Excursions

Vorarlberg is blessed by an abundance of water. From glacial ice to the shores of Lake Constance, the crystal-clear wet stuff seeks its way, is collected, filtered, drunk and – increasingly – is converted into electricity.

This hilltop fort is the undisputed landmark of Feldkirch, originally built in around 1260 to protect the town and its residents. It’s also the ancestral seat of the Counts of Montfort who rose in the Middle Ages to become the reigning aristocratic family in the region known today as Vorarlberg.

The museum landscape based around the yearly Schubertiade Festival is a delightful mix of small and historically significant spaces. First and foremost are the Franz Schubert Museum and Schubertiade Museum where visitors can get a comprehensive overview of the stories of the great composers. 

There’s truly something to do on this picturesque lake all year round. From the start of April to October there are daily trips to the most beautiful destinations on Lake Constance. During the high season there are evening trips with music and dancing, as well as round trips to and from Bregenz. 

Karren is Dornbirn’s emblematic local mountain, towering over the city and offering panoramic views of the Swiss mountains, the Rhine Valley, and over to Lake Constance. It can be reached on foot in around an hour, or by a few minutes’ cable car ride lifting passengers up to a height of 976 metres.

Bludenz is surrounded by an amphitheatre of mountains whose peaks reach well over 2,000 metres. Affectionately known by locals as the "Städtle", it is a springboard for five Alpine valleys and a centre of alpine sport.  

The Juppen is the traditional costume of the Bregenzerwald. At this extraordinary production site, visitors can discover five centuries of craftsmanship and how this international-renowned Wälderjuppe is made. 

Messe Dornbirn is an ideal option for when the weather leads your group to consider indoor activities. Covering an area of over 1,236,544 m², this exhibition centre bears testament to Vorarlberg's vibrant society and economy. 

Affectionately known as the KUB, this architecturally unmistakable art centre was opened in 1997 and has since hosted some of the biggest names in international contemporary art. The building is an artwork in itself, designed by the renowned architect Peter Zumthor, and a significant contribution to the Bregenz skyline.

Largely underground and barely noticeable from the outside, Skyspace Lech is nestled snugly amidst the high alpine landscape of the Lechquelle Mountains. In 2018, the contemporary American artist James Turrell created a work of installation art at 1,780 metres above sea level, part of a series of over 60 fascinating light space creations worldwide. 

The Stoffels Sawmill Museum is an open-air museum in Hohenems with a unique cultural-historical documentation of 2000 years of mill technology. On display here is the historical and technical development of saws and mills from their origins to modern times.

The Zeppelin Museum has long drawn visitors to Lake Constance. Here you can experience the varied developments in the history of aviation and even walk through a model Zeppelin. In fact, the museum offers the world's most extensive and important collection on the history and technology of Zeppelin airship travel. 

Here in Dornbirn, experienced Austria Guides offer fascinating views of the city and stories from its industrial past. This walking tour takes visitors through Dornbirn’s most beautiful and impressive places.

Beyond the usual hiking and biking trails, there’s always something new to discover, new heights or natural wonders. An outdoor experience in Vorarlberg can bring out the best in everyone, while reinforcing group dynamics and team spirit. 

The truly picturesquely Lünersee (“Lunar Lake”) at an altitude of 1,970m sits at the foot of the Schesaplana mountain and is surrounded by various peaks. There’s a wonderful circuit along the lake’s shore that takes about three hours and is relatively flat.