Austria summer holiday recommendations please!

[Walkingmum101]

Hello
I’d love some recommendations for small town/village and accommodation in Austria for this August please. We’re taking my mother so it’d be 3 adults, a 7 year old and a baby. I think we could fly into Munich and would get public transport from there…looking at Mayrhofen/Seefeld/Saalbach/Fuschl…any other options please?! Which of these is the least touristic/built up/developed? My sons crazy about steam trains so they would help! Thanks!

Fly to Salzburg if you can - it is only 60-90 minutes from there to many Austrian mountain resorts, either by public transport or, as there are 5 of you, by private taxi. Munich is also fine if that is where you can most easily get to - 3 hours by train will get you to most places.

Many places offer summer "Tourist Cards" that give free use (or reduced price use) of cable cars, local buses, outdoor pools etc. See for example the Joker Card offered by Saalbach-Hinterglemm.

Mayrhofen and Zell am See both have veteran steam train services in the summer.

None of the places you've listed are particularly "built up" or "developed" - obviously there are hotels, restaurants and activities, but once out on the mountains there is plenty of peace and quiet.

Accommodation ranges from simple but clean B&Bs (called "Pensions" in Austria), self-catering apartments through to all-inclusive 5-star hotels with pools, "wellness" spas etc. - and every level in between. There are also hotels that cater particularly for families with children, and which are marketed under the general term "Kinderhotel" - although these are all independently owned and operated. See for example the Ellmauhof in Hinterglemm for the sort of things these offer such as playgrounds, play rooms, nanny services, petting zoos and ponies etc.

Seefeld. Hotel Haymon.
Thank me later. ❤️

2nd the Hotel Haymon - marvellous place.

Zell Am See is nice, lake and mountains and plenty of scenic day trips e.g. to glacier, waterfall.
Went to Mayrofen last year, it's quite big, didn't love it as much as expected for some reason. We got a cable car pass, but many of the cable cars need train travel to reach. It probably didn't help that it was very hot in the resort and room,and very windy on the mountains! We flew to Innsbruck which is a beautiful flight at the end. For me nothing will beat Wengen in Switzerland.

Another vote for Zell Am See (flying in to Salzburg) there’s lots to do there in the summer for the whole family age ranges and it’s beautiful.

Seefeld. Walks in valley and up mountain lifts. Accessible by train. Nice indoor/outdoor pools. Close to Innsbruck for a change of pace,

Seefeld is lovely, and an easy train journey from Munich.

Many thanks all!

More Seefeld in summer questions! Sorry we’re now dithering about Seefeld…we’re worried it’s going to be too big and concrete for us…is it a cute village or is it different to that…? I realise it’s catch 22 as we like the good train links but wanted a small authentic village as well, which I realise may not be possible! We’re also worried that it may be cloudy and rainy as it’s so high up ( we would be going in August)?
Alternatives I’m looking at are St Gilgen near Wolfgangsee, but self catering accommodation seems more expensive there…or Pertisau area..or as the flights are so expensive may just forget Austria and think about Nantes/Normoutier area in France! Any advice welcome, thank you!

St Gilgen is beautiful but quite touristy and I think accommodation prices definitely reflect that. We stayed in Strobl which is tiny and very few restaurants etc but beautiful location and much cheaper to stay there.

To be honest Austria in general is expensive. Slovenia has similar scenery but is much cheaper.

It's a lovely village, definitely not big and concretey.
We were there from 16th to 23rd of August and it was hot and sunny every day except the first when we arrived in the evening. I think it can be unpredictable but we had fabulous weather.
We had half board at the Hotel Haymon ❤️ so didn't buy any food out, but coffees, ice cream and sandwich ingredients etc didn't seem any more expensive than the UK.

Achenkirch or pertisau are lovely and easily commutable from Munich. There’s a steam train to jenbach and a lake steamer and mountain gondola. It’s not built up and loads to do.
i didn’t love Zell am See. It was full of very rich tourists and felt a bit less authentic. Still a lovely area though.

Pertisau is lovely, a small village but with outdoor activities and enough tourism that you'll find something to suit in terms of accommodation. The lake (Achensee) is stunning.

We love Söll, we’ve stayed in the Hotel Tyrol a few times.

Pertisau and the Achensee area is definitely gorgeous. You can swim in the lake and it's nice to just take the ferry around the different spots.

Also if you're in the area for it you should try and go to Kristallwelten, the Swarovski museum. It is fun and a bit bonkers. Great playgrounds.

We went to Achenkirch last year and it was just unbelievable. Heading to Serfau-Fiss this year, cannot wait.

ooh thanks some more places to look at that’s great! We definitely want swim in lakes, and it’s reassuring to hear about the weather…xx

I agree about Zell am Zee - lovely location, loads to do and lake is stunning, great kids pool. Stunning cable car rides up the mountain, also train station is handy in the centre. The downside its very touristy now and lost some of its charm.

I think the Alps are fantastic holidays for kids, loads of activities. We’ve also done Samoens which was lovely but you do need a car.

zell am see. Beautiful in the summer

The only downside with Zell was it was very busy with tourists, especially from the Arab Emirates.

Another vote for the Achensee. Archenkirch is less busy than Pertisau, which tends to get coach tours as they come for a trip on the lake. But the whole area is beautiful and has lots of hotels and pensions at various levels of budget, including two Kinderhotels. Train from Munich to Jenbach. You can also get the Zillertalbahn from Jenbach so a choice of two steam train experiences. If you get the Achensee card you can use the boats, trains and cable cars as much as you like.

Thank you!!! Loved it!!!

Fabulous place - lovely food!