Is Zillertal worth visiting? 100% yes—Zillertal, Austria is absolutely worth visiting. I spent a few days here at the end of August and was completely won over by the mountains, rivers, and charming small towns. I loved my time here so much, and I honestly can’t wait to return. The Zillertal Valley in summer is all about lush green mountains, fresh alpine air, and stunning views. It’s the perfect spot for hiking, relaxing, and exploring charming villages. With trails for all abilities, mountain huts, and plenty of local food, it’s a dream for nature lovers and a great escape. So keep scrolling to find out for yourself: Is Zillertal worth visiting? (Spoiler—yes, it totally is.)
At Pragmatic Travelers, we only recommend experiences, destinations, and food we’ve actually tried and loved. We stand by what we’ve enjoyed and share it with you—straightforward and practical. Happy travels!
As a Booking.com and Tripadvisor affiliate, I may earn a small commission on some links—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend places I’ve personally experienced, so you know it’s all genuine, not just internet research.
How to get to and around Zillertal, Austria?
We decided to rent a car from Innsbruck for our trip around Austria, which gave us the most flexibility—especially for exploring Zillertal. We drove in and out of the valley, and it made getting around super easy.
There are trains that run through Austria, including local Zillertal trains that go up and down the valley. I didn’t use them myself, so I can’t speak to what they’re like, but they’re definitely an option if you prefer not to drive.
⇒ Another great stop in Austria is the Salzburg lakes region! Check out Hintersee, Austria! A true hidden gem!
How long should you visit Zillertal?
Is Zillertal worth a longer trip? Absolutely, yes. I only had two nights here and immediately wished I had more—just for the mountain air and stunning views alone.
I really enjoyed my time in the valley and can’t wait to go back. I’d say 3 to 4 nights is ideal. That gives you enough time to try different hikes (like the one from Alpengasthaus Breitlahner to Berliner Hütte) and still have time to relax and soak it all in. Of course, it depends on your travel style—but if you’re into hiking, relaxing, or just slowing down, give yourself those extra days. It’s worth it.
Where to stay in Zillertal, Austria?
I loved staying in the charming village of Stumm at Hotel Tipotsch. It’s a beautiful, well-run hotel right in the heart of the Zillertal Valley. There’s plenty of free parking, free Wi-Fi, and you can easily walk to several restaurants in town.
We stayed in one of the deluxe double rooms, and it was fantastic—spotlessly clean, beautifully decorated, and covered in pine and spruce. It smelled like heaven. There was more than enough space to get some work done at the desk or just relax on the balcony and enjoy the view.
The real standouts at this hotel were the friendly service and the breakfast. The included breakfast buffet was expansive—think cereals, yogurts, cheeses, sausages, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, and more. Plus, they served a good strong cup of coffee, which is always a win. If you’re exploring the valley, I highly recommend using Stumm and Hotel Tipotsch as your base. It’s cozy, convenient, and just a lovely place to stay.
Where to eat in Zillertal, Austria?
- La Pasta, Stumm: Okay, I’ll admit it—I was being a bit of a snob when someone recommended this place. I mean, I’m in Austria, why would I go to an Italian restaurant? But yep, I was totally proven wrong. The cocktails were great and the pastas were absolutely delicious. I especially loved the homemade tortellini and ravioli—so fresh and flavorful. This is a very short walk from the Hotel and has a lovely outdoor patio. Highly recommend. I do suggest making reservations in the busy season.
- Marzenklamm, Stumm: This restaurant is located in a hotel right next to a waterfall—just a short walk from our hotel, though it does involve a bit of an uphill climb. Totally worth it. It’s a very traditional Austrian restaurant with gorgeous views from the outdoor patio. I loved everything about this place, especially the food. The Wiener schnitzel and the pork with onions and spaetzle was so good. Exactly what I hoped for in a cozy Austrian meal. Highly recommend going—and definitely make a reservation if you’re visiting during busy times.
- Flötzinger Bräustüberl, Stumm: This was a great spot to sit in their beer garden and enjoy a beer or two.
- Alpenhotel Kramerwirt, Mayrhofen: We stumbled upon their terrace after finishing Easy Trail so we stopped in for a beer and more sunshine.
- Cafe Passage, Mayrhofen: Nice spot for quick cup of coffee.
