Vorarlberg

Vorarlberg is Austria's westernmost federal state, sharing borders with Germany (Bavaria), Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Almost entirely mountainous, with two-thirds of its land area above 1,000 metres, it stretches from the shores of Lake Constance in the north to the glaciated peaks of the Silvretta range in the south. The state capital, Bregenz, enjoys a lakeside setting on Lake Constance, while the Rhine Valley running south to Feldkirch forms the main transport corridor.

Often called the "Ländle" (the little state), Vorarlberg punches well above its weight as a travel destination. It is home to some of the finest ski resorts in the Alps — Lech, Zürs, and the Arlberg — as well as a network of valleys offering superb hiking, mountain biking, and nature experiences. The Kleinwalsertal, accessible only from Germany, and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Großes Walsertal are just two of the distinctive landscapes that set Vorarlberg apart. The state's Alemannic dialect, markedly different from the Bavarian dialects spoken elsewhere in Austria, reflects its cultural proximity to Switzerland and the Allgäu.

Summer (June to September) is the best time for hiking, cycling, and enjoying Lake Constance. July and August offer the warmest temperatures, averaging 20–25°C in the valleys, though Vorarlberg is among Austria's wettest regions, so rain gear is essential. Winter (December to March) is prime time for skiing and snow sports, with the Arlberg area receiving reliable snowfall and some of the highest snow totals in the Alps.

Key festivals include the Bregenzer Festspiele (July–August), one of Europe's most spectacular opera and theatre festivals, performed on a floating stage on Lake Constance. The Schubertiade in Hohenems and Schwarzenberg (multiple dates, mainly June and September) is one of the world's leading Schubert music festivals. The Montafoner Musikaugust (August–September) brings classical and folk music to the Montafon valley. Village Almabtrieb (cattle drives) in September mark the end of the summer grazing season with decorated cows and local celebrations.

Vorarlberg has an exceptionally efficient public transport system. The railway from Bregenz to Feldkirch and on to the Arlberg forms the backbone, with around 160 bus routes reaching into every valley. ÖBB trains connect Bregenz to Feldkirch in about 35 minutes, and to Bludenz in about 50 minutes. The vmobil route planner and FAIRTIQ app (which automatically calculates the cheapest fare) make navigation easy.

A "maximo" day pass covering the entire state costs around €16.80 (2024). Many summer tourist cards (Inclusive Cards) and winter ski passes include free public transport. Driving is straightforward on the A14 motorway (Bregenz–Feldkirch–Bludenz–Arlberg), but the Arlberg road tunnel can be busy in peak seasons. The Vignette toll sticker is required for Austrian motorways, though the section between Hohenems and the German border is exempt. Ferries operated by Vorarlberg Lines run from Bregenz across Lake Constance to Lindau, Friedrichshafen, and other ports from Easter to October.

• Bregenz — the state capital, set on Lake Constance, famous for its floating-stage opera festival
• Feldkirch — the best-preserved medieval city in Vorarlberg, with a striking hilltop castle
• Lech — an exclusive, world-renowned ski resort and the traditional start of the White Ring circuit
• Zürs — a high-altitude ski resort neighbouring Lech, known for reliable snow and off-piste terrain
• Dornbirn — Vorarlberg's largest city, home to the Rolls-Royce Museum and modern architecture
• Bludenz — a gateway town to the Montafon and Klostertal valleys, popular for hiking and skiing
• Schruns — the main town of the Montafon valley, a hub for skiing and summer mountain sports
• Hohenems — a cultural town hosting the Schubertiade music festival
• Kleinwalsertal (Mittelberg) — a mountain valley accessible only from Germany, with excellent skiing
• Brand — a quiet, sun-drenched village in the Brandnertal with family-friendly skiing
• Bezau — a charming Bregenzerwald village with a cable car and traditional cheese-making
• Mellau — a Bregenzerwald resort with skiing and direct access to the Diedamskopf
• Au — a picturesque Bregenzerwald village known for its baroque church and hiking
• Hard — a town on the Rhine near Bregenz, with access to the lake
• Lustenau — a Rhine Valley town near the Swiss border, known for its cultural life
• Götzis — a town in the lower Rhine Valley with a major athletics meeting
• Rankweil — a market town with a pilgrimage basilica on a hilltop
• Schröcken — a mountain village linking the Bregenzerwald to the Arlberg ski area
• Gaschurn — a gateway village for Silvretta high-alpine road and summer hiking
• Sankt Gallenkirch — a Montafon village with access to the Silvretta Montafon ski area
• Damüls — a small village claiming the title of the most snow-sure resort in the world
• Nenzing — a Rhine Valley town at the entrance to the Walgau
• Gargellen — a quiet, remote village in the Montafon ideal for nature lovers
• Langen am Arlberg — a gateway to the famous Arlberg ski area
• Sankt Anton im Montafon — a Montafon village with a long-standing winter sports tradition
• Egg — a traditional Bregenzerwald village known for its craftsmanship
• Bizau — a quiet village in the Bregenzerwald with access to the Bizauer Hütte

Vorarlberg's cuisine is rooted in Alpine dairy farming and cheese-making traditions, which have been central to the region for centuries. Käsknöpfle (cheese dumplings, similar to Käsespätzle) is the quintessential dish — a rich, hearty plate of small pasta smothered in melted local cheese and topped with crispy fried onions. Riebel, a dish of cornmeal and wheat cooked slowly with butter, is another regional staple often served with applesauce or stewed fruit.

Alpine cheese is central to the food culture. Bergkäse (mountain cheese) and various soft cheeses are produced on mountain farms throughout the Bregenzerwald, Großes Walsertal, and Montafon. Many farms offer direct tastings and cheese-making demonstrations. Speck (smoked ham), dried sausages, and game dishes appear regularly on menus. Local breads, including Vinschgerl and rustic farmhouse loaves, accompany most meals. Dining options range from traditional Gasthof taverns to a growing number of modern, architecturally striking restaurants that reflect Vorarlberg's reputation for contemporary design.

Vorarlberg stands out in Austria for its thriving contemporary architecture and design scene, with firms like Baumschlager Eberle and Marte.Marte achieving international recognition. The province's building culture is evident in striking public buildings, schools, and even bus shelters throughout the region.

The Bregenzer Festspiele (July–August) is the cultural highlight of the year, featuring lavish opera productions on the world's largest lake stage. The Schubertiade in Schwarzenberg and Hohenems (June, September, October, November) is devoted to the music of Franz Schubert and draws top international performers. Traditional customs include Fasnacht (Carnival) with elaborate wooden masks and costumes, Almabtrieb processions in September, and various village festivals celebrating cheese, woodcraft, and folk music. The Bregenzerwald is particularly known for its living tradition of skilled wood craftsmanship, from carpentry to carving.

• Attend the Bregenzer Festspiele — experience opera performed on a spectacular floating stage on Lake Constance, with the Alps as a backdrop
• Ski the White Ring (Der Weiße Ring) — a legendary 22 km ski circuit connecting Lech, Zürs, Zug, and Oberlech, one of the most famous ski routes in the Alps
• Drive the Silvretta High Alpine Road — a stunning toll road climbing to 2,032 m through glacier scenery between Vorarlberg and Tyrol (open roughly June–October)
• Walk the Sagenweg (Legend Trail) in the Bregenzerwald — themed trails through forests and meadows with storytelling stations rooted in local folklore
• Explore the Bregenzerwald Architecture Trail — a self-guided tour of the region's remarkable contemporary buildings, from village halls to mountain inns