Adventure ToursVorarlberg sits in western Austria next to Switzerland. Green mountains and clean lakes fill this beautiful area. The towns mix old and new features perfectly – you’ll see modern eco-friendly buildings next to historic towers and old stone streets. Beautiful castles that look like they’re from storybooks dot the landscape.
The people here enjoy a relaxed lifestyle and love their local foods. They warmly welcome visitors and enjoy sharing their culture and traditions. Though not many tourists know about Vorarlberg it offers rich history, amazing art, and fantastic food experiences. The region remains mostly unknown to most visitors, making it one of Austria’s hidden treasures.
Its peaceful towns and stunning nature make it special & worth exploring. Locals are proud of their home and eager to show guests what makes Vorarlberg unique. If you want to discover a less touristy part of Austria with authentic culture and beautiful scenery, Vorarlberg should be your next destination.
Visit Austria: Your Essential Travel Guide Looking to explore Austria? Here are some amazing places you should see: Graz: A Beautiful City You’ll Love See stunning pictures that show why Graz is one of Austria’s prettiest cities. Its red roofs, historic buildings & friendly streets will make you want to visit right away. Winter Magic in Vienna Discover 10 wonderful activities in Austria’s capital during winter. From warm coffee houses to Christmas markets, Vienna becomes extra special when it’s cold.
Hallstatt in Winter This small lake town looks like it came straight from a storybook especially in winter. Snow-covered mountains, charming houses, and a peaceful lake make it magical. 5 Days in Switzerland Want to visit nearby Switzerland too? Follow our day-by-day guide to see the best of Switzerland in less than a week. These places are easy to reach and offer unforgettable experiences.
Start planning your Austrian adventure today!
In 2019, Lia traveled to Graz Austria’s second biggest city, to give a talk at the Propel Conference. She took many photos & wrote a guide about her visit to Graz. In 2022, Lia couldn’t travel because she was pregnant and feeling sick so she gave her talk online instead. I, Richie Goff, who works as the main editor for Next View Tours, went to Austria in her place. When I first heard I was going to Vorarlberg in Austria, I didn’t know anything about it.
Even though I only had a short time to plan my trip, I was excited to try their famous cheese and explore towns that were much older than my home city of Louisville in Kentucky. Three weeks later, I was having an amazing time. I walked through markets full of flowers on old stone streets, spent time in the mountains with other travel writers and enjoyed every moment of my visit.
Austria’s Vorarlberg region amazed me at every step! I went there without knowing much about it beforehand, as I didn’t have time to research or plan anything. Luckily the local tourism office (Visit Vorarlberg) organized everything perfectly. They showed me so many incredible places that I never expected to find in this part of Austria. Each new spot I visited left me speechless with its beauty and charm.
Bregenz is the main city of Vorarlberg, Austria. It sits next to Lake Constance, a huge lake that touches three countries: Austria Germany and Switzerland. The lake is so clean that it gives drinking water to 5 million people who live nearby. In the Bregenzerwald area, visitors can take special walks called “Village Walks” through 13 different villages. Along these paths, you’ll find tall brown metal posts.
Each post contains fun facts about the village’s history and local life. It’s like having a tour guide in the form of these metal columns!
After visiting the Austrian region of Vorarlberg, I took hundreds of amazing photos in the towns of Mellau Feldkirch, Dornbirn, and Bregenz. I usually share just 10-15 photos from my trips but this time I had too many great shots to choose from. I put off sorting through them for about three months because it felt like such a big job. When I finally started looking through them, I found so many beautiful and colorful pictures that I decided to share them all in one big post. I hope you enjoy seeing the beauty of this region through my photos.
Travel Guide: Vorarlberg Austria – Essential Tips & Common Questions Getting Around
Visiting Vorarlberg: A Simple Guide Best Time to Visit Summer (June to August) is perfect for visiting Vorarlberg. The weather is mild, around 70°F (21°C), with little rain. During this time, you can enjoy the famous Bregenzer Festspiele music festival by the lake. Unlike busy tourist spots like Vienna or Salzburg, Vorarlberg stays peaceful and uncrowded. Early December is also great for visiting when you can explore Christmas markets in Bregenz (two markets), Dornbirn and Feldkirch.