- Kostner Heimat, Mayrhofen: This beautiful little bakery has some really great baked goods. The coffee was just okay, but it’s still a perfect stop to grab breakfast or stock up on sandwiches and pretzels for a hike. Super convenient, and everything we tried was fresh and tasty.
Best Things to Do in Zillertal, Austria
Enjoy the Easy Trail
This was hands down my favorite thing to do in the Zillertal Valley. At the time, I wasn’t in hiking shape after a major surgery, but I could easily handle the Easy Trail—and I absolutely loved it. The Easy Trail is about 15 miles long and connects several valley villages like Mayrhofen, Hippach, and Ramsau. It’s a gentle, low-elevation walk that winds through waterfalls, rivers, forests, chapels, playgrounds, and offers amazing views of the valley. It’s truly a hike for everyone, and it’s well-marked with signposts, so it’s super easy to follow.
One of the best parts is that you can join or leave the trail at many different points, so you can walk as much (or as little) as you want. We walked from Mayrhofen to Erlebnissennerei Zillertal Dairy & Show Farm—of course, I had to stop for some cheese and say hi to the sweet goats—then followed the Easy Trail back into town. It was such a fun and beautiful way to explore the area, and I honestly can’t recommend it enough.
Pro tip: Make sure to download the Easy Trail Map. This provides both the different trails but also different points of interest. Here is the map for the Easy Trail.
Wander Around Stumm
I was completely charmed by Stumm. It’s a tiny town in the valley, and honestly, that’s what makes it so special. It was lovely just to wander around, grab a beer, and soak in those stunning mountain views. There’s not a ton to “do,” but that’s the beauty of it—I’m just smitten with the place. Peaceful, picturesque, and totally relaxing.
Pro Tip: Check out the schedule for live outdoor music in their small theater. When we visited they were playing traditional music and cooking food. It was an magical travel experience.
Explore Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen is a very pretty town in the Zillertal Valley and definitely has the most going on in the area. The charming architecture, combined with streets full of restaurants, cafés, and shops, gives it a lively, welcoming vibe. It’s the kind of place that’s perfect for spending a relaxed morning or afternoon just wandering around. Whether you’re window shopping, grabbing a coffee, or people-watching, exploring the town is a must if you’re in the valley.
Take a Day Trip to Alpbach
Alpbach is an absolute must-stop on any trip to Austria. Often called the most beautiful village in the country, it more than lives up to the hype. The charm comes from the colorful flower boxes, traditional wooden architecture, and the Kitzbühel Alps as the most stunning backdrop.
This town was literally everything my teenage travel-dreamer self imagined Austria to be. It’s so beautiful, so peaceful, and just uniquely Austrian. I absolutely loved it—and honestly, all I did was walk around and enjoy. That alone was enough. It’s just a short 30-minute drive from the Zillertal Valley, making it the perfect little detour on any Austrian road trip.
- Places to Eat: Postalm for pretty good pizza!
- Parking Spot
- Pro Tip: Watch out for peak season—I visited in the off-season and it was quiet and peaceful, but I can easily see it getting crowded during busier months. Go early in the AM if you are worried about crowds.
Take a Day Trip to Lake Achensee
Full disclosure—we visited this lake right after Alpbach, and it was a quick stop. It is also an easy drive to Zillertal. We didn’t even grab a coffee. But we found some parking along the lakeside, walked a bit along the well-worn path, and absolutely loved it. It is a beautiful area. It was quite busy in the off season so I can’t imagine how busy it would be at the height of the summer. I can’t wait to return and spend more time there!
Take a Day Trip to Innsbruck
Innsbruck is just a 50-minute drive from Stumm, and it’s how I kicked off my Austrian road trip. Honestly, I think Innsbruck is a bit overrated. The river and colorful houses were beautiful and definitely bucket list-worthy, but I don’t feel the need to go back. That said, if it’s a city you’ve always wanted to see, it’s still worth doing—a solid day trip from Zillertal.
Important Travel Resources
- Hintersee, Austria: A Travel Guide
- Lake Achensee Travel Site
- Mayrhofen Travel Site
- Easy Trail Information
- Great blog post on hiking in Zillertal
- Include Bolzano Italy with your Austrian road trip!
Your Thoughts
Is Zillertal worth visiting? I hope this post has convinced that is 100% worth visiting! Have we convinced you to visit? Do you think it Zillertal is worth visiting? Share your comments below.
