottles as moulds for the façade. At first glance, the resulting pattern on the exterior walls appears random. In reality, it was calculated using a complex mathematical process.
Kornmarktplatz 1, Bregenz
Telephone: +43 557446050
www.vorarlbergmuseum.at
Lake Constance Cruises – Vorarlberg Lines
Boat Trips from Bregenz
Escape everyday life, unwind and experience unforgettable moments in a relaxed atmosphere and in any weather aboard the ships of Vorarlberg Lines. Step onto the deck, let the crew take care of you and admire the seemingly endless expanse of Lake Constance stretching towards the horizon.
Fleet: MS Sonnenkönigin, MS Austria, MS Vorarlberg, MS Alpenstadt Bludenz, MS Stadt Bregenz and MS Montafon
Event cruises, culinary cruises, dance cruises, fireworks cruises, themed cruises, children’s cruises and premium cruises aboard the Sonnenkönigin are available.
Seestraße 4, 6900 Bregenz
Telephone: +43 5574 42868
www.vorarlberg-lines.at
Your Holiday in Vorarlberg at Genusshotel Vermala
Family Attractions in Montafon
Events & Highlights in Montafon
Biking Holidays in Montafon
Frequently Asked Questions about Places to Visit in Vorarlberg
Holidays in Vorarlberg
Which places to visit in Vorarlberg are recommended for a first visit?
For a first overview, the historic centres of Bludenz and Feldkirch, Schattenburg Castle, inatura Dornbirn, Bregenz with Lake Constance and its lakeside promenade, and the Pfänder are all excellent choices. The best selection depends on whether you wish to focus on culture, nature, family experiences or a town visit.
Which places to visit in Vorarlberg are suitable for families?
Popular family attractions include Feldkirch Wildlife Park, the interactive inatura in Dornbirn, Spielfabrik Dornbirn, Schattenburg Museum and the Pfänder. The wildlife park is open throughout the year and asks for a voluntary donation rather than charging a fixed admission fee.
What can you do in Vorarlberg when it rains?
Recommended rainy-day attractions include inatura Dornbirn, Spielfabrik Dornbirn, K1 Climbing Centre, Kunsthaus Bregenz, the vorarlberg museum, Schattenburg Museum and the Jewish Museum Hohenems. Many of these attractions also offer special family programmes or interactive exhibitions.
When do boats depart from Bregenz?
Scheduled and excursion boats operate seasonally. In addition to regular services, round trips and special event cruises are also available. Timetables, destinations and ticket options change each year and should be checked directly with Vorarlberg Lines.
Which free or inexpensive attractions are available?
Walks through the historic centres of Bludenz, Feldkirch and Bregenz are free of charge. Feldkirch Wildlife Park is accessible throughout the year and asks for a voluntary donation. Museums, cable cars and indoor attractions generally charge admission or transport fees.
Which attractions can be combined with the journey home?
Bludenz lies directly at the entrance to Montafon and is ideal for a short stop. Feldkirch and Hohenems are well suited to journeys towards the Rhine Valley or Switzerland. Dornbirn and Bregenz are particularly convenient when travelling onwards towards Lake Constance and Germany.
Is Vaduz part of Vorarlberg?
No. Vaduz is the capital of the independent Principality of Liechtenstein. Due to its proximity to Feldkirch, however, the town is ideal for an additional day trip or stopover. The interior of Vaduz Castle is not open to visitors.
Are the Rappenloch and Alploch gorges open throughout the year?
No. The gorges are closed during the winter months for safety reasons. Weather conditions, rockfall or maintenance work may also cause restrictions during the rest of the season. The current status of the paths should be checked before visiting.
Is Genusshotel Vermala a good base for excursions in Vorarlberg?
Yes. Genusshotel Vermala is located in St. Gallenkirch in Montafon. From here, you can include attractions throughout Montafon as well as Bludenz, Feldkirch, Dornbirn, Hohenems, Bregenz and Lake Constance in your holiday plans.
Is there a visitor card for attractions in Vorarlberg?
Yes. The V-CARD Vorarlberg is valid seasonally at more than 90 attractions in Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein. Participating attractions include cable cars, museums and outdoor swimming pools, and each participating destination can generally be visited once with the card. The current list of partners and conditions of validity should be checked before purchasing.