Getting There The easiest way to reach Vorarlberg is from Zurich, Switzerland – just a 2-hour train ride through beautiful countryside. Don’t fly to Vienna, as it’s 6 hours away by train. You can check train schedules & book tickets using Rome2Rio or Omio websites. Where to Sleep Two good options:
1. Hotel Hubertus in Mellau – a luxury hotel in the countryside
2. ArtDesign Hotel Katharinenhof COMFORT in Dornbirn – a nice hotel just 10 minutes from the town center Transportation You don’t need a car in Vorarlberg. Trains connect the main towns (Bregenz, Dornbirn & Feldkirch) easily. For Mellau, which is in the countryside, you can take an hour-long bus ride from Bregenz. Check bus times on Rome2Rio and book through Omio.
Mellau, Austria
Mellau, Austria Mellau is a small mountain town in western Austria. Green hills surround it, and you’ll see cows grazing freely in the meadows. A peaceful river flows right through the middle of town, making it look like a perfect postcard. When you get there, you’ll notice how quiet everything is.
There are no big city problems like traffic jams or skyscrapers. The town is so small that only 1300 people live there year-round. In winter, Mellau transforms into a busy ski resort. The hotels can fit 1,500 guests – that’s more beds than there are local people!
But summer is different. During the warmer months you can take your time to enjoy the beautiful nature. The locals here believe that having a good, simple life is more important than having lots of things or being busy all the time.
The Village Walks of Bregenzerwald connect 13 villages, including Mellau, & help visitors discover local stories and traditions. Along these paths you’ll find tall red metal posts that light up and tell interesting facts about nearby buildings, nature, or local history. In Mellau, the walking trail makes a circle around the town, crossing a peaceful stream and winding through green hills. One special stop is Naze’s Hus an old restaurant covered in typical Austrian wooden tiles. This building used to be where a man called Naze made copper items, but today it’s a cozy restaurant.
Inside, you can enjoy local food while looking at the original wooden beams and old furniture that tell the story of its past.
Cheese Käsespätzle is a delicious German & Austrian comfort food. It’s made with special egg noodles lots of melted cheese, and topped with crispy onions. Think of it as the European version of macaroni and cheese, but even better! During my trip to Austria, I couldn’t resist ordering it multiple times – it was just that good! The village blends old and new perfectly.
While many locals live in traditional farmhouses that now house several generations of families, you’ll also spot plenty of modern buildings with sleek designs throughout this charming historic town.0
The modern building called Tempel 74 shows how new design can work in the mountains. This apartment building won awards for its smart design. The outside has traditional wooden tiles while the inside is simple but fancy. In the middle of Mellau, you can find the town’s Community Hall.
The building uses light wood from spruce trees and has huge windows from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. When people come here for meetings or events, like the recent Propel Conference, they can enjoy being inside while still seeing the beautiful outdoors. The design makes visitors feel both safe & close to nature at the same time.
Take the Mellaubahn Cable Car for a short 6-minute ride above Mellau. The cable car lifts you high into the green hills, giving you amazing views of the town below. At the top you can visit Restaurant Simma for food & drinks, or start hiking up Kanisfluh – a tall, rocky mountain that stands out in the area. Kanisfluh is famous in this part of Austria and offers some of the best views of the surrounding countryside.
Mellau is a peaceful place where you can truly relax and connect with nature. The area offers beautiful green landscapes, colorful wildflowers and clean hiking trails that let you explore untouched natural areas. There’s no need to hurry here – you can take your time and enjoy the quiet surroundings exactly as nature created them.
Feldkirch, Vorarlberg
Feldkirch is an old town that looks much like it did hundreds of years ago. Its narrow stone streets and historic buildings make visitors feel like they’ve stepped back to the year 1218, when the town was officially established. People actually wrote about Feldkirch even earlier, in the year 830. While the town center feels small and cozy, Feldkirch is actually quite large. It’s the second-biggest city in the Vorarlberg region of Austria, with over 34,000 people living there.
However when you walk through the old part of town it feels much smaller and quieter than you’d expect.
The city square is a lively place with a beautiful flower market selling bright sunflowers, dahlias, and exotic birds of paradise flowers. You’ll see an old stone fountain and colorful buildings, some painted in soft colors while others look like they’re from medieval times. This market has been running every Tuesday and Saturday for over 800 years! People relax at outdoor cafes, enjoying conversations & watching the world go by. The square is so picturesque that it was even featured in a James Bond movie called “Quantum of Solace” from 2008 where Bond drives through at night.
