We first visited Ehrwald, Austria 18 years ago, and it continues to be one of our most beloved places to return to. The town is located at the base of the Zugspitze (the tallest mountain in Germany, located on the German-Austria border). Ehrwald is particularly special because of the Spielmann family, who have built and run the Hotel Spielmann for four generations. From this base, you and your family can explore Tyrolean hiking, enjoy Austrian food, and explore nearby German towns.
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Where to Stay in Ehrwald, Austria
The Romantik Hotel Spielmann, located on the edge of Ehrwald, and at the base of the Zugspitze, epitomizes the culture of the Austrian Alps. Guests enjoy spacious rooms ranging from singles to 2 bedroom family suites, and each room boasts grand views of the surrounding mountains. In addition, guests are treated to “half-board”meals, meaning breakfast and dinner are included in the daily room rate. Additionally, the Spielmann family, now in its fourth generation of leadership, continues to run the hotel and interact daily with guests, from taking orders in the restaurant at night to hosting hiking adventures weekly.
Hotel Spielmann also has a robust spa, including saunas, an indoor-outdoor pool, and other amenities. As with the rest of the hotel, the spa looks out onto a scenic view of the surrounding mountains.
The hotel is open seasonally in the summer and winter. In the summer, guests can enjoy biking through the surrounding valley, hiking, and sightseeing in nearby towns. In the winter, the hotel is in a ski-in-ski-out location, so alpine skiing is a primary draw to the hotel.
Places to Eat in Ehrwald, Austria
As with many hotels in Austria’s Tyrolean Alps, Hotel Spielmann offers breakfast and dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. Daily breakfast buffets include a custom-order egg station, and dinner menus rotate daily from traditional Tyrolean cuisine to special summer cookouts.
For lunch, head into town for Italian and Austrian restaurants, and a grocery store where you can make a picnic. Alternatively, there is a small restaurant at the top of the gondola (and a ski cafeteria open in the winter), where those hiking and skiing can get meals and drinks.
Things to Do in Ehrwald, Austria
As with most of Austria’s Alps, Ehrwald and its surrounding areas are family friendly, with plenty of things to do:
Winter Activities
Skiing and Winter Sports
In the winter, skiing is the largest pastime in this region. Visitors come from all over Europe and other prats of the world to ski.
Summer Activities
from hiking to day trips, here are some of our favorite summer activities near Ehrwald:
Hiking
Take the gondola up the hill and walk back down, or visit the Ehrwalder Almsee, a lake filled with crystal clear water that is only a short walk from the top of the gondola. Or ask the Spielmann family for suggestions of family friendly places to hike to.
Biking
Hotel Spielmann offers guests the opportunity to borrow bikes for the day and explore the bike paths throughout the valley. Additionally, head towards the neighboring town of Lermoos for lunch, or take a picnic with you to enjoy mid-Valley.
Daytrip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany:
Located across the Austrian-German border in Bavaria, this is a fun town to visit for shopping, walking, and sightseeing. Additionally, the town hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics, and you can visit many of the historic sights from the games. In the center of town, visit small shops that offer everything from cuckoo clocks to clothing.
Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
Located 40 minutes away by car, Neuschwanstein Castle is the epitome fairytale castle, and a classic place to visit in Germany. To visit, book your visit well in advance to guarantee they have space for your family the day you travel.
