Though Kitzbühel is most famous for its highly-popular ski resort, this Austrian city offers tourists so much more than just winter sports. Originally a mining town, it has a charming and rich history. Its stunning medieval centre boasts sixteenth-century cobbled lanes, while its various cultural attractions provide fascinating insight into the city’s heritage. Kitzbühel also boasts an excellent gastronomic scene that lets you taste the flavours of the world.
Discover Kitzbühel’s Cultural Heritage
Visit the Local Museum
The Kitzbühel Museum boasts a range of exhibitions and film screenings that provide a unique insight into the city’s vast culture. Starting from the Bronze Age, it traces the town’s history up to its current development as a winter sport centre. It also hosts over 150 drawings, paintings and photographs by local artist Alfons Walde.
See the Pfarrkirche St Andreas
In the thirteenth century, this impressive monument was erected in the place of an eighth-century parish church. Consisting of a Romanesque church and a 24-meter-tall bell tower, a gothic extension was then added in 1360. Seventy-five years later, the stone foundation was expanded further, before the entire building was vaulted in 1506. The Pfarrkirche St Andreas was then thoroughly renovated in 1977, restoring the oldest building in the region to its original glory.
Explore the Leibfrauenkirche Church
Situated in the old cemetery of Kitzbühel, this gothic chapel combines a small and lower church with an impressive bell tower that is often considered Kitzbühel’s most remarkable landmark. Though it was built in the 1350s, one of its most impressive features is the Georg Faistenberger high alter, erected in 1702 on the upper floor. The whole interior was renovated in a baroque-style in the mid-eighteenth century, with lion carvings and glass-stained windows.
Other Cultural Edifices
Saint Catherine’s Church is an awe-inspiring tower that once served as a city and fire watch tower. Geist is a late-Classicist building that boasts an impressive Holy Trinity altarpiece. The Capuchin church and monastery is another interesting building, boasting beautiful paintings by Jakob Christopher Platzer.
Discover the Flavours of Kitbühel
The Austrian town doesn’t just serve traditional Wienerschnitzel or Semmelknödel, it also boasts many fine-dining restaurants. These are three of its best:
First Lobster
Serving a brilliant array of freshly caught lobsters, oysters and other seafood, this gourmet restaurant brings the taste of the American east coast to Austria. Though they serve starters and soups that are perfect for a light lunch, it is their oyster specials that have really put them on the map. They also offer three exquisite lobster dishes, including beluga, chili or chardonnay lobster mains. With a charming wooden décor and rustic feel, it’s a lovely dining experience.
Lois Stern
A petite modern restaurant, Lois Stern specialises in oriental cuisine. Serving everything from spring rolls to scampi kebabs, from sushi to glass noodle salads, and from miso soups to pannacotta, they offer an array of refreshing starters, mains and desserts. They also have a selection of accompanying wines that are expertly chosen to compliment the food.
Kupferstube
Set in the elegant five-star hotel Tennerhof, this restaurant is beautifully decorated with wooden panelling, wooden cabinets and antique lampshades to recreate the atmosphere of a traditional Austrian dining room. The establishment has been awarded two Gault Millau toques and serves an array of gourmet dishes. Alpbachertal trout with Champagne foam and Osietra caviar is said to be divine, while their gooseberry and buttermilk soup served with baked lobster is another highly-recommended recipe.
How to Get to Kitzbühel
The easiest way of getting to Kitzbühel is to fly to Munich Airport with British Airways, Lufthansa or Eurowings. They all offer direct flights from London with a travel time of roughly two hours. You can then book a private shuttle to pick you up from the airport and take you to the historical Austrian town which is a two-hour drive away. Shuttle Direct offers convenient and comfortable airport transfers from Munich to Kitzbühel.
Where to Stay
Austria Trend Hotel Schloss Lebenberg: Located on a mountaintop just above the town of Kitzbühel, this five-star hotel boasts panoramic views of the Alps. The resort also has a spa, with saunas, steam baths and an indoor pool. A gourmet breakfast is served every morning, while the evening menu offers Austrian delicacies.
Hotel Goldener Greif: This family-run hotel is set in Kitzbühel’s town centre. It has a traditional Austrian feel to it, with rooms that boast stunning mountains views. To relax, you can get pampered in the hotel spa or sit in front of the fireplace by the bar. A buffet breakfast is also served every morning.
Alpenhotel Kitzbühel: Set on the shores of Lake Schwarzsee and the nature reserve, this hotel boasts authentic Austrian rooms that are lavishly decorated with wooden furniture. They also have private bathrooms equipped with hairdryers, comfortable seating areas and small balconies. A delicious breakfast is served in the dining room each morning and there is a spa facility too. You can enjoy a relaxing hot tub or soothing massage to re-energise yourself after a day spent exploring Kitzbühel’s history.
About Shuttle Direct
Offering comfortable and hassle-free transfers, Shuttle Direct has earned a reputation as Europe and North Africa’s leading transport provider. You can book a private, shared or group transfer in advance via their user-friendly website. You’ll then be met outside the terminal building by a friendly local driver who will safely take you to your destination.