At lunchtime, the streets get busy with local workers. You’ll often see elderly Austrian women wearing traditional head scarves, gathering in small groups to chat. When I visited they were probably talking about all the tourists like me taking photos of the pretty surroundings with our cameras.
During our visit to the Medieval town, we had an amazing guide dressed up as Countess Mechthild, who lived there many centuries ago. She wasn’t a real countess from today, but instead an actress who knew lots about the town’s history and wore beautiful old-fashioned clothes from Medieval times. She took us through narrow streets and showed us many old buildings while telling stories about the past. One of the most interesting things we learned was about Count Hugo I who started the town & built a castle called Schattenburg in 1265. The castle’s name means “Shadow Castle” and you can still visit it today.
It’s now a museum that people can explore both in person and online through virtual tours. The whole experience felt like stepping back in time, with our guide making the town’s Medieval history come alive through her acting & storytelling.
Feldkirch’s peaceful appearance today hides its dark past. In 1649, the town held its final witch trial. A woman named Martha Lochbüchlerin was tortured until she confessed to being a witch. The church sentenced her to death, but she died in jail before they could execute her in public.
The town’s famous Katzenturm (meaning “Cats Tower”) was built around 500 AD. This tall bell tower got its unusual name because it once stored cannons decorated with cat designs. Despite its name no real cats ever lived there! Inside the tower hangs one of the area’s largest bells, weighing as much as four cars.
Every Friday at 3 PM, this massive bell rings out across Feldkirch. You can imagine how the loud sound either makes locals smile or jump in surprise.
Feldkirch has many beautiful old buildings, including markets, towers, and castles, but it also has modern architecture. The Montforthaus Feldkirch where our meetings took place, is a modern building with a unique design. In 2017 it won an award for being environmentally friendly. One of its best features is the rooftop garden with city views, which was perfect for evening drinks. If you enjoy exploring historic places you’ll love Feldkirch.
The city is full of well-preserved buildings that tell stories from hundreds of years ago. When our three-day travel blogging conference ended, we split into smaller groups. Each group visited different areas of Vorarlberg, & I chose to explore Lake Constance (Bodensee).
Bregenz, Vorarlberg
Bregenz, the main city of Vorarlberg region has about 30000 people – fewer than nearby Feldkirch. Yet it feels more like a proper city, with large stores, busy shopping streets, and taller buildings in its center. Like all towns in this part of Austria, Bregenz keeps its lovely character with pretty streets & beautiful old buildings that make visitors fall in love with it.
Lake Constance is a huge freshwater lake in the heart of Europe, with the pretty city of Bregenz sitting right on its edge. The lake is so special that many people think of it as Europe’s heart and soul. What makes it really unique is that three different countries – Austria, Germany, and Switzerland – all share its sparkling waters. The lake’s water is crystal clear & pure, providing safe drinking water to 5 million people living nearby. Spreading across 207 square miles, it’s one of Europe’s biggest lakes.
Since no single country owns Lake Constance, everyone living around it can swim boat fish, & enjoy its waters freely. While English speakers know it as Lake Constance, the locals in Bregenz & other German-speaking areas call it by its German name, Bodensee. No matter what you call it this massive blue lake remains one of Europe’s most impressive natural treasures.
Bregenz sits on the shores of Lake Constance, one of Europe’s largest lakes. The lake is so big & important that people call it the “soul of Europe.” Lake Constance which Germans call Bodensee spreads across three countries: Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Its blue waters cover 207 square miles and give clean drinking water to 5 million people. The lake belongs to all three countries, and everyone who lives near it can enjoy its beauty and benefits.
Lake Constance is the city’s main attraction, offering a busy harbor filled with boats and many places to eat by the water. You can walk for miles on paths next to the lake, and there’s a cute little bar built over the water where you can enjoy drinks with a view. If you want to explore the lake yourself, you can rent small boats – either electric ones or boats you power with paddles. The water is crystal clear & blue giving you beautiful views of the city from the lake.
During summer months, a unique drink stand shaped like a giant mushroom sells tasty milkshakes right by the water. You can’t miss its fun shape against the lake backdrop.
Bregenz is famous for its summer festival called the Bregenzer Festspiele. The shows take place on a huge floating stage on Lake Constance, with amazing sets that are bigger than anything you’d see in a normal theater. The festival is known for its jaw-dropping stage designs. They once built a massive moving clown head for the opera Rigoletto that could change expressions.
