Vorarlberg: What to expect?
Inspiring, vibrant and open to the world: that is the feel of life in Vorarlberg. Supremely located in Austria’s very west, between Lake Constance and the high alps at up to 3,000 metres, Vorarlberg shares borders with Germany, Switzerland and the principality of Liechtenstein. Within the region the welcoming towns and villages are all well connected by train and bus.
“Ever so beautiful“. That is how Vorarlberg has been described by its 383,000 inhabitants and visitors alike. The quality of living and the recreational amenities are superb: Vorarlberg boasts great scenic diversity within a relatively small area. From the beautifully landscaped shores of Lake Constance it is just an hour’s drive to the towering mountain peaks. Along the way, verdant meadows, forests and lovely mountain vistas catch the eye. Many sites around the international Lake Constance in Germany and in Switzerland are simply waiting to be discovered. From the Vorarlberg capital of Bregenz, vessels and cruise boats head for the major destinations.
Eye-catching and surprising architecture
Vorarlberg owes its beauty largely to its building culture. In the towns and villages, the blend of traditional and modern architecture is simply striking. Timber has been favoured as a building material since bygone times and used as cladding for old as well as many new buildings. Glass, concrete and uncluttered lines span a bridge to contemporary design. Vorarlberg’s architects possess a genuine mastery when it comes to fitting new buildings into existing surroundings. Vorarlberg is also a trailblazer of sustainable construction and a sparing use of natural resources.
Artisanry is a happy marriage of ancient craftsmanship and modern design. In many hotels and restaurants, timber furniture, wool and loden fabrics, and stone or leather-designed objects, all regionally manufactured, create a most pleasant ambience.
More about the building culture in Vorarlberg
Culture that excites
Vorarlberg is well known for its lively cultural life. The Bregenz Festival, the largest festival every summer, is a spectacular open-air opera set against the scenic backdrop of Lake Constance. The Schubertiade Festival presents songs and classical music. Jazz, pop and modern folk music are played on stages large and small. Works by contemporary artists are displayed at the Kunsthaus Bregenz. The glass cube structure alone is worth the visit! Meanwhile, the façade of the vorarlberg museum, located just a few meters away, is truly surprising. Over 16,000 “flowers” decorate the wall. In fact they are the imprints of PET bottles. The viewing space in the 4th floor is an insider’s tip. Through a huge window you can observe life on Lake Constance. On three occasions during the year, the Montfort Zwischentöne features concerts, talks and performances at the contemporary Montforthaus in Feldkirch.
Delightful hospitality
Whether you are staying at a hotel, guesthouse or holiday apartment: attentive hosts create a cosy feel of home. Most businesses are family-run, often for many generations. In the inns and restaurants, the chefs expertly treat their guests to fresh seasonal fare. Cheese, mainly the spicy mountain cheese, is Vorarlberg’s best-known speciality. At dairy farms you can take a hands-on look at how milk is made into cheese.
Spoilt for choice
Visitors keen on physical activity are spoilt for choice, all year round. There are myriads of hiking trails in wonderful natural scenery that take you to panoramic lookouts. If you are in a more leisurely vein, you can always take a cable-car up to a summit. Cyclists and mountain bikers will find plenty of opportunities to explore the valleys and the mountains. And in winter, skiers happily take to the slopes.
Six different holiday regions invite visitors for an inspiring stay:
- The Bodensee-Vorarlberg region, with Bregenz, Dornbirn, Hohenems and Feldkirch as major towns.
- The Bregenzerwald with its 22 picture-pretty villages and the Bregenzerwald Cheese Route, known for its interesting architecture and innovative crafts.
- Alpenregion Vorarlberg featuring the Brandnertal and Klostertal valleys, the Grosses Walsertal biosphere park and Alpenstadt Bludenz, which is highly popular among families.
- The Kleinwalsertal, a high-alpine valley that is lined by mountains, an ideal place to re-energize in the great outdoors.
- The Montafon with Schruns as the main village, a rallying point for hikers and mountain bikers in summer, where skiers and freeriders flock to the slopes and runs in winter.
- Lech Zürs am Arlberg, the cradle of alpine skiing and one of the most legendary ski resorts of the world. In summer, you can hike across blooming pastures and meadows and enjoy utter peace and tranquillity.
More information about the different region: Six Holiday Regions in Vorarlberg
