Highlights and tips for your family holiday in Styria, surrounded by majestic peaks
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Before we dive into our tips for a family holiday in Styria, here’s a quick note on geography. Austria’s Dachstein massif, rising to almost 3,000 metres, borders no fewer than three federal states – which can be a little confusing. The famous Lake Hallstatt, for example, belongs to Upper Austria, Abtenau is part of Salzburg, and the south-eastern side lies within beautiful Styria.
The Schladming-Dachstein region we’re highlighting here is located in Styria. Surrounded by numerous imposing peaks, families can look forward to a truly spectacular mountain backdrop right on their doorstep.
The mountain town Schladming is the pulse of the region with restaurants, cafés and a pretty city center. Nevertheless, you are within a few minutes’ walk at the next valley station and are thus on the mountain in no time.
If you come in summer, you can take the Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard – it is free for every overnight guest – even gondola once a day for free and get many other discounts. Very practical, because for us families there is a lot to discover in the region!
We have used our summer card until the glow and share here our recommendations for accommodation, especially beautiful hikes, adventures and excursion destinations with kids. Of course, there are also tips for alpine pasins, regional dishes and cuisine. However, you have to find out for yourself what the famous Steirerkas is all about.
Immerse yourself in a summer in the middle of the picturesque mountains of Schladming-Dachstein with lush green alpine meadows, rippling mountain streams, fresh mountain air and lumy summer nights.
This is what a summer day on a family holiday in Styria looks like
A summer day with children in the Schladming-Dachstein region is best spent outdoors from sunrise to sunset. It starts with a warm coffee in hand on the terrace of one of the beautiful mountain chalets at Das Dorf in der Stadt – an idyllic holiday village right in the heart of Schladming. Each chalet comes with a fully equipped kitchen, a small play corner and, for extra relaxation, a private sauna. The rooms are wonderfully cosy, and right next door the Talbach stream bubbles cheerfully past.
The morning highlight? A breakfast bag filled with fresh bread from the local village baker, waiting right outside your door. There’s no better way to fuel up for a day of mountain adventures with the kids.
In Schladming-Dachstein, the mountains truly lie at your feet. Whether on foot, by bike or on a Mountain Go-Kart (more on that later), there are no limits to your urge to move. And best of all: families are at the heart of the region. Creative themed trails, adventure mountains and working farms are just waiting to be discovered by curious kids. One thing’s for sure – on this family holiday in Austria, your children will fall into bed happy and pleasantly exhausted at the end of every day.
Schladming is clearly the Eldorado for those families who appreciate the mix of nature, adventure and relaxation on holiday.
Our 5 favourite family outings in Schladming-Dachstein
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Nature & Environmental Discovery Trail:
An entertaining circular hike on Sattelberg featuring fun quiz questions and creative play stations. Along the way, children learn about the history of the mountains and the current state of the forests. The views of the Dachstein massif along the woodland trail are a real bonus. A stop at the lovely Sattelberghütte is well worth it. Small tip: let the kids smell the Styrian cheese – and if you’re lucky, you might even spot some baby rabbits. -
Farm visit and alpaca walk at Klausnerhof:
Getting up close to the gentle alpacas on a walk is a real highlight for kids at Klausnerhof. They even get to lead the alpacas themselves, of course under the watchful eye of farmer Moosburger. By the end, everyone is completely smitten with their fluffy new friends. -
Hiking the circular trail on Planai:
The circular trail on the former 2013 World Championship mountain is a must-do when visiting Schladming-Dachstein. Over just two kilometres, so many play stations are scattered along the route that kids walk almost effortlessly. The giant marble runs are a definite highlight. -
Mountain Go-Karts on Hochwurzen:
Pure action on one of the coolest downhill rides for families. You race like lightning down the seven-kilometre track into the valley – an absolute thrill you shouldn’t miss. With the Summer Card, you can save even more here. -
Rittisberg – a mountain that truly has it all:
Adventure, fun and relaxation – in exactly that order – await you on Rittisberg. Spend a full day hiking the Fairy Tale Trail through the forest, tackling the high ropes course, racing down the summer toboggan run and finishing off with a swim in the nearby lake.
As mentioned earlier, families staying overnight in the region receive the
Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card
free of charge – giving you access to an impressive range of included activities. From free use of public transport to one gondola ride per day, climbing, swimming and so much more. We, for example, would have loved to visit the
Mountain Animal Park in Mautern.
All the more reason to return to Schladming very soon.
Culinary highlights in Schladming-Dachstein
If you don’t feel like cooking in the evening during your family holiday in Styria but still want to stay close by, Talbachschenke is just a few steps away from
Das Dorf in der Stadt.
The menu features grilled specialities as well as a wide range of vegetarian dishes, all with a strong focus on regional ingredients and quality.
A little more refined is Restaurant Julius (currently closed), named after the owner’s grandfather. Head chef and owner Jörg has previously cooked in award-winning restaurants and has now returned to his hometown, where he delights guests with his love of southern flavours. His cuisine brings the aromas and tastes of Italy right into the Austrian Alps. For children, fresh pasta is whipped up in no time and served with a smile.
At the Artisan Café in town, you’ll find what are quite possibly the best butter croissants around. Truly homemade and served fresh from the oven, they taste absolutely heavenly. On rainy days, it’s also a wonderful place to spend hours browsing the café’s beautifully curated book selection for both children and adults.
For fresh ingredients to cook at home, stop by the organic store Biochi.
And for authentic Styrian specialities, Heimatgold is the place to go. From the famous Styrian pumpkin seed oil to Steirerkas cheese, it’s the perfect spot to stock up on local delicacies before heading home.
The place of power in Schladming-Dachstein
Where the day started, it also ends again. Because we can’t tell you about the Schladming-Dachstein region without mentioning the unique garden in the village in the city. This place has something magical about it! In the midst of beautiful trees and plants in all green shades, inviting loungers and the deep blue natural bathing pond, the relaxation mode immediately sets in. Here, all guests meet according to their mood for bathing, reading or doing nothing.
And what are the kids doing in the meantime? Well, they climb, splash and slap without end! Because right next to it, the village in the city has created a prima playground. There is really no better place to end the day on a family holiday in Austria in peace.
Our conclusion on a family holiday in the Schladming-Dachstein region of Styria
In Schladming-Dachstein, families enjoy a summer holiday filled with pleasure from morning until night. The mix is just right – mountain adventures that both parents and children love, paired with lively town life and charming cafés and restaurants. And if you stay at Das Dorf in der Stadt, you’re truly living the holiday dream.