For The Magic Flute, they created three enormous dragons and a sparkling turtle. They even made a giant rotating eye for Tosca which was so impressive it appeared in the James Bond movie “Quantum of Solace.” While Vienna might be known as Europe’s home of classical music, Bregenz has become the place to watch opera in the most spectacular way possible. The outdoor shows on the lake are unlike anything else in the world.
The shows are amazing to watch with huge stage designs that cost millions to create. Because they spend so much money, they only perform in July and August for two years in a row. While these are top-quality shows, you can still buy cheap tickets in the back rows. This means anyone can enjoy these wonderful performances, no matter how much money they have. If you visit during summer, don’t miss this show – even if you’ve never liked opera before!
It’s one of the best performances you’ll see anywhere in the world.
The Old Town of Bregenz dates back to 1250 & features beautiful old streets paved with stones & historic buildings painted in bright colors. The town looks similar to nearby Feldkirch, with many old and interesting buildings to see. While walking through the town, visitors can see an old stone wall from medieval times. From there, you can spot Deuring schlössle, which looks like a castle but isn’t one. A rich person built it around 1400 and later in 1660, a successful wood merchant named Johann Albert von Deuring bought it.
He made the building bigger and added a round bulb-shaped roof that looks like an onion. This unique building stands out in the Old Town and makes it feel like something from a storybook. Outside the Weinstube Kinz Restaurant there’s an unusual water fountain showing a man urinating. The water makes a shape that matches Lake Constance’s outline.
This kind of art might surprise visitors, but similar statues can be found in other European cities, like Brussels, which has three such fountains. These types of statues are common in European public art, though they often surprise visitors from other parts of the world.
The Kunsthaus Bregenz is a modern art museum where one artist gets to fill the entire building with their artwork. It’s different from regular museums because artists can transform the whole space however they want. Some artists have done crazy things here. One filled the building with real grass and living insects while another actually flooded the floors with water! You never know what you’ll find when you visit.
During my visit, I saw some strange but interesting pieces. There was a creepy music box that made spooky sounds, a video of a violin player with a snail crawling on his bow, and one floor that was completely empty except for soft background music. It was definitely weird and made me question what I was seeing, but that’s modern art for you! The good news is that if you don’t like what’s on display just wait a few months – the exhibits change regularly. It’s worth visiting if you want to experience something totally unexpected & unique.
Dornbrin, Vorarlberg
Dornbirn is a charming city in western Austria, located just a quick 10-minute train ride from Bregenz. Both cities share similar features, sitting in a wide valley next to Lake Constance. Like many Austrian towns Dornbirn has beautiful old buildings and streets that remind visitors of times long ago. I spent my time at the ArtDesign – Hotel Katharinenhof COMFORT, a stylish and welcoming place to stay.
The hotel is only a short 10-minute walk to the city’s main square. The rooms are modern and so comfortable that I found myself wishing I could make it my permanent home, just like characters do in classic films. The whole experience made me want to stay in Austria forever!
Dornbirn’s heart is its market square, like many other towns in Austria. The story of Dornbirn started in 719 when a man named Otmar created the St. Gallen monastery. But the market square we see today really began with the Red House in 1639.
A married couple built this special building to live in, welcome guests as an inn & host dances. Over time, more buildings appeared around the Red House, forming today’s market square. Now the Red House is still standing & has become a restaurant where you can eat local Austrian dishes and enjoy ice cream!
Take an exciting ride on the Karren Cable Car to reach the peak of Karren Mountain in Dornbirn. From up there, you can see amazing views of both Dornbirn city and nearby Bregenz town sitting next to Lake Constance. The mountain top has a special viewing platform with a glass floor where you can look straight down 3202 feet – it’s quite thrilling! If you’re not keen on heights, don’t worry. You can enjoy peaceful walks on many hiking paths or eat at a beautiful restaurant that offers stunning views while you dine.
Karren Mountain is perfect for a fun hike because it’s not too steep or difficult. You can start at the cable car building where there’s a ticket machine that tracks your hiking time. If you want a good workout, try the 3.4-mile circular trail to the summit. For those who prefer a relaxing experience, hop on the cable car instead – you’ll still get amazing views of the landscape without breaking a sweat!
Dornbirn is perfect for tasting real Austrian food, especially if you love cheese and wine. One of the best places to eat is Gasthaus Gemsle, a restaurant that’s been serving food for almost 100 years. Inside, you’ll find warm wooden walls and furniture that make you feel at home. The most famous dish here is Käsespätzle – think of it as Austria’s fancy version of mac and cheese. It’s made with special noodles, lots of cheese, crispy onions and potatoes.
What’s funny is that it always comes with apple sauce on the side. When we asked why the locals just said that’s how it’s always been! The sweet apple sauce actually works really well with the rich, cheesy pasta. This isn’t your regular boxed mac and cheese – it’s much better and feels special, even though having apple sauce with pasta might seem like something from a kid’s menu. If you want to make it yourself, you can find recipes online.
Why I Went to Vorarlberg My wife Lia was asked to speak at Propel, a yearly meeting for travel bloggers. Since she was pregnant, I went in her place. Propel brought together a select group of skilled travel writers and industry experts. Lia still gave her talk online and did great. At the conference, I met many talented bloggers who each focus on different types of travel writing.
While travel writers usually work alone across the globe bringing them together creates something special. They share ideas & help each other grow instead of competing. We spent three days learning advanced skills for travel blogging. Topics included making our websites show up better in Google searches, working with travel companies long-term, and earning steady income from our blogs – this last topic was Lia’s presentation.
If you’re curious about how travel bloggers make money we have a guide that explains it all. Want to learn more about being a travel blogger? Read our article “25 Things No One Tells You About Being a Full Time Travel Blogger” or check out all our posts about blogging.
Want to explore the beautiful region of Vorarlberg in Austria? Many travel writers have shared their experiences visiting this stunning area. Here are some helpful guides to plan your Austrian adventure: Check out these detailed travel guides: – Beautiful photo collection of Vorarlberg by Kirsten Alana – Complete guide to 22 activities in Vorarlberg – Top 10 reasons to visit the town of Mellau – Travel guide to Feldkirch’s best attractions Looking to discover more of Austria? Here are other popular destinations: – Graz: A charming city with amazing photo opportunities – Vienna: Perfect for cozy winter activities – Hallstatt: A picturesque town that looks like a fairy tale These guides will help you plan an unforgettable trip to Austria’s western region.
Vorarlberg offers stunning mountain views, delicious local food and unique cultural experiences that make it worth visiting. Have you thought about visiting Austria? The photos and guides above show why this beautiful country should be your next travel destination. Let us know what interests you most about Vorarlberg!
Disclosure: The Propel Conference and Visit Vorarlberg paid for our trip to Vorarlberg, Austria. They arranged everything for us including stays at local businesses. While they covered our expenses, all thoughts, opinions, and comments in this article – including my jokes about Austrian cheese noodles (käsespätzle) – are entirely my own. I’m thankful for their support but remain honest in sharing my personal experiences.
Travel Tips and Advice for Smart Travelers How to Save Money and Plan Better Trips Flights Find cheap flights by searching on Google Flights or Kayak. Save money by: – Flying on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday – Taking only carry-on bags with budget airlines – Choosing early morning or overnight flights Where to Stay We recommend these options for places to sleep: – Vacation homes (use VRBO – they’re more reliable than Airbnb) – Small, unique hotels – Hostel private rooms Book hotels through Booking.com (they let you cancel easily) & hostels through Hostelworld (low deposits, good reviews). You can also find places on Expedia & Hotels.com. Protect Your Trip Always buy travel insurance for trips outside your country.
We suggest World Nomads or SafetyWing – they cover most problems including COVID-19. SafetyWing works well for long-term travelers. Save Money with Travel Cards Use a travel credit card to book trips. You’ll get: – Cash back for future travel – Insurance for your trip – Coverage if flights are delayed – Protection for rental cars Stay Healthy Check the CDC website before international trips to learn about: – Required shots – Recommended medicines – Health safety tips See the Sights Book guided tours to learn from locals especially: – Food tours – Walking tours Use Viator or GetYourGuide to find good tours. Getting Around – Use Rome2Rio to plan routes – Book local buses and trains on Bookaway – Rent cars through DiscoverCars Extra Tips – Store bags safely with LuggageHero when needed – Use NordVPN to protect your online information while traveling – Check our packing guides to know what to bring
